Combining Router Table and TS Ext. Table

Cincinnati | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on February 27, 2007 06:41am

I am wondering if the status quo for home shops is to have a router mounted in the extension table of the table saw or have a dedicated routing station separate from the TS. I’m assuming people combine stations either because of limited space, or to utilize the same fence system with both machines.

Edited 2/27/2007 10:43 am ET by Cincinnati

Edited 2/27/2007 10:44 am ET by Cincinnati

Replies

ptu | Feb 27, 2007 06:54pm | #1
I have a seperate table for my router, I have a contractor TS, and no option. I think I would have a seperate table any ways, because many jobs go from TS to R and back again, so need seperate set ups.
Pedro
jvk | Feb 27, 2007 07:12pm | #2
You probably are assuming correctly. I started out attached and could probably have lived with it that way. Changed to seperate dual table system w/ an Incra fence. The 2nd table serves multi purposes w/ quick change tops.

trimjim
forestgirl | Feb 27, 2007 09:06pm | #3
My Vertias steel router table top is hinged to the left side of the Jet contractor's saw, but I would never use one common fence -- too many times when I want to use the table saw without disturbing the router fence. When necessary, the table can be dropped down without disturbing the fence or bit.

Also, with the table-top in the Up position, but the fence removed, bit dropped or removed, the table serves as extra stock support for the table saw.

Am about to build a cabinet for the top, but I'll make it sized so it'll fit in the same place as it is now, hopefully.

forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

Edited 2/27/2007 5:06 pm by forestgirl
Routerman | Feb 28, 2007 01:05am | #4
Need max flexibility? Then a stand-alone router table is called for.
AzDiscDog | Feb 28, 2007 03:48am | #5
I'm using a TS extension for my router table. It has definitely addicted me to having a router table, but I can see where I would want a separate table.

Space is my primary driver right now. Once I get the back portion of my shop built, that will free up some of my space concerns and I'll probably worry more about the mess being made. A dedicated router table would make cleanup a lot easier I think.

Forestgirl has a really good point about not doing double duty with the TS fence. Currently, I stage all of my cuts / shaping so that I can move the fence back and forth. That can be a royal pain, especially when I make a mistake and have to recut something. Obviously, I should just make less mistakes. Until then...

Glen
Jfrostjr | Feb 28, 2007 05:07pm | #6
I incorporate my router table into my outfeed table foe two reasons: 1. Space' 2. I like the extra surface area when working with large pieces. I do NOT use the TS fence with the router.

Frosty