Paulk Smart Router Table

[@JRBardown]

Oh man. I have the older compact bench plans - but I CANNOT WAIT for the new SCB plans. Gonna track down some Premcore plus and get started the minute they come out. Thanks for all your constant work Ron.

[@tswitz65]

You're always thinking Ron! Do you have trouble shutting your brain down and sleeping? 😉🤣 Love your ideas and am thinking of ways to incorporate some into my workshop. Thanks for sharing all of your genius 🙂

[@colinbrown8095]

Looking forward to more ideas! I am nearly finished with a pocket hole machine using a standard drill, roller bearings, and guide rods, put together for minimal money and some 3D printed parts. My original plan was to install in STS with a router plate, but this will make more sense.

[@hillcrestheights8292]

Amazingly well thought out..... looking very forward to building this

[@kevincriswell7533]

Hi Ron. In my work, when I’m using the Router table I’m typically not using the miter saw at the same time, so I am going to play around in Sketchup and see if I can design a way for the miter saw to simply slide out, possibly some kind of track system, which would seem to give me the same amount of space that you have now between the miter saw and the end of your extensions. I also have the Woodpecker super fence, and use it daily. Of course everyone has different needs. I try to minimize the number of pieces I carry on a job.

[@KeithsTestGarage]

I like this. A lot. I've had a similar idea but was thinking too small and not as modular. Yours is proper. Thanks for solving this.

[@peterescobar6398]

You just solved a problem I was having! I have limited room and I need to have multiple tools on a bench!

[@johnniewealot4290]

I like it. I haven't built my total station yet. I think I will leave out the router hole in the bench and make the extension because I don't use the router table that much.

[@evadkin]

I like that, very nice. Looking forward to your other ideas for the STS.

[@xaytana]

As much as I like the expandable design on a smaller bench, I do notice quite a bit of deflection on the extensions when you put any amount of wight on them. I'm planning on creating my own bench, using different methods from different benches, since it seems like everyone has their own unique additions. But when I do make mine, I'm considering making a series of holes on the side of the bench and using a telescoping strut, that I can lock in length. with a pivot at each end, just to stop deflection on the extensions, especially as the farther the piece extends the more it will deflect. Either that or frame the extensions with either L or U channel, assuming I can easily source channel that small, and as long as it doesn't interfere with hole patterns.

[@michelevitarelli]

Great ideas. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.

[@joestafford6255]

I guess you could make a set of corbels that could mount to the side of the bench to support the router table to reduce the sagging that would occur with a 3hp router

[@brianmoore47]

Great watch Ron 👍

[@Nathan-H]

@ Ron Paulk I downloaded your plans for the Workbench 2. I have to say it's awsome for what I need. When watching this video, and hearing you explain how it take longer to set up the Workbench 2 I have to ask by the time you set up all this up is it still quicker, than the Workbench 2? An idea that I have been playing with (Have to admit its based soley from your ideas of the total station etc) is .... Could i cut out a section on the Workbench 2, and make a sliding mounting stytem for my Compound Mitre Saw to slide in. Then have another peice witch I could slide in to give a full surface again, should I need to remove my Compound Mitre Saw to say cut a full sheet of plywood with the cross cut jig. I'd love to hear what your thoughts are on this. Stay Safe BFP

[@jasondill6798]

This is awesome thanks for sharing. Are you going to post a plan of this?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Yes, the plans are 90% but I made a few mods and need to update and finalize them. I will post a video when they are in the store.

[@jasondill6798]

@@TheSmartWoodshop Awesome thank for the update! Looking forward to seeing the new Smart Compact bench as well. Really enjoy everything you post!

[@jaredvincent1067]

How to you address the table saw out feed? ie the out feed material not running into the bench extensions?

[@danieltaylor8347]

Excellent addition to your line of Smart Bench designs! Really appreciate you doing all this. Why do I not see any metal tracks in any of your benches? Do you have a jig for drilling the dog holes? Forgive me if these have been asked and answered. Rock on Ron, everyone loves your designs.

[@mikeleland]

Daniel Taylor I can answer the dog hole question :) It’s the UJK Technology Parf Guide System Mark II. The Mark II is definitely an improvement over the first version. I ordered mine directly from Axminster.

[@danieltaylor8347]

@@mikeleland OK, and you know this how?

[@mikeleland]

Daniel Taylor How do I know that Ron Paulk uses the Parf Guide System? He’s made several videos about it over the years.

[@georgebutler3rd]

I kept missing out on Axminster (UK) having the UJK Parf Guide II in stock, but I found it at a similar price at Dictum, the fabulous woodworking retailer near Munich, with two brick-and-mortar stores and a very nice online portal. Don't forget to order the dust port to go along with it. Dictum also carries the dogs and the rail clips.

[@mvboynton]

No way that 3/4 inch (18mm) ply won't start to sag over a little bit of time, especially with a full-size router hanging over the edge on it. Maybe the only way to avoid sagging or warping is to double up on the 18mm ply?

[@deadlyxenomorph3505]

i suppose you could always create a little wooden bracket under that would just friction fit onto the side of the table or hook onto the opening if you were worried about the sag?

[@pennconstruction]

I see the router lift in your store, but what fence is that exactly? Love the idea.

[@russellchevalier3606]

It’s a Woodpecker fence system.

[@destitute8493]

Is the dust extraction from the fence adequate? (Many cabinet based routing tables have dual extraction).

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

It works well when the bit is near the fence. When doing dados and such it doesn't do anything, but neither would a cabinet. Like a table saw, the dust above the table is of most concern as that is what you breathe.

[@raydejesus6230]

Great content as usual. What is the size of the smart extension boards? From what I gathered, the holes are 20mm at 96nm center to center. Is that correct ?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

324mm x 1152mm with the exact 20mm hole layout at the benchs

[@mrcpu9999]

I enjoyed this.

[@12noonclock]

I'm very new to this channel and woodworking. I want to try to build my own work bench, but I need it to be super portable. I like the size of the compact bench but want to have the miter built in & add table extensions when I need them like the Paulk Smart Router Table. I don't want to try to modify anything, I'd like to build to your exact as I can to your spec sheets. I did not notice a size for the Paulk Miter Stand; is the Paulk Miter Stand (PMS) the same size as the Paulk Compact Bench 3x6 Plans (PCB)?

[@willwilkinson8896]

How do you keep the bench extension panels from warping over time?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I haven't had any issues and don't expect any as it is clamped down to the flat bench, but I have only been using them for a few months.

[@willwilkinson8896]

Ron Paulk do you store it clamped to the bench?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

@@willwilkinson8896 no

[@Yannis2022]

Ron, would you say the router table fence from Woodpeckers currently is the best option on the market if the cost itself is not considered an issue?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

Yes, I do. Although I use my shop made version 90% of the time.

[@bobkennedy4824]

Where do you sort this in ART?

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

I have the perfect spot and will have to show it in a video.

[@josephspina7827]

Hey Ron i was looking thru your on line store for the woodpecker router fence set up and i can't see it , also i looked it up in the woodpecker site and i can't see the fine adjustment set up. Can you help thanks

[@mattbowers5342]

How does this stay flat over time? Really interesting idea!

[@andrewlockwood6102]

I guess he's relying on the stiffness of the plywood board ... but the strength of the overhang is impacted by the two slots for the fence adjustment, the 20mm holes and the opening for the router mounting plate. Ideally, there would be some 45 degree bracing back to the side of the bench. This could be added against the vertical face of the torsion box, which would extend the support of the router 'table' towards the outer edge, although unless less than 45 degrees, it would not reach all the way out. I liked everything about it, except for the flex in the board as he leaned on it. There is also the small issue about the Woodpecker Super Fence + Feather Board Track + MICRO ADJUST + 2nd Offset Module as shown at USD $452.92 plus the Woodpecker Precision Router Lift V2 at USD $399.99 for a grand total of USD $852.95 (plus your router of choice of course). 😁😁😁

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

@@andrewlockwood6102 Andrew, you are solving problems I don't have. The top is solid for the woodwork I do. Often, I find less is more and actually far better. I have a long history of overthinking and overbuilding, but after 30 years, my solutions lean toward the simple. As to the Woodpecker fence and lift, they are optional. I have a shop-made fence that works as well as the Woodpecker and costs only a small amount of leftover 18mm ply and a few 1/4 20 blots and nuts. No lift needed with the right router. I have an awesome set up that cost me 1 router, 1 router plate, and 2 hours of shop time. I have some videos coming up on the build soon.

[@joshvantassel3129]

I've got the Festool 1400 router, how do I use it with this setup?

[@Ronnysunshine]

Turn it upside down 👍

[@yehudagoldberg6400]

Great idea, but now the benchtop has multiple levels. It kind of defeats the purpose of a bench.

[@TheSmartWoodshop]

the bench doesn't have multiple levels

[@mvboynton]

@@TheSmartWoodshop The video sure shows two different levels. Both extensions hanging over the edge are 18mm higher than the miter/bench top

[@ginoasci]

i can only imagine the mess that leaves behind. not so smart, yes