Need a top quality router table
- Thread starter peter halle
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Chris Rosenberger said:RonWen said:
Thank you Ron,
Those parts are for toy barns. I live in a farming community, so I get lots requests for these from my customers at Christmas.
When I built them this year I decided to cut extra parts so I could make a couple for my 2 grandsons that are getting just about the age to play with them.
Great detail on those also!
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Chris,
What a fabulous router table! [not worthy]
Mine will never come close!
I did pick up a Jessum Mast-R-Lift II today along with an Incra 32" Miter Channel.
Too bad my "shop" is 16 miles away!
Peter
What a fabulous router table! [not worthy]
Mine will never come close!
I did pick up a Jessum Mast-R-Lift II today along with an Incra 32" Miter Channel.
Too bad my "shop" is 16 miles away!
Peter
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Tim Raleigh said:
Tim,
Ultimately I will have either a PC 7518 or the big Milwaukee as a motor. I decided on the Jessum because it is easily configured to multiple round router motors. Right now - and I expect to get some flak - I will be putting my venerable, virtually unused since my OF 1400, PC 690 in there with it's after market speed control. When that can be replaced it will be, I assure you.
Peter
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As so many suggested I will be going for an Incra LS Super fence setup.
Two questions for you guys:
1. Is the 25" version worth the difference in cost- i.e. do you find yourself using the extra 8 inches of capacity?
2. How many have bought the metric version versus the imperial?
Thanks!
Peter
Two questions for you guys:
1. Is the 25" version worth the difference in cost- i.e. do you find yourself using the extra 8 inches of capacity?
2. How many have bought the metric version versus the imperial?
Thanks!
Peter
Peter Halle said:
As I said before, I just went with a more basic fence system (Kreg) however I really like the Incra products and would consider an upgrade at some point. Incra has great documentation and they will share virtually all of it with you before you buy so you can make an informed decision.
When deciding between the 17" and 25" they make the point that you get 50% more capacity range for only $30. -- I have limited space so that would also be a decision point for me but it sounds like you now have a nice big shop so...
Metric vs. Imperial -- I really like the simplicity of metric for dividing up things like pin/tail spacing however you do get slightly finer incremental adjustment with the imperial.
I can't think of any other woodworking tool that allows (requires) all the decisions that are involved with building a great router table. [thumbs up]
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Ron,
My "shop" which I have named "Fesbrew" because it is all metal and reminds me of a beverage can is a whopping 9-3 x 26. I need to devote a good portion for finishing which is covered with pink styrofoam resulting in "Barbies Corner".
Hopefully in a month I will have completed enough stuff to brave posting images of the "Can" here.
Peter
My "shop" which I have named "Fesbrew" because it is all metal and reminds me of a beverage can is a whopping 9-3 x 26. I need to devote a good portion for finishing which is covered with pink styrofoam resulting in "Barbies Corner".
Hopefully in a month I will have completed enough stuff to brave posting images of the "Can" here.
Peter
Corwin
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I bought an Incra LS shortly after getting my first Festools. I bought the 25" version such that it could also serve to set workpieces parallel to the Guide Rail on my MFT which worked fine. But, if I had it all to do over again, I would opt for the shorter 17" version, as I just haven't needed the extra capacity on the router table.
Peter Halle said:
Peter,
I guess the main question is how big do you plan to build your table? The system takes an extra 10-12" for the fence carriage and the fence itself, so you'd need about three feet on one side of the router to be able to use the extra capacity. If you plan on using the system to cut joinery on wide panels you could use the extra capacity, if not it's an extra 8" of table you'll have to accommodate in your shop. Keep in mind you'll need some space clear past the fence side of the table since the LS carriage slides through the base so the wider the workpiece/cut the further the carriage goes off the table. Take a look at Chris's picture, you'll see what I mean.
You really notice it with the TS/LS setup making wide cuts, here's mine:
[attachthumb=1]
I went with Imperial. I'm old-school, everything else in the shop is feet/inches and that's how I think. YMMV... [smile]
HTH,
Bill
I've just recently ordered the Jessem Master Lift II Complete package from Jessem. I haven't even received it yet and this thread is making me have second thoughts... I am a hobbyist, not a professional, so I strongly suspect it will be waaaay more than adequate for me, but I like to buy these things only once. Can someone help with my buyer's remorse please?
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bwiele said:
Well , first don't fret until you actually have it to check out. I don't have the Jessem, but I have seen it first hand and it certainly looks like good stuff. And some of the robustly built items like the Miter Slider look really nice!
What made me go for the Incra LS positioner is that it can easily do tasks beyond most router table set ups capabilties. Dovetails, box joints, edge jointing, etc. And the multi scale repeatable/ resetable feature is really useful.
Depends what you want the router table to do, and to some extent what other equipment you have.
Don't know if that helps your remorse or not [smile]
Seth
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I can't speak the rest of the setup, but the lift is sweet! One thing that I like is the easy change out of motors in the future without having to buy mounting adapters!
Peter
Peter
tiralie
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bwiele said:
Congratulations on buying a Jessem, for me it's been a joy to use and has high quality build.
Like Seth stated, (I agree with him) it really depends on what you plan to do with your table as to what table/system you want. What is the nature of your remorse - spent too much money for the perceived value/use or not sure it was the right machine for your needs.
I have the Master Lift Excel w/ the Milwaukee router and I can say it's everything I wanted which was power and reliability. The dust collection is quite good, and the ability to dial in the height and have it stick is very good. The fence is solid if a little basic compared to the Incra fence. You won't be sorry. If you decide you want the mico adjustment feature I am sure you can retrofit with the Incra fence to your table.
Tim
OK, so the therapy is working! My concern was that I didn't understand before making this purchase that a significant number of people here have the Incra. To me, it seems quite a bit more precise than I necessarily need. Having said that, I believe in paying up to buy the right tool the first time and not have to replace. I'm on the Festool forum after all! Anyway, I suspect I'll be happy when the whole thing arrives. Thanks for the support.
So, I'll need to get a new fixed base router to put in the lift. I have 3 routers but they are all plunge routers. What is the consensus?
So, I'll need to get a new fixed base router to put in the lift. I have 3 routers but they are all plunge routers. What is the consensus?
Kevin Stricker
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Hey Peter,
I have the full Monty Incra setup, but really a solid block of beech will do for a fence. It's easy to blow a grand on a router table/lift/fence, but you can get a lot of usability from a simple table/fence with a good lift. Just saying....I spent a ton on my setup, and I wish I had just bought the bullet and got a decent used Delta shaper. While that may not be in the cards for you right now due to power, I am sure you could make a simple table and fence and have lots of usability from it vs holding out/lusting after the Ferrari setups available. You have gotten along OK so far without right? Just having the lift will be a huge improvement.
I have the full Monty Incra setup, but really a solid block of beech will do for a fence. It's easy to blow a grand on a router table/lift/fence, but you can get a lot of usability from a simple table/fence with a good lift. Just saying....I spent a ton on my setup, and I wish I had just bought the bullet and got a decent used Delta shaper. While that may not be in the cards for you right now due to power, I am sure you could make a simple table and fence and have lots of usability from it vs holding out/lusting after the Ferrari setups available. You have gotten along OK so far without right? Just having the lift will be a huge improvement.
I have Incra's version of the Jessem Master Lift II and love it. I bought the Incra version because the base plate was sized specifically for a Rockler table (which I already owned).
As far as I know, the only differences between the two are the "zero insert" plates that fit around the cutters (note: they are not zero inserts. I just used the term loosely). The Incra uses strong magnets to attach the metal insert plates whereas the Jessem uses plastic plates that are screwed on with a separate wrench-like tool.
IMHO the Master Lift II is a great router lift and, unlike the previous versions, doesn't require the purchase of additional mounting brackets to account for the different router models.
I'd like to install a Wixey Remote Digital Gauge but haven't investigated this enough yet to figure out how easy it is to install.
p.s. I have no idea whether any of the Festool routers will fit in this lift.....
As far as I know, the only differences between the two are the "zero insert" plates that fit around the cutters (note: they are not zero inserts. I just used the term loosely). The Incra uses strong magnets to attach the metal insert plates whereas the Jessem uses plastic plates that are screwed on with a separate wrench-like tool.
IMHO the Master Lift II is a great router lift and, unlike the previous versions, doesn't require the purchase of additional mounting brackets to account for the different router models.
I'd like to install a Wixey Remote Digital Gauge but haven't investigated this enough yet to figure out how easy it is to install.
p.s. I have no idea whether any of the Festool routers will fit in this lift.....
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Kevin,
Have you always had the ability to read minds? [thumbs up] I haven't posted that much in this thread because as you asked "You have gotten along OK so far without right? "
I built my router table top out of 3 layers of 1/2 mdf (scrap - had on hand for years), laminated it with formica left over from a recent job (scrap - free) and the table was designed to be smaller than I originally wanted. It is heavy. I bought the lift previously mention and mounted my existing router. I also purchased an Incra track to recess into the table for feather boards miter gauge, etc. That has not been installed. Oh, I built the table smaller because I saw many great examples in this thread about making an entire cabinet to house a portable table saw (which I have) along with a router that ended up using the Incra Table Saw fence system. I came to the conclusion that a router table top I built was probably the cheapest thing to build and because my uses might evolve, with a decent lift it would be easy to interchange if necessary. Smaller meant more portable (still important to me) even though it weighs a ton.
Next I decided to minimize it's footprint in the shop when not in use, so I grabbed some scrap and knocked together a way to attach it to my MFT/3 side or front profiles. As it accidentally turned out the size of the scrap on hand will create little legs so that when I put it away on a shelf or under the MFT the router lift is protected. I will be making a matching attachment point for the other end hopefully this weekend.
On to the fence. I dug out the fences that I currently have from previous tables. I have the one that came with the Bosch router table. It does not sit perpendicular to the table and I don't want to have to shim. Nope. I have an old polyethylene Oak Park fence that could be used for some things, but for most would be too small. Nope. I have an old Rockler aluminum extrusion fence that Is missing the adjustable facings which got wet at some time and puffed out. Yes. And I have an original Incra Jig that I plan on mounting on a board that indexes off the 20 mm holes in the MFT in case I need a limited range of repeatability.
And after watching Guido's videos linked here I am thinking about taking some of his design ideas and putting them into play for another fence in the future.
Sorry for the long post, but that is where I am right now. Would love to have a fancy fence, but in truth it won't happen now.
Peter
Have you always had the ability to read minds? [thumbs up] I haven't posted that much in this thread because as you asked "You have gotten along OK so far without right? "
I built my router table top out of 3 layers of 1/2 mdf (scrap - had on hand for years), laminated it with formica left over from a recent job (scrap - free) and the table was designed to be smaller than I originally wanted. It is heavy. I bought the lift previously mention and mounted my existing router. I also purchased an Incra track to recess into the table for feather boards miter gauge, etc. That has not been installed. Oh, I built the table smaller because I saw many great examples in this thread about making an entire cabinet to house a portable table saw (which I have) along with a router that ended up using the Incra Table Saw fence system. I came to the conclusion that a router table top I built was probably the cheapest thing to build and because my uses might evolve, with a decent lift it would be easy to interchange if necessary. Smaller meant more portable (still important to me) even though it weighs a ton.
Next I decided to minimize it's footprint in the shop when not in use, so I grabbed some scrap and knocked together a way to attach it to my MFT/3 side or front profiles. As it accidentally turned out the size of the scrap on hand will create little legs so that when I put it away on a shelf or under the MFT the router lift is protected. I will be making a matching attachment point for the other end hopefully this weekend.
On to the fence. I dug out the fences that I currently have from previous tables. I have the one that came with the Bosch router table. It does not sit perpendicular to the table and I don't want to have to shim. Nope. I have an old polyethylene Oak Park fence that could be used for some things, but for most would be too small. Nope. I have an old Rockler aluminum extrusion fence that Is missing the adjustable facings which got wet at some time and puffed out. Yes. And I have an original Incra Jig that I plan on mounting on a board that indexes off the 20 mm holes in the MFT in case I need a limited range of repeatability.
And after watching Guido's videos linked here I am thinking about taking some of his design ideas and putting them into play for another fence in the future.
Sorry for the long post, but that is where I am right now. Would love to have a fancy fence, but in truth it won't happen now.
Peter
