With Summer coming to a close I finally installed the cast iron router table from Laguna Tools. The following is my summary of what was a very easy installation. In Part 2 I will cover its function and features.
Summary:
- The packaging was terrific, with very solid yet “cushiony” thick cardboard panels that held in place the cast iron table and the box containing the fence.
- The four heavy-cut recessed handles on two sides of the box made handling much easier than expected, given the weight of the package.
- At almost 100 lbs. shipping weight, I suggest you seriously consider getting help, so that you and someone else handle the package.
- A dry run with the router table showed the top would be about 0.070″ to 0.080″ (70 to 80 thousands of an inch higher than the table saw cast iron surfaces.
- The only requirement to match the table height: Drill out the mounting holes, to allow for adjustment of the table.
- I used a tapered reamer mounted on a 10-inch brace to drill out the mounting holes. As I didn’t want to make the holes overly large, it took two trial runs, to get close to a perfect match.
- With the holes enlarged, mounting the table on the right of the Unisaw was easy. Three bolts hold it in place.
- The mounting bolts supplied with the router table were just a tad short. I made a trip to the local home store to buy longer bolts and nylon locking nuts, and I was in business.
- Once bolted to the table saw, matching the height of the table to the table saw was easy. The support leg that screws on the router table makes this adjustment a breeze. From my initial adjustment using the bottom edge of the table saw cast iron top, to final adjustment for perfect flatness of the assembled top, 1-1/2 turn of the height adjustment.
- Using a flat edge, the entire cast iron surface is flat to within 0.003″ (three thousands of an inch). And it did not require much fussing with it.
- A *HUGE* plus: I was able to mount the Unifence! My biggest fear was that I would not be able to do so, as the Laguna videos don’t show a ripping fence mounted. The holes on the front of the router table matched perfectly, and I now can use the Unifence! All I had to do was insert bolts in the holes, and slide the rail all the way across the front of the cast iron top. THAT made my day.
In the 2-minute video I show some of the details of the installation, using photos. It is evident just how easy it is to install the Laguna Tools cast iron router table. In the next installment I will show it in use.
- What type of router table do you have?
- Have you ever installed a cast iron router table on your table saw?
— Al Navas
