Router table - lowish cost

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Dan Masshardt

Dan Masshardt

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Joined
Jan 30, 2013
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Location
Mechanicsburg, PA
I need a router table but don't want to spend $500.

Table too is fine but I don't want total junk.

I don't have we the inclination to make my own right now. And buying the plate and accessories adds up there too.


Does anybody have a benchtop unit they are pleased with?
 
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I just (Thursday) bought the Lowes store brand bench top router table. I am pleased with it so far. It came with a 2 hp router, the feather boards and a remotely decent fence for $129. It was $10 cheaper than the Skil table that had no router!
 
Take a look at MLCS site they have table tops with insert and fence for under 200.
I dont have one personally but they have a good rep. Maybe someone from the forum has some experience with them can give better insight.
 
+1 for the Bosch...the table is upper 100's and one of the routers is about the same, and it has a simple but well engineered lift built into it.
Mike
 
I have an older Craftsman bench top model that does the job. Height adjustments and bit changes are a little time consuming but for the money I can deal with it. Absolutely has to be clamped down or you'll chase it all over the place if trying to push a larger piece of wood thru. I did splurge and buy a good PC router.
 
Looking at the link for the Bosch unit my Craftsman has a lot of similar features. Possibly Craftsman units are produced for them by Bosch??
 
Thanks guys I'm leaning toward the Bosch table which is. $129 on amazon.

The craftsman combo unit will be very cheap on Black Friday but it only has a 1/4" collet which is no good for me as I've tried to buy as many bits in 1/2" shank as possible.

We'll see though. I'm sure my other craftsman router will fit in.

I really want a nicer table too so I might get something to hold me over inexpensively and save up for the big kreg or something.
 
Dan Masshardt said:
The craftsman combo unit will be very cheap on Black Friday but it only has a 1/4" collet which is no good for me as I've tried to buy as many bits in 1/2" shank as possible.
Click to expand...

That's odd -- mine came with both 1/2" and 1/4" collets, simply unscrew one and put the other on. Either they've changed the model or the description on the website is misleading.
 
duncsuss said:
That's odd -- mine came with both 1/2" and 1/4" collets, simply unscrew one and put the other on. Either they've changed the model or the description on the website is misleading.
Click to expand...

Does they website say it has both? I watched the video and it said 1/4" collet.

That would be good if it has both.

Does yours have red legs?
 
Dan Masshardt said:
I need a router table but don't want to spend $500.

Table too is fine but I don't want total junk.

I don't have we the inclination to make my own right now. And buying the plate and accessories adds up there too.


Does anybody have a benchtop unit they are pleased with?
Click to expand...

I have a craftsman, on a stand and on locking wheels, I would sell for $150.00........never really used it, sits in the garage taken up space.....you would need to pick it up.....Danville........actually Riverside
 
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Dan Masshardt said:
duncsuss said:
That's odd -- mine came with both 1/2" and 1/4" collets, simply unscrew one and put the other on. Either they've changed the model or the description on the website is misleading.
Click to expand...

Does they website say it has both? I watched the video and it said 1/4" collet.

That would be good if it has both.

Does yours have red legs?
Click to expand...

Dan, looks like they cheaped out on the collets, I can only see the 1/4" referenced in the video and on the website now.

The legs on my table are dark gray, but look the same shape. Mine didn't come with feather boards. The fence (although it's plastic) has a useful feature -- the outfeed side can be offset a little (i.e. forward compared to the infeed side). With a straight bit, I've used it as a poor man's edge jointer.
 
Dan
I'm confident you can build your own for lots less than buying a cheap one.
I have a couple of home made router tables: one is fairly large with t-track; one is nothing more than a 2" X 4" stand with a plywood top to which one of my Porter Cable's is attached. The fence is a square and true maple slab which gets clamped where ever I need it.
Using the el-cheapo model, I've built a Sapelle and hard maple crib with lots of Mortise and tenon joints, doors, a black walnut storage bench with frame and panel construction, a couple of tables, and have made lots of custom door trim and baseboards.
Building your own will enhance your skills for other things you want to make.
Plus, it's fun. :biggrin:
 
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