question on a franken router table

[ShawnRussell]

I have a Porter Cable 3518, a Kreg router lift, and an Incra LS17.

I am tossing around the idea of either building my own router table but I am not sure I have the skill level to build it extremely precise and I am not sure I want to put in the time. The second option is to sell the Kreg lift and purchase an Incra lift and table top. The only downside to option two is I could use that cash to buy more Festool.

Also, the Kreg lift will not fit the Incra table nor will the Incra fence work with a Kreg table top.

 

[semenza]

Well I think you will just have to make that call yourself.  That was helpful wasn't it ?  :

I don't know if the sizes  will work out, but you might want to check out the Woodpeckers lifts and tops also.

Seth

 

[erock]

My two cents....

  I have the Incra router table, Porter Cable 7518 router with the Incra router lift.

I wouldn't trade in or sell the Incra table for anything!  I love the lift and fence.

If you feel like you can't do a knock out job on the table then buy one.  If you're going to be using the table a lot, then invest in a good table.

I have the Rockler Vortex with a Ridged shop vac hooked up to the Incra table with great dust collection.  I just need to enclose the router for

better under the table dust collection. 

For me a  router table is a must have in the shop.

Eric

 

[Slappy]

I really like the Jessem router table with the wheel assy that you roll the lift up/down from the side , will that deluxe Inca fence fit that Jessem  unit ?

 

[ShawnRussell]

I doubt the fence would fit a Jessem router top. The fence has 17" of travel and another 3-4" that compromise the face of the fence.

 

[John H]

What I think would be cool would be to buy a replacement MFT top like this one from Amazon and then make a torsion box table using a design based on the Paulk Ultimate Work Bench

http://www.amazon.com/Festool-489396-Perforated-Replacement-MFT-LP1080/dp/B003KN3VU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379380616&sr=8-1&keywords=mft+plate

 

[ShawnRussell]

Is there anything you could apply to MDF to make the surface glide like a phenolic top?

 

[Slappy]

I was thinking you could laminate a "Formica" type surface to the MFT , then use a router trim,cutoff bit to open up the holes ,
I myself was/am looking for a local guy who could CNC a 4 x 8 sheet of MDF with those 20mm holes precisely spaced as in the MFT .
I would laminate both sides just save on wear & tear on the MDF .
I feel the Festool table is just too small for my needs , but I would want the side rails & a frame work ,plus be able to break down the table when not needed 

 

[barnowl]

I have a Porter Cable 3518, a Kreg router lift, and an Incra LS17.

I am tossing around the idea of either building my own router table but I am not sure I have the skill level to build it extremely precise and I am not sure I want to put in the time. The second option is to sell the Kreg lift and purchase an Incra lift and table top. The only downside to option two is I could use that cash to buy more Festool.

Also, the Kreg lift will not fit the Incra table nor will the Incra fence work with a Kreg table top.

I have an Incra LS Super system which is great for offset routing:

mounted on the 27" x 43" Offset Router Table Top, and the original Woodpeckers PRL router lift, which is no longer available.

Unfortunately, the lift is sized onlt for the Porter Cable 7518.

Though a long time fan of Woodpeckers, I'm not really inpressed with their PRL-2, and if I were buying a lift today,

I'd look real hard at the INCRA Mast-R-Lift II router lift, which I believe will accomodate many different routers.

I also believe that Jessem makes them for Incra. 

 

[Michael Kellough]

Is there anything you could apply to MDF to make the surface glide like a phenolic top?

Sand the MDF smooth, like 320 grit. That is often enough but if you want a more durable surface apply an oil finish.
If you want, after it cures sand it smooth again and apply another coat of oil. You can make it even smoother with a coat of wax.