Router table discussion

[VASandy]

It's time I got a real router table and probably a router to go in it. I'm willing to spend some cash, but I'd like to keep it under $500 if possible.

One option is to put an extensionon my table saw. I've seen some of you here with nifty table extensions on the 3650. I'm curious how you put the talbe in between the rails. I don't know the specifics, and I can be dumb as a post sometimes, so try and use small words and be as detailed as you can!

The other option, of course, is to get a free-standing router table. What are the pros and cons of this? Other than the fact the table takes up space, I don't see where using the table saw extension really is a benefit, but I may be missing something.

As for router, I'm leaning towards the PC. It seems to have been designed for being mounted in a table. I just want to get something that isn't going to fight me every time I want to change a bit, and that has variable speed.

I really appreciate all the wonderful advice and support I've seen here. It's great to know a newbie post-dumb girl such as myself can come here and ask questions like this and not get flamed!! It's also nice that Ridgid isn't going to flame me for looking at a tool from the competition. Good on ya, friends! I love all the Ridgid tools I have, and this board was a huge point in their favor in my purchasing decisions.

[nobunaga-sama]

I'm not sure what to do either Sandy. :confused:
I'm thinking about getting the Porter-Cable 8529 router ($189)
http://store.yahoo.com/tylertool/po852hpvaspr.html
And the Rockler insert for it ($48.49 #67349)
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1385
Make my own laminated table for the end of my 3650 and use the fence from it (with aux fence of course).

[TOD]

Here is a thread with pictures of mine.
http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7574

I have since upgraded to the dewalt 3 base router. I have the fixed base mounted to the table giving me the plunge and D handle base to use for other projects. The table is a ryobi table that I had to trim down. I added the legs for stability, they work just fine with herc-u-lift so saw is still movable. The way I mounted the table is that it sets on the rail spreader bar and is secured to it by using plumbers strap. At the wing side is angle steel that came with the router table that is drilled and bolted to the wing. The switch that comes with the router table is now mounted on the right end of the saws fence rail.

[nobunaga-sama]

Ya know, that's a good point TOD. I was wondering about using straight legs down to the floor, but i didn't like the idea of it interferring with the movement of the table. The herc-u-lift will pick the legs up with the whole saw! Hmmmmm... :)

[TOD]

Ya know, that's a good point TOD. I was wondering about using straight legs down to the floor, but i didn't like the idea of it interferring with the movement of the table. The herc-u-lift will pick the legs up with the whole saw! Hmmmmm... :)The only thing is HD is really proud of that aluminum, just that little bit run me $80.00.

[nobunaga-sama]

Yumpin Yimminy!! :eek:

[bhen]

I picked up the Industio CMT router table. the surface is very smooth and has a great fence. it gives me a great sense of false security. i about took a knuckle off on a home made one with kick back. i didn't like the phenolic top when i was drilling the holes to mount the router. the phenolic kept wanting to chip.

[olilugo]

Unless you buy Rockler bits which they seam to be 3 1/8", if you buy Rockler plate the small plate the opening is only 3 1/4 and the large plate is 3 5/8", and they are 1/4" aluminum.

Another problem I found is that every company has a size plate that will only fit their own table

Other plate choices:
Rousseau 3509 9" x 12" x 3/8" Deluxe Router Base Plate – you will have to drill the holes for whatever router you get.

Woodpeck aluminum Router plate Dimensions: 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 thick

Woodhaven aluminum Router plate Insert thickness tolerance is +.000 to -.005". Plate is 9-1/4" x 11-3/4" x 3/8" thick

Note I am only giving you aluminum plates, why? because if you use anything other than aluminum, the weight of the router eventually will warp the plate in my opinion of-course!

[olilugo]

sorry for the resend I missed the first part of my post...

Are you going to use your router to make raise panels? if so, you need to find a plate that can handle a 3HP router and the opening on the plate is large enough to fit the bits. The bit on a raise panel is 3 1/2" in diameter Freud, CMT and so on..

Unless you buy Rockler bits which they seam to be 3 1/8", if you buy Rockler plate the small plate the opening is only 3 1/4 and the large plate is 3 5/8", and they are 1/4" aluminum.

Another problem I found is that every company has a size plate that will only fit their own table

Other plate choices:
Rousseau 3509 9" x 12" x 3/8" Deluxe Router Base Plate – you will have to drill the holes for whatever router you get.

Woodpeck aluminum Router plate Dimensions: 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 thick

Woodhaven aluminum Router plate Insert thickness tolerance is +.000 to -.005". Plate is 9-1/4" x 11-3/4" x 3/8" thick

Note I am only giving you aluminum plates, why? because if you use anything other than aluminum, the weight of the router eventually will warp the plate in my opinion of-course!

[nobunaga-sama]

Thanks olilugo!
I agree about the aluminum. That's why i was going after the Rockler.
I really don't have a specific need for the Rockler other than i like the pretty blue color... :p
I like the 3/8 thickness of the others. Thicker the better.
I'll go check these out and see what they are all about.

My only concern is... are they pretty blue color???:confused:

[TOD]

Orange and Blue? Yuck

[KenM]

It's time I got a real router table and probably a router to go in it. I'm willing to spend some cash, but I'd like to keep it under $500 if possible.

One option is to put an extensionon my table saw. I've seen some of you here with nifty table extensions on the 3650. I'm curious how you put the talbe in between the rails. I don't know the specifics, and I can be dumb as a post sometimes, so try and use small words and be as detailed as you can!



Sandy,
I had Woodpecker make the table in the pics below. I also have their Quicklift for my Bosch 1617 router. With the Quicklift I can have the router bit out of the way in 10 seconds and can remove the router from the lift in under a minute, for hand held use.
I rabbeted the front and back of the table and used 1" aluminum angle to mount to the t-slots in the rails.
I like it so well I will probably sell my stand alone table.
125

126

[nobunaga-sama]

Hey in some societies, orange and blue are considered a delicacy...:p

Ken, how did you support your table?

[KenM]

"Ken, how did you support your table?"

I haven't added any legs, etc yet. I'm still looking for a solution that I like. The table with the 1617 isn't 'that' heavy. If I stick the 3 1/2 hp 15 lb. hog in the table I'll have to have support. I may leave the big-un in the stand alone table. Decisions, decisions!
ken

[nobunaga-sama]

hahaha... You mount that thing on there your 3650's fence will go sliding off the end. :eek:

[L Turner]

Hi Sama
You will love the PC 8529. I got mine a while back when I lived in Florida. PC is not that popular there I don't know why. But Lowes had on clearance. I got for about 60 and a 50 rebate. was the sweet or what.

[olilugo]

I wanted to give you my opinion on the rockler router table.
I have the rocket table, fence large plate and steel legs.
Overall all is good, it does the job.

Room for improvement:

* Plate is only 1/4" thick - it should be 3/8" thick specially for the PC7518 3HP

* Plate does not have a started pin.

*Fence is well made, however it does not have any messuarements to make sure everything is square, the aluminum back of the fence has a 3 1/4" openeing which if you are using a raise panel bit you will need to use thicker fence face.

The table does not have any mesuraments guides so you don't know if the fence is square to the track.

I love the steel legs and I upgraded my to there casters and it works very well. I also added a started switch a must in my opinion.

Would I buy this package again... No for a bit more money I think you can get much more...

On another note, has anyone used rocklers bits, how do they compare to Freud, or CMT, or amada...

I hope this help,

olilugo

[VASandy]

wow!!! I really appreciate all the responses. In the time it took me to fly from Gainesville, FL back home (1hr 20 min. flight, 2 hr drive to the airport...)there's two whole pages!!! :) Must be a popular topic....

I appreciate all the photos especially. It's hard for me to visualise from verbal descriptions sometimes. These definately look like some great ideas. I think I'll try the table extension option.

I'll be making raised panels (hence the need for variable speed, as well as real horsepower). So, I'll have to keep in mind the extra throat clearance for those bits! Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to get some orders in and go looking for routers. ;)

Ken, does that table rise higher than the guides? I will probably give Woodpecker a call tomorrow to start talking about having one made up. It looks very nifty!!

[KenM]

"Ken, does that table rise higher than the guides? I will probably give Woodpecker a call tomorrow to start talking about having one made up. It looks very nifty!!"
Sandy,
Sorry, it's early...
I'm not clear on what you mean about the table and the 'guides'.
ken