Builder's Studio: Keep Your Tabletop Flat with V Stabilizers

In this episode, Tim shares how you can keep your table top perfectly flat by using our V-Stabilizer Bars and Milling Tools. These pieces are a great way to add increased strength to your table top and avoid any warping or cupping that may happen due to wood movement. While these V-Stabilizer Bars are sturdy and robust, they are still DIY friendly for nearly any hobbyist.

You can also get the V-Stabilizer Router Bit (12mm shaft) or V-Stabilizer CNC Milling Tool (25mm shaft) to help with your project.

Note: When purchasing the 12mm V-Stabilizer Router Bit, you may need to supply a 12mm router collet that fits your specific router model.

Assembly Instructions

Materials Used:

Tools Needed:

  • Screws (we used wood panhead screws)

  • Plunge Router OR CNC machine
    • 12mm Collet (router-specific)

    • Jig (router-specific)

  • Writing utensil

  • C clamps

  • Drill

Instructions:

  1. Install the router bit and collet to your plunge router following manufacturer instructions

  2. Create a jig or a straight edge that will work with your specific router
    1. To make a jig, you need to figure out the width of the bit and the metal bar and add that width to the width of your router base.

    2. You can make the jig longer than any tabletop you may be working with and then add an additional crosspiece inside the jig to get the width you need for the specific project you are working on.

  3. Find the center of your table top and place the stabilizer bar in the center. Trace the bar.

  4. Determine where the additional stabilizer bars will go depending on the size of your tabletop. We placed one more on each side 3” in from the outside edge. Trace the bars in these additional areas, as well.

  5. Clamp your tabletop to your workbench area and clamp the jig or straight edge to the tabletop.

  6. Begin routing the groove for the stabilizer bar with your plunge router. Use the markings you made as a guide and hold the router against your straight edge or jig. We made two passes with the router and then moved it 5/16” over and did two more passes.
    1. Depending on the hardness of your wood, you may need to make additional passes.

  7. Place the stabilizer bar in the recessed groove. Choose appropriate screws and center the bar. Attach the center of the bar first using the premade screw holes.

  8. Attach screws in the other premade slots in the stabilizer bar. You will notice these are much wider. This is to allow for possible movement over time. When installing the screws, make sure they have a snug fit but are not as tight as can be. Try to attach the screws in the center of each slot.

  9. Repeat steps 5-8 for the additional areas where the stabilizer bars will be installed.

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