Ask the Expert
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Michael Van Pelt is the founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat. He has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory.
If you have a question for Michael, choose the Submit Question button to the right by November 30th. We will send you a reply with Mike's response in mid-December and then post it to this page for other members to view. You never know...someone else may have the same question
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Listed below are questions and answers that have already been submitted.
Questions
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9/9/2009
Router Mounting
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
|
Q.
|
I purchased a Porter Cable router/plunge router combo. I have a router table to mount it on. One problem, I need instructions on mounting. I am a real novice at woodworking and would love to get this set up. Do you have any tips? Exactly what part of the router mounts to the table? Do I need to leave the base plate on or take it off. I spoken to several carpenters/handimen and they all groan and advise this is probably the one thing they don't like to set up. I've owned the router and table for over a year and spent a lot of money on it. Just can't use it. |
| A. |
You will want to mount the fixed base to the table. Remove the base plate and use the extra screws supplied to mount it to the table, with the router controls facing the user. |
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3/26/2009
Jointing on Router Table
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I have tried jointing on my table router it does not work for me i have a split back gage, i put the outfeed level with the bit and took the infeed back about one sixteenth. i ran the piece through about 6 times and it still is not straight . WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? |
| A. |
I believe that your set up is correct. But what do you mean by straight? A
jointer or a router table will only give you a straight 90 degree square to the
face cut. You will also need a tablesaw to cut the other edge straight and
parallel to the first jointed edge. |
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6/27/2008
Dowel Making on Router Table
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
A friend of mine ask me to turn an umbrella pole down so it would fit into the brass sleeve of the top pole. I can only turn 38" on my lathe. Somewhere I read or viewed a method of making dowels on a router table. Can you give me advice on doing what my friend needs done? |
| A. |
This router table dowel making business is not wise to do. A dowel is not very stable on a router table. So instead I recommend using a draw knife and then 80 grit on a Compact belt sander to complete the job safely. |
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2/25/2008
Router Table Top
Answer provided by Marc Adams
| Q. |
I made a router cabinet. The top is made from 1" MDF/melamine.
I didn't notice it at the time I trimmed it out, but the board has a 1/8"
dip in the middle (from right to left). It's ok from front to back. How do I
repair without re-making the whole top? |
| A. |
Here are a couple of ideas. One would be to shim
equally under the top above the frame of the cabinet in front and back. Then put
glue blocks in each of the four corners of the cabinet that you could then run
screws through to pull down the high sides of your top. The other option would
be to rip two boards approximately 2” thick by some thing less then the
interior dimension of your cabinet .Then create a slight crown from end to end
. Drill a hole at each end and screw one
onto each side of the under side of your top in order to flex the top back into
flat. You will have to check and adjust screw pressure until flat. It might be just easier to start with a flat
piece of material and do it over. |
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2/19/2008
Making a Router Table
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I'm considering making a router table using a
porter cable model #7529. Is this
possible, and if so what accessories do I need to make this happen? |
| A. |
Making your router table is a great project. I started out
that way, and eventually passed
it down to my son-in-law when he started woodworking. Here is a great plan for a table top router. You can use this
plan as it is, modify it, or just as a reference
tool for parts and ideas. You can find the plans on the Wood Magazine web
site, www.woodmaggazine.com/index
, issue #138 December 2001.
Good
luck, and have fun building. |
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2/19/2008
Plunge Router on Router Table?
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I was wondering if you can use a plunge router
on a router table or if you need to use a fixed base router? I don't have a
router yet but when I get one I also want to get a router table so I just want
to know what kind of routers I can use with it. Also if I can use a plunge
router on a router table how would I do that? |
| A. |
When referring to a router table, a fixed base router should always be used
under the table. Plunge routers are
spring loaded and when put under the table you are always fighting the springs when trying to adjust the height of
the bit. Some models of plunge
routers can cost $100.00 more than a fixed base, with no extra benefit. |
[ Back To Main ]
2/14/2008
Build My Own Router Table
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I
want to build my own router table and I want it to be easy to change the bits
and be overall easy to work with. Where can I get some plans for one? |
| A. |
Norm
has a great router table plan. You know the guy who talks like he is from Boston. |
[ Back To Main ]
2/14/2008
Router Table Top
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I made a router cabinet for a school project and
use 1.5" MDF for the table top. Now that it is home I see that the
tabletop is slightly warped - it's lower in the center than out at the edges by
slighlty less than 1/8th of an inch. Is this fixable? Can I add to the surface
or do I need to replace? Thanks |
| A. |
I have seen this before. Just cut out two 2 x
4’s and glue them left to right the length of the table. It will make the table
flat again and prevent future sagging. |
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6/26/2007
Router Table Adjustment
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
Hello , I am trying to set up my table so I can
joint the edges of stock . I cannot seem to get the set-up right . I set the
fence .020 thicker on the out-feed side but my stock still does not come out
square , I can put a straight edge on it after it is run through but there is
either an arch or a taper on this side . Any thoughts as to set up ? Thanks |
| A: |
Sounds to me Gary
like the out-feed fence has a bow or crown in it. Put a straight edge on it to
make certain it is dead flat. How about custom making a jig that you know is
the set up you want? Make it out of double stacked ¾” plywood so it stays true.
Put a guard on it please!
Just like a jointer bed the fences must be flat to each
other too.
|
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6/5/2007
Router Table Recommendation
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
If I am just starting to work with routers, what type of router table do you recommend? |
| A: |
My shop router table is made by Bench Dog. It has an enclosed base that is great for dust collection. Plus it is equipped with a miter slot that is essential for cope cuts on stile and rail assemblies. The fence is well designed too. I rate it an A+! |
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6/5/2007
Router Table Tear Out
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I bit off a biggin. I am building soft white maple cabinets. Using a 1/4" round over with 1/8" rim at the face (hope that makes sense) and I get tear out at the end of running with grain and across. I use a back up block of same product. I don't get it. |
| A: |
You got me here. I do have a theory. It sounds to me like the bit is dull. Try a new bit. Plus for the future try to upgrade any bit in your tool tray to ½ diameter shanks. This helps to minimize vibration during cuts. Good luck with the new kitchen project! |
