Poppy,

Make sure the tabletop is wide enough to handle the BD`s. If you think you can hold the drum flat and plum going past the edge,...you`ll be re-think`n that one !!

cheap and cheerful, with a 30"x30" tabletop

I added a second, white, masonite top for support (via contact cement) and better visuals (instead of a black work surface)

I wouldn`t reccomend the handheld covertion for constant use,..ya need to be able to adjust the height of the bit, and not have to reach under or plug it in and out to operate. A bench router is the way to go for long term use !!

Agreed. I have a plunge handheld router with my router table, and it is a pain to use. I just haven't gotten around to getting a router strictly for mounting on the table yet for whatever reason :confused: I guess I never think of it while at Lowe's or Home Depot....LOL.

I've got a 2 x3 piece of MDF that I cut and drilled to mount my router to. I clamp it down on my workmate....

I found this. The table is 14 x 24. Its cheap enough. Im gonna go look at it today. If I ever do a bass drum I have a really neat adjustable height table I can scoot next to the router table to make the table bigger. I use this table with my drill press, band saw and belt/disk sander to hold longer material up instead of having a helper do it. I had a craftsman router that magically disappeared. For this price I can play with it and if I use it a lot I can rethink it. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-28180-9.5-amp-1-3-4-hp-corded/p-00928180000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Thats a good deal, router and table for 120. And it will do fine for drum edges because your taking off so little material that you dont need much HP. As far as balancing the bass drum, I dont see that being a problem anyway, use a bit with a rub collar (bearing)and remove the fence, then use the right side of the table instead of the front. Its not like a long board, its round and you just spin it in a circle as it sits on the widest surface of the table, bazinga!

Restoring boats? that sounds pretty cool!

Jeff C

some additional photos... will easily support a bass drum, has an easily sliding surface, and one can lean right over the drum while working

plus it cost 15 bucks

That is a decent table. The home made tables are nice and ingenious, but they don't really have the built in safety features of a manufactured one, IMO. For example, the huge ON/OFF switch right in front is much better than reaching under everytime to turn it off, or unplugging it/plugging it in / unplugging it/ etc. As I start to get a little grey, I think about these things a bit more.......LoLoLoLo