Rockcliff Router Build, MDF

[Lee Roberts]

ok so I got the base all marked up and drilled ready for assembly, I have also built the base ready for the next stage (see picks).

You can see from the picks that I have marked out all my drill points and then drilled them, we have also used a bigger drill bit to skink the screw heads (5mm) this will help when we come to place other parts over the top of the screw heads and is a must really if you’re looking to do the same and use screws on your build.

There is the option then to also fill the holes if you would prefer a flushed finish. (I may do this at the end of the build, not too sure yet :)) With the screws giving such a good hold we have decided not to glue unless we have to, this will help if I do need to disassemble the machine for let’s say relocation or a paint finish.

Again it is advised that you pre-dill your screw holes as the MDF will have the tendency to split and this isn't really any good. Once everything was screwed together I gave all the edges a good sanding down just to flush everything off that little bit (see picks).

The screws I have used are Fermacell Cross-Slot Screws 3.9 x 30mm; you can buy these from places like jewson.co.uk or travisperkins.co.uk. Most other wood screws would do a good job, I just happened to have a box of these in stock and found them to work well with MDF, they are designed to be used for Dry Lining.

I have also added to the base, two additional TABLE SUPPORT PLATE's these are not really a must I just decided I would add these to the design to give that little bit more rigidity and surface contact. I used additional MDF for making the extra table support plates. (see picks)
Well that’s it for now onto the next stage, if I was to build the base again I would more than likely mitre all the joints on the base and maybe add a 3rd table support plate in the middle of the base.