Every once in a while we get a call asking us what is hot in router tables? At first I thought this was a weird question but after I thought about it for a while it started to crystalize. You can do a lot of research but sometimes its another set of eyes that help make things clearer. By knowing what other people are buying you may figure out something you have missed or never thought of. Its like reading the product reviews for a product.

This is Woodpeckers Premium router table package. I never would have thought this product would sell so well, first of all because it is not an inexpensive table. But the fact is, it is chock full of really good features and has some great details to the design. This table has a lift, and a router table lift is something that more and more people are wanting. Woodworkers are learning to become more and more precise with their work and are making projects such as furniture to use in their homes. This saves a lot of money and often offsets the price of a table. Building your own entertainment center can save you up to $2000, that more than pays for the router table and you still have it to make more projects.

Packages come in two different type tops, Phenolic (black) and MDF (white)  You can also get them in two different sizes, standard (32×24) and extra large (27×43)  The last option is in the lift, you can get the regular PRL lift which adjusts from the top and the sidewinder lift which has a crank on the side.  So far the PRL lift has been more popular.

One of the reasons Woodpeckers is a great company is because they never sit still, they are always innovating new products that make our time in the shop even better.  The newest is this corner radius jig designed to help you put out a consistent product. 

It works well on the router table and gives you a nice rounded corner.  Forget about rough cutting with a jig saw or band saw, this jig makes life simple and you get to use your router table too.  What do you think?

People who work with woodworking or fiberglass can be exposed to many serious health risks which involve the breathing in of dust and other microscopic or bigger debris. This is serious business. To breathe in any type of particles puts strain on your lungs and decreases your ability to breathe properly and to have proper cardiovascular health. The best thing to do to decrease your exposure to these dangerous materials is to install a dust collector on your power tools or have a dust collection ventilation system in your woodshop or work area. Without one you can put yourself viagra for some serious consequences.

Dust collection can be applied in several different kinds of venues around your woodshop. Dust collection apparatus can be secured to power tools such as a saw or sander where the dust is collected right when it occurs. Some dust collection apparatus consists of cheese cloth bags attached to your tools or there are custom built dust collectors that will either fit on your power tool or sets independently near the work area to suck up dust or minute matter that would otherwise get into your lungs and harm your health. No matter what you are doing in the workshop, you need to have some kind of dust collection device.

Dust collection ventilation systems can be installed for the overall protection from dust for your entire workshop. Not only does these mammoth machines suck dust out of the air as you work, but you can sweep the sawdust and other material into the machine at designated ports around your shop. Just a quick sweep with a wide broom and your floor and air will be clean and safe. These larger dust collection machines are pricey, but if you are a commercial shop or if you have a large volume of dust accompanying your work, then this is a must for the serious wood working shop.

If you have a small wood working shop and you want to go commercial and hire workers, then you, according to OSHA, have to upgrade your dust collection equipment. The health of your workers and the prosperity of your business are pertinent to your success as a work shop owner. With the proper dust collection equipment even your insurance will go down if you provide insurance to your workers. It is a win-win situation to have this equipment installed and operating while your wood shop is in business. Without it you could set yourself up for legal problems and health problems down the road.

No matter if you are a weekend wood working warrior or a wood working business, you have to have dust collectors in place to save your health and even the environment. Dust from your wood shop could contaminate the local air with in particulate matter that will add to the dust from the road and neighborhood to contaminate the air and make you and your neighbors less healthy than you should be. At least wear a dust mask when working on wood and when you can afford it, purchase dust collectors.

Click here for more information on Dust Collection and Router table accessories. The Router Table Depot has lots of woodworking articles for your pleasure.

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Making a drawer for your router table is probably one of the more useful projects you can build on and for your router table.  A drawer (or two) can hold and organize your router bits, like the one shown here.  This gives you a couple of advantages.  First of all, its keeps the bits upright and safe.  You will not have to worry about your router bits rolling around the drawer and possibly chipping the edges of the cutters.  Second you can drill out he drawer bottom for both 1/4″ and 1/2″ bits.  This is usually pretty hard to find as a stock offering in most stores.  Having both holes allows you to customize the drawer for your collection of bits, no matter what the size.

Construction

Building the floor or the bottom of the drawer is a pretty good idea to do first.  This can allow you to layout your hole pattern and predrill them all before you assemble the drawer.  Do a little planning on your drawer size and then use a drill press to drill out the holes.  Its important to note that you cannot use a 1/4″ bit to drill a 1/4″ hole for your 1/4″ collet router bits, they have to be slightly larger.  If they are the same size, you will have trouble inserting and removing the bits.  This will be even more notable during the season changes with contraction and expansion.

While you are at the drawer, it may be a good time to just design a whole new cabinet around your drawer system!

You can use drawers on full size router tables or even on smaller bench sized ones shown here.  Here is a couple of pictures to give you some ideas.