Posted: 9/22/2009 12:47:03 PM EDT
| I have a Dewalt router and need a versatle table. Any suggestions? |
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Hard to beat this:
Lee Valley (Veritas) Router Table Very versatile, easily adjustable fence, and adjustable to ~0.001" The steel top is great. Use paste wax to keep it rust-free. |
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I bought a funky Sears table a long time ago. I still use it.
I would have a hard time justifying $500+ for a router table. I use the heck out of mine but I don't think I'd spend that much on one. Try this one for around $100. Look at the others they offer if this is not right for you. Sears |
| Thanks guys. I needed some direction as I am a newbie wood guy. I am retiring and just want to enjoy working with my hands as I`ve been a business owner for thirty years. I`ll occasionally pop off a few at my range which is about one inch from my shop! Maybe my reloading bench needs some dressing up with the router. Maybe I should say gouging up. |
You can get a top from Hartville Tool for about $100 and make your own fence like I did or buy theirs for $85. I like the top but have not had much time to build a cabinet for it or use it much.
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I have a small one I made mounted between the table saw fence rails which I frequently use for small jobs. Total cost was about $10. I also built a router cabinet with built in vacuum connections and lots of other gadgets and I have about $90 in it. I use it for larger and more complicated projects. You can get the fittings at Rockler or Woodcraft or make your own.
The commercially made units are convenient but usually overpriced. |
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This is not really directed at the OP but to those who use one of these a lot (like me, but I am still just a hobbyist).
If I were contemplating spending $500 for a router table (Lee Valley, etc), I think I would look at a shaper, instead. I know you can get a decent one for $500. A shaper can do much more than a router, and do it safely. You can raise panels for doors that are full sized, etc. Routers are okay for small cabinet doors but it is possible to ask it to do too much. I have been fairly happy with my $100 Sears table and the several routers I have. If I (personally) wanted more than a small, inexpensive router table, I would be looking for a shaper, proabably a compact model. $500 for the table plus $150 for a router = $650. That's enough to get a good used shaper or, for a little more, a brand-spanking new one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think a shaper can replace a good quality, medium-sized router (get the router first) but when you start thinking about the better part of $1k for a heavy duty router and table, you should at least CONSIDER a shaper, instead. |
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Quoted:
This is not really directed at the OP but to those who use one of these a lot (like me, but I am still just a hobbyist). If I were contemplating spending $500 for a router table (Lee Valley, etc), I think I would look at a shaper, instead. I know you can get a decent one for $500. A shaper can do much more than a router, and do it safely. You can raise panels for doors that are full sized, etc. Routers are okay for small cabinet doors but it is possible to ask it to do too much. I have been fairly happy with my $100 Sears table and the several routers I have. If I (personally) wanted more than a small, inexpensive router table, I would be looking for a shaper, proabably a compact model. $500 for the table plus $150 for a router = $650. That's enough to get a good used shaper or, for a little more, a brand-spanking new one. Don't get me wrong, I don't think a shaper can replace a good quality, medium-sized router (get the router first) but when you start thinking about the better part of $1k for a heavy duty router and table, you should at least CONSIDER a shaper, instead. Don't forget to include shaper bits. I know that router bits can be expensive but shaper bits can get really spendy. |
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Yes, they can be. However, you will likely still have a router and a small table, so you can still use the less expensive router bits for the smaller cuts. You only need the shaper for the larger profiles. Everyone tries to make a router do what a sha[er can do but they cannot, not even the bigger routers with their 1/2" chuck.
Router = small profiles Shaper = larger profiles |
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Try Woodhaven. http://woodhaven.com/
They have tables, just the table top, fences, mounting plates, lifts, etc. I usually make the legs and stretchers, and buy the top. |
| I ordered a "rockler" brand table today. Thanks for the help. This unit will do what I need. It`s just for small projects in my retirement years. They start Jan 2nd 2010. Yippeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! I`m sure my needs will change with my skill level but that`s normal for me. |
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A shaper makes great sense if you have room for it. However, you will still want a router.....
The high hp Porter Cable swings my panel bit on oak and doesn't lack any power. Also, if you need 24 doors like I do, a good shop getting material wholesale can build doors for just a bit more cash than retail material prices. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Last night I put my new table together. I am happy. Thanks again guys. Unfortunately my router is in my new shop where we are building our retirement home and it`s about four hours away. soon,,,,soon I can butcher myself learning to use it.
I`ll take any suggestions for accessories I might need. |
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Quoted:
Last night I put my new table together. I am happy. Thanks again guys. Unfortunately my router is in my new shop where we are building our retirement home and it`s about four hours away. soon,,,,soon I can butcher myself learning to use it. I`ll take any suggestions for accessories I might need. If you don't have any, make or buy some feather boards. A vacuum attachment is also very handy for keeping the dust down. |