Mobile Router Table With Built-in, Kick-Lift Caster Mechanism

I built a mobile router table with plenty of storage for accessories, as well as an integrated, pedal-operated mechanism to extend and retract the casters. Thanks to Rockler for helping me make this happen!
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TOOLS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO
▶ Handi-Shim Reusable Plastic Shims: amzn.to/35y0a7M
▶ 3M Virtua CCS Protective Eyewear: amzn.to/2l5EITE
▶ Rockler T-Track Inline Cam Clamp: amzn.to/2QM7J6Q
▶ Rockler Sure-Foot Aluminum Bar Clamps: goo.gl/BTjPTm
▶ Bosch Plunge and Fixed Base Router Kit: amzn.to/2gyZ1TE
▶ Bosch Clic-Change Self-Centering Drill Bits: amzn.to/2VvGyjm
▶ Bench Dog Tools Push-Bloc: amzn.to/2pzvf9c
ROUTER TABLE PARTS
▶ Rockler Phenolic Router Table Top: tinyurl.com/sl...
▶ Rockler Pro Lift: tinyurl.com/rq...
▶ Bosch 1617 Router: amzn.to/320Tmz0
▶ 3-1/2'' Router Adapter Collar (Required for Bosch 1617 Router): tinyurl.com/we...
▶ Snap-Lock Insert Rings: tinyurl.com/uy...
▶ Rockler Pro Router Table Fence: tinyurl.com/u8...
▶ Dust Right Combo Port: tinyurl.com/wo...
▶ Dust Right Router Table Dual Port: tinyurl.com/r5...
▶ Dust Right 4'' Quick Change Handle: tinyurl.com/yy...
▶ Uxcell 10x30x9mm Bearings: amzn.to/2SUkOKG
▶ CoolYeah 3-inch Casters: amzn.to/2vHCJfD
▶ Heavy Duty Adjustable Leg Levelers: amzn.to/39BSqUz
▶ Friho 18-Inch Full-Extension Drawer Slides: amzn.to/39DIk5y
SEE ALSO
▶ Michael Alm's Ultimate Router Table Storage Cabinet: • Ultimate Router Table ...
▶ iJessup's Channel: / ijessup
▶ Single-Action Retracting Casters for a Mobile Welding Table: • Single-Action Retracti...

[@srs1518]

KZbin is the most powerful tool for knowledge transmission since the invention of the printing press. I've seen three different versions of the kick lift mechanism and each one gets better. its like I get to do iterative research without all the painful or expensive lessons.

[@gregorylondos534]

Hello, Lucky you for being Sponsored... At 4:05 mins into the video you said the word “Perfect”... I have always found if you “Cut your material “Square” Generally it will go together “Square”... A more ruff wording would be “if it’s cuts square it’ll will frame square”... Great Video. Also your lift system is “Pure Genius”... Greg

[@WesleyTreat]

*Yep, I know the router lift isn't level with the table.* It was late and I had to tie up the video, so I just dropped it in for the final shot so I could grab some tacos and go to bed. Thanks for watching!

[@outerbanksproductions_videos]

I saw that too. LOL!

[@saritsotangkur2438]

Did you ever fix that? I was hoping that lift plate had something built in to adjust for level.

[@WesleyTreat]

@@saritsotangkur2438 It does.

[@akalostlove]

That dang table saw still making funny noises.... not complaining ...... just like the chuckle I get every time I hear the jetsons. Love ur vids keep them up

[@ErraticPerfectionist]

😂 I love that you don't edit out the kind of behaviour that I feel must be common amongst home-woodworkers - 'damn, I stood up the timber in place but the clamp is out of reach...*slowly let go of timber and hurriedly grabs clamps*... Phew! Made it before it fell!' Thanks for keeping it real 😁👍🏻

[@brian454454]

My first thought was, "ughh another router table build.” So of course I watched it for some reason, glad I did. Not just because of the lift system, but that’s a really nice router table.

[@gordonhenderson1965]

Started off with a sheet of plywood. Then a picture of the old cheap table. Suddenly I see over $1000 being rolled around.

[@jimrow6704]

Love the "kickstands"! Love the switch to squared aluminiminimunimunim.. Plano tinkering engineer here. Love the videos, comments and picking up tips.

[@TonyNakr]

So. First, I will date myself as an old man: My very first router table video was on Norm Abram’s New Yankee Workshop. His (Norm’s) first router table build. So far back in the annuls of time, I honestly can’t even remember when (1980’s, perhaps - God only knows). So, I was like a few other commenters: Another table design. Wait. “Kick-Lift” huh? I guess I’ll take a look . . . Let me just say the machine lift idea is pure and unmitigated genius. Self-contained, effective, cool, cost efficient, practical. Well done. A truly great idea. There are only two things I’d change. An outside magnetic safety switch: Difficult to impossible to turn on accidentally and stupidly easy to turn off if there’s a problem. When power is restored, the router stays off. Thirty dollars is cheap insurance when you need it. I think Rockler sells one, I think. The other thing is I would have made it out of oak or cherry veneer plywood and hardwood edging where needed. The cabinets in a craftsman’s workshop should demonstrate his best work. Besides, you said in your opening you threw together a router table-top for one quick project, then used it for two years. This project was to make a permanent one for the shop, so make it nice. You deserve it. A question (or two): How well did the dust collector pull chips away from the bit and the void behind it in the fence? The video seemed to show some problems. Same for the trunk under the router lift. A tight fit between the bit and the collar might starve the dust collection. I would think about making the door out of hardwood rails and styles with a plexiglass panel. You can add some holes to the bottom of the front door is you notice a buildup problem in the trunk. With the router lift, you’re not going to pull the insert and lift out very often to change a bit or whatever. A small problem with the dust collector will fill the area under the router with flammable dust and chips. Had it happened to me with a table saw. The hose got a hole in it, so the suction in the cabinet went to zero. While changing the blade, I just happened to notice the foot of chips in the bottom of the saw. That Murphy guy is a bitch.

[@WeirdNamja]

damn love the wheel lift, pure genius.

[@dannybaker2763]

I just found your channel this morning, and this is the first of your videos I have seen...it will most definitely not be the last.

[@DynamicRockers]

Wow this is amazing. This build is design = function, hard to find those days.

[@cullenbohannon7099]

That kick flip for the wheels is amazing congrats and way above my ability level 🤣

[@bryanst.martin7134]

A little bar soap rubbed on those drawer glides will work nicely. Use a mint or lavender scented soap to annoy the critters that may wander in. Nice build. I rarely watch them, but yours had an addictive effect, with a nice touch of humor. New sub.

[@milesaway8295]

Thanks for re-enacting all the weird stuff that happens in the workshop, and having so much fun with it. XD

[@jutulporten]

Shims are the unsung heroes of precision. Even the most expensive cars in the world are put together using shims to make sure the clearances for the body panels are correct.

[@jutulporten]

Forgot to add this link to an awesome book on the history of precision www.amazon.com/Perfectionists-Precision-Engineers-Created-Modern/dp/B07B6GCRZ6

[@sgsax]

I love a simple and elegant mechanism. That foot lift looks really slick. Thanks for sharing!

[@markhedquist9597]

Hey! Lots of cool elements to this build. The raising mechanism is very well executed. First of your videos I've seen. Will be checking more out! Cheers!

[@jethropebs]

Fantastic! The foot pedal and spring latch are simple brilliant. If I could only learn to weld.....

[@GaryBowen73]

using the base pieces to line up the top!!! Brilliant!! How come I've never thought of that?!?!

[@plantcareservices]

Not just another router table. I really enjoyed this... it stimulated me Your lift casters are great. Thanks for not having music. I'm so over the addition of unneeded music. I enjoy your work and style.

[@mrfochs]

Very Nice! This is probably the most utilitarian router tables I have seen and also the clean lines of the front make it one of better looking tables as well.

[@saritsotangkur2438]

Awesome design! You probably could have salvaged the twisting plywood board that holds the casters by adding some plywood strips on the underside to stiffen it up. They don’t have to extend all the way, just make them as long as you can without interfering with the casters. Once you start adding fancy aluminum plates the project becomes less accessible to many of us.

[@WesleyTreat]

Anything tall or long enough to make a difference would've interfered with the rotation of the casters. There was just too much leverage on that corner for small strips to correct the twist. I attempted other solutions off-camera, but only the aluminum tubing was enough. Plus, aluminum is readily available and is about as easy to work with as wood. Thanks!

[@jerrymeasimer4573]

That was great! I was one day late watching, I just deal wheel lift almost like you just did, my plywood bowed too so I used solid wood with angle iron, You did GREAT job Thanks

[@DavidPlass]

This is one of those videos where I just float along, without being able to see the final vision until it all comes together. Looks great and I love how each section has its use.

[@nicolasrichard9187]

J'adore Superbe réalisation ! Idée géniale !👍👍👍👍 I love it !👏

[@neilredelinghuys3263]

Another video full of satisfying clicks and snaps. Your stuff goes together so well!!

[@5minutewoodworker143]

Very slick! Hard to find an original idea on youtube anymore. Well done!

[@MakerGeek]

So, I'm right in the middle of building a workbench for my new lathe, and am building with the intention of using this mechanism based on seeing your original video. I just went to look it up again to remind myself how you handled the latch and spotted this update. In my currently thinking I was intending to go the counterweight route, so it was interesting to hear you say you got that comment on the previous. ;-) We'll see how well that works out for me, or if I end up adding some tension. Thanks for the ideas !

[@DanielGonzalez-ck9dx]

Great job. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but it's not that hard to build a table, what differentiates the regular ones to great ones (like this one) is the attention to details, the little things that makes all the diference, when you're working, that helps you save time, work safer, etc. Congratulations !!

[@johnsonhoang1090]

very clean build. thumbs up

[@weekendwarrior9570]

Excellent video and process. I am inspired by the solid build on the lifting and the latching system. Excellent work. Thank you for sharing.

[@kenluning909]

Nice build.

[@phil.pinsky]

Sick build. I won't be at WBC, but Tim will. Give him a sticker for me!

[@WesleyTreat]

Not till he apologizes.

[@phil.pinsky]

@@WesleyTreat What did he do this time? The guy is like a bull in a china shop

[@WesleyTreat]

Just ask him about the last night of Makers Camp. He'll probably pretend he doesn't remember.

[@phil.pinsky]

@@WesleyTreat Not sure I want to ask now o.O

[@timsway]

@@phil.pinsky Hey Wes, I don't remember anything but sorry if I offended you. Are you, like, hyper sensitive or something?

[@TrungPham-jr8cb]

Bạn đã thành công thật sự là tuyệt vời và cho một sản phẩm rất hữu ích cho mọi người trong nghề mộc cũng nên học tập Theo chúc bạn thành công nhiều tác phẩm hữu ích hơn nữa

[@WesleyTreat]

Cảm ơn bạn

[@TrailRat2000]

I so need to make myself something like this for my table saw.

[@thomaswilliamhughes4902]

I found your video most interesting, I as another person commented thought not another router lift. You’re certainly a person able to visualise a thing problem solve and carry things through to conclusion. I would if possible to obtain plans for the table and the lift and also if you have one a link to a website that I imagine you must have.

[@mustaphaadlaoui6067]

good gob and good idea i'am moroccan fan

[@benhall4162]

that was the most single coolest router table I've ever seen

[@bastianwilmer9874]

Amazing table, great job! I love the way your video is produced. Not as overloaded as most youtubers nowadays. I'll follow you in future:-)

[@FigmentsMade]

That is a seriously slick mobile router table!

[@andrewbrown8148]

Great caster mechanism~! Nice router table too~!

[@gregmize01]

Clamp grabbing Ninja😳 -Subscribed-

[@PaganWizard]

This was a really impressive build. I hope you have plans to sell pre-welded parts for those of us who have absolutely ZERO experience with welding, and maybe even another package that would include the CNC'ed parts, again, for those of us with ZERO CNC experience, as well as those of us who cannot afford either a welder or a CNC machine. You'd be helping some of us out AND putting a few extra bucks in your pocket. Asking for a friend.........and maybe even myself too.

[@davefrancis4529]

Fantastic result and great design... 👍🏼

[@thorlo1278]

Nice router table build and really like the on/off roller device. Heck, with my budget, I can't even afford the plywood that one has in it, let alone the expensive fancy hardware from Rockler. That's for either people who have the money to burn, or that are on their send them equipment list.

[@mrechelon7051]

Love the design ideas. The lift, the locking mechanism, router bit trays . All lovely

[@SilentStorm4U]

That is a great looking and functional router table / cabinet well built good job 👍

[@theofarmmanager267]

Excellent video. The production values are amongst the best that I have seen. In order to really understand exactly what is being done at each stage, I will need to view and view again. Most of my workshop tools are on castors. Some are on castor frames which rely for stability upon the locking castors; not good enough. I have now built some on lifting castors; much, much better but my mechanisms are no way near yours in terms of function. However, I don’t weld and will try to figure out of I can do achieve the same without welding. It may be we’ll be camera angle but it seemed to me that, in the final shots, the insert was lower than the phenolic table?

[@brifpot]

It's a real Treat watching your videos Wesley 👍🤗

[@henrysara7716]

Just marvelous.

[@GibClark]

Great build👍👍👍👍lots of hidden tips

[@Phyruus]

@Westley what size aluminum tubing did you end up using? any reason over regular steel tubing like you did on your weld table? subbed

[@Joew99001]

You are the master of make! Think I'll order one just like it.

[@boydmerriman]

Don't you just love it when it all comes together perfectly?

[@kenkimura2989]

What was the reason of having the gap/space between the bottom of the router bit tray and the drawer bottom?

[@mauriziobettisorbelli5406]

Complimenti veramente super 👍.

[@mark5150ty]

Nice job brother. I've got to build one of these. I'm not going to use the castors though mine will stay stationary. Love the drawer system

[@mauriziofigini]

as a Roman Ogee enthusiast I couldn't help notice you went for the round over in the final shot

[@WesleyTreat]

Oops, looks like a typo.

[@TheBirdman66]

do you have plans?

[@WesleyTreat]

For tonight? Sorry, I'm still out of town.

[@jo3y1nf4nt3]

well, I thought my first attempt at a rolling workbench/router table setup was the pinnacle of rolling workbench router table setups....guess i'll just have to burn it and start over. Neat-o!

[@numberkruncherr]

Have you published any plans for this? Or at least some drawings of the lift mechanism?

[@stevebutler5256]

The perfect solution to the perfect problem!!!

[@michael7324]

I've been watching a lot of your vids. I realized I need more clamps.

[@standswithfish]

Excellent design and execution! Why am I not subscribed? Well I'll fix that!

[@Greybeardmedic]

OMG. VERY VERY VERY Well made!

[@AMM1275]

Beautiful. Commenting to help your engagement score.

[@Ebikelover]

Wow what a beautiful piece Wesley !! Awesome job.

[@hawkie333]

Wow. That’s a really nice piece of gear! Well done!

[@usedcarsokinawa]

Gorgeous

[@treeguyster]

What are the dimensions on your thick walled aluminum tubing, and where did you purchase it from that takes the place of the plywood?

[@angelcastro3129]

I was wondering the same thing. my guess is 1/4 inch thick. personally I want to build a similar lift set up for a 3 by 7 foot long work bench with built in tools, figure I would have to build one on each end with the casters set to drop about 2 feet apart to handle the weight of the onboard tools and have support in the center of the bench while being moved.

[@LesAT49]

Hello, love your videos, that's why I subscribed. Just wondering if you have ever seen anyone or thought of making a device that lowers all four casters at once with the use of one or more linear actuators? I know people use them to raise TV's out of cabinets, why not lower casters? What do you think?

[@howesinc]

Such a pleasure watching you work! Thanks for sharing, my friend!

[@attpureownpk]

are those prescription safety goggles if so would you mind sharing. as a blind bat i would appreciate it. thanks (also copying the design of the router table) LOVE IT!!!

[@WesleyTreat]

Not prescription, but good glasses. Link in description. Thanks! 👍

[@AtticusDraco]

Not saying that you don't deserve it &/or earned it but, that rockler router table top is a bit fancy for ya, ain't it? I mean, Congrats! Good Get! Obvi, router table envy, Yay! But, I favor your other table better Good job, good show, Thanx for sharing

[@johnhartley3596]

What a great project. Well thought out, designed and constructed.

[@sebastienochart]

Really niceely done. You are amazing.

[@tenaoconnor821]

That was sooo cool 😎 I’m going to rewatch this when I finally get a router 👍👍

[@rickhickman2730]

Are you happy with the accuracy of your circular saw track?

[@WesleyTreat]

👍 👍

[@JohnMadeit]

I really like the wheel lift mechanism. The whole router table looks great 👍

[@C3DPropShop]

You saw still seems sicks. Great video as usual. See you at workbenchcon!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Any chance you have a plan for this lift of yours?

[@IronGordon]

BEAUTIFULLY DONE! love the kick lift

[@GTL77]

That router table turned out awesome 👊🏼

[@Gigglezzz]

Bless you

[@bg73]

That's a great build - very nice.

[@3weight]

Best lift I’ve seen! I’m not used to working with aluminum so don’t have an intuitive sense of the strength of different gages - how thick are the walls of those rectangular tubes you used? (Are they about 1” x 5” in cross-section, too? Dimensions there would be a great jump-start on trying to reproduce this. To an earlier commenter: I don’t weld either, but I think I can through-bold the plate onto the steel tube, maybe with a twin on the bottom to sandwich the aluminum. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

[@rogermccaslin6750]

I have a couple of those knee clamps. They used to work great but now that they are getting older, they don't seem to work as well as they should and they make noises when Iadjust them. Maybe they need some lube?

[@torinhalsey6313]

Cool project. I love the mechanism for the lift. Well done.

[@telosfd]

Like it! What is the router type?

[@WesleyTreat]

Link in the video description. 👍

[@ashleycole7779]

Pukka job mate, I love the idea of the kick stand. I might have to pinch it for my planer/thicknesser.👍🏻

[@joejdl]

Great video and table design. Oh, and especially like the “clamp balance dance” :-)

[@bobt2522]

Very nice build. I thought you were making a drawer to storeyour music CDs. It works better for the inserts. And thanks for using the deep c-clamps. It reminded me that I have a pair of them. I could have used them yesterday if I had remembered.

[@ericrickert3045]

Love the lift mechanism!

[@bobbonham4823]

Thanks. Lots of good ideas.

[@abelincoln95]

Nice build, Wes!! Travelling mercies for you.

[@maxximumb]

Beautiful build Mr. Treat. I always worry about the vibration, from the router, causing the height adjuster mechanism to move up or down, causing the height of the bit to change. Also, oil your squeaky bits!

[@WesleyTreat]

Thanks! The lift has a tension adjustment to prevent movement, and also a locking screw if you want to make sure.

[@user54389]

They're your tools, use them how you see fit. But seriously though, you gonna oil that vice or... :D

[@Pete-z6e]

The other other Matt , it may be that due to the nature of the one offs he produces, and the amount of timber used, oil should be used sparingly.

[@morlockmeat]

I miss the Jetsons machine. Oh, and oil that vise! 😉

[@paulh1690]

This KZbinr now uses it for e-scooters. kzbin.info/www/bejne/foLZZamqfLp0rdE

[@toufikhamimed236]

formidable ,,,,tres bon travail

[@djnorm98]

Love when you troll the trolls! Great as usual.