This project was built and designed by Rob from Let’s Make Things. It’s a smart, space-saving router base that fits directly into your workbench dog holes, offering precision and safety without the footprint of a full-sized router table.
Ideal for small shops or budget-conscious woodworkers, this benchtop router setup is easy to build and customize. It’s made from basic materials and uses simple techniques, making it approachable for all skill levels.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Rob’s channel:
Why a Compact Router Table Makes Sense
Using a handheld router with small stock can be tricky—and even risky—without a stable surface. A router table solves this by providing control, safety, and repeatability, especially when working with edges and profiles.
Rob’s dog-hole router table is designed for those who lack space for a full cabinet or commercial table. It mounts directly to a workbench using a single bolt and fits into standard dog holes, making it both portable and easy to store.
Simple Materials, Big Impact
This build relies on a few accessible items: a piece of plywood for the base, hardboard and plexiglass for the router plate, a bolt for securing the unit, and a couple of support pieces for rigidity.
The tools used are also shop-friendly—primarily a bandsaw, a drill, and a couple of router bits. No specialty gear or high-end machines are needed. The project focuses on making the most of what you already have in your workspace.
Cutting the Base and Router Opening
Rob starts by cutting the plywood base to fit the footprint of the router. Since the router base isn’t a perfect square, he outlines its shape and uses a bandsaw to rough out the center opening.
To refine the cut, a rabbeting bit is used to create a recess that allows the router plate to sit flush. Corners are pre-drilled to let the blade turn cleanly and to avoid stress on the wood.
If your workbench surface is slightly uneven, small wedges can be added later to the underside of the plywood. This step ensures the base stays flat and stable during routing.
Precision with a Dog-Hole Jig
The standout feature of this build is how it connects through the bench’s dog hole. Instead of purchasing specialized bits or jigs, Rob uses a spade bit paired with a simple guide block to drill the mounting hole in the plywood base.
The guide helps keep the drill bit perpendicular and prevents it from wandering—critical for alignment when the bolt threads through both the base and the workbench.
This DIY jig is a clever solution that requires little more than a couple of scrap blocks and a few careful marks. It demonstrates how to get professional results using basic tools.
Reinforcing the Base
To strengthen the platform, angled supports are attached beneath the base. These braces add rigidity without adding bulk, and they’re cut to nest cleanly inside the frame.
Glue and clamps are used to secure the supports. After the glue sets, the base is checked for flatness and adjusted with shims if needed. These steps are key to reducing vibration and ensuring accuracy.
Making the Custom Plexiglass Plate
Instead of using the router’s default plastic plate, Rob creates a new one from clear plexiglass. This not only improves visibility of the bit and workpiece but also adds stability.
Drilling into plexiglass can be tricky, so Rob uses a combination of bits to avoid cracking—starting with a center-point bit and following up with a brad point bit for cleaner holes. The finished plate is attached to the router with screws.
The transparency of the plate allows you to monitor your cuts closely, which is especially useful when working with small details or fine profiles.
Final Setup and Operation
Once the base and plate are complete, the router is mounted and dropped into place. The bolt secures the unit through the dog hole, and the cord is routed underneath for easy access.
For shaping and profiling, bearing-guided router bits are recommended. If desired, a shop-made fence can be clamped to the back of the base to act as a guide for more complex cuts.
This setup doesn’t have a lift or micro-adjust features, but it provides an impressive amount of control and usability for such a compact footprint.
Why This Project Works
Rob’s design proves that even small shops can have powerful, reliable router tables. The entire build is focused on solving real-world problems—space limitations, affordability, and tool access—without cutting corners on safety or performance.
It’s also endlessly customizable. Users can upgrade it with a dust collection port, removable fence, or storage features as needed. Rob provides additional ideas and plans on his website for those who want to take it further.
A Smart Addition to Any Workshop
This compact router dog-hole table is more than just a quick fix—it’s a serious upgrade for any bench that lacks routing support. It gives you more control over your work, better safety for small parts, and a portable platform that can be removed or adjusted as needed.
Rob’s channel, Let’s Make Things, continues to share these kinds of clever builds that solve real shop problems. This project is a perfect example of doing more with less—and doing it well.
Get Rob’s plans here: https://makethingswithrob.com/router-dog-hole-table/.