Another... Router Table Question

[GreenGA]

I'm working on the design of a new router table that I intend to build myself.  I have a tabletop model now and it works fine, a bit cumbersome, but okay.

Anyway, while I was talking to a coworker, who I did not know was into woodworking, he mentioned that he had a heavy-duty router table from MLCS he was thinking of getting rid of and could offer it to me at a fair price.  He sent me a link to the MLCS web page but it has two tables, both cast iron, one of which has a sliding top.  He never mentioned which table he has; the slider or not.  I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/router_table_2.html

They look interesting and although I do not have room at the moment, if the table is a good one, based on forum feedback, and he offers it at a great price, I'll take it and store it until I get my workshop back from the "kids" when they move out, again, hopefully within the next month or two.   :

So, does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on these tables?  Interesting minds want to know.

Thanks.

 

[sw1211]

I didn't look real close but it didn't look like you can adjust the bit height from above the table.  This is a feature I would consider a deal breaker.  If you can adjust, I would make sure to check the flatness with a straight edge you "trust."  If you are really stuck on an iron table this would be my 1st choice, it won't be at a "good" price though, Bench Dog Table

Edit : By the time you invest in all this stuff you could probably get a decent shaper.

 

[GreenGA]

I thought about a shaper at one time but even then I did not have the room.  The only reason I am even considering the MLCS cast iron table is it may be available at a great price.  If not, then this is all a typing exercise.  

It's funny you mentioned a shaper.  Every time I visit the toy store near my stepson, Force Machinery in Union, NJ, I see a couple of shapers on the floor and I do wonder...  What a decent to good router table costs, add to that the cost of a good router, you're almost, and in some cases past, the price of those shapers.  Makes one pause...

JR and I are supposed to visit this Saturday so my stepson and his wife can go out for a few hours by themselves to do some shopping while JR and I watch the newborn.  Well, for the first few hours I will be at the toy store  : while JR does the watching.

If you can adjust, I would make sure to check the flatness with a straight edge you "trust."  If you are really stuck on an iron table this would be my 1st choice, it won't be at a "good" price though, Bench Dog Table

Edit : By the time you invest in all this stuff you could probably get a decent shaper.

 

[sw1211]

Grizzly makes a full line of shapers, bet you could find something to meet your needs for < $1K, Grizzly Shapers

 

[Nigel]

I have the sliding table version from a different manufacturer.The table is heavy and solid.The big problem is that the fence is useless!The infeed and outfeed are both independently adjustable but the link between them is flimsy pressed steel which combined with play in the fences adjustment means accurate profiling is difficult to say the least.I made another single piece fence fairly rapidly.Once the fence has gone it,s ok as a small shaper.I,ve had no problem shaping handrails and such on it as it's fairly heavy.If you want portability forget it.Now,I bought this in my pre-Festool days and even though it wasn't expensive if I could travel back in time I would save the money and put it towards a cms and module.Regards Nigel.

 

[boxwoodrestoration]

I have the same sliding table from GRIZZLY. The table is not flat as the sliding portion is higher than the fixed portion.... the fence is junk......and it is a real treat to change bits. It now sits in the corner of our shop collecting dust.

 

[Nigel]

Agreed on the fence.I shimmed to get same height on tables. There's a trick to changing the bits though- slide the table to one side.I forgot to mention mine has gas struts to lift the table if you want to take the router out.