Thread: Which router for table set up

I might put my two bob's worth in here and ask why use a router with all its unneeded features in a table if it never going to be removed and used as a hand held router? A CNC spindle with two guide rails and a single ACME thread screw would do the job better and way cheaper and have none of the inbuilt problems of a conventional router table system. The CNC spindle, two rails and some threaded rod would set you back $500 tops plus the cost of the table and it has a way better chuck system, the VFD will control speed better with braking if needed for larger bits.

Rails $16.39 + postage

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8MM-200-...r=572269727456

Spindle, bracket, VFD and collets $442.90

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CNC-Spin...r=462337214959

Threaded rod....maybe $30 tops.

At those prices and I did not shop just picked the first ones I came to you could put a DRO on the lift and fence and still be hundreds in front from using a conventional router and lift because the lift effectively just cost about $50 all up and will be controllable from the top of the table.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Rails $16.39 + postage

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8MM-200-...r=572269727456

Thanks for those links.

Unrelated question, but is it possible to find such rails with a brake? I was wondering if I can use something like that for a table saw fence.

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Originally Posted by Spyro

Thanks for those links.

Unrelated question, but is it possible to find such rails with a brake? I was wondering if I can use something like that for a table saw fence.

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I haven't been able to, I wanted to use them on a BS fence but have since decided that a motor drive for the fence does not require a brake so it will be getting two stepper motor drives which will accept a dimension being keyed in. I ordinarily would not bother, after all it is only a BS but the fence on it is so poor I am determined to change it so it is going to get stepper drives. All this is possible because of the work done by MandJ on the router table I am sure you have seen in this sub forum. There is nothing preventing you using the same stuff on a TS fence if you wanted to or do something like this



Mike who is building the prototype will be publishing all the stuff necessary and also the computer coding so that the table can be copied and projects like TS fences can be motorised in the same way.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Rails $16.39 + postage

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8MM-200-...r=572269727456

Spindle, bracket, VFD and collets $442.90

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CNC-Spin...r=462337214959

Threaded rod....maybe $30 tops.

At those prices and I did not shop just picked the first ones I came to you could put a DRO on the lift and fence and still be hundreds in front from using a conventional router and lift because the lift effectively just cost about $50 all up and will be controllable from the top of the table.

Do you have any examples of setups people have made or videos documenting it? Would be good to see examples of how it all goes together and problems which one may need to work around.

How much power should one look for in a table set up? I was under the impression that you should get as powerful as possible

This one ticks all the boxes for me.
https://sydneytools.com.au/hitachi-m...e-speed-router

Reliable brand, powerful, soft start, variable speed, constant speed control, 12mm (1/2") 65mm stroke.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Rails $16.39 + postage

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8MM-200-...r=572269727456

Spindle, bracket, VFD and collets $442.90

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CNC-Spin...r=462337214959

Threaded rod....maybe $30 tops.

At those prices and I did not shop just picked the first ones I came to you could put a DRO on the lift and fence and still be hundreds in front from using a conventional router and lift because the lift effectively just cost about $50 all up and will be controllable from the top of the table.

What is the maximum router bit shank size you can use with this setup?

The ER series colletts can be bought in any common size up to .512

ER20 series collets have a capacity of .015-.512 inches. Each ER20 collet has a range of .039 inches(1mm). ER20 collets .094 and smaller have a range of only .015 inches. The size indicated on the collet is the largest size it can hold and can be collapsed smaller within its collapse range mentioned above.

Sorry about the bold, it was a cut and paste. My spindle arrived with what I think is a complete set.

The spindle Chris posted in his link uses ER11 collets so the largest bit shank would be 0.312”” or 5/16”. From what I understand, you would need a different spindle that can take ER20 collets if you want to use 1/2” shank bits. Probably looking at an extra $75-$100 for that let up. Most of the ones I searched are 2.2kW and need a larger VFD as well.

I think you're correct Lappa.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-2KW-Sp...r=462337251851

So this is spindle with ER20, bracket and VFD.

Is there much benefit of having so many sizes collets? Aren't router bits only available in 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4inch?

I quite like the idea of using a CNC spindle so I'll research this more.

Still dont really understand how the rails attach to the spindle bracket though.

Heres a video of someone using it in the Incra lift system

Sorry, my error, two different links for two different purposes. If you search through this router forum there are a large number of links on this subject. Mike shows a version of using the rails here

Yet another Router table build. post #246

Forget the fact that he is building an electronically controlled lift, the principle remains the same and with a spindle is going to be far more simple. Two vertical rails that the spindle bracket is fastened to and the spindle raised and lowered by a threaded rod accessible from the top of the table. To give you an idea of costs, the whole electronic version will cost less than a good router with a lift in a table from CT or Timbecon so a table using a spindle and two rails will cost a whole lot less and be a way better thing especially noise wise. There is no need to use a water cooled spindle but I found one at a good price so that is what I am using to build a copy of MandJ's table. Don't worry about the multitude of collett sizes, that is just the way some of the spindles come.

The spindle kit I bought https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CNC-2-2K...72.m2749.l2649

Looking at Ebay tonight there does not appear to be a lot of suitable air cooled spindles so water cooled might be the go. I will do a 5 minute knock up of how I am going to do my vertical rails and post a picture as I am nowhere near beginning the table build. Mike who is doing the electronic version is going to put out a dummies PDF on how to build the electronics one with all the hardware needed and will supply the software to run it. I am a total electronics dunce so he needs to do it for me anyway but it is a big job and will take a little while until that is published.

Bit late here, but for what it's worth, I've gone ahead and mounted my router table in my table saw on the right - I am using the Incra positioner on my table saw, and this allows me to utilise that fence on my router table.

The router height adjustment is an Incra metric Mast-R-Lift II: https://www.incra.com/router_system_...r-lift-ii.html

The router itself will be (it's not here yet) the AUK tools unit with controller: Router Control Station plus AUK 1800watt Router Motor woodworksupplies.com.au

I then have a set of the Magnalock rings with dust extraction to suit the lift: Clean Sweep Magnalockâ„¢ Ringset 6 piece - Incra woodworksupplies.com.au

I'll be teaming this up with an eliminator chuck: The Eliminator Chuck

Underneath the table, I will make a dust control box to house this in along the lines of this: https://incra.com/info/pivot_door_cabinet.pdf

I believe at least one other forum member has pretty much this exact setup actually in operation, so they might come by here and comment on how it is in actual use

EDIT: I noticed when assembling this post, there are several items on the Incra site that are no longer "exposed" in the menu system (they redesigned their site a while ago). The "Plans" section is one that you had to know it was there to find it via a search, and may prove useful for your build

That’s a pretty good deal on the spindle kit Chris. Damn shame I have a 2.2kW VFD already as the costs of a spindle and collets alone aren’t much cheaper.

The single biggest reason to use rails is so the load of the router is not held by the top deck of the table. This changes everything about the design of the top as it no longer has to resist bending and can be made to be lifted off or even different tops for different purposes if needed. There is a lift now made in Germany which tilts and slides as well, I am not sure why it slides but the tilt is easy to do using rails and that makes a lot of bits in effect at least two bits.

Watch these in order....







In the second one you can see that the router can be slid sideways and I am guessing that this is something to do with the tilting but not speaking German I can only guess.