On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 20:59:10 GMT, "MikeG" wrote:

Hi,

I am building a new router table and was wondering if I should include a
miter slot in the top. I have not used the one in my old table very much,
but that is probably because my old table really sucks and I don't use it
for much of anything.

Do you use your router table miter slots a lot? Would some sort of sled
referencing off the fence be just as good. Is there a downside to having a
miter slot in a router table?

The top will be 1.5 inch MDF with high pressure laminate on both sides, and
edge banded in walnut. (it's what I have currently available).

Thanks for your input.

MikeG



slots weaken the table, making a point where it can flex. they gather
shavings and crap and are a place where your board can snag. since the
cutting action is rotary rather than linear there is no particular
reason for the slot to be better than the fence as a reference line
for jigs. I make my router table sleds to straddle the whole table and
reference both edges, using neither slots (which there are none) or
the fence, which I remove entirely for the purpose.