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Thread: One Man's Junk is Another Man's ....

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    1,627

    One Man's Junk is Another Man's ....

    What do you see here??
    IMG_0687.jpg










    Do you see a router table??
    IMG_0830.jpgIMG_0800.jpg
    I built this router table from almost all salvaged parts. A couple of old lab cabinets, a lab sink/counter top, used aluminum plates for router table inserts, even the router was one I've had for a few years. I did buy some new laminate and a new Incra fence, but I built my own router lift from an old lead screw and a few olds and ends. All told I have less than $50 (minus the fence and router) and I would venture to bet it is flatter, more square, and smoother lifting that most store bought units.
    It took quite a bit of machining (metal work that is). I bored the table inserts to accept the Hitachi router posts rather than just bolting on the router base, that way I was able to get enough lift to raise the router above the table for bit removal. I added a lever to activate the spindle lock and I added a socket swivel so I could lock the router lift from above the table. The router hangs in the sink well and the DC hooks up to the sink drain. As 5/8 thick anodized aluminum plate spans the sink opening with another 1/2 anodized aluminum plate to mount the router in. The sink/counter top is made of Trespa (resin and rock from what I can tell) so I had to drill it with carbide drills. It is as hard and as flat as a slate pool table.
    When I add up the time to machine the lift, aluminum plates, throat inserts, and all the tinkering, it would have been faster to just build from new materials but I have great satisfaction knowing that I was able to reuse some old junk.

  2. #2

    Talking More like a gloat

    Leigh,

    That might be closer to a gloat, than salvage.............. how do like the Incra fence???

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Griswold Connecticut
    Posts
    6,926
    Nice work.

    Those lab sinks are big $$$'s new,and you are correct, they are dead flat.
    I saw a router table too. Nice work.

    PS. I just brought home an industrial fire barrier door. Dead flat and heavy as heck. It's destined for a new life as a benchtop.
    I like "salvaging" also.
    Last edited by Mike Cutler; 01-16-2008 at 5:17 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    1,627
    Quote Originally Posted by Craig Thompson View Post
    Leigh,

    That might be closer to a gloat, than salvage.............. how do like the Incra fence???

    I don't know. I have been so busy with just getting the table built that I haven't doved a tail or boxed a joint yet.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    322
    A word of caution. I trimmed 5 inches off of the doorknob side of a fire door that I picked up and it caused the table to warp up on that side. You may want to leave it fill sized or add some bracing if you trim it.

  6. #6
    I see that dumpster diving is still going strong


    Good looking stought table there Leigh


  7. #7
    Nice reuse of another man's junk!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Madbury N.H.
    Posts
    221
    Nice cabinet

    I have a loot of old lab stuff in my shop, 4 metal cabinets counter height, 3 upright metal cabinets etc.

    Word of caution some of the old cabinet bench tops contain asbestos so be careful know what you are cutting into before you cut. I have a few years in the enviromental chem field and my wife is a envirmental chemist.

    Nice haul

    Dave

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    North Dakota
    Posts
    660
    Nice job Leigh, way to think out of the box. I know what you mean about time invested, I have a ton of time just into a benchtop router table I'm working on. But then again, I'm not a speedy guy either.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Posts
    15,332
    Always good to reuse! Nice job!
    Wood: a fickle medium....

    Did you know SMC is user supported? Please help.

  11. Steve, You win the crack up phrase of the day award. I was laughing when I read "dumpster diving" It sounds like a new olympic sport.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Clardy View Post
    I see that dumpster diving is still going strong


    Good looking stought table there Leigh
    "Fine is the artist who loves his tools as well as his work."

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Feeser View Post
    Steve, You win the crack up phrase of the day award. I was laughing when I read "dumpster diving" It sounds like a new olympic sport.


    Lol. I always found that term funny also.

    Gonna have my wife sew me up a special dumpster diving suit one of these days.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    1,958
    The EPA should give you a recycling award!

    -Jeff

  14. #14
    One man gathers what another man spills....

    (any dead fans here?)
    "You don’t get harmony when everybody sings the same note." —Doug Floyd

  15. #15
    Goggled Dumpster Diver.

    diver t-shirt.jpgdumpster diver.jpg


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