The Tabletop

Cutting the 3/4" ply top to size. 3' x 4'. I actually cut it with the router and a straightedge clamp because of the clean cut, and more precise sizing. Interestingly, using the Jesada Ply-groove bit (23/32") resulted in the distance from the edge of the base to the actual cut being a nice, easy to measure 2.5".

I decided on the size of the table after making the plan barely visible in the foreground. The Router Lift starts 4" from the edge, and the Incra Jig is placed so that at full extension, it is fully overlapping the largest possible bit I could install.

For $15 you can buy a template to cut out the mounting hole for the router lift, which you will use once, or maybe twice.

Feh! Make your own!

The trick is, choose the right bit (3/4", the diameter of the corners of the router lift) and with this scrap of masonite and a couple of straight pieces of plywood for fences, you can be assured of exactly where the router will cut.

Just run the router against the fences and the masonite is cut precisely.

I traced the outline of the Router Lift, placed the template against it, and tacked it down with a couple of brads....

... and proceeded to cut one corner at a time. The only problem with most of the Jesada straight cutting bits is they are not plungeable.

Note the scrap to support the router.

Nice fit. Well, actually, slightly loose, by about the width of the pen lines. I was thinking of installing ball-catches to push the lift against the sides to index it, but it turned out to be unnecessary.

One of the other reasons I decided to do a second layer of plywood. Don't underestimate the side-forces on the fences of that template.

For the second layer, First, I didn't trim the plywood to the table size. I would do that later with a bottom bearing bit. I DID locate the lift 4" from the edge though. THIS time, to get a tighter fit, I put the template directly against the lift. And replaced the lift before moving the template.

MUCH tighter fit. Actually required a little sanding with the belt-sander in the foreground.

I aligned the two sheets based on the mounting hole. (The torn off corner of the plan was used in the previous step as a feeler to find out where I needed to sand.) However, this is not when I attached them together.

Step 1: The Tabletop

Step 2: The Frame

Step 3: Legs and Surface

Step 4: Miter Gauge and Tuning

Step 5: Drawers 1

Step 6: Drawers 2

Step 7: Finishing Touches

Back to the Workshop, Mavica, Me, or Main.

	Cutting the 3/4" ply top to size. 3' x 4'. I actually cut it with the router and a straightedge clamp because of the clean cut, and more precise sizing. Interestingly, using the Jesada Ply-groove bit (23/32") resulted in the distance from the edge of the base to the actual cut being a nice, easy to measure 2.5".
	I decided on the size of the table after making the plan barely visible in the foreground. The Router Lift starts 4" from the edge, and the Incra Jig is placed so that at full extension, it is fully overlapping the largest possible bit I could install.
	For $15 you can buy a template to cut out the mounting hole for the router lift, which you will use once, or maybe twice. Feh! Make your own!
	The trick is, choose the right bit (3/4", the diameter of the corners of the router lift) and with this scrap of masonite and a couple of straight pieces of plywood for fences, you can be assured of exactly where the router will cut. Just run the router against the fences and the masonite is cut precisely.
	I traced the outline of the Router Lift, placed the template against it, and tacked it down with a couple of brads....
	... and proceeded to cut one corner at a time. The only problem with most of the Jesada straight cutting bits is they are not plungeable. Note the scrap to support the router.
	Nice fit. Well, actually, slightly loose, by about the width of the pen lines. I was thinking of installing ball-catches to push the lift against the sides to index it, but it turned out to be unnecessary.
	One of the other reasons I decided to do a second layer of plywood. Don't underestimate the side-forces on the fences of that template.
	For the second layer, First, I didn't trim the plywood to the table size. I would do that later with a bottom bearing bit. I DID locate the lift 4" from the edge though. THIS time, to get a tighter fit, I put the template directly against the lift. And replaced the lift before moving the template.
	MUCH tighter fit. Actually required a little sanding with the belt-sander in the foreground.
	I aligned the two sheets based on the mounting hole. (The torn off corner of the plan was used in the previous step as a feeler to find out where I needed to sand.) However, this is not when I attached them together.