The Most Functional Benchtop Router Table - A Journey from Concept to Perfection

I wanted to develop a small but mighty benchtop router table, that has more function than a full size version and costs less than you could buy the materials for. But how do we get there? Today I wanted to give you a look at the product development process. Check out this video, where we take you on a journey from the concept phase to the final product!

When I started working with Tamar from 3x3 Custom on the 6 in 1 Universal Trim Router Jig I knew we had something amazing. One of the uses we talked about in the launch video was how you could use it as a makeshift router table. That worked great but had its limitations. This is a behind the scenes look at how we developed this router table to be one of the most versatile and functional products we've ever made. In this video, we'll show you everything about the development process, from the design process to the final product!

Let me know what you’d like to see next! Please like, comment and subscribe.
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Timestamps

The Problem with Router Tables Intro 0:00
Idea and Modeling 1:54
Prototyping, Problem Solving and Core Values 4:54
Materials Choice 7:43
Testing the Strength and Adding Function 8:50
Designing the Manufacturing and Packing Process 10:18
What’s Next for Katz-Moses Flat Pack and Final Thoughts on Product Development 12:46
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Tools I love:
*MY CNC MACHINES* (I highly recommend both)

[katzmosestools]

*Get the Router Table Support what we do* at KMTools.com

[Natenjill]

Love this video! I really appreciate you sharing the manufacturer’s/ designers perspective and operational details here and with the jig in the prior video. I got the jig + table bundle from KM tools about 2 weeks ago! Absolutely Love it!! Fits my Makita 18V perfect. I sanded with 220 and put a finish of oil/poly/spirits on and also an included sticker. The next day I used it for the first time, running about 350 feet of PA cherry through a round over bit. Apart from changing batteries, I didn’t have to make any adjustments AT ALL and the quality on the last one was just as good as the first. I used a shop vac for dust collection behind the fence and secured the hose with a bungee. I also mounted a strong magnet (available at KM tools😊) to the inside of the box which keeps my router wrench handy. I store my earplugs around the handle cutout. I am considering putting some ruler tape on the tracks (0 on each track lined up with the center of the bit)… but a ruler works well for now.
I’m a big fan of JKM and Tamar, and this collaboration is AWESOME!!! Thank you both and keep on trucking.

[billpowell]

Jonathan, I have spent 20 years developing Medical devices (Pathology tests to select cancer therapeutics for patients) and it was refreshing to see someone else that lives the Product Development Lifestyle! A sounds process, backed by Customer input, Marketing requirements, design requirements, design changes and product launch is just good business! Be it a router table or a test that will determine a cancer patients therapeutic pathway, product development process will result in the correct product for your customer base. Thanks!

[hansyaeggyart]

All I have to say is thanks for the hard work put together, so a beginner like me in woodworking can access a very awesome tool that makes sense without breaking the bank.

[irvomzi]

Great behind-the scenes peak. A true company mission statement focusing on the customer's needs first. Quality and affordability: A Win-Win!

[christianrobinson]

Absolutely love this. It's awesome getting to see the behind the scenes for this product, and I love that your goal is to make woodworking accessible instead of price gouging everyone. I'm sure you could, but you don't, and I really appreciate it. Keep being awesome!

[gadfly]

Assembled mine today. Awesome product. I added a pair of mag switch 150s to the side, so it can also mount it to the table saw. I also added a French cleat to the back for wall storage.

[WadeGlass]

For those who have no idea about 3D modeling, there is a Fusion 360 course from the people at I Like To Make Stuff.

[halsonger]

I bought the Tamar 3x3 router jig and not only was I impressed with the finished quality of the product but was totally blown away by the care and thought that went into the packaging to ship it to me. That may not be a big thing to a lot of people but having gotten all manner of products shoddily thrown in a box just to get it out the door I was so pleased when I opened yours that it made the rest of the assembly process a delight. Not once did I have one of those "Well, crap, where the heck is that doohickey that's on the instructions" moments.

[stevenloriot]

Yes please do more videos, some years ago i had taken a dilapidated garage and pulled the floor out and replaced the broken joist and put the floor back down the right way and began building a shop of my own. I couldn’t afford much so i got some old run down falling apart or missing parts of radial arm saw, table saw, router, belt sander, drill, and various hand tools from yard sales and family and practically lived in my shop. I made a router table similar to yours and made it interchangeable with a bandsaw, and turned the belt sander upside down housed in its own cradle and just swapped out witch ever one i needed. But i dont have any of my tools anymore and dont have anywhere to build a shop again so i watch shows like yours and live vicariously through them. I enjoyed the journey from idea to distribution and the lessons learned along the way. Ill be watching and following you to see what comes next, and i am glad to hear your teaching the younger generations and including kids with disabilities. I taught my kids how to work safely in my shop and to respect the machinery and they helped me out and learned a thing or two along the way. Sorry for the long story i just ment to thank you for sharing you story, it made me remember the days gone by working in my shop. Thanks sincerely Steve Loriot

[williammaxwell]

Just a thought. I would suggest having the router bits in the vertical edges so that when you are reaching in to install /release / adjust the router, you aren't reaching over sharp hazardous bits. Other than that, cute functional bench

[parkercombes]

Thanks for the behind the scenes. As woodworkers we know what goes into making furniture, boxes, etc., and compare to Ikea or whatever. You showed us that manufacturing takes a whole lot of skill and time as well. Super appreciate your emphasis on affordability. I've got your apron, urethane dovetail guide and sharpening jig, all of them are fantastic. Keep crushing it!

[CosmicKnight]

Textbook example of product development done right. Here’s what I noticed. Customer engagement throughout. Validated as much design as you could before going to prototypes. Core values that gave you a north star and what done means. Iterating over the design process. Incorporating feedback. Delivering on the core values (strength, price, guide pin, or whatever you wrote down for yourself). Demonstrating the cool new thing and providing training. There was a ton more behind the scenes in the manufacturing process design for quality and scale I’m sure. I’m going to share this with my colleagues who are Product Managers. Some really good stuff they way you did this and thank you for sharing. BTW if it fits my router I’m buying one. It’s exactly what I need at the moment. Great job, Jonathan!

[michaeljordan]

I, like others, already had Tamar's router jig and thought about building a mini router table for it. When I saw yours and all that's included with it I thought just buy it and I'm glad I did. I modified it slightly and added a three inch base which allows for a larger clamping surface to my work bench and permits my Dewalt router with the thick 5 amp battery to be removed without unclamping the unit when I want to change router bits. Thanks Johnathan for all you do to help hobbyist woodworkers. Nice video!

[FIAARedsBaseball]

Jonathan I’ve watched a ton of your videos over the years and always enjoyed the experience. I rarely comment on videos but seeing the passion and care for the end consumer (price included) is very refreshing. Best of luck and continued success to you and your team!

[RussThacher]

This was a fantastic video of how things began to now. It seems like such a simple thing to develop your own product, but there are so many things that can be overlooked. Thank you for taking us through your mindset throughout the process and sharing your story.

[JamesChasingSunrises]

The algorithm is crazy! I just bought my first router 2 days ago and this table is exactly what I need. Ordering it right now!

[billymorrish]

Holy moly, that’s the best “mini” router table ok the market! Absolutely amazing work.

[leom]

This video was really interesting. Thank you for this!

I liked how you showed the whole development process, from conception, design and prototyping to the efficiency optimizing, listening and getting a feel of what peoples tastes are, the manufacturing side and then finally, the pricing and filling any room leftover, where you can be bringing even more value.

That was really cool, I find. Cuz the selling and marketing is all there already, by the product’s kick-assness, the video itself and your brand. Knowing full well, the work’s not done there, by concluding on the acknowledgment that addressing feedback Is important, so leaving it is very helpful, as it gives you the opportunity to improve yourself, the products and the customer’s experience.
Point is, in summary, that seeing all the various hats worn that the process takes; and that you can pretty much maintain your demeanor, your approach and the company’s principles.. was insightfully motivating. Your carpentry core was still strongly there, but I really enjoyed seeing it surprisingly different and you still delivering awesome. Solid.

[FCCSRetired]

Great video, love to hear how others go through the design, prototyping and eventual manufacturing process.

Also brings me joy to see small businesses collaborate!