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Router Table Precision Edge Jointer

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by rudy4444, Aug 3, 2017.

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  1. Aug 3, 2017 #1
    rudy4444

    rudy4444

    Mar 13, 2012
    Central Illinois
    I just threw together a quick n' easy jig to convert a router table to a precision edge jointer. There are tons of these jigs out there, but if my methodology helps anyone then it's a good thing.

    v1jcAmJ.jpg

    Here's the Youtube video showing the details; it'll take you a full minute and a half to watch!

     
    rwkeating, mapleglo, Freekmagnet and 2 others like this.
  2. Aug 3, 2017 #2
    chinjazz

    chinjazz

    Sep 11, 2002
    Atlantic Beach, FL
    Thanks for sharing Rudy!

    I'm planning on making a jointing router fence as well. Yours looks quite effective.
    The one I was going to make had adjustable left and right sides, but I'm beginning to think about doing one like yours.
     
  3. Aug 4, 2017 #3
    Rôckhewer

    Rôckhewer Commercial User

    Feb 28, 2015
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Owner/Builder- RockHewer Custom Guitars LLC
    Wow. That IS quick... and easy!
    Nice :thumbsup:
     
  4. Aug 4, 2017 #4
    chinjazz

    chinjazz

    Sep 11, 2002
    Atlantic Beach, FL
    Hey Rudy,

    Wondering if you could snap a picture of the Adjustment knob section? Does that bolt get threaded thru the router table? Seems like so as I don't see a clamp on that end.

    Thanks a bunch!
     
  5. Aug 4, 2017 #5
    Teacher

    Teacher

    May 3, 2012
    Nice work! I love this idea.
     
  6. Aug 4, 2017 #6
    rudy4444

    rudy4444

    Mar 13, 2012
    Central Illinois
    Here's the working end; it should be easy to understand. The wood beam has a long curve cut with a band saw on the side towards the aluminum channel. The knob attaches to a piece of 3/8" all thread which threads into a 3/8" tee nut anchored in the wood block inserted inside the channel. Tightening the adjustment straightens the aluminum channel. The channel had a slight concave bow so I made the adjustment to counter that. If it would have had a convex bow I would have anchored both ends and put the adjustment in the center of the beam.

    atbF34v.jpg
     
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  7. Aug 4, 2017 #7
    chinjazz

    chinjazz

    Sep 11, 2002
    Atlantic Beach, FL
    Thanks for the extra detail :)

    Very nice jig!!!
     
  8. Aug 6, 2017 #8
    rudy4444

    rudy4444

    Mar 13, 2012
    Central Illinois
    You're entirely welcome. That should clear up any of the fine details of making the jig. I wanted something that could be added with a short setup time for the limited amount of edge jointing I do in the shop.
     
    chinjazz likes this.
  9. Aug 10, 2017 #9
    Jisch

    Jisch

    Jun 1, 2005
    Connecticut (Northeast USA)
    This has nowhere near the same level of precision, but I bought a used router table last night. I thought for $75 I was getting just the table, the seller delivered it to my house (score) and when it got here I saw it included the router. I turned it on just to know the router works and nothing more, so I don't know how well this will work, but it has a jointer fence built in (pushed way out here to show it):
    20170810_061250_zpsfy1zxwvj.jpg

    I'll try using it, but I normally just use the cut off my dad's table saw, remarkably flat cuts from that thing.
     
    chinjazz likes this.
  10. Aug 10, 2017 #10
    chinjazz

    chinjazz

    Sep 11, 2002
    Atlantic Beach, FL
    Cool! I'm interested in hearing how it performs. What brand/make is it?
     
  11. Aug 10, 2017 #11
    Jisch

    Jisch

    Jun 1, 2005
    Connecticut (Northeast USA)
    It's a Craftsman. Certainly not a high end unit, but the base is all metal, the fence is some kind of composite. The person I bought it from bought it used as well, so I don't know how old it is or if they still make it
    20170809_184949_zpsyheci6py.jpg
     
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  12. Aug 10, 2017 #12
    chinjazz

    chinjazz

    Sep 11, 2002
    Atlantic Beach, FL
    Cool. I've seen ones like it listed locally on LetGo, Craigslist, etc.. Hope that fence works nice for jointing :)
     
  13. Aug 10, 2017 #13
    Teacher

    Teacher

    May 3, 2012
    Ha! You should see the...THING...I've been using! It makes yours look like a Rolls Royce by comparison. :D

    (I'm going to build a router table extension on to my table saw to replace the...THING.)
     
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  14. Aug 10, 2017 #14
    chinjazz

    chinjazz

    Sep 11, 2002
    Atlantic Beach, FL
    I'm interested in seeing the THING :)
     
  15. Aug 10, 2017 #15
    Teacher

    Teacher

    May 3, 2012
    Your wish is my command!

    I got it with an old Craftsman router that I still use and like quite a bit. Never planned on using the table at all, but I have. It's obviously a bit of a pain to set up, but once it IS set up, it works just fine. Still, a good full sized table with above-plate height adjustment and a proper fence will be worlds better.
     

    Attached Files:

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  16. Aug 10, 2017 #16
    chinjazz

    chinjazz

    Sep 11, 2002
    Atlantic Beach, FL
    Looks pretty solid to me! Thanks :)
     
  17. Aug 10, 2017 #17
    Teacher

    Teacher

    May 3, 2012
    It's a table-top model. It really is stable when clamped down well, but size and convenience are not it's strong suit. But as I said, it can get the job done just fine.