Replies

1. 
   mapleman | Nov 24, 2006 12:31am | #1

   RM,

   I have the veritas and have had nothing but positive results with it. The steel table is definitely a big plus. It doesn't have a lot of the bells and whistles that the Jesse-em system has, and I'm not familiar with the freud system you mentioned. But the insert system and the router attachment device is great.

   Lee

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 24, 2006 06:02am | #2

   There are several of us on Knots now who have the Veritas table (not the insert for a "make your own" but the actual steel table).  If you do an advanced search on Veritas router over the past 6 months you'll find several posts in 3 or 4 threads.

   I've seen the Freud, and while it's OK, I sure wouldn't trade my Veritas for it.

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

1. 
   rm | Nov 25, 2006 09:44am | #8

   Hi FG and Lee and others who replied....thanks for the interest.  

    I looked back through the past veritas posts and see a common denominator...ie people like the veritas table and fence.   How does the table top attach to your stand?  To change bits I've read that you have to flip or prop up the entire table top to get at things.  Is there a cleat or something that the top rests on? Does anyone have a photo of how the table sits on a stand?  Is it sturdy?   With the thin table top I think that the collets on both my Makita 2 1/4 and my PC 690 would almost extend right up and through the table?  

   There is definetly a wealth of good ol practical experience in this forum.   Keep on asking all those questions.

   RM

1. 
   royh | Nov 25, 2006 03:43pm | #10

   Hi RM,

   If you check out the Veritas/LeeValley page(s), you will see the various options available. The table top is mounted on a stand and is situated via 4 rubber bumpers (akin to hocky pucks) on bolts underneath the top near the 4 corners. The bolts are factory fixed to the underside of the top. With the LV/Veritas cabinet, or one of your own design (plans included), these bumpers position the top and prevent movement in the stand. The mass of the top + a router keep it from sliding around. You can prop the top up, like the hood of a car, to get underneath (or flip the whole thing over). Not a big deal, really. However, with a Freud FT2000E, I can do bit changes from above. The Veritas stand is 3/4" birch ply and rock solid. Excellent workmanship and fit/finish all round. You can fix the stand to a workbench or workmate to get it up to a comfortable working height.

   I'll try to attach a picture later.

   RoyH

2. 
   royh | Nov 25, 2006 05:10pm | #11

   RM,

   Here is the requested picture of the Veritas top propped up.  Mounted a remote on-off box (the red thingy) from Hartville Tool on the stand. Hope this helps.

   RoyH

    

   
3. 
   forestgirl | Nov 25, 2006 07:24pm | #12

   I bought some giant rubber stoppers at the hardware store to use on the table.  What they do is position the table within the stand frame, there is no "attachment."  You do not have to tilt the table up to change bits....well, maybe depending on your router.  But one of the advantages to the Veritas is its thin-ness.  It means the collet is close enough to grab with a wrench.  I use a Freud FT2000 plunge router in mine, so there is a collet lock.  When I had the PC690 in there, then I had to monkey around beneath the table.

   Here are some old, old picture of the primitive set-up I have, when the PC690 was in there.  Sorry they don't show the rubber "bumpers."  Most of the web links are defunct.  Picture cast iron where the blue sheet-metal saw wings are <grin>.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   rm | Nov 25, 2006 08:47pm | #14

   Hi FG and RoyH

   Pictures are definitely worth a thousand words.   The table / stand setup was my main curiousity and the pictures show what I wanted to know - they settle the deal.  If I have to fiddle with the router to get a bit its not that big an issue.....maybe it lends itself a new router down the way?   Frued you say.....

   Thanks everyone for your input.   I'll post some feedback later once I've had a chance to try it out

   Ray

1. 
   royh | Nov 25, 2006 11:13pm | #17

   RM,

   FG mentioned the collet lock on the Freud FT2000. Spring loaded and engaged, it's a one wrench operation above the table because of the thinness of table (like she said). . .

   Let us know how it goes,

   RoyH

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 26, 2006 12:10am | #18

   "maybe it lends itself a new router down the way?"  Routers, much like clamps, lend themselves well to multiplicity.  Something with a collet lock would be great.  I'd even consider drilling a hole in the Veritas top to accomodate the new Freud, which has above-the-table adjustment capability.

   When you do your order with Lee Valley, remember to throw in a variety of magnets.  I use the rare earth magnets to hold extra collets and the router wrench onto the bottom of the table!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   MatthewSchenker | Nov 26, 2006 05:19pm | #19

   And don't forget the trim router!

3. 
   PeterFarquharson | Nov 24, 2006 06:52am | #3

   I just finished making a new extention table for my Unisaw with a Jessem router lift and Freud micro fence. Something I should have done years ago!!  Used some 1 inch Ranger board (dense particle board), with laminate on both sides, and I also precut a hole larger than the Jessem lift and "lined" it with hard maple, then cut in the lift. I have the Unisaw fence, the Freud fence, and "no fence" for template work. The extra mass of the table saw and heavy extention table kill any vibration and it's REALLY hard to tip it over with large pieces.  And I don't loose any more floor space...

   Just an option for about the same price...

    

4. 
   daveinnh | Nov 25, 2006 02:52am | #4

   I have a BenchDog router table and have been very happy with the unit.  I put a 3.5 HP Fein router (bought as sale demo - not very table friendly, but strong and quiet) into the table and also bought several acc. - incl. the raised panel hold-down. You may wish to have a Milwaukee that can be adjusted from the top instead.

   Originally I thought of a small(1.5 HP) shaper, but the 1/2" router bits are much less expensive, given the same quality. Also, I used the setup to mill baseboard and trim for our house (i.e. not professional use).

   Happy shopping.

5. 
   drewcboggs | Nov 25, 2006 04:26am | #5

   My children gave me a Jessum Router table (made in Cananda, by the way) for my 70th birthday (that was two years ago) and I have really enjoyed it. One of the woodworking magazines rated it the best not to long ago. I Use a Porter Cable 2 1/4 HP router which can be adjusted from the top of the table and couldn't be happier.

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Nov 25, 2006 05:17am | #6

   If you turn your router around you won't need to adjust it from the top. The clamp & adjustment knob are easily reached underneath in front.Cadiddlehopper

1. 
   drewcboggs | Nov 25, 2006 07:19am | #7

   You're right and often, I just lift the router & base off the table to make the adjustment. The point I was trying to make is that you don't need to buy an expensive "router lifter"..

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Nov 25, 2006 10:11pm | #16

   Indeed! I paid extra for a PC 895 kit rather than an 893 because I didn't know that I would never need the tool that PC furnished with it. I have 4 bases, so I leave one mounted all the time.Cadiddlehopper

6. 
   MatthewSchenker | Nov 25, 2006 02:38pm | #9

   RM,
   Nothing wrong with Veritas and JessEm. However, if you're thinking of expanding to a terrific router setup, you should consider the Incra systems from Woodpecker. I have the LS Positioner and it's amazing:
   - Incredibly precise fence adjustments with no backlash
   - Offset fences for jointing operations (see the "Super System")
   - 25" depth capacity (you can also get 17")
   - Can do box joints and dovetails on the router table
   - Very sturdy design
   - Excellent customer service (the company owner answers e-mails)

   There's more, but you get the idea. Once you upgrade to this system, there's not much else to add.

   As with other systems, the price varies depending on the options you want. It will cost more than the Veritas, but for me it was worth it.

   Here's a link:
   http://www.woodpeck.com/lshome.html

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/25/2006 6:42 am ET by MatthewSchenker

1. 
   rm | Nov 25, 2006 08:35pm | #13

   Thats a nice setup.....but as you mentioned more $$ than the LV table and fence and Santas capped the budget

1. 
   MatthewSchenker | Nov 25, 2006 08:52pm | #15

   RM,
   That's understandable. Just thought I'd give you another possibility!