Milling table: design, diagrams, DIY manufacturing technology

by Alexey | Tools | Wednesday, December 15, 2021

A router is a very useful tool in woodworking. It can be used for shaping wood, drilling various holes, cutting grooves, finishing edges and much more. It's hard to imagine any complex project without it.

A router table may be the most important tool a carpenter can use.

Most people use routers as portable tools. While this is a viable option, a table-mounted router is safer to use and can perform its functions on a whole different level. If you're looking to build your own router table yourself, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up 13 of the best DIY table designs.

Folding milling table

This briefcase-sized design transforms into a fully functional router in minutes and folds up for storage just as quickly.

A full-size router table can be a great solution—if you have the space. But if you only use the router occasionally or need a mobile solution, this might be a good solution. This benchtop tool provides all the precision and stability you'd expect from a full-size router table.

AEG MF 1400 KE

Frame

A two-base router is a power unit with a retractable spindle, which can be installed, depending on the nature of the work to be done, on a submersible or copying base. It is protected from external influences by an orange plastic case with a power button and a speed controller on the side wall.

Engine

The 1400 W electric motor is equipped with a collet clamp for 8 and 12 mm shanks with convenient locking while changing cutters. Electronic equipment ensures smooth starting and stabilization of rotation speed under load, which can be set in the range from 10,000 to 23,000 rpm.

Controls and support sole

This model is capable of extending the cutter to a fairly large distance of 64 mm. The degree of immersion is amenable to coarse and fine screw adjustment. The tool stroke is balanced by powerful springs mounted inside the guide rods.

To prevent uncontrolled rebound there is a return limiter. Ergonomic control handles coated with elastic polymer contribute to the convenience of the master’s work.

There is an adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner, a transparent protective screen, and built-in lighting. Smooth lateral movement is ensured by three interchangeable soles made of durable plastic.

Pros of the AEG MF 1400 KE

1. High reliability, confirmed by a 6-year manufacturer's warranty.
2. Electronic regulation.
3. Excellent overview of the work area.
4. Good set, including a carrying bag.

Cons of the AEG MF 1400 KE

1. Over time, the guide posts wear out with the risk of jamming.
2. Weak rip fence design.

Spacious milling table on wheels

If you're a fan of Ana White, then you know that she has everything you could ever want to build.

It's no surprise that she has a great plan for helping you build a great router table. It has ample storage and work space. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Bosch GOF 130

Frame

This milling machine for a small carpentry workshop has a power unit in a blue matte plastic housing, mounted on carrier platform guides protected by corrugated tubes. With dimensions of 125x272x277 and a weight of 3.5 kg, it provides a good stroke of the cutter at a distance of up to 55 mm.

Engine

The 1.3 kW electric motor has a soft start system, the ability to maintain a constant angular speed in the range from 11,000 to 28,000 rpm, and protection against unintentional starting and overload. A collet chuck with a diameter of 8 mm with a transition to 6 mm is installed on it, which are quickly locked together with the spindle while changing cutters. If the carbon brushes wear out, you can replace them yourself.

Professional milling table at half the price

This table includes all the best features found in store bought router tables at half the price! We have had the opportunity to study and use most of the router tables available on the market. Based on this experience, we developed our own fully functional and easy to assemble desk. The detailed project can be viewed here.

Makita RP2301FCX

Frame

The power unit of this router is enclosed in a vertical housing made of industrial plastic. The unit weighs 6.1 kg, which is not a hindrance for stationary installation and reduces vibration in mobile mode. Convenience of work is facilitated by a transparent protective shield, spot LED lighting and a flexible standard cable 4 meters long.

Engine

The tool's motor consumes 2.1 kW of electricity, which is sufficient for processing any hardwood, most plastics and a number of soft alloys based on copper or aluminum.

It is equipped with a brake and an electronic soft start system that maintains the selected speed regardless of the resistance of the material. When the brushes wear out, they can be replaced without resorting to service. The spindle is securely fixed while the cutter is installed.

Controls and support sole

This model is equipped with a wheel installed in the body for setting one of six speeds in the range from 9000 to 22000 rpm with final adjustment using a button on the control handle. The cutter stroke is 70 mm, and you can simultaneously set up to three points of the required immersion. The maximum deviations in milling accuracy do not exceed 0.1 mm, which satisfies the requirements of most carpentry work.

Pros of Makita RP2301FCX

1. High performance.
2. Milling precision.
3. Long lasting resource.
4. Reliable electronics.
5. Professional ergonomics.

Cons of Makita RP2301FCX

1. The parallel fence develops play over time.
2. It is inconvenient to use the adapter sleeve for an 8 mm shank.

Wall cabinet for router

This compact storage cabinet does double duty as a top-notch router table while also holding all your accessories.

With plenty of storage and a built-in desk, this cabinet allows you to knock two important items off your list. And here's what's interesting: it takes up very little space. The secret to its compactness is that it folds out when you need it and retracts when you're done.

DEWALT DW 621

Frame

A lightweight version of the router, which is capable of professionally solving most carpentry tasks, weighs only 3.1 kg. It works with load-bearing bits with a diameter of 8 mm, while providing cutting depths up to 55 mm in wood, plastic or aluminum.

Engine

The tool consumes up to 1100 W of power. The speed mode on it is set in the range from 8 to 24 thousand rpm, and the built-in electronics monitor the smooth acceleration and maintain the set mode regardless of changes in the properties of the material, for example, when it hits a knot.

DEWALT DW 621 cross-section.

Controls and support sole

The model is characterized by the thoughtfulness of the entire control system and a good overview of the milling area. The master performs the main work holding on to a pair of rubberized round handles. One of them has a start button with a locking position, which cannot be pressed accidentally.

Button with locking position.

Using the other, you can quickly lock the depth of lowering of the rod in any intermediate position. Preliminary settings allow you to achieve milling accuracy with an error of no more than 0.1 mm. The shaped sole with clear distances of individual sections of the side edges from the axis of the cutter provides additional advantages for speeding up work.

Pros of DEWALT DW 621

1. Lightweight and compact dimensions.
2. Reliable electronics.
3. An original dust removal system in two ways (through one of the racks or a side stop).
4. Three-year manufacturer's warranty.

Cons of DEWALT DW 621

1. Restriction on the maximum diameter of the cutter is 36 mm and the impossibility of switching to shanks of a different size.
2. No local lighting.
3. The price is on par with more powerful models from competitors.

Milling small parts

Several router table accessories make it easy to achieve safe and accurate results.

The problem with small workpieces is that there are large holes in the tabletop, and the stops can cause small parts to get stuck. This can ruin the project and be unsafe. This router table attachment holds small parts and allows the workpiece to be pushed past the router bit for precise and safe cutting.

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Metabo OFE 1229 Signal

Frame

The milling machine of this brand weighs only 3.5 kg, which, in combination with a 4-meter power cable, makes it quite maneuverable. The durable housing made of high-quality plastic easily withstands accidental impacts and friction.

It is equipped with a pair of round handles that are as far apart as possible from each other, which further reduces the load on the person and increases the accuracy of handling the tool.

The Metabo OfE 1229 Signal is easy to use thanks to its round handles.

Engine

An electric motor with a power consumption of 1200 W with speed control ranging from 5000 to 25500 rpm is installed here. Built-in electronics protect it from overheating, ensure smooth start-up and maintain the desired speed. Such a machine is capable of demonstrating high efficiency in working with materials of varying strengths. The hardened collet clamp is designed to hold 8mm diameter shanks.

Controls and support sole

The support platform is made of aluminum and has a special coating on the bottom for better sliding.

Support outsole Metabo OfE 1229 Signal.

To speed up switching between sequential operations with different immersion depths, three fixed positions can be simultaneously adjusted. The product is sold complete with a rip fence, a dial indicator for precise (up to 0.1 mm) adjustment, a wrench and a removable pipe for connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Pros of Metabo OfE 1229 Signal

1. High reliability.
2. Convenience and accuracy of regulation.
3. Sliding base of the sole.
4. Ergonomic shape with relatively low weight.

Cons of Metabo OfE 1229 Signal

1. Poor design of the dust extraction insert.
2. There is not enough local lighting.
3. High price.

Power

The more powerful the router, the more expensive it is and the more energy it consumes. This affects production costs, and ultimately the cost of production. The power is selected based on the upcoming work.

For deep sampling, up to 25 mm, the most powerful milling cutters are required, up to 2.5 kW. This limits the power capabilities of manual milling machines.

To select grooves/tenons in floor strips in large quantities and produce profile moldings (plinths, railings, etc.), powerful industrial vertical or horizontal milling cutters are used.

A low-power milling cutter (from 0.5 kW) limits the capabilities of the master. Deep sampling has to be done over several passes. During prolonged operation, a weak engine experiences overload, overheats and may fail. This option is suitable if you have to work with small items.

The best option for a small workshop is a medium-power milling cutter, from 1.1 kW to 1.5 kW.