Get $10 off any purchase over $75

Not a bad deal if you are getting ready to make a purchase.

I am getting this to put in a woodpecker lift.

The other day I was on Amazon and ran across this plan.  I do not usually buy plans, but this plan hit a few notes for me.  Most people do not know how to go about building a router table.  If you put some thought into it, you would quickly figure out that cutting the insert out from the table is the most challenging part of the whole project.  So I put this up as a good reference, that the plan can make your thought process a bit easier.

Modify

I really like how simple the case is on this table, you can pretty much make it out of any scrap wood in the shop and its purpose is really very simple.  You can also add features to it as you progress.  You can make it very stable (no matter how light it is) by clamping it to your bench.   The fence is very unusual since it rides on T-track that is mounted to the side of the table.  If you use standard knobs and bolts, this can be a very easy setup and get you some good accuracy without having to buy one of those expensive fence kits.  My first router table fence started out as a straight piece of wood clamped to the table.

The picture does not show a miter track, but you can easily insert one into the groove that you cut out.  If you do not think you will need this, you can always add it later on.  Most of the parts needed for this project can be bought just about anywhere, you really only need some bolt and knob sets, a dust port and some T-track.

This is a pretty good rebate deal going on right now at Tool King on name brand tools. DeWalt and Porter Cable are featured.

How far are you willing to go when it comes to saving space? In order to work effectively, your environment has to appeal to you as well. But what you can do when every tool in the shop is a tight fit? Most of us would love to have a monster sized shop with all the room we could ever want, but that is not always the case.   Fear no more: creative minds have already come up with a solution. Let’s check out the new features of the fancy FlipTopz table.

The main advantage of this table is the fact that it really saves you a LOT of space – otherwise it wouldn’t be called “the space saving workbench”! Dimensions speak for themselves: 46 1/4″ length and 31 3/4″ width. That really is something… anyway, how do you set it up? The table is designed to mount to the side of your wall. You can fold it away when you don’t need to use it – maybe this is one of the greatest advantages of this type of workbench! No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to do this with any other regular table…

This product is a real space saver, but is it resistant as well? Most small tables can’t support heavy objects; does that apply to the FlipTopz table too? Well, you’ll definitely be surprised to hear the powder coated steel frame and the wood top (reinforced with melamine on all sides!) can hold up to 200 lbs. It will be easy for you to realize that once you unpack the table and set it up in your room!

You won’t need to worry about safety either. The FlipTopz table is equipped with leg locking pull-pins, so the risk of accidents is minimized. It is very easy to install. All you need to do is to follow the simple instructions provided in the package; there is nothing that can go wrong! The FlipTopz table is definitely worth it, and it’s time to stop doubting.

A solid, durable, safe and stylish space saver – no one could ask for more, whether it’s about their study room or workshop! Stop doing math whenever you check out the stores for new furniture. You have the right to enjoy your space, and the FlipTopz table is the best tool that will help you make this possible. If you truly value your own space and freedom of movement, then you won’t be disappointed!

This project has always been near and dear to my heart for a long time.  Mostly because it does a couple of things really well.  The first is that it combines tools, which saves space and provide that anchor tool that everyone needs.  Second it shows you how to save some money on a big cabinet saw by using a smaller but powerful benchtop saw as the main part of the project.

Benchtop Saws

Craftsman and Bosch both make some really nice portable saws or bench top saws .  The key is to look at the horsepower that they offer and the fence system.  These are the main two selling points of any saw.  I prefer belt driven saws with a decent amount of horsepower.  You can easily build a system around a $300 or $300 dollar saw.  My favorite technique is to find a used on Craigslist.  This is a great way to save even more money and use something that someone has probably only used a few times and just wants to get rid of.  Once you have the saw you can begin to tweak this plan to design this tool that will work perfect for your shop.  If you plan on keeping it stationary, then you do not need wheels, but I do recommend them since you will find that moving it around the shop or cleaning under it is desirable.  I move my shop around a lot when I get the desire to “find” room for a new toy.

Router Table

Adding this onto the top is a huge help and its where I get most of my questions.  How do you do it?  Or does “this” saw fit an extension table.  The truth is, the plan helps you make an extension table but you can choose a router table extension that is already made to add to it as well.  I am a big fan of building my own, since you save even more money.  Look for the parts for the fence, supplemental fence and router inserts at your favorite woodworking store.  A lot of time the tablesaws you can buy already have a iron extension on them.  I would recommend taking them off and building a MDF extension for the router table.  If you really want to go nuts, build a router table lift into the design.  They cost about $300 more dollars but they are pretty awesome.

Storage

Here is what makes this plan awesome, the storage capacity.   Every station in the shop should have some storage associated with it.  You have to have places to put extra blades, the wrenches and the user manual and its best to have each tool have its own storage.  You can never get enough, never.   You can tweak or change anything to your needs.  This will transform the way you work in your shop.  If you are like me and a little messy, it will also help you be more organized.  I need all the help I can get.  You can also add some really innovative dust collection ideas to this center if you want to go the extra mile.

You can find this Router Table and Table Saw Combination here

If you are a person who loves outdoor life, then you appreciate the ethereal beauty that a garden gives a compound. A garden has always been the main aspect of landscaping and landscapers have over the years come up with creative additions to make the garden even more elegant. One of the oldest features of the garden is the Gazebo, which is as old as the garden itself. This is a structure with a roof, open walls and a deck. This structure is built on a spot that gives the most magnificent view of the horizon and mostly blends with the landscape.

The origin of the gazebo is a mystery. However, historians and architects point to Egyptian civilization as the probable origin due to references in literature and also paintings in pharaohs’ tombs depicting the structure. The structures date back to 1400 BC according to the murals that have been discovered in Egypt. The term itself is even more mystifying with some claiming it is a play on the word “gaze” and a Latin addition “ebo” translating to “I shall see”. Etymologists quote a 1752 book on Chinese design by William Halfpenny as the first time the word was used. Early gazebos were also common in China and were conspicuous in the homes of the affluent families fro mediation purposes. The spread to Europe more so France during the renaissance in the 14th century was inevitable as architects played on existing designs. Later the designs spread to England and were dominant on Elizabethan gardens. In America, the fad reached its peak during the 18th century and even George Washington had an eight sided one during the time.

For a structure with such an elaborate history, dominance in outdoor design is obvious. Today’s designs come in many shapes and designs from octagonal sided to square ones. In addition, the materials vary from cedar, pine, wrought iron to the eco-friendly vinyl. The uses have also changed from just mediation to entertaining guests and holding functions such as weddings. If you are in need of a good gazebo, there is the option of ordering one from different companies and assembling it from your backyard. This will save you a lot of construction time and you can also select from myriad designs offered.

If you are handy, you can also construct your own from scratch as this will give you the freedom to design exactly what you have in mind. Here is a simple guide on how you can do this;
1) After marking the area where the gazebo is to stand, dig the 30 inch holes for the posts and place the pressure treated posts in the holes firmly using concrete mix.

2) Link the posts using cedar or pine planks with screws and keenly check the leveling.
If you want a deck, you can prepare it at this point.

3) If you have bought the walling kit, assemble it by fitting the tongue and groove boards using screws. If you don’t have the kit, prepare your own boards fro the walls considering a gazebo should have free flowing air.

4) Prepare the roofing by fitting the supporting planks. You can also use boards on the roof before placing the shingles or any other roofing you need.

Building your own summerhouse can be very tedious. Remember this is not just about functionality but also aesthetics. You might have a good garden but your pergola might ruin everything.

Read more articles about building outdoor structures and gazebos.

I found this contest on Router Table Depot’s site.  It really is offered on their facebook page but you can find a link to it on the site.  They are starting their summer tool givewaway  again which is always great.  They tend to give away good stuff instead of some tool or gadget that no one really wants or needs.  This months offering is a Woodpecker’s Coping sled.  You have to go to their facebook page to enter, you simply enter by “liking” it.  There is no purchase necessary.  Here is a direct link.

Router Table Depot Facebook Contest

Upon talking to the buyer at RTD, he said they are going to give away some really great stuff over the summer such as router bits, complete router tables, some new dust collection stuff and lots of Woodpecker’s brand items.

This is pretty cool.  Router Table Depot started their summer tool giveaway again and this month they are featuring the Woodpeckers Coping Sled.  You do not have to buy anything and it looks like all you have to do is go to their Router Table Depot Facebook page and like the ad to enter.  When you press the like button a drop down box opens up and you can enter your information.  The rules for the contest are on their site, if you want to read those you can find them here.

If you have been thinking about getting into raised panel joinery, this is a great jig to have, its very heavy duty and lots of people love the product.  Of course anything that Woodpeckers makes is pretty good.  A video on the operation of the jig is long overdue at Woodpeckers and I am pressing them to get one finished.  When it is I will sure to post it here.

Did you ever notice that sometimes your router does not have a name brand router plate pre-drilled for it?  For example, no one pre-drills for a Hitachi router.  The reason is, the router is not that popular and most manufacturers have not found it a good use of their time to stop and change all the specifications and milling process to include this extra router brand.  Adding it into the mix of a plate that accepts several types of brands currently usually just adds to more holes in the insert plate.  In the Hitachi example most people have bought the M12V which is a very nice and well made plunge router.  The problem is that plunge routers really do not work best in a router table situation.  Hitachi does make a nice combo set that includes both bases, however its market share on this combo is still low compared to the bigger companies such as Porter Cable or Bosch routers.

What you should do

The solution is not very difficult but does take an extra step.  simply go and buy whatever name brand insert that you like in a blank.  That means it is not pre-drilled for anything.  Take your routers base plate and use it for a template to drill your own mounting holes.  This will give you a custom fit and the blank plates sometimes cost a little less.

The future of router insert plates

If you go a step further and look at all the insert plates that are available you will notice that several brands are phasing out certain materials for certain reasons.  One of those materials is the acrylic based inserts.  Good manufacturers cover defects in their products but sometimes those defects are not as crystal clear as they may see.  Sometimes customers (woodworkers) do stupid things, like drop their inserts, leave them in the table with the big router attached or drill it out wrong.  Over time those types of returns begin to overburden return departments which is why it sometimes takes much longer to get a replacement or refund than to actually purchase something.  Manufacturers are switching to aluminum inserts since they are much more hardy and more or less “goof proof”  You really cannot hurt a metal insert.

Well I ran across this looking for something on You Tube and I more or less stopped in my tracks.  This lady actually knows how to make furniture and uses some natural assets to help her (and us) out.  I thought it was a little edgy but I have to admit I like her style and the way she gets her point across.  She has more videos but I thought it was worthy of asking if this is something you readers would like me to post more of.  If so, please respond in the poll below.  I will see if I can get some exclusive content.