Workshop: So much for tinkering with my router table fence
Posted By RichC on August 22, 2023
I really did have the best of intentions to used the new knobs from Rockler to upgrade my existing router table fence, but after putzing around with my 40 year old angled
aluminum non-adjustable fence, decided that an upgrade from the Amazon Warehouse (Outlet) for $133.64 made sense — although I could be wrong?
The dust and chip collection from either the very large (original) or the very small (modified taller fence) was really never really very good. Although I have never used a width adjustable two-part fence like the PowerTec, let alone one with the ability to offset the following fence (jointer-like), it is a feature that intrigues me. Beside I’ve aways wanted to have a track to fit hold-downs, stops or feather boards and “might” even try to adopt using the finger guard (again another feature I’ve never had on the old fence that might save a finger)?
A final item that I added to my Amazon cart was a set of cam clamps to use to quickly adjust the sliding fence halves. I still intend to lockdown the fence to the router table with my new Rockler knobs, but can see how flipping the cam clamps would make sliding the two-halves of the fence back and forth easily to keep the gap for the bit as small as possible. Stay tuned.
EDIT add 8/22/2023: Well that happened fast as the parts arrived as did the fence from Amazon.com.
So I spent the evening in the workshop tinkering with the new fence and decided to drill new 3/8” holes in the aluminum fence base to use the existing bolt with the new Rockler Knobs instead of returning (PowerTec kit included 5/16” slots and wimpy knobs – a little disappointed). I then fitted the “acceptable quality” adjustable fence on my old router table while using the Rockler feather boards rather than cheaper PowerTec version. Yes, you get what you pay for. I do love the adjustable flipdown aluminum stop and the chip collection works better than my old setup. The true test will be trying to delicately tweak the setting as I really do like the idea of being able to dial in the fence with some kind of micro adjustment … still thinking about this —> see photo.
On a side note … the inexpensive alumium scissor lift under my old wooden router table with a couple tweaks (see knob with epoxied Allen wrench crank) works amazingly well. I can’t believe I “struggled” all these years bending under the table and twisting the knob on the router’s internal set-up. My only complaint at this point is that I can’t quite raise the router high enough to get the wrenches on the collet or that I don’t have different sizes of drop in plates for different size bits.
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