The Router Table Fence and dust collection components are assembled into the completed unit. First we drill holes in the face plates and the vacuum plate. This is for the bolts and screws that will make it possible to adjust the faceplates and the vacuum plate once these are fixed in position on the router table fence. This hardware will also enable a feather board to be fixed onto one faceplate.
Next we counter sink the hex head screw holes on the vacuum packing plate using the 13" drill press in this case. Using epoxy we glue all the bolts into position. To make sure the bolts are firmly set in position as the epoxy hardens, we attach the complete hardware and moderately tighten it.
Then we measure up the vacuum packing plate for where it will be positioned on the top of the fence. Once the holes have been drilled in the packing plate we mark the points where the screw holes will go on the fence with a punch. Each divet will act as a pilot point for the drill bit when we drill the bolt holes into the top of the fence. When drilling the holes into the fence steel it's a good idea to add a little cutting fluid at the point of entry. This keeps the drill bit from heating up too much and will prolong the life of the bit. Once they have been drilled it is necessary to tap the holes to create the thread for the packing plate hex head screws.
Once the epoxy has fully hardened we attach the faceplates and their packing plates to the face of the fence. Once again we drill the holes and cut thread into them using the tap. We fasten the hex head screws, fixing the packing plates into position. Then the vacuum packing plate is fixed into position on the top of the fence with four hex head screws. The screws that will allow the vacuum plate to be attached to this have already been glued into position with the epoxy.
The dust port is then screwed into position on the vacuum plate using self-tapping screws. We then attach the vacuum plate onto its packing plate. The knobs are then screwed onto the exposed ends of the remaining two screws. Loosening the knobs will allow the position of the vacuum plate to be adjusted. It can also be removed and rotated through 180 degrees when the operator needs to use the other side of the fence. We then attach the feather board to a faceplate then attach the faceplate to the packing plate. The knobs on the feather board and the knobs on the rear of the packing plate make it possible for all these components to be quickly repositioned or removed for further modification.
Once the fence hardware has been tightened up, the unit is ready to be used.
16 сен 2024
