Revisiting my Norm Abrams router table

[Von]

Since I got great suggestions on my drill press table, and since I'm currently a very slow woodworker waiting for Spring with little new progress to show, I'll cover another old project.

I build this about 15 years ago. It's the Norm Abrams router table with a commercial Bench Dogs Tools ProFence. I bought a top because I was nervous about my ability to make one. I don't think I'll ever build myself a version 2, but this is due for some modifications.

The top on this thing is plenty big. In fact, I often store various things behind the fence more or less permanently.

The major thing I wish I had done differently is the upper drawers, which are meant for storing router bits. By my quick count I have storage for 72 1/4" bits and 132 1/2" bits. I have a tiny fraction of that, as you can see, and unless the rate I'm acquiring new ones picks way up, I'll never reach capacity. In retrospect, I wish I had just made drawers and then could fill them with whatever (including router bit organizers).

The plexiglass front is really only useful so I can see that I've forgotten to turn on dust collection (my shop vac), otherwise it being clear isn't all that helpful. What I would like to do is move the power switch, which you can see on the right side on the first photo above and which I run into with my clamp rack frequently, to the front somehow.

The bottom drawers are great. No complaints.

What else should I consider changing?

[Coop]

Very well done. Other than relocating the switch, maybe to the other side, I don’t see room for improvements! 

[gee-dub]

I agree that the table looks pretty solid as it is.  I like to be able to hit the power switch without releasing control of the material on some machines.  A paddle, lever or kick board I can hit is usually my answer.

I can hit the router table with my hip.

The tablesaw with my toe or knee.

The edge sander with the front of my leg.

Just food for thought.

 

[Von]

On 3/31/2023 at 10:18 PM, gee-dub said:

I agree that the table looks pretty solid as it is.  I like to be able to hit the power switch without releasing control of the material on some machines.  A paddle, lever or kick board I can hit is usually my answer.

Good point! I was thinking to move it just to make the table more narrow and I hadn't thought of the safety aspect.

[pkinneb]

I agree on an extra drawer or two vs bit holders, I changed my fence on mine last year  

[Von]

On 4/3/2023 at 6:41 PM, pkinneb said:

I agree on an extra drawer or two vs bit holders, I changed my fence on mine last year  

What are the two doohickeys on the front of the fence on either side of the bit? Work hold downs of some sort?

[Coop]

@pkinneb, from the one pic of your router table, it would be interesting to to see the rest of your shop. I’m impressed. Care to give us a tour? 

[fcschoenthal]

On 4/3/2023 at 8:51 PM, Von said:

What are the two doohickeys on the front of the fence on either side of the bit? Work hold downs of some sort?

Those are Jessem "Clear-Cut" router guides. They not only hold the piece down, but against the fence as well. I have them on both the router table and my tablesaw. Not inexpensive, but well worth it.

[pkinneb]

On 4/3/2023 at 9:23 PM, Coop said:

@pkinneb, from the one pic of your router table, it would be interesting to to see the rest of your shop. I’m impressed. Care to give us a tour? 

Sure but I have to clean it up first LOL