Router Table Router

T

tvgordon

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2007
Messages
501
Hi,
I would like to replace my PC 690 router I'm using with the router table with a variable speed model. 
What are you guys using and are you happy with it?
I can't afford an expensive lift and 3+ hp router motor (need to buy more Festools) so please recommend a router that can work on it's own.
I was thinking of a Triton, Milwaukee or Hitachi router but an curious to get your opinions.  Too bad Festool doesn't make a router designed for table use, it would make the decision a lot easier!  I saw a Craftman (I know, I know) 2 hp plunge router on sale for $99, I like the price but didn't like the feel of it.

Thanks,
Tom.
 
I have the craftsman and I like it, a lot of bang for the buck. If I was to buy one where I wasn't trying to be cheap I'd get the small triton.
 
I recently replaced a Hitach M12V/Router Raizer lift with a PC7518/Benchdog Pro-Lift.  I am very pleased with the new setup (especially the heavy duty lift) but I had 5 years of good service from the Hitachi and recommend it for the relatively low price.

Edit:  Sorry -- I just reread your post and you don't want to add a lift.  I have no experience with Hitachi without the Router Raizer.  Further, the Hitachi seemed to have plenty of power but I was never very happy with the Router Raizer -- mechanism always seemed "stiff" and also seemed undersized to lift the router smoothly -- YRMV.
 
ALSO LOOK AT THE NEW FREUD.GOOD REVIEWS AND VERY GOOD PRICE.THE 31/4 HP I THINK FOR $130.00?CHECK IT OUT AT AMAZON.
 
mastercabman said:
ALSO LOOK AT THE NEW FREUD.GOOD REVIEWS AND VERY GOOD PRICE.THE 31/4 HP I THINK FOR $130.00?CHECK IT OUT AT AMAZON.
Click to expand...

Looks to me like the 2 1/4 HP is $140 and the reviews are mixed. Can you elaborate on which one your suggesting? The 3 1/4 HP units are plunge only and start at another $100+.

--MM
 
mntbighker said:
That's weird, if you search Freund under routers it filters that one out.

--M
Click to expand...
i didn't have a problem finding it.
i was thinking that maybe it was a mistake from amazon,but woodcraft has it to for that price.
 
I have the 13A, 2 1/4 HP Freud router which came with a fixed base designed for use in a table (adjustment through the base when inverted) and installed it in my router table.  Here is the Amazon URL http://www.amazon.com/Freud-FT1700V..._bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1197048275&sr=1-3.  No problems after about one year of relatively light use - I'm a hobbyist.  At the time I purchased, Freud ran a promotion coupon for a free plunge base, which I also obtained, but have not used since I have a Festool 1400.
Before purchasing the Freud  3 1/4 HP (I doubt 2 more amperes in a universal motor really increases HP from 2 1/4 to 3 1/4) at $129, be sure to determine if it meets your needs.  Many plunge routers don't work very well in a table mounted position, and according to the user reviews at Amazon, this router does not have through the base height adjustment, so it may suit your needs if you don't mind adjusting it from under the table (which is what I prefer to do with my Freud 2 1/4 HP unit.  Triton is an exception to that generalization, in both their 2 1/4 and 3 1/4 HP units.  I am confident you can find other discussion of this issue and Triton's routers on FOG by using the search tools.  I confirm that I have seen the same 3 1/4 HP Freud unit at Woodcraft at the same price that Amazon offers. 

Dave R.
 
Thanks for the input, right now I'm leaning toward either the Triton or Bosch routers.  They both have above the table adjustments (with the extra base on the Bosch) which would be nice to have.  That is if I don't cheap out and buy the Sears router on sale for $99. 

Tom.
 
The big Milwaukee gets excellent reviews too. It might be a little out of your price range though. IIRC, its in the mid to high $200 range. Supposed to be a really sweet router though. I personally have PC7518's with lifts and wouldn't trade them for the world. That's an expensive combo though. It more of a luxury than a necessity too.
 
All of the Aussies swear by the Triton router for table use. I've got a PC 890 motor in my table and it's okay but fiddly to adjust.
 
Fiddly to adjust is a term I would apply to my Freud 13A router.  When you loosen the height adjustment clamp and begin to turn the height adjustment screw, the router might go a bit down before it goes a bit up, and the axial travel direction is not perfectly aligned with the axis of the shaft, if that matters in your setup.  I precision router lift should avoid these issues and allow easy, accurate repeatability of setups.

Dave R.
 
Lou Miller said:
The big Milwaukee gets excellent reviews too. It might be a little out of your price range though. IIRC, its in the mid to high $200 range....
Click to expand...

  I have the "Big Milwaukee", it's a very nice router. I use it in the Bench Dog "contractor" table. No lift, I just use the router's fine adjuster, works great. Last year I picked them both up on Amazon for a unbelievably good deal. Don't know what kind of deals they have now.
 
The big Milwaukee always seemed to get good reviews from the woodworking magazines.  A while ago I was looking for their two base variable speed midsized router and had trouble even finding it.  I think they were going through a design change and was in between the old model and new model.  I noticed several stores had the Milwaukee routers on clearance (not the big one of course since I might have bought that one).
I was at Woodcraft over the weekend and saw the big Freud router for $129.  I'm not too sure about buying that one just because I don't have any experience with their power tools.  While there I ended up buying a Leigh SuperJig so, according to the wife, I have to wait a while before buying a router anyway.
Tom.
 
Brice,
I ended up getting the 24" jig.  I took many peoples advice and bought the largest one.  The closest dealer (that was open on Saturday afternoon) was a Woodcraft about 1 1/2 hours away.  I took everything out of the box and discovered that I was missing a part.  Contacted Leigh Monday, they shipped it 2nd day air, so I should have the part by tomorrow. 
I wanted it now because I'm getting behind on a blanket chest, but because I couldn't use it I started to cut the dovetails by hand.  I'm not that experienced so it is taking a long time.  It may be a little while before I use the jig but I'll let you know how I like it.

Tom.
 
Brice,
I took one evening putting the jig together and building a box to raise it up higher and another evening setting it up and making some test cuts.  After that I cut the through dovetails for an 18" high blanket chest in less than an hour (my first time using any dovetail jig).  I bought the accessory kit that adds a vacuum hook up and it works well.  It collected almost all the dust.  The only drawback is it gets dust in it (static cling) and won't slide freely until it is cleaned.  Overall I like the jig and am looking forward to cutting some half blind dovetails for drawers.
Just nitpicking, but the jig didn't come with the DVD because it wasn't ready yet and the accessory kit didn't come with the router bit box for the same reason.  They will send them but it seems like they rushed shipping the jigs before everything was ready.

Tom.
 
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