After putting in some overtime hours at work I was finally able to purchase a router table and fence system. I went with the Incra combo system and matched that up with the Triton 3.5 HP router. Now for the fun part, I’ll be building a cabinet for this system so that I’ll have storage and some noise insulation along with dust collection. The stand that came with the package is only temporary until I get the cabinet built. I’ve been looking at several router table cabinet designs. I’m looking for some feedback from you folks on dust collection on your router tables. Some of you have an enclosure and the dust port and others have sloped panels with the ports recessed below and behind the panel within the router enclosure that appear to create a venturi effect. Some have a solid door while others have holes or vents in the doors. My questions are 1. “How does your dust collection work with your designs?â€. 2.â€Are the vents or holes in the doors for cooling air for the router or do they promote more efficient dust collection?â€. 3. “If you had to do it again would you do something different with the design of your cabinets?â€.

John, when I did this router table I was making it to sit under the cast iron extension I added to my former table saw. This one is built similar to the New Yankee router table. I just built it to fit the top and area it would go in.

 

I built the slop in the back of the cabinet for the dust to slide or fall down to the bottom. The holes in the door are just for added air flow to pull the dust from the bottom of the cabinet.

 

What I would change is I put a 2 1/2" connection on the back and it really needs to be at least a 4" connection. It will pull okay but I think it really need to bigger volume.

 

I have also noticed that the plywood has caused some corrosion on the bottom of the bits that sit in those shelves and it makes it a little difficult to get them out sometimes.

 

 

 The left side has all of the bit tray/drawers and the right side is small drawers for wrenches and other small items needed at the table.

 

Hope I helped you some.

Thanks John for the tips on the dust port diameter and the plywood causing corrosion. I had planned on using the synthetic material used in cutting boards to hold the bits and make them removable inserts. I didn't know plywood could cause corrosion, Thanks! By the way nice build on your cabinet.

One thing to remember is that this also depends on your DC to some extent. On mine, a variation of the Norm design, I have a 6" cabinet connection and a 4" fence connection. No sloped bottom, though I do have vent s in the door very much like John's. This setup catches everything, and without the holes in the door I doubt it would work nearly as well...in fact I'm dead sure of it.