DIY Benchtop Jointer | Turning a Horizontal Router Table into a Metal-Surfaced Jointing Tool

In this woodworking video I show my idea to convert my horizontal router table into a small benchtop jointer by adding a long base with steel plates to create a perfectly flat metal working surface. With this modification, the router table acts like a miniature jointer, a woodworking machine that I can use for jointing the edges of small wood boards accurately.

The most challenging step of the build was cutting the metal sheets, since I only have a tabletop jigsaw and thin steel vibrates a lot unless it’s clamped securely.

Levelling the thick wooden base with sandpaper is surprisingly easy and doesn’t take as long as you might expect.

I used double-sided tape to attach the steel plates, as it bonds well to metal. Still, before each use I’ll check that the plates remain fully adhered. The factory edges of the metallic sheets were slightly lifted, so I had to file them flat and lightly tap them from the backside with a hammer. I also removed the burrs left by the cuts I made with the jigsaw to ensure a smooth and fully flat surface.

This is a great low-cost DIY alternative to a benchtop jointer, especially for hobby woodworkers or small workshops.

Step by step How I Made the Horizontal Router Table:
   • 🔥 Horizontal Axis Router Table DIY  

How I adapted my jigsaw as a table jigsaw (in my other channel with no commentaries):
   • Quick Transformation: How to Convert my ji...