Router table plan

M

MacMitch

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Joined
Mar 17, 2007
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99
I am about to embark on several cabinet making projects for: shop, business & home. My old router table, the original Freud kit, and old  Makitta router that does not slide or plunge both need replacing.

I have studied these pages and come up with a plan.

The work
The cabinets I make will be simple frames. Our home is Dutch Colonial with plain 2 1/2- 3" trim around doors and on the existing kitchen cabinets. I plan to continue the theme. I think the main use of the router table will be to cut some sort of rails & stiles with one of the router bits designed for the purpose. After I finish the cabinets I am interested in making some matching furniture/bookshelves.

Table parts & construction
I am thinking about buying a good table top, fence & maybe a coping sled. I would then build a cabinet to house the table. I do not think my volume of work justifies a lift for the table I am thinking about purchasing a Triton-Plunge-Router. I would build a cabinet with casters to house the parts and accessories.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2080240/Triton-Plunge-Routers.aspx
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081354/30460/Woodpeckers-24-x-32-Phenolic-Router-Table-Top.aspx
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020443/28259/36-Inch-Pinnacle-RF3-Router-Table-Fence.aspx
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081567/30717/Woodpeckers-Coping-Sled.aspx

Any other thoughts on this hardware and plan?
 
I like your choice for the router table top and fence.  The Pinnacle fence should be the same as the Woodpeckers, but in black instead of red and silver parts.  I believe they make their stuff and re-brand it.  I didn't like the coping sled when I looked at it online and then in Woodcraft.  There are better ones out there and videos on You Tube of all of these items.  

You might want to check out Marc Sommerfeld's router table which is all aluminum by Alcoa and won't sag period.  It doesn't have a router table insert so there's nothing for material to catch on if that's important to you.  Also JessEm is re-releasing their top of the line router table, the Mast-R-Lift Excel next month and they also have other great table items and package deals with specials going on for a little bit longer.  

I think I've finally made my decision to wait for the JessEm unit next month.  I don't like having to deal with insert plates and constantly pulling out the router.  I like dedicating my Porter Cable 7518 to the table and not messing with it.

I just found the older version of the JessEm Mast-R-Lift Excel on amazon for only $389.99 (lift + phenolic top) which is a great buy.  The new one will have the improved router lift that's available right now as a separate part.  Woodpeckers has great combo deals on their website.  Of course if you're definitely getting that Triton router, you won't be going with a lift since it's a plunge router.
 
Triton 2hp was my first real router, used it a lot in a table. IMO, the built in lift is of zero value, because you still have to unlock the router from under the table in order to adjust the height. So I just reach under the top, unlock it, and adjust it with the handle by turning it or use the fine adjustment knob.

If you want to save some bucks, make your own top out of MDF or plywood with a bit of reinforcing. It's dead easy to cut out the insert hole; lots of instructions available on the internet on how to do it. For that matter, it's pretty easy to make your own fence, too. I made both and my setup works great.
 
I searched and found a few more coping sleds. The two below looked good. Not sure if I like their features more or not. The infinity has some good ratings by customers and might be a good choice.

http://www.infinitytools.com/Professional-Coping-Sled/productinfo/COP%2D100/
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020441/22349/Pinnacle-Premium-Coping-Sled.aspx

JessEm is offering good deals on their complete table packages. Looks like I could do a Rout-R-Lift II package and either a porter cable or Milwaukee 2 1/4hp router for about the same as the Woodpecker parts I was looking at. The JessEm system would include a lift and stand too. Although I kinda liked the Woodpecker fence a little better the JessEm package seems to offer a good deal more for my money.

http://www.jessemdirect.com/Rout_R_Lift_II_Complete_Router_Table_Package_p/rout-r-lift%20ii%20kit-1.htm

Apparently these lift systems either use the big PC motor or system routers by several different manufacturers. The system routers seem to allow one to use just the motor. I could not find just the motors for sale except for the big PC.
 
My thoughts on your choice of Router:
I had a Triton router once... and sorry, but never again!! Yes it is designed for the most part to be mounted in a table config and for that it is really well designed! However the motor on mine packed up after about a year of use (and it was not even heavy use) and the repair cost was estimated at a little under $300. The machine also became "sloppy" surprisingly quickly.
After cutting my losses and never even going back to fetch the machine from the repair guys. I bought the Makita 3612C. I could not be happier!!! The machine is not as ergonomic under the table but its motor, mechanics and electronics are far superior to the Triton.
What do the Auzzies know about making power tools anyway??
 
Im with you on the makita 3612c they have been making that machine for years I had two of them for years they are indestructable the only shortcome is the plunge depth
 
The JessEm sale looks like a great deal but is over December 31. Is anyone familiar with that system? the table top is the Mast-R "our laminated phenolic". Which they say "virtually renders melamine an obsolete option for long term professional use". I imagine it is at least the equal of the Woodpecker top. The package also includes the new Rout-R Lift II, Rout-R Fence, Rout-R-Stand, Tab-Loc insert rings, Paralign feather boards, Pow-R Tek switch, all for $499.

http://www.jessemdirect.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Rout%2DR%2DLift+II+Kit%2D1
http://www.jessemdirect.com/Phenolic_Mast_R_Top_p/03004.htm

There are slightly different models each designed to work with different 1.75 - 2 1/4 hp routers. Looks like all the routers mentioned: PC 690/890, Bosch 1617/1618, Dewalt 610/618, Craftsman 17543/17540/28190, Makita 1101, Hitachi M12VC-KM2VC, Milwaukee 5615/5616/5619, Rigid 29302 have motors that can be removed from their bases to be placed in a lift in a table?

Are all these routers better in tables with lifts? I think I have read positive reports of the PC & Milwaukees in tables with lifts.
 
I've been using the Jessem setup for 3 years now including the Jessem/Milwaukee 3 1/2hp router setup they no longer sell. The fence is easy to adjust and the accessories integrate well. Jessem phenolic table, masterlift, masterfence, masterslide, paralign fence boards, milwaukee variable speed router package. The masterslide attachment works great if you're doing rails and stiles along with any off angle work. If you can find the router package it's great because of the ease of speed adjust. It's a milwaukee part number, if your interested I can look through my records and find it.

[attachthumb=1]
 
I am interested. I think I will be good with one of the 2 1/4 hp Milwaukee motors though. I have read good things about the Milwaukee routers. I have no desire to do raised doors or things that require large bits. My hearing is not all that great and I am also hoping the smaller router will have less chance of making me deaf.
 
MacMitch said:
My hearing is not all that great and I am also hoping the smaller router will have less chance of making me deaf.
Click to expand...

I may be wrong, but I would have thought that a big router doing relatively light work would be quieter than a small router straining at full capacity...
 
The Rout-R-Lift II Kit-1-13 Package, on the JessEm page I mention, is a kit for Milwaukee 5615/5616/5619 routers and comes with a Pow-R-Tek switch. Looks like the router with switch you mention adds a speed dial on what looks like much the same switch? This is a $849 package being offered for $499, which is what got my attention. I was thinking about buying just a table top, fence and Triton router,  then build a cabinet for them. This package comes with a stand and lift....and would not cost much more.

http://www.jessemdirect.com/Rout_R_Lift_II_Complete_Router_Table_Package_p/rout-r-lift%20ii%20kit-1.htm

The package designed for the larger router is also on sale, but  costs an additional $300.
http://www.jessemdirect.com/Mast_R_Lift_II_Complete_Router_Table_Package_p/mast-r-lift%20ii%20kit-3.htm

I can't find the Masterslide on the JessEm site but I find it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/JessEm-07500-MAST-R-SLIDE-Sliding-Attachment/dp/B000G1KNXC/ref=sr_1_17?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1293202186&sr=1-17
Apparently it is designed to be a sliding table saw attachment, though I am sure it would work on a router table, assuming it fits the track. There is a sliding fence, attaches to the fence, made for the router table that looks to be something between a coping slide and a table saw slide......

This innovative accessory is engineered to perform precision machined square or angled cope cuts, crosscuts and other end milling operation with renewed accuracy on a router table. The Mite-R-Slide™ offers greatly improved performance and increased precision over similar cuts made with a miter gauge travelling in a single miter track in the tabletop.

http://www.jessemdirect.com/product_p/06001.htm

Right I need to wear my Peltor's too. Mine resides on the tractor and I am afraid to move it, maybe I just need to buy one for the shop too.
 
Sorry, I think I have to start doing this thing called reading, that is the unit and worth every penny I paid for it. The Milwaukee 3 1/2 hp setup is expensive compared to other alternatives but in my case I use it continually in production and saves a lot of aggravation.

John

 
MacMitch,

The coping slides are nice, but I think the advantage goes to the JessEm Mite-R-Slide because of the accuracy of it riding the fence as opposed to a sled being pressed along it and more importantly it can do angles other than 90 deg. much easier and faster.  You can always go for both.  [2cents]

Good luck with your purchase!
 
That sounds like a good set-up.  I went to several WW shows and  Summerfield was always there and they had a tabletop with a Triton in it and it was a pretty sweet setup.  For me, I built my table from Norm Abrams plans slightly modified.  It took two sheets of ply and a few drawer slides.  My top was two pieces of 3/4" mdf with formica on top wrapped with oak.  I have the incra LS fence and put it on casters.     I do have the woodpecker lift and a PC 3518.  She's been a great RT for almost six years now.   I think the Triton would be a great router.  I'd reccomend making your table. It's great fun and you can build something much better than you can buy.  

 
You and your wife might get some good side work from Foggers.  Just something to consider.  [smile]
 
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