router tables and fences

[3cpq]

I'm new to router tables entirely.  I'm looking for a good system.  I'm just a little confused.  I want my fence to be self squaring, and to have an easy to read and accurate easy to adjust rule.  The only fences I found that seam to have this are the incra, jointech, and kreg.  Are there others I should be looking at?

 

[sw1211]

I'm new to router tables entirely.  I'm looking for a good system.  I'm just a little confused.  I want my fence to be self squaring, and to have an easy to read and accurate easy to adjust rule.  The only fences I found that seam to have this are the incra, jointech, and kreg.  Are there others I should be looking at?

No need to worry about squaring the fence unless you're trying to square it to the miter slot.  Personally, I rarely use the miter slot on the router table.   Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but since you're new to router tables I thought this point might have needed to be made.

Jessem and Woodpeckers make some nice tables that may meet your needs.

 

[PaulMarcel]

The only caveat I'd add about the miter slot is to agree that I don't use it as a miter slot often, but make sure any table you get (or make) has one.  For one, anything like a coping sled would use the track (but not the fence so ensuring the fence/miter are parallel isn't an issue).  Second, you'll want the miter slot for featherboards.  Again, parallelism to the fence isn't an issue.  I actually take advantage of the fact that the fence ends swing independently.  You can loosen one side, tap it, and tighten for a hairline adjustment.

I'm not sure which rule you are describing.  On the fence for stop blocks? Mine doesn't have a rule there because it isn't an overly large fence with squaring mechanism; that said, the rule would never be correct except for relative adjustments.  My router plate has 'center rule' marks on both sides with center being where the router bit center should be.  I occasionally set the fence according to these marks to at least get really close to my desired cut.

 

[rcher]

I have tried a number of router tables, from a basic portable to the Bench Dog and Kreg tables. Bench Dog and Kreg are fantastic tables. The people who let me try theirs are very happy with them, and I got great results.  However, when it came time to replace my portable, I chose the Incra.  Just can't be beat, IMHO, for accuracy and versatility.  I built a router cabinet for it and it has made everything much easier.  Make sure to get the full package with the Wonder Fence.  It is worth the extra dough. 

I don't use the mitre slot often, but wouldn't want to be without it.  The Incra has plenty of adjustability for squaring the fence to the table and the slot and the patterns for different types of joinery are very helpful.

 

[mastercabman]

I'm also interested in replacing a table that i lost in a storm we had about 3 weeks ago(lots of rain and my little shop got flooded)
So,i am now thinking about the KREG table and the beaded face frame jig.The table with fence,standard plate,and legs is $500.00.
The beaded FF jig is also $500.00. I am also thinking about getting a 3.25 HP router.But all that is a lot of money.I was thinking of making a routing table with my MFT 1080.instead of getting the KREG table.
Has anyone made one? Does it work good?  I think that I'm going to get some MDF and double it up and laminate the top.Cut the hole for a plate and install a fence.Of course i would also put a track for feather board.
Has anyone tried the KREG beaded FF jig?

 

[sw1211]

I was thinking of making a routing table with my MFT 1080.instead of getting the KREG table.
Has anyone made one? Does it work good?   I think that I'm going to get some MDF and double it up and laminate the top.Cut the hole for a plate and install a fence.Of course i would also put a track for feather board.
Has anyone tried the KREG beaded FF jig?

Woodcraft has the Pinnacle router top for the 1080 on clearance.  I saw the Kreg beaded FF jig demo at a WW show a couple of weeks ago.  Seems like with their bits, which Woodcraft sells individually, you could come up with a jig to do the rest of it. 

 

[mastercabman]

Steve, I just noticed the table on clearance for about $122.00.
I am going to call my local Woodcraft store to see if they can get it.But i'm going to keep my option open.I still don't know if i'm going to like using my MFT for routing.
I still need to think about a new router!    Christmas is right around the corner!!!!

 

[mwhafner]

I really like the Benchdog router setups.  They seem to have all of the bases covered for "traditional" router table setups.  The only thing I am not impressed with is their lift.  It is a little less refined than the Jessem offerings.  There are a lot of other lifts on the market, those are the only two I have any experience with. 

The Incra setups are great for certain joinery, and can be easily be used in conjunction with with a more traditional fence system. 

I am sure the Joint-tech, Kreg, and Pinnacle/Woodpecker systems are great products, I just haven't used them.

The Benchdog tablesaw extension wings are really a great way to save space, without sacrificing the mass of cast iron.  I have a dedicated table that sees most of the work, but the extension wing really comes in handy when you need to setup a second bit configuration (mostly rail/stile or tongue and groove setups). 

While I don't use it all that often, I think that a miter slot is essential to a fully functional setup.  Also, make provisions for a starting pin. 

 

[woodshopdemos]

You are in luck. I have just completed the install of the Kreg router table and new fence -- great products. I am into the first week of use of the beaded frame system...quite a product... and someone suggested that you can make your own and just use the bit. I am pretty savvy with tables, routers and all and wouldn't touch the beaded as a do it yourself. The Kreg system has extreme accuracy built into the jig. If you are off, it really shows. Once on, it works like a charm.

The story: http://woodshopdemos.com/Kreg%20router%20--%201.htm

This is the slidsing base that is a critical part of the Kreg beaded face frame system. It has tolerances of + or - zero and that is what it takes to get the beads right. But once you have the system setup, it works like a charm.

Story not done yet...probably up by 12/14th

 

[spikfot]

You are in luck. I have just completed the install of the Kreg router table and new fence -- great products. I am into the first week of use of the beaded frame system...quite a product... and someone suggested that you can make your own and just use the bit. I am pretty savvy with tables, routers and all and wouldn't touch the beaded as a do it yourself. The Kreg system has extreme accuracy built into the jig. If you are off, it really shows. Once on, it works like a charm.

The story: http://woodshopdemos.com/Kreg%20router%20--%201.htm

This is the slidsing base that is a critical part of the Kreg beaded face frame system. It has tolerances of + or - zero and that is what it takes to get the beads right. But once you have the system setup, it works like a charm.

Story not done yet...probably up by 12/14th

Just curious, was that a freebie or discount for review purposes, or did you pay full price?
Bill.

 

[mastercabman]

You are in luck. I have just completed the install of the Kreg router table and new fence -- great products. I am into the first week of use of the beaded frame system...quite a product... and someone suggested that you can make your own and just use the bit. I am pretty savvy with tables, routers and all and wouldn't touch the beaded as a do it yourself. The Kreg system has extreme accuracy built into the jig. If you are off, it really shows. Once on, it works like a charm.

Please John,let us know how the jig works out.

 

[woodshopdemos]

Bill, a freebie

mastercab, it is posted. http://www.woodshopdemos.com/Kreg%20router%20--%201.htm

 

[3cpq]

Ended up ordering the jointech saw train system with all the accessories with a floating table for outfeed.  I'll post a review when I get a chance to use it.  Looks awesome.  Came out to 1400 or so with shipping tax, and all accessories, digital smart router lift, floating table, jumbo plate for 90 degree push jig, fence raiser kit, saw train feather board, fence feather board, hold down clamp, and wooden hinge maker kit, and downdraft enclosure for under the router with dust port. 

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Also bought the TS 75, which helped me decide to get 36" rip capacity fence rather than the 48".

 

[HowardH]

You will really enjoy using the Jointech system.  I have one on my router table and had one on my table saw (i sold the saw) and they work great!  It's a family owned business in San Antonio.  The original owner had worked at Incra at one time and decided to build a better mouse trap.  He died about 2 years ago and his son-in-law Ernie bought it, renamed it iTools.  His sister, Tina, runs customer service and their father puts the systems together.  It's a rock solid system and I have only had one issue with the digital smart lift which they repaired while I waited.  I stop in to see them almost everytime business requires me to be in SA.  I's nice to be able to support a small, family owned business that makes everything on site. 

 

[morogue]

I would like to echo the positive Jointech feedback, but there's no way I can. Customer service is the slowest, most unresponsive I've ever dealt with, ever. I want to love Jointech, because their fences are way cool, but:

I ordered my sawtrain EARLY Dec, and I'm still waiting for a replacement part. The fence extrusion was machined poorly--the cutter making the round opening for the bit on the bottom of the fence blew through the back of the extrusion.
The latest email to service:

[font=verdana][SIZE=13px]to me:
	
show details Feb 9 (9 days ago)
	
Mr. xxxx,

I had created an in-house invoice for a replacement fence body some time ago for the shipping guys. I assumed this had been sent out. I will look into what is going on asap.

Ernest Saldana
iTools Company, LLC
San Antonio, TX
210.348.6655
800.619.1288

On Mon 8/02/10 5:28 PM , xxxx@gmail.com sent:

    Ernest,
    It's been a month and a half since I first contacted you regarding the replacement of my Smart Fence.
    I would like to be able to show off your great system to my colleagues and friends without having to explain why there's a bunch of tape on the fence as a band-aid that doesn't quite work!
    Also, it's getting harder to sell my wife on the Smart Lift--she's been saying that if this the kind of after-sales support I get from iTools, why take a chance on investing more money with your company...
    I hope we can get this resolved quickly so I can convince my wife to free up some cash for the Smart Lift and so I can heartily endorse your products to my colleagues and friends.

Reply:

to ezs
	
show details Feb 13 (5 days ago)
	
So, do you know what is happening with the fence?[/SIZE][/font]

So, yeah, if you get a Jointech with no problems, you're probably set for life; the things are built like Panzer tanks. But, if you get a turkey or have a problem, be ready to waaaaaaaiiiiiiiittttttt, and call and/or email two or three times before getting a response with no follow through. Yeah, I get that it's hard to be a small business, but almost two months to get a replacement part is just bad business.

 

[morogue]

P.S.

3cpq:
Sorry to fart in your general direction, but just letting you know that if you aren't thrilled with what you get, you might want to take advantage of their return policy before it expires.
Here's hoping you get a good setup.
M

 

[morogue]

P.P.S.

Shipping Dept of iTools Company sent 1 FedEx Home Delivery package(s).

This shipment is scheduled to be sent on 02/17/2010.

Reference information includes:

Reference: SF-32 BODY
Status: Shipment information sent to FedEx

Customer service...At the speed of glaciers...service none-the-less. All is well.
So, to reiterate: insanely overbuilt, well engineered, small business (with all the pluses and negatives).
Jointech.

 

[3cpq]

Well, just got my set up finally delivered.  It took 22 days.  I was told when I ordered it, that it would be 8 days.  After about 15 days, I tried calling, and tried calling, and E-mailing, leaving voice messages.  After about 100 calls, I finally got someone.  They said a few more days at the latest, 5 days later, I called visa and filed a claim, left them a message informing them of the claim, then about 30 calls later finally got someone on the phone, asked them to cancel my order.  They pleaded with me to not cancel, said it was all ready to go.  

Got it yesterday.  One of the rails is dented in at the corner in each end, but surprisingly, I don't think it will affect performance.  And then the bracket which connects the clincher to the smart fence is a little bent, not sure yet if It will affect performance.  They forgot to send me a dust port for the smart fence also.

Tried calling them today, and all of their phone numbers are no longer in service.  Sent an E-mail today.  I guess I better pray that everything works smoothly, because I have a feeling getting replacement parts is out the window.  They probably disconnected their phones the time they did specifically to prevent me from calling them back.  Oh well I guess I should have gone with incra.  They may not be the small family owned business that jointech is, but at least they're honest.

 

[morogue]

I am not alone, sadly. I guess I feel a bit better (selfishly).
Reading about your problem, I just realized, "Oh Shiite intifada, I didn't check to see if I got a dust port..."
Going out to the garage, holding my breath!

 

[score0matic]

Jointech has always been on the brink financially.        Incra on the other hand seems to flourish..... as they have basically the same technology I have to ask why you chose jointech over them in the first place?
Craig

I am actually asking.  not trying to be snide.