Source of Router Table Surface

[markchamness]

How about cast iron for the router table surface?
 
Bench Dog Full-Sized Cast Iron Router Table
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21293

 

[Chris Hughes]

How do plan to mount the router? Direct or lift.  If you use a lift you'll need to build up under the lift to create a shoulder for it to rest on.  Not a big deal or just cut holes matching you router's base layout.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

Sommerfeld's seems to offer a nice router table top and plans to build the cabinet base too...

Best,
Todd

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Sommerfeld's aluminum router table top and fence are large and very substantial.  The fence extrusion is the heaviest I have seen to date.

Dave R.

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

It seems like an easy to use setup in the video and the changing of bits seems very easy, but who wants to change bits, right...lol  I believe they are using the Triton router with the table in the video and it all seems to be quite robust.  The other thing I like about shapers over routers too though is that shapers are much quieter on the ears....at least to me...

Todd

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Sommerfeld's is promoting and using the Triton routers with their tables.  I saw them recently at the Columbus, OH edition of the Woodworking Show.

Dave R.

 

[jpb]

I use BenchDog's table saw router extension wing & router lift, the extra mass of the table saw & cast iron extension soaks up vibration, get excellent results.

Jim

 

[mwhafner]

I use BenchDog's table saw router extension wing & router lift, the extra mass of the table saw & cast iron extension soaks up vibration, get excellent results.

Jim

I also use the BenchDog cast iron wing, and it is great.  It gives you about 6" of additional workspace over the standard wing.  I also use the BD lift, with a PC7518 mounted on it.  I would guess that it adds an additional 40 to 50 pounds to my saw. 

 

[Anderson-Plywood]

If you are looking for a source for your phenolic plywood, we started selling them online since last week on our web store:
3/4" x 2' x 4' in 6 different colors.
Here is the link:http://www.andersonplywood.com/plywood-boards-gold/

We actually used the same material to build a square for squaring the MFT tables which works pretty well and has become very popular:http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

 

[JimD]

That covered plywood looks like a viable option and the square looks like a good deal for an oversized square. 

What I used for my main router table is a sink cutout.  They are high grade laminate well bonded to high density particle board.  I glued a piece of 3/4 plywood to the underside and edged both with maple.  My router table has a home made lift so the motor does not hang off the top.  Top tilts up for bit changes.  I like it a lot.

 

[Klemm]

Anderson Plywood's Phenolic Plywood has my vote for all the benefits it offers. When you consider the minute cost difference to inferior materials as against the total investment you have in your completely equipped router station and cutters, you'll wonder why you considered anything less. The material is not easily found but Anderson makes it easy.

Hans

 

[Kev]

Why not mix it up with ~3mm aluminium on ply or mdf ? or even a sandwich.