Replies

1. 
   larrys | Jan 08, 2005 05:20am | #1

   Hey I just saw that same table in a catalog under the Bridgewood badge.

   It does look nice, too bad it doesn't accept any of the router lifts. I am waiting on a Bench Dog unit for my PC 7518 to arrive, still deciding what to do for a table. Probably will end up building one.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 08, 2005 07:35pm | #3

   Yep, if you want a router lift, neither the Veritas nor the Grizzly-style would work I guess.  I could never justify the cost of a lift, so hadn't really thought about that!

   I'd have to see that sliding table up close to be sure I wanted it, but the idea is intriguing.  I currently have the Veritas steel table top, and am very happy with it.  The Grizzly table is cast iron, which I'd hope would be stable and not sag, the slider is extruded aluminum.  I bet it's great for doing raised panels.  My work is mostly edge-work.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" .... :>) 

1. 
   BG | Jan 08, 2005 08:18pm | #4

   FG,

   Talking about router table tops...I used a piece of melamine on Norm's router table with the intentions of swapping out the top later on with perhaps a thick piece of MDF and formica on top.  Anyhow, I went to a school auction (the corporation was selling used surplus stuff) and bought a desk there for $2....36"x60"x11/4" with a formica top...weighs about 100 lbs.  I'm about to start ripping it up for my new top for the router...just never know where the value will come from... 

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 08, 2005 08:53pm | #5

   I'm with you BG, I love getting hidden bargains like that.  First wood I put through my planer was oak from a very old cabinet bought at auction for $15.  Stuff is 1" thick and up to 12" wide.  Cab was 6-1/2' tall, 3' wide and about 18" deep, so I got quite a bit of lumber out of it.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" .... :>) 

1. 
   WillN | Jan 09, 2005 07:18pm | #6

   I priced router tables and lifts and attachments and realized I could buy a Shaper for the same money.
   Since then I just rig up my own tables. I bought some cheap formica on an overstock and put it on 3/4 MDF. I'll run a drywall screw into a saw horse if it needs to be any more sturdy.
   For a lift router I bought the new Porter Cable model that comes with a lift system. It's not ideal but it works. (I thought it didn't work because every time I released the clamp the router jumped in the base. When I finally got my free adjustment handle I finally realized that you don't have to release the lock to make small adjustments. The instruction manual for this tool is completely inadequate.)I aso bought an aluminum router base and template from Rockler. The template was a joke-but the base works well.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 09, 2005 08:04pm | #7

   "realized I could buy a Shaper for the same money"  Yep, I came to the same conclusion some time ago.  The good router lifts are priiiiiiiiicey!  I got my PC690 and the plunge equivalent about a year before the new model came out, so am living without the adjustment mechanism.  The plunge was used and a good deal, and the 690 came with a free micro-adjust fence, so really can't complain.  But I envy you the above-the-table adjustment capability.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" .... :>) 

3. 
   larrys | Jan 09, 2005 10:24pm | #8

   Yep, I agree it is a lot of money for the lift, router, table etc.

   But I have this PC 7518 (gift) sitting in the box for about five years now, seems logical for me to go router table at this point. Plus I have all these bits.

   Up until now I have been using my little 690 in a shop made table that I clamp to the workbench.

   For my use the Bench Dog lift and my router will last my lifetime with no regrets. Thats not such a bad bargain.

    

4. 
   forestgirl | Jan 10, 2005 01:44am | #9

   Bench Dog makes good stuff, you should be pleased. Enjoy the set-up!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" .... :>) 

5. 
   mudman | Jan 11, 2005 07:41am | #13

   Hey yall,

   I was in the "wait till I can get a shaper" crowd also. Untill I sold my contractors saw which had a router table in the wing! I was in the middle of a job when I sold it and ran out to get a master lift, fence, and the big bad PC 3 1/4 hp router. I realise now that shapers are not a replacement for a good router table. I make a lot of little moulding and having the lift is tremendous.

   Mikeplease excuse my spelling.

2. 
   mudman | Jan 08, 2005 07:32am | #2

   Hey FG,

   I got my new Grizz catalogue today! When my wife saw how excited I was she looked at me like I was nuts. "How can you read a catalogue every day for a year?" she asked. I don't really read it every day........ I mostly look at the pictures.

   Seriously though I am pretty sure that table was in last years book, but I didn't get last years untill around June so maybe there were updates.

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.
3. 
   sailalex | Jan 10, 2005 03:56pm | #10

   I am happy with the Lee Valley router table top that you recommended; I made the small stand (which they give instructions to build in the manual) and everything works fine. With the flat steel top set in a stand and the ability to lift and support the top with the support arms, I find (after a concedingly short use) that it does everything I need it to. I didn't buy all the accessories but use a hardwood fence and homemade dust collection. Thanks!

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 10, 2005 07:46pm | #11

   Hey, I'm so glad it's working for you.  I use a home-made fence, too, but would like to get the Veritas fence someday.  Which router do you use in it?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" .... :>) 

1. 
   sailalex | Jan 11, 2005 01:29am | #12

   I have the Bosch 1617EVS combo kit and I put the fixed base in the table top. I made the little stand with the flip up support arms which plans were in the manual. With this setup, I really don't feel the need for a router lift.