A DIY Routers Workbench

Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch MDF 24 inches square for the top. Cut four strips of 3/4-inch MDF 72 inches long and 4 inches wide for the legs. Cut four strips 3 inches wide and 24 inches long and four strips 3 inches wide and 22 1/2 inches long.

Remove the base plate from your router by removing the screws on the underside. Mark the center of both 24-inch squares. Trace the inside circle of the base onto the center of one and the larger outside circle, centered, on the other. Cut the smaller circle out with a hole saw, the same diameter as the circle, which will vary from router to router. Cut the larger circle out with a jigsaw. Sand both pieces with 100-grit sandpaper.

Glue and nail two of the 72-inch strips of 3/4-inch MDF along one long edge, so that the face of one is flush with the edge of the other. Nail through the face of the second piece into the edge of the first to create a long L-shaped piece. Use one 1 1/2-inch nail from a pin nail gun every 6 inches. Repeat with the remaining long pieces. Cut them in half to form four 36-inch legs.

Glue and nail two of the 22 1/2-inch strips between two of the 24-inch strips to form a 24-inch square. Stand the pieces on edge, glue the ends of the short piece and nail through the longer pieces into the ends of the short pieces. Repeat with the remaining strips to form a second square.

Glue and nail the two 24-inch squares together, face-to-face with all edges square. Use 3/4-inch pin nails to fasten them. Position this table top on top of one of the 24-inch square frames, with its edges flush with the edges of the frame. Make sure the smaller circle is facing up, with the larger circle below. Nail the top in place, nailing through the top into the edge of the frame with four nails in each edge.

Turn the top over and glue and nail one leg in each corner of the square frame. Set the remaining square frame over the ends of the legs and slide down, 12 inches from the bottom of each leg, and nail it in place. Turn the table over.

Place the router base on top of the table with the small hole centered on the hole in the table top. Mark the positions of the screw mounting holes. Drill 1/8-inch holes in each marked spot. Countersink the tops of the holes with a 1/4-inch countersink bit to create a small funnel shape at the top of the hole so the mounting screws will be flush with the table top.

Hold the router underneath the table, centered in the larger circle. Align the mounting holes in the router with those drilled in the table top. Thread the mounting screws through the table top into the router and tighten them in place with a screwdriver. Adjust the height of the bit by releasing the router barrel adjustment and twisting the router up and down, then locking the adjustment in place.