I have been waffling between making a router table (probably Norm’s) or buying one. Lack of free time is battling with lack of $$.. waiting to see which ones comes out ahead.
But anyway, if I purchase one, I was looking at the Bench Dog pictured below. Anyone have any experience with it? Is it a good item? Any and all opinions welcomed.
My router table usage would be balance between workshop usage and hauling it to a worksite.
Bench Dog 40-001 ProTop Contractor Portable Router Table
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. — Walter Percy Chrysler
Replies
Haven't used the Benchdog, but I hear it's pretty good. I opted for the Lee Valley, which has a coined steel table top- it will never sag, but it is pretty heavy. Also some of the accessories are very useful. The Benchdog might be more portable...
"The Benchdog might be more portable..." Barely. Nice thing about that Veritas top is you can pick up the top and set it on a different frame somewhere else. For instance, you can have it in a full-blown router cabinet (drawers and all), but build a small bench-top frame for portable use. Simply grab the top and plop it into the smaller frame.
Re: BenchDog, I've heard nothing but good things about them.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
The photo shows the smaller bench top version of the Bench Dog router table, it is easily portable. Of all the benchtop tables, the Bench Dog is probably the only one that isn't flimsy and poorly designed, I'd recommend it.
John W.
No argument from me. As I said (I think?) if I didn't have the Veritas, the BD is the one I'd pick.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
It's a great tool.
Excellent instructions and extra parts to make sure you'll be up and running.
A super well tought out tool that'll last for years.
If you need a portable router table you'll be hardpressed to even make one as nice. There as heavy duty metal brackets inside you can't see in the photo.
Once of my best purchases last year!
Notrix
Well combine all the positive feedback on Amazon with all the positive comments here, and you all are really leaning me in the direction of a Bench Dog.
The homemade Norm router table would no doubt be extremely useful, but even on wheels its mobility would be somewhat limited. Seems like the Dog might be the best of both worlds (utility and mobility).
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
JohnT8,
I, along with several others here, built Norm's router table and it's terriffic. I like it because it provides a nice big stable top for handling large pieces and it stores everything in one location minimizing setup time. The carcas can be put together quite quickly and inexpensively...the top can be as simple or as elaborate as you like....and can be lifted off the carcas and used on saw horses or the like. However, Norm's router top measures about 24x36 and you probably don't need anything that big on a job site. My point is comparing the Benchdog portable with Norm's router cabinet really doesen't work...they meet different needs.
John -- last week I visited a Woodcraft store where they had several models of router tables set up (including the Bench Dog models) and it struck me that there is a new generation of router tables showing up. Namely, models that have various types of elevation mechanisms built in. Several of them were metal tops. While I do agree with others that the Bench Dog models are worth consideration (I almost bought their top for my shop before building my own -- and wish I had, now), today I'd definitely look into the new kinds. Some of the new ones that have elevation mechanisms appear poorly conceived, but one or two look worth having. Setting the blade height has always been a hit-and-miss process and a good elevation system would save a lot of time and aggravation, not to mention adding more capability in certain applications. They also have better dust control both above and below the table. If you're doing work that requires much precision, I would certainly suggest you give these new tables a hard look. (Yes, they cost more.) Portability might be a problem unless you can set one up in a trailer and not have to move it around a lot on the job site. Check them out. I'm sure there will soon be reviews in the mags.
"I'm sure there will soon be reviews in the mags."
I just picked up the MAR 05 American Woodworker this weekend. They've got a full review of 12 different router lift setups.
If you build it - he will come.
John:
I bought the standalone unit and have been happy so far. Fairly easy to assemble - not cheap though. Pay attention to the fences offered on units you're contemplating.
John,
I owned this table way back when I fist started doing woodworking, about five years ago. Actually, the cabinet on mine looked different, but the top was the same.
I sold it when I wanted something more. However, it was a really good table. The fence is solid and smooth, and the table surface is pretty large. I also like how easy it is to offset the outfeed fence for jointing operations.
Installing a router takes a bit of patience, with drilling out the proper holes in the acrylic router plate and then levelling it to the table surface, but I think this is the same issue with every router table of this type. Maybe they have made improvements since I owned mine? If I remember correctly, you can buy an optional router plate that is more sturdy. I bought that one for mine when I owned it. I used the Bosch 1617 in mine, and the router holder was level.
Anyway, it's a nice sturdy table, with a larger surface area than most other tables of this type and some nice fence features.
Edited 2/19/2005 7:44 pm ET by Matthew Schenker
Well THAT sucks!!
Amazon discontinued the bench dog router table I was looking at. GRRRRR!! When I created this thread, they had it listed for $199 minus $25 if you spend $199, so $174 minus $30 if you sign up for their credit card...plus free s/h.
So I was going to snag it for $144.
Now the price is back up to $199+ s/h.
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
Amazon re-stocked it. I just ordered it. $199 minus $25 minus s/h and you're right around $175. Pretty good price. Supposed to arrive in 5-9 days.
Here is someone who bought one on eBay and paid $201.51 PLUS $35 s/h. So their total was $236.51. For the $61 difference I also bought a Starrett angle finder and a router book ($39+14 -30 for signing up for Amazon visa - s/h = 23).
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20781&item=4355843278&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVWjt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
I love mine. I would spring the extra bucks and get the steel table. Get a good variety of inserts, too, depending on the diameter of your bit.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
I have the Bench Dog Cast Iron Extension Router Table for my table saw. I purchased it about a year ago after much research. I also contemplated building a table (Norm's design), buying a stand alone model or an extension for my table saw. I ended up with the extension to try and maximize shop space. While this isn't the same as what you are contemplating I believe that the fence, miter gauge slot, insert plates and plate adjustment system are very similar if not the same. I have been very pleased with my table. The parts are machined to tight tolerances, beefy and work very well. The vacuum port when hooked to my shop vac also does a very good job of removing most of the chips/dust. While Bench Dog is a bit more expensive than others I believe you get your money's worth from them and you will be satisfied with your purchase.
was wondering duke with sometimes i have two milling operations to do at once my stand alone, and also looked at the model you spoke,was wondering if attached to my uni-saw-left tilt would the cover of the motor hit the router ,i would imagine it would . what does it entail for taking the the table on and off?? thanks for any help....b"expectations are premeditated resentments"
Bear:
I checked the owner's manual and it states the following:
"Note: ProMAX can not be installed as a left extension replacement on left tilt "cabinet" grade table saws because the table saw's motor protrudes to the left. Nor can ProMAX be installed as a right extension replacement on right tilt "cabinet"grade table saws for the same reason. Mounting ProMAX to the far right will avoid the protruding motors, however, ProMAX must be supported with the two steel rails that also support you T-square style rip fence and legs."
So the installation option on the left is out for you leaving only the possibility of using it on the far right extension. I am not sure how easy/difficult it would be to do that. Mine bolted directly to my left side table top of my delta contractor's saw. If you have a right cast iron extension wing you might be able to bolt it directly to that in lieu of an extension board. I have a Bosch 1617EVS router installed and it allows for 7" of space between it and the table saw cabinet.
I would not recommend trying to add/remove the extension for operations as it is very heavy (solid cast iron) and requires fine adjustment to level the surfaces; not something I would want to do everytime I needed a router table.
You can visit Bench Dog's website for details/specifications at the following link:
http://www.benchdog.com
Hope this helps-good luck!
Duke
thanks duke, will do.....bear"expectations are premeditated resentments"
John I bought the steel bed as an extension on my tablesaw( From Bench Dog) and the steel drop in routertable insert and lift that goes with it, also both from Bench Dog. A little different setup than what you are looking at but it has many of the same components. It was quite an investment, but it filled the bill exceptionally well. It is machined beautifully. As importantly it saved me valuable floor space in the shop. The fence and miter guide slot are the same as you pictured here. The fence has a built in port for dust collection that works pretty well and both the fence and miter guides hold a variety of feather boards very well. All and all I guess you could say it has more than met expectations.
Rich, I had been considering this item:
View Image
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4566
But I didn't like the price. I'm wondering if I couldn't either just run by Lowes and get a heavy duty switch, or contact a table saw manufacturer and buy a switch from them for a whole lot less.
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
John, I have been thinking about the same setup, but I haven't really research it much. I have seen a switch similar to the one that comes with the Delta Unisaw as an aftermarket unit. I'm not sure of the price but it has to be less than this unit. As you mentioned you can certainly configure something similar at Lowes, for less $$.
I have the full size Bench Dog Router table so I am not familiar with the table top. However, I think it is very similar. I love it. I think it is the best router table made by far. Very easy to use and it has a great fence on it. I highly recommend you consider buying the Bench Dog.
Good Luck!
John:
I have the larger version and give it an A- (bottom edge against floor isn't meant to dragged along floor.
The fence is very adjustable. You may wish to purchase just the top, fence, and insert (serveral configurations machined for most routers).
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