First router jig

[NathanaelBC]

Just bought my first router, a second-hand Triton TRA001 (I was shopping for the mid-range Triton but this one came up and was a good deal).

I expect I'll eventually get a router table to go with it, but in the meantime I built a jig for routing out lap points and dados. In some ways it's basically an inverted router table of limited use but it will give me a good idea of whether it's worth investing in (and more importantly, clearing a space for) a router table.

Keep in mind I'm very much a woodworking novice!

The jig is a tray for the router with an all-round fence and then a lower tray that the workpiece sits on and is clamped to.

All 16mm MDF and PVA glue; no nails, brackets or other fasteners.

jig1.jpg

Haven't yet got the hang of remembering to go into a workpiece with the router bit going away on the waste side; hence the feathering on the

jig2.jpg

jig3.jpg

[Christos]

What you have effectively made is a router sled.

There is no reason why you can not make your own router table/cabinet. One thing to be aware of, is that over time the table will sag as routers are heavy these need to be supported with thicker table top for example.

[snowyskiesau]

The first real router jig I made was an 'exact width' dado template from the WoodWhisperer.
No more guess work or calculating (aren't they the same?) to set a guide, cuts right along the line you mark.
It does required the Triton router template guides though.

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