Our router table went up to Vermont ages ago. It’s not a tool that is used frequently enough to warrant taking up space in the boat, or the car, or even storage. Usually when we’re using the router it’s to put a rounded edge on large pieces that are immobilized. Jeremy’s gotten very good at using the long metal ruler we have as a guide. But sometimes you’re making small pieces that need constant rotating and there’s no space to clamp them into position. It’s this kind of precision that a router table is perfect for. So what do you do if you don’t have one handy?

Jeremy ran into this just the other day. He’s making the last pieces for the windvane, most of which are out of G-10. There are a bunch of reinforcing t-shaped pieces for the arms of the sail part and some finicky bits for the wheel mechanism. Trying to freehand the router on these little parts (which need to be held in place with clamps) is a non-starter. And as mentioned, the router table is in Vermont.

He very cleverly grabbed a couple of used-for-a-lot-of-other things pieces and was working with his homemade not-quite-a-table router in no time.

Materials: flat surface, 2x4, 4 clamps (we use quick clamps), router. Optional: additional clamp and shop vac.

1. Put the router blade side up on a flat surface, like a table, a piece of plywood, or even a sturdy cutting board.

2. Clamp a 2x4 to the edge of that flat surface.

3. Using 2 clamps, clamp the router to the 2x4. Essentially, you’re creating a shelf against which the router is butted. This makes the router stable in place.

4. You can even clamp a shop vac hose against the router, if you’re helper-less and need to capture the dust.

Space means we can’t take every single tool with us. Being able to create a reasonable version with materials we carry on board for multiple reasons is a satisfying workaround.