Router Table Recommendation

Dubie | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on November 9, 2007 07:43am

I have a total, of $ 500 budget to put toward a new router table, fence, and plate.

Gee whizz the Jessem are very high these days. Any alternatives. I want to buy the best I can afford. Is Rocklers any good??

Benchdog was hailed at one time but not much anymore.

Thoughts?

Replies

Recounter | Nov 09, 2007 11:53pm | #1
I really like Incra fences. I got this one:

http://www.woodpeck.com/ultra.html (on sale, too!)

and a router table top from the same source. I made a table out of 2x4s and plywood. You could do the same and stay within your budget.
bones | Nov 10, 2007 05:36am | #2
I have the Incra LS20 & PRL as my lift. I built the table from Norm's plans. Great combo. I have sligtly more that 500 but not much. I bought the ls20 fence used here and I got a great deal on the lift and PC 7518.

Woodpeckers puts on regular sales as well. If you are still shopping, go and get on their e-mail list it comes out every friday. They run good sales. I got 10% off mine that way. Below is a link to their site, and a link to my setup. Take care and enjoy the new toy.

http://www.woodpeck.com

http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=17631.1

Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
RDNZL | Nov 10, 2007 07:02am | #3
Love my Benchdog cast iron. It's well within your budget, especially if you build your own cabinet, as I did at work, or mount it on your table saw as I did at home (yes, I've got two of 'em).
alanplanesaw | Nov 10, 2007 07:54am | #4
Dubie,

I built per Norm's plans, less two inches of width, in order to accomdate the Jessem fence. Love it!!!!

Also, I sue the Jessem Mast R Lift. Works great for me.

Alan - planesaw
| Nov 10, 2007 03:55pm | #5
Dubie,

I purchased a Rockler two years ago. Knowing what I know now, I would invest in some quality materials and build one myself. (in fact that is my plan and the Rockler will be trashed!) The Rockler table, which is MDF covered with a very thin laminate, is not flat, the lam chips very easily. The aluminum router plate is not flat, and the plastic inserts are not flat. The money spent on a Rockler table will buy you some quality materials to build a real nice table.

Bob, Tupper Lake, NY
[email protected] | Nov 11, 2007 08:59am | #6
Invest in a copy of, "Woodworking with the Router", by Hylton, and read it first.

You don't need to buy a router table, or fence. They are easily made.

I used a Woodhaven "angle-ease" plate on the last one. The fence is a piece of "2040" extruded aluminum from 80/20, (they have an ebay store where there are bargains on offcuts), with wooden faces.
WillGeorge | Nov 11, 2007 02:17pm | #7
I use my routers ALOT and then some!

I will not say to much except I have several. One on my TS and others.. All have their place as far as the work I do,

Go to this link. Look and you think a bit on it..

http://www.eaglelakewoodworking.com/videos.htm

Young kid that seems to have his act together.. Look and learn.. As Norm would say.. NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!

Old woodworker here.. This yunnin' has a gift of gab and for his work!

EDIT: Looks like a modified Rockler table to me.. But anything FLAT and hold the router will do!

Edited 11/11/2007 6:19 am by WillGeorge
daveinnh | Nov 19, 2007 04:37am | #8
I like my Benchdog - very adjustable, stabel, almost too many options (gets $$ though).

Dust collection is good if connected to a cyclone at two locations: fence & router "box".