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Take your router table to the next level with these inexpensive, must-have accessories.
The accessories (or similar versions) shown starting on page 8 of ShopNotes No. 85 are available at most woodworking stores, see below for sources.
Rockler carries the miter track (63018), T-track (21746), and dust port (35317) shown on page 25. They also have aluminum insert plates. You can buy a blank plate (35863) or order one pre-drilled to match specific routers.
If you use a Rockler plate, an easy way to create the opening in your router table is to use their template (26505) and 1/2" pattern bit (33536).
You'll appreciate the usefulness of these miter bars any time you build a jig or fixture.
The article on page 12 of ShopNotes No. 85 features after-market miter bars you can use to build your own jigs and fixtures. Both the Incra and Kreg bars are available from the Woodsmith Store. Contact information for ordering the Rockler and Woodhaven miter bars, as well as sources for ordering material to make your own miter bars, are listed below.
Not all brad point bits are the same. Find out what separates the best from the rest.
You can find brad point bits at many hardware stores. But to get high-quality bits, a woodworking supplier is a better choice. The Woodsmith Store carries Fisch brad point bits. Lee Valley and Woodcraft offer individual and sets of quality brad point bits as well.
Shop-tested tips and techniques to solve your woodworking problems.
With just a single sheet of plywood and a handful of hardware, you can build a top-notch router table in a weekend. Later, you can upgrade it with a support stand, doors, and drawers.
Building the basic router table on page 18 of ShopNotes No. 85 doesn't require much hardware. I picked up a piano hinge at a local hardware store, along with the carriage bolts, locknut, and washers. If you have trouble locating knobs, Rockler carries 5/16" T-knobs (71514).
Adding the stand. If you decide to build the router table stand with shelves, the only other hardware you'll need is a set of shelf pin supports. The twelve pins (22773) I used came from Rockler.
For the router table stand with the door and drawers, you'll only need four shelf pins, a pair of Rockler spring hinges (28845), and a few screws for the drawer runners.
Building drawers doesn't have to be a hassle. You can build a sold drawer quickly and easily with just a single router bit.
Keeping track of the small stuff can be a challenge. Build this hardware organizer and you'll be able to find just what you need in no time at all.
You can probably find the piano hinge, door pulls, and aluminum bar stock for the hardware cabinet on page 28 of ShopNotes No. 85 at any hardware store. Lee Valley carries the magnets (99K31.03), cups (99K32.53), and washers (99K32.63) used to keep the doors open or closed. The small storage bins (Model 30210) are made by Akro-Mils (see below). These storage bins (or similar ones) are available at many hardware stores and home centers.
Flat, smooth panels in an hour -- all you need are a belt sander and these simple steps.
Are perfect miter cuts just a dream? With this sled, you'll be cutting dead-on miters every time.
Besides a few pieces of hardware, the miter sled requires flange bolts (33965), T-track (4502024), and knobs (23804) available from the Woodsmith Store. They also carry the Kreg miter bars (273736). The anti-slip tape (JT-35109) came from Reid Tool. For the fence extensions, you’ll need another piece of T-track, four 1/4" threaded inserts, studded knobs (23838) and a piece of aluminum angle.
Learn all you need to know to get clean, splinter-free cuts in plywood time after time.
Put pegboards to use in your shop this weekend with these seven handy ideas.
Here's what you need to know to make safe rip cuts on the table saw a sure thing.
Want to improve the cut of your table saw? We take a look at zero-clearance inserts.
Replacing the insert in your table saw with a zero-clearance insert is one of the best ways to improve the quality of the cuts you make. Table saw inserts are available from a number of sources (see below). All you’ll need to know before ordering one is the make and model of your saw.
Conquering the clutter in a garage isn't a problem with this handy organizing system.
Threaded inserts are must-have pieces of hardware for making jigs and fixtures as well as knock-down projects. The tricky part can be installing them. The Woodsmith Store (see below) carries a wide variety of threaded inserts. And they have a handy jig (721375) that makes installing 1/4" and 5/16" inserts a snap.
