Router table.....

[Stimpy]

Hi there folks... I realise this may have been discussed to death! But I’d like some insight please.

I don’t do a lot of work requiring a table but want to build some windows so now is the time I would require one...

I know festool used to do a table but is discontinued - and would have been out of budget For my requirement , I also see lots of separates options to build an Uber table but this will not suit me either. So really I would like a ready to go table.

In the UK where I am based I see a Triton unit which is used in their TWX7 workbench - looks ‘ok’ other than all the orange!.. There is also listed an older insert with a sliding table which looks good but I beleive the older table is now discontinued. There are also options from Axminster that usually supply decent tools and then the usual trend options too - though I’m not sure of their compatability to festoon routers??.

Wondering if anyone has used any of these tables or could recommend some decent ready to go budget - ish options?.

Thanks

 

[MikeGE]

I had the complete Triton TWX7 setup, with the saw insert, router insert, and TRA001 router.  I thought this system would be the ideal answer to a compact workshop system for my garage because I had seen YouTube videos of others using the same kit to make great products.

The concept sounds great, but the operation leaves much to be desired.  The T-track for the saw and router are not part of the inserts, but part of the main table.  This means any fine tuning of the saw fence or miter attachment is gone when the insert is removed and replaced.  There is enough movement in the inserts that I found it impossible to use the fence calibration twice in a row. 

For example, the rip fence for the contractor saw insert does not have a single adjustment to set the distance from the blade.  It has two adjustment arms, one on the infeed side and one on the outfeed side.  When the fence is inserted, it must be checked with lots of test cuts to make sure both ends of the fence are the same and the fence is parallel to the blade.  Since the blade is part of the saw insert, and the fence tracks are part of the table that holds the insert, there is no repeatability in the settings each time the insert is removed.

I tried to make a simple box for a workbench using 12mm plywood.  The desired height of the drawer was 100mm, and the drawer was supposed to be 400mm long and 300mm wide.  It was a failure, so I used my Bosch circular saw and long level as a saw guide to cut the plywood for the drawer.

At best, the Triton system is a site-based contractor setup to make large chunks of wood into smaller chunks.  At worst, the system is a waste of money, as I learned.  After gathering dust in my garage for over a year and trying to sell the entire kit for €100 with no interest, I gave the kit to a friend under the condition that he does not return it.  He told me later that he gave it away to one of his friends with the same conditions.  It was too cumbersome to setup and calibrate each time he used it.

I don't know what your budget is, but I recommend passing on the Triton.  Since you are UK-based, you might want to browse the UKWorkshop forum.  There are several ongoing discussions about router tables and table saws. 

 

[mkasdin]

Try lee valley they have a small compact router table. I think they sell the plans and sub components? You could scale it up to something slightly larger. Otherwise kreg and others make legs and stands and you can make a top or buy a jessem, Incra, woodywoodpecker, etc.

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[Stimpy]

Thanks lads, this is exactly what I wanted to know .

I had my concerns re that T bar being on the table not on the insert - it is also a little further from the spindle than I would have expected , and whilst I’m not talking of large scale production resetting base positions every time could be tedious!.. And chunking wood is not what I am after!....

I shall check out the other suggestions.

And if anyone else has some budget recommendations fire away .

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

The UJK professional router table with cast iron top looks great, but is expensive, even without the lift. I’d be tempted if it were available in North America though.

 

[Cheese]

The UJK professional router table with cast iron top looks great, but is expensive, even without the lift. I’d be tempted if it were available in North America though.

If you're looking for a cast iron router table, Bench Dog manufactures one. This gets my vote for an in-shop table. For a portable version I purchased the Festool CMS.
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-promax-cast-iron-router-table-top

 

[Cheese]

For a truly portable CHEAP router table, I've used a Porter Cable 698 modified to hold a Milwaukee 5625 router (3 1/2 HP) for several years for flooring jobs.

It is by no means an elegant solution but it is small, light weight and extremely portable. The Milwaukee 5625 provides enough additional weight to make it a stable router table although it still vibrates a lot. I think the table weighs about 25# sans router so it is easy to transport.  It does have an integrated dust port but it's not that efficient...better than nothing though.  [smile]  It does minimize the clean-up.

It's certainly easier to transport than the CMS, even though I love the CMS.

[attachimg=1]

And here it's been put on a pedestal to prevent you from working on your knees.

[attachimg=2]

 

[cubevandude]

The Porter Cable 698 table looks really nice and I have been looking for one for a couple of years now as they are discontinued.  The only one I found was $350.  I have the Porter-Cable 121 Hand Held Oscillating Spindle I wanted to put in the table.  I don't see it as an inexpensive option because it has been discontinued.

This might be an inexpensive option for a router table if you want to build one:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...ssories/41776-veritas-base-plate?item=05J2501
It looks like they may be discontinuing it also. [huh]
You will want to purchase a router you can adjust through the top or its not much fun.

Here in Canada Bosch has some router tables around the $200-300 mark.  They look like they would be a nice setup.https://www.homedepot.ca/product/bo... Tools_PLA_EN__PRODUCT_GROUP_aud-829953601575la-559397880476&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzZL-BRDnARIsAPCJs72IfSfur1AyUWDMamNP9QdYKznq0NOC8u5wdPdmBG47QqkVb3LpJC8aArbmEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[pixelated]

I have the Bosch table shown in the video. It's got some minor quirks in the way the fence is fixed to the table, and I had to drill a hole or two  to mount my Porter Cable router. But it's nicely made for the price point, the dust extraction works fairly well, it has a vac fitting in the cabinet as well as on the hood over the bit. I bought mine from a Lowe's scratch & dent shelf, but even at full price it's a good value. I built a stand for mine to sit on, it's too tall to go on a normal height work bench.