Suggestions on bench top router table

[Danny]

I'm looking at possibly getting a router table.  Since space is limited, I'm thinking bench top style.  My main criteria are:

1) Be fairly portable (ie. one person can carry it up the stairs) so it can be used in the garage in the summer and kept in the basement during winter

2) Has a decent dust collection (so it could be used in the basement during the winter months).

3) Will take the OF1400

4) Is not crazy expensive - $500-$800 would be nice...including the price of a router if the table does not take the OF1400.

Now, I know that everything above (except for #4) pretty much describes the CMS-GE, but $1,482 CAD is a lot of $$$$.......not that it has ever stopped me before in my purchases of Festool  [tongue]

I just wanted to see if any if you had experienced other bench top router tables that may fit the bill, perhaps Jessem or Bench Dog? The Kreg PRS2100 looks nice (but not sure if it will take the OF1400).  Also looked at the Excalibur 40-100C, but at 120lbs, might as will get a floor model cause that baby would not be going anywhere.

Many thanks in advance.
Danny

 

[Sparktrician]

Bench Dog makes a decent benchtop router table, but forget using the OF 1400 in it.  You're better off with the Bench Dog lift with a Bosch 1617 router. 

 

[bkharman]

Yeah. The 1400 requirement pretty much eliminates everything but the CMS. I looked at getting just the CMS insert way back when, but it never panned out and I ended up getting the CMS-VL and have an Incra fence and precision plate. I love my setup but it wasn't cheap...  But it is very versatile!

Good luck. Bryan.

 

[evilcat]

I looked at this a couple months ago. I checked them all out. My favourites are the Craig and Jessem. The Craig and triton router seems to be a well received combo. The triton will work well without the need to add a lift as well.  You should be able to get the triton tra001 (3+hp) and either table within your budget.

By the way I decided to go with the OF1400 and both guides and forgo the table for the time being. I can do most things with this setup and the festool is a joy to use. I may get a dedicated router table down the road if I find I can't live without one but so far so good.

 

[Kev]

Options as I see it:

1 Pay the money for the CMS option
2 Shop for second hand CMS
3 Forget about using the OF1400 and shop for a bench top router combo deal
4 Adapt the OF1400 into som form of bench top router table

If you've already eliminated 1 and 4, you do 2 for a set time and switch to 3 if you're not successful [wink] [big grin]

 

[Ajax]

I have a Bosch bench top router table that I got for under $200.  It's the RA1181.  It has a die-cast aluminum top.  Doing a quick Google search it's selling at NewEgg for $188.

 

[shed9]

To be honest, when permanently fitted under a table you are never going to take full advantage of an OF1400 so you may as well get another model anyway in my opinion.

 

[JeromeM]

I'm looking at possibly getting a router table.  Since space is limited, I'm thinking bench top style.  My main criteria are:

1) Be fairly portable (ie. one person can carry it up the stairs) so it can be used in the garage in the summer and kept in the basement during winter

2) Has a decent dust collection (so it could be used in the basement during the winter months).

3) Will take the OF1400

4) Is not crazy expensive - $500-$800 would be nice...including the price of a router if the table does not take the OF1400.

Now, I know that everything above (except for #4) pretty much describes the CMS-GE, but $1,482 CAD is a lot of $$$$.......not that it has ever stopped me before in my purchases of Festool  [tongue]

I just wanted to see if any if you had experienced other bench top router tables that may fit the bill, perhaps Jessem or Bench Dog? The Kreg PRS2100 looks nice (but not sure if it will take the OF1400).  Also looked at the Excalibur 40-100C, but at 120lbs, might as will get a floor model cause that baby would not be going anywhere.

Many thanks in advance.
Danny

why not make one? I did.
http://meekings.selfip.com/nui/Groups-of-photos/Wood_work_etc/Pages/Router_table.html

 

[Danny]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  At least now I know that the OF1400 on a table other than the CMS is not an option.  But I don't really like the thought of getting a new router to be dedicated to the table as I have just purchased my OF1400.

Looks like I might just put aside the $500-$600 a table and new router would cost me and get the CMS if, down the road, I feel I really need a router table.....

...or perhaps just build myself one (great job Jerome)  [thumbs up]

 

[bkharman]

Check the classifieds for a CMS. Advertise as "WTB CMS" and see if you get hits. Not sure where "local" is for you but it is worth a shot!

Good luck!  For what it's worth, I really like my CMS-VL.

 

[Mr_Mod]

you could make this, would not be that expensive to make

 

[iamnothim]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  At least now I know that the OF1400 on a table other than the CMS is not an option.  But I don't really like the thought of getting a new router to be dedicated to the table as I have just purchased my OF1400.

Looks like I might just put aside the $500-$600 a table and new router would cost me and get the CMS if, down the road, I feel I really need a router table.....

...or perhaps just build myself one (great job Jerome)  [thumbs up]

Get the CMS.  I switch my OF1400 between the table and handheld in just a minute or two.  It's great and the dust extraction is amazing.
The split fence with a spiral bit performs some joiner tasks.  The cheesiest looking part of the CMS, the feather board, ended up being one of my favorite.  It makes the table 98% safe.
The freehand pin works great too.  I do not regret buying it one bit.   Why does it cost so much when there's a $200 router table?   It the same Festool answer for sander, saws, routers and joiners....They work!

FORGOT.... To your point.  It folds up!  Better than a bench top.

 

[Danny]

The more I see videos of the CMS  and the more I calculate the cost of any other table and router, the more I realize the CMS would fulfill all my needs.  The points iamnothim raised simply back that up;

- Switch my OF1400 between the table and handheld in just a minute or two.  
- dust extraction is amazing.
- The split fence with a spiral bit performs some joiner tasks.
- it folds up!  Better than a bench top.

....and as an added bonus, .....
-the feather board, makes the table 98% safe.
-the freehand pin works great too.  

At this point it's just a matter of "when", not "if".  Now lets hope the "when" is sooner rather than later  [wink]

 

[rljatl]

Here's my proof of concept setup.  Works great.  

Later this summer or fall I'm going to build an MFT cart.  The ends of the cart will be recessed to protect and store the router table at one end and the Incra Positioner at the other end.  To assist lifting the router table up and into position, the cast iron table will have gas struts attached to it and the end of the cart.  I've got it all figured out.  The router table will actually be on the left end of the MFT so that all I have to do is slide the MFT's fence out of the way in order to use most of the MFT top without removing the guide rail.

General/Excalibur told me that they have considered making a cast aluminum top, but that the cost would be around $500.  Wish they would as long as it used standard router plates.

$199.00    Excalibur 40-070 Cast Iron Top
 $59.00    Excalibur 40-068 Two Adjustable Length Steel Support Legs
 $19.99    Rockler Multi Track Brackets
 $13.50    Two 3/16" x 5" x 8" aluminum plates

$291.49    Total

 

[JayStPeter]

My first few router tables were benchtop.  First, I drilled some holes in a piece of MDF to bolt my Craftsman router to the bottom.  I clamped it in my Workmate and used some small c-clamps to hold a fence (just a straight board) to it.  It did 90% of what my current mega table does and cost me about ... ummmm ... zero dollars.  I eventually built it into a benchtop to add dust collection and used it for quite a while.
I suggest spending the money on a big "3HP" router for it rather than all the bells and whistles.  Once you start spinning stile and panel raising bits, the big router will keep you from burning your wood instead of shaping it.  Or, you'll have to take multiple passes and reset your setup several times.  My priorities would be this
1. big powerful router
2. dust collection
3. some sort of raising/lowering mechanism that allows quick bit changes
...
last. fancy super-adjustable fence

One of my pet peeves in the woodworking industry is how much emphasis is put on fancy router tables.  Since I built my version of an ultimate router table, I realize how unimportant it is and that you really can get by with a few pieces of scrap clamped into a workmate.  I say make your own, figure out what you do and don't like about it and what you can't do with it, and don't get caught up in useless featureitis.

 

[rljatl]

Some other thoughts on portable router tables...I like standardized open systems as opposed to closed propriety systems.

It is important (to me) to have the ability to quickly remove the router from the table.  With a standard router plate I can just lift the router directly out of the table without removing screws or changing any critical adjustments.  The table can then be folded up and stored away.  Just as easily, any router attached to a standard router plate can be dropped back into the table.  This allows you to have multiple routers with different setups attached to their own plate, which can then be dropped into the table as the need changes.  No further adjustment necessary.  There are many choices available for tables, routers, router plates, lifts, fences, dust collection, etc.  You never know when a better mouse trap is going to come along and an open system approach allows you to pick and choose, mix and match.

On the other hand, with proprietary router tables you are very limited in your choices.  On most proprietary systems you cannot just lift the router out of the table.  There usually is some type of fiddly attaching mechanism to deal with.  When installing the router back in the table, you may have to hold a heavy router in place while attaching the router to the table.

 

[mohrab]

Maybe you should consider Lee Valleys product.  I use mine with a Triton router. 
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43053&p=43885

PROS:
It won't sag like most tables if you leave the router installed in it. 
Don't need a lift when using the Triton. 
Stand is easy to build - I just copied Lee Valleys dimensions.  The router is easy to remove.
Properly configured - can be used with Incra fence.
Outstanding company to deal with.

CONS:
It is heavy for portable use.
 

 

[leakyroof]

To be honest, when permanently fitted under a table you are never going to take full advantage of an OF1400 so you may as well get another model anyway in my opinion.

.  Well said. 

 

[BCConstruction]

i had a similar issue and needed to design a setup to be mobile and stored easy.

I already had the CMS but im using it as a table saw currently. I already had a JessEm lift and the festool fence laying around. So i decided i would turn the MFT3 Kapex into a router table for them times i need a decent table setup on site. It will be multi use so i can move my kapex onto the standard MFT when i need to use the router.

Here's my progress so far. I am currently weight up weather to use a phenolic sheet or just MDF. I am going to cut and the hole for the router lift then make a blank that will slot back in that hole when the router is not being used and it has the kapex on there. Any tips of wear to purchase phenolic sheet goods?

 

[Danny]

Maybe you should consider Lee Valleys product.  I use mine with a Triton router. 
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43053&p=43885

PROS:
It won't sag like most tables if you leave the router installed in it. 
Don't need a lift when using the Triton. 
Stand is easy to build - I just copied Lee Valleys dimensions.  The router is easy to remove.
Properly configured - can be used with Incra fence.
Outstanding company to deal with.

CONS:
It is heavy for portable use.
 

Thanks.  I like.....a lot!!  And the price is very reasonable for the quality of the product.