Another router and table?

[hobbes]

Aside from your Festool routers, do you use another router installed in a table? If so, what brand, make, model and why? I'm finding that having something stationary w/ a fence would have some good uses as well and considering that as an addition to my OF 1400. It's too bad the CMS-unit and router mounting isn't available in the states or that may be a worthy consideration.

I'm looking for recommendations and thought process behind choosing a stationary router and table + fence. I know there are several competing ones so looking to tap into the collective hive mind.
Sometimes taking the material to the tool is easier than the other way around since you have faster, consistent clamping of the workpiece to be routed.

 

[Alan m]

iv got a dewalt 625 in my table. i had it before igot into festool. it a good router and relitivly cheap

 

[Kev]

I have a 2000 watt Hitachi in a Triton router table many, many years ago. It wasn't good.

I'm in Oz, so I will go down the CMS path, but in general you need

1. Safety
2. Sturdiness
3. Accuracy
4. Dust collection (not essential, but highly desirable)

The type of work you intend to do dictates the rest, so size and flexibility are dependent on your projects.

Your budget will come into play as you could go insane spending on a router table setup if you wanted.

 

[Roseland]

I have a Triton router in my table.  It's a beast and not much fun to use handheld, but it has "through the table" height adjustment as standard, which saves the cost of a lift.

Andrew

 

[joiner1970]

I use a dewalt 626 in a homemade table.

 

[junk731]

Milwaukee 3 1/2 HP with remote start and speed control in a Jessem setup.

John

[attachimg=#]

 

[JPF Woodworking]

Like you i am in the process of transitioning to a more permanent and "professional" router table set-up. I have a number of Porter Cable 690 routers that I use hand-held as well as on some "table-like" bases that I can quickly place into my bench vise. I also have a pretty nice shop built router table that comes apart and can be transported to the job site.

There has been many discussions here about routers and router table set-ups as well as some notable videos that feature some pretty nice set-ups. From these discussions I have decided to go with a Jessem Master lift which I bought from Woodcraft while on sale. I think I paid $ 300 ($ 50 off list price). I will continue to use a 690 in this set-up as have have so many on hand. Along with the 690's I have a major investment in bits, both 1/4 and 1/2 inch which work well with the Porter Cable routers. The 690 also will do a good job with door and stile cutters and other match sets. After I get the Jessem set-up i will purchase a 1010 for my hand held routing (dovetails and box joints) although this router will not accept 1/2" bits. If I get a call for some heavy plowing I will the purchase a 1400.

Kind of long winded here, but I hope it helps your decision process.

John

 

[Vindingo]

Milwaukee 3 1/2 HP with remote start and speed control in a Jessem setup.

John

That's a nice looking router table. 

I have been thinking about getting a bench top model recently. 

Anyone have experience with the Bench Dog ProTop benc htop table?  It has SO many good reviews on amazon, it is crazy. 

 

[tiralie]

Milwaukee 3 1/2 HP with remote start and speed control in a Jessem setup.

Ditto, without the remote start.
Too bad they don't sell this configuration anymore, the separate variable speed control is real handy.
Tim

 

[duburban]

I've been using this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/Freud-RTP1000-Ultimate-Portable-Router/dp/B000C9PRVG/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1334758696&sr=1-2

Mine has an aluminum insert unlike the photo on amazon. I like it because its very portable and a homemade out feed table makes it pretty smooth. Fence is great but i'm not as demanding as some other hardcore router users. Powered by a triton 3 1/4

 

[Rembo]

Makita 36 12C, my requirements in the table, it fits. Lift woodpeckers, emphasis INCRA

 

[Tedric Pancoast]

Milwaukee 3 1/2 HP with remote start and speed control in a Jessem setup.

Ditto, without the remote start.
Too bad they don't sell this configuration anymore, the separate variable speed control is real handy.
Tim

I give this a third.  I've had just about every router you can imagine under a router table in the last 15 years.  The Milwaukee is by a mile the best.  Don't think about it, just do it.

Ted

 

[hobbes]

Jink: That Jessum setup looks really nice!

JPF: Show us your shop build router table...we want to see pictures.  ;D

Duburban: That Freud table looks very portable, but how is the stability of it in use?

I notice most of you put in a high HP router, I'm thinking that's the way to go as well and save the smaller units as handhelds. Initially I was thinking maybe Porter Cable was the way to go given that it is so common so all the accessories will be compatible with it, but seems like a few of you perfer the Milwaukee.

What are some important things to consider if you were to shop for a router table/fence again that perhaps you didn't consider fully before you bought one?

 

[duburban]

the top is made of 1" or so mdf and its solid. found out today theres no support for a vertical mounted feather board without modification of the mdf fences. not a big deal. if your not shy of space i'd get something more standalone but this fits my mobile needs. i've had this setup for almost two years without issue and its very easy to fine tune the plate to table adjustment.

 

[jtwood]

Milwaukee 3 1/2 HP with remote start and speed control in a Jessem setup.

Ditto, without the remote start.
Too bad they don't sell this configuration anymore, the separate variable speed control is real handy.
Tim

I give this a third.  I've had just about every router you can imagine under a router table in the last 15 years.  The Milwaukee is by a mile the best.  Don't think about it, just do it.

Ted

A fourth from me.  My Milwaukee is in a Woodpeck lift with a hand crank.  Plenty powerful and smooth.

 

[barnowl]

Makita 36 12C, my requirements in the table, it fits. Lift woodpeckers, emphasis INCRA

+1

The only difference is the router.

Porter-Cable 7518. Woodpeckers lift and table, Incra fence.

 

[Rembo]

of approx. Let there be video.
P5230001.AVI

 

[barnowl]

There you go!!!

8)

 

[cgmojoco]

of approx. Let there be video.
P5230001.AVI

is that the LR32 size positioner?
Is that corian?

 

[williaty]

I've got a Bosch 1617EVSPK. Only reason I have it is that it's cheap, it doesn't suck too badly, and I can't afford an OF2200. It's in the full-meal-deal Lee Valley/Veritas router table setup. I sure as heck prefer my OF-1010 to that Bosch, but I needed 1/2" collet capacity in the table.