Fencing it in.
I decided I wanted a permanent solid fence for the table, with adjustable stop blocks. I decided to to put on a laminate surface there too, since I still had plenty.
I doubled up some more 3/4″ MDF, for the fence, and the base, as well as some support blocks to keep that fence a perfect 90 degrees to the table, and to resist any flexing.
First I glued on some more laminate, and doubled up the MDF.
I then prepared the back section and the support blocks. I’ve actually pre-drilled the holes for the T-track hold downs.
I got in the groove, and as usual, forgot to take enough photos. Once I had the pieces all dried out, I routed out another T-track channel in the face of the fence to control the stop blocks. Just a 5/16th straight bit followed by a T-Track bit. Then I glued and clamped up the 2 pieces together. Once I had good adhesion, I took the fence to the drill press table, and fitted it, then I traced out just enough room so that the drill press lever can swing down and tap the fence, which I outlined on the fence.
Some quick work with the bandsaw and the oscillating spindle sander, and I gave my drill press lever free reign!
At this point, the table is already quite usable, but I’m going to create a few stop blocks so that I can make nice repeatable cuts.
Ran out of star knobs for the T bolts, so its off to Rockler for me.
Fin!
Was appaled by the slap-happy way you described the construction of your table. I trust it was only in the description … and not in the actual construction ! Moreover it would be extremely difficult for a novist woodworker to follow your instruction and go from there to completeing his own. … far too many steps left out.
What about it is ’slap happy’? Its a fence and table. It locks in place solidly, and it gives me perfectly drilled holes, at an exact 90 degree angle, with now blowout on the backside. Seems to me, that is all you want in a table.
Would it have been better if I spent hours in sketchup, and worked to some kind of exact measurements? I’d much rather spend that time in the shop _building things_ and perfecting my skills.