ROUTER TABLE: Buy or Build?

[mb]

I just bought my first router and realize that I should probably put it into a table to handle the torque and larger bits I want to use to make some simple raised panel cabinet doors.  I have been going crazy with the various table options and thought I would take this opportunity to introduce my self to the forum with the following:

1. Router is a Festool OF 2000 using 1/2" bits. I have not found any router lifts or plates made specifically for this router. Is there such a thing out there?  Should I think about a CMS plate from UK or elsewhere (expensive) and put it in a table?

2. I have a nice piece of granite 24 x 36 that I could have cut or fabricated but I am clueless about direct mount versus plates, lifts or no lifts, etc.

3. MDO looks good to me because it looks easy to work with but again, clueless about all the necessary hardwar to make it work for the raised panel doors, etc.

4. I have come to favor the Bench Dog, Kreg and MCLS (cast iron) tables but they cost a fortune. Kreg looks good for the accessory options like the beaded face frame kit. I like the MCLS because it seems really stable with tilt-up top, but not very portable. Bench Dog just seems to be well made. Grizzly also makes a cast iron slider that seems good but ...

OK FELLAS. See my problem? A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Any suggestions appreciated.  Thanks.

mb

 

[grobin]

I have an incra 24" fence on a cruddy table and would highly recommend the fence.  With that router you will likely need to custom build the table and will have a lot of trouble finding a lift if there is one at all.  There are a number of articles and books on building router tables; how good they are I have no idea.

 

[GPowers]

I bought the OF1400 and was thinking of going the UK way of getting the CMS setup. Even had a family member of a friend that was willing to buy the CMS. But is was cheaper to buy the whole Kreg set up, Stand, Table, Fence, Lift, inserts, a bunch of the Kreg accessory and a PC Router. Happy I went the Kreg route as the PC 7518 router motor is mounted and STAYS in the Kreg table. Makes thing much ease and more convenient. You can buy the PC 7518 as a motor replacement and save a little money.

Another router table that I ran into after buying the Kreg is the Sommerfield Tool kit. Different because of it high fence and zero clearance inserts.

 

[pdlandgang]

I have a Jessem table, lift and fence with a PC router in it and enjoy it.  I also have an OF1400.  Depending upon your budget and usage level I would suggest, and have found, that having the dedicated router in the table is the way to go.  When I do things away from the table I use the 1400 and do not have to fool with un-mounting everything to get the router out, re-attach the base etc etc.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

This will probably make your problem worse  [eek] but....

For the cost of a fully tricked out router table, you can get a shaper that will perform much better - and you can run router bits in it.  And, with the current economic conditions, there are lots of used shapers on the market for bargain prices.

 

[dennylj]

I have a Jessem table, lift and fence with a PC router in it and enjoy it.  I also have an OF1400.  Depending upon your budget and usage level I would suggest, and have found, that having the dedicated router in the table is the way to go.  When I do things away from the table I use the 1400 and do not have to fool with un-mounting everything to get the router out, re-attach the base etc etc.

I have exactly the same setup:  Jessem table, lift and fence with a bosch router installed.  I also agree that a dedicated router makes good sense, since, with the router lift it would be a real hassle to remove it each time your need the router elsewhere.  I use the OF 1400 for everything else, including hand-held routing and with the MFT/3 with guide rail.  My first router table was the Lee Valley setup - stainless steel table that was dead on true, and a DeWalt 3hp router installed.  That table was designed to install and remove the router easily (which I rarely did), but I found the table smaller that I like.
Hope this helps.
Denny

 

[stevep]

I would just buy a router plate and mount it in a piece of, say, kitchen worktop. Then make up a box or cupboard on wheels, stick the worktop on the top and you're almost done. You can make up a fence with some ply or mdf and clamp it on to the top with  g cramps. That's enough to get you started, and you'll soon work out what you need to add to suit the sort of work you do. You may want to add a bit of track and a mitre guide fairly quickly which helps cutting tenons etc.

There are loads of plans for home made router tables if you do a search, and they have the advantage that you can tailor them to suit your work, eg Fine Wood Working web site, UKWorkshop Forum http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/router-table-build-at-last-t44913.html etc.

Also, with the money that I've just saved you, you could afford to buy a cheaper (second) router specifically for the table (say the 1/2" Ryobi one for around 120 ukp/. I personally wouldn't put a Festool router in a table.

Ready made stuff like Kreg is eye-wateringly expensive, and a lot of the tracks, clamps, rails, stops and guides are really unnecessary most of the time. In particular, the Kreg face frame kit is a silly price. I've been doing beaded face frames for a while, though admittedly I had to buy a Kreg track so I could use a mitre guide in the router table! Have a read of this thread http://www.woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2714&p=37235&hilit=beaded+face+frame#p37235 which gives some very good details. The cutters come from Wealden Tools - T1910:1/2 for the mitre cutter and T2501B for the beading cutter.

 

[jonny round boy]

When I needed a router table, I looked at various commercial ones available, but anything worth having was beyond my non-existent budget, so I built my own. I posted this thread detailing the making of it. It was real easy, and dirt cheap!

 

[stevep]

...so I built my own. I posted this thread detailing the making of it.

Yes, that's the sort of thing I had in mind - simple, functional and easy to modify in the future if you need to make changes or additions.

 

[mb]

Johnny Round Boy:  I like what you did with the table.  Great post.  I want to give it a try before I go out and buy the Kreg set up, which is expensive but impressive.  I will need to make a couple of modifications (maybe a folding base) and may want to experiment with fences and materials, such as MDO or maybe a granite top.  When I get into the thick of it, will it be ok to send a PM if I hit a question that I cannot resolve?  Thanks everyone for all the help.

mb

 

[joiner1970]

There are loads of plans for home made router tables if you do a search, and they have the advantage that you can tailor them to suit your work, eg Fine Wood Working web site, UKWorkshop Forum http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/router-table-build-at-last-t44913.html etc.

Thats me  [eek] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

I managed to knock up a jig and rout out the slots for the tslot channel today to fix the fence , thank god for Festool routers they are very easy to use ONE HANDED  [smile] [laughing] i got bored sitting around here watching TV while re couperating so couldn't resist the call of the workshop. The hardest bit was changing the cutter one handed.

 

[ajones]

How is the hand coming along? be carefull you don't do some permanent damage

 

[joiner1970]

ok i think, stitches came out friday so i dont have to go to dressings again just have to pop back to hand therapy in 2 weeks. Dont worry i wont be doing anything silly i dont use that arm at all not even  tried to hold anything with it too risky.

 

[ginocon]

Hi

I would recommend you to build your own. I have one similar to the New Yankee routertable but with a Benchdog ProLift and a PC 7518 motor. 
I'm extremely happy with it, have build doors, entry doors with raised panels etc. The Of1400 I have  prefer to use it for handheld operations.
One thing for router tables It is better to buy a motor only and a separate lift than mounting a complete router directly to a table. The last one may work but is not as efficient.

If you really want to put your OF2000 in a rotuer table maybe this link can help
This is a Router insert for MFT  / MFT3 table.

RouterLift

There is also a great Table saw insert for TS55 saws.

Also the woodwisperer site has a link to a great router insert from Woodwerks.

But once again I think when you build your own it is a lot cheaper and you can tailormade it to your needs.
There are lot of plans and examples on the web.

Goodluck

Gino

 

[mb]

Thanks Ginocon.  I am going to give it a try and see if I can build my own.

mb

 

[mb]

When I needed a router table, I looked at various commercial ones available, but anything worth having was beyond my non-existent budget, so I built my own. I posted this thread detailing the making of it. It was real easy, and dirt cheap!

Johnny Round Boy:  I like what you did with the table.  Great post.  I want to give it a try before I go out and buy the Kreg set up, which is expensive but impressive.  I will need to make a couple of modifications (maybe a folding base) and may want to experiment with fences and materials, such as MDO or maybe a granite top.  When I get into the thick of it, will it be ok to send a PM if I hit a question that I cannot resolve?  Thanks everyone for all the help.

mb

 

[NuggyBuggy]

I have a complete Jessem setup, and while most of it is really nice, I absolutely hate the stand.  To catch the dust you have to buy a $150 nylon jacket which is a pain to install and remove, is hard to setup without any gaps, and seems to waste a lot of space.  If I had to do it again I'd skip the Jessem stand and buy or build some sort of enclosed cabinet.

 

[jonny round boy]

Johnny Round Boy:  I like what you did with the table.  Great post.  I want to give it a try before I go out and buy the Kreg set up, which is expensive but impressive.  I will need to make a couple of modifications (maybe a folding base) and may want to experiment with fences and materials, such as MDO or maybe a granite top.  When I get into the thick of it, will it be ok to send a PM if I hit a question that I cannot resolve?  Thanks everyone for all the help.

mb

mb,

No problem, ask away.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

I just built this one.  It's all woodpeckers items up top.  I haven't built the drawers yet for it,  dust collection is all hooked up.  looking for a better 1 1/2" hose for the Triton dust port under the table.    The phenolic top is awesome,  it's solid too.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

I still have to make sacrificial fences to go on there.    only hole I had to drill in the plate was for the triton adjuster rod.  the collet comes up above the table for bit changes,  but you do need to switch "off " the router to allow this feature to work can't have it on all the time.  I really like the quality of the kreg switch.

I spent a little over 800 bucks, and that includes a new 3 1/4 hp Triton router,  the material to build the cabinets, (mahogany I had from a job several years ago),    Woodpeckers makes high quality tools/accessories.

I looked at buying a table and could have got one for a benchtop cheaper but this fits exactly what I want and I can keep in my jobsite trailer to run out trim/moulding whenever I want. 

I don't have a fixed shop at home.  someday if I do,  I'll have a shaper there.    for now, this works best for me.