brianb Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 Hi All, I am rebuilding my router table fence to have better dust collection and a split fence (among other features). I'm building the base out of MDF with the intention of covering it in counter top laminate (I have done this with other jigs to great success). My question is on the color. Not that the color itself matters, but the laminate I have on hand is fairly dark, and I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this and if they had issues seeing their work surface? I don't have any extensive eye-site issues, but I know most of these are white, which I assume is to amplify light. I would prefer to use what I have due to the combination of expense, and the fact that I can't seem to find laminate in smaller sizes, so buying a whole sheet seems excessive. Thoughts, or places to purchase small quantities of laminate are appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 I went with a granite patterned laminate for my top and it seems fine to me. I have needed to use blue tape on the surface when I wanted to place marks, but I find usually I end up wanting to do that where the insert plate is anyway. I was able to buy an end of a sheet for about $10 from a place that makes countertops near me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 So, with router fences, you sometimes want to mark on them start and stop lines so, I'd suggest a light color that will show pencil marks well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 6 minutes ago, TIODS said: So, with router fences, you sometimes want to mark on them start and stop lines so, I'd suggest a light color that will show pencil marks well. Oops, I missed the fence part. I do have my fence in white, for exactly that reason. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 Black granite Formica, because Lowe's had an absurd clearance on two sheets of it (corner damage). I think I got them for 75% off. Zero regrets, but I do have the Incra positioner system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 As others have pointed out being able to mark in pencil and than erase on both the top and the fence would be a big deal for me as I do it quite frequently. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianb Posted October 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 Thanks everyone for the insights. I think i'll be holding out and searching for some white laminate after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted October 24, 2016 Report Share Posted October 24, 2016 Agreed. I have an almond color on mine. Pencil marks show up easily and erase easily. Even if I didn't put witness marks on the surfaces I would want a light color. Laminate isn't expensive so I wouldn't do something questionable that I have to live with for years just to save a few bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 25, 2016 Report Share Posted October 25, 2016 I have a dark one only because it was free and part of a old counter top. My next one will be a light color also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted October 26, 2016 Report Share Posted October 26, 2016 I have a black router fence and really wish it was white because I can't use a regular pencil to mark on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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