GMC Router Table Design Error

[HarryM]

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After the Woodworking Show here in Adelaide last week I decided to have a go and buy a router (at that time I had never used a router). I decided to buy a GMC 1250W router and a GMC TR002 Router Table (from Bunnies). Got home Sunday afternoon and spent the remaining afternoon assembling the table.<o:p></o:p>

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After reading the assembly book and supplements I was ready for my first test.<o:p></o:p>

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Switched it on and wow, the noise was at least 65dBs. Next doors dog howled, my dog ran for its life, cat still hasn’t been found (grin) and I was feeling good. Inserted the timber in accordance with the instruction booklet and woooosh, in went the wood and out went the wood like an arrow. I hit the stop switch and checked all dogs, no damage, dogs still howling and wood impaled plastic bottle 3 meters away, what the ......<o:p></o:p>

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I checked all instructions; feed from right to left, use the start pin and watch for kick back. Well that’s what I did. I then read a small sentence that stated the router bit would cut against the work piece. Well say's me I found the error thew router bit was spinning the other way and pulling the work piece through and bingo one instant projectile.<o:p></o:p>

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As I can't change the DOR of the Router it has to be the table, checked again all assembled correctly. Rang GMC (on a Sunday arvo no least) and yes a very helpful guy called Vic answered.<o:p></o:p>

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I explained the problem and he agreed I was doing everything right and that it appeared it was a design fault with the Table and he would seek advice from GMC in ROC. Two days later still no response from GMC. I then exercised the 30 day GMC satisfaction guarantee at got my money back from Bunnies.<o:p></o:p>

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As it happened the Adelaide GMC was at Bunnies at the time. I explained the problem to him and that it was a major safety concern blah blah blah. He agreed and also mumbled about a recall, etc.<o:p></o:p>

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Now my question has anyone else observed this problem with the GMC aluminium Router Table? And secondly if anybody has seen a grey mongrel cat around Golden Grove looking bewildered and shocked my wife would be most grateful.

Be warned about the GMC RT200 Router Table.

Anybody got any advise re another Router Table/Router Combo?

Regards,

HarryM

[craigb]

Well that must have been a really nasty surprise. Lucky you were'nt standing on the wrong side of the table :eek:

I've never seen anything good said about the GMC table on this board. Having said that though, I've had no personal experience of them.

If you wan't a ready to go router table, then the Triton router table and stand is not a bad option.

The Triton router is excellent, although a fair bit more expensive than the GMC But hey, you get what you pay for :)

Craig

[mat]

I hope you are not feeding the timber between the router bit and the fence. This is a big NO NO!

[HarryM]

Thanks for that. I think you'r right about the Triton stuff. I'm currently looking at pricing here in Adelaide to see If I can get a better price than Bunnies.

I have got a GMC cut-off saw and that has worked flawlessly for a couple of years, but this does put me off GMC.

[HarryM]

No, I slide the work piece along the "input fence" through the "start pin" past the blade, which is now pulling the work in, and past the "output fence"

HarryM

[mat]

You usually only use a start pin when using a router table freehand ie no fence. Are you letting go of the workpiece at any stage? Perhaps you are taking too much of a bite and the router bit is grabbing the timber from you? Try making a very light cut and remove the start pin.

[craigb]

You usually only use a start pin when using a router table freehand ie no fence. Are you letting go of the workpiece at any stage? Perhaps you are taking too much of a bite and the router bit is grabbing the timber from you? Try making a very light cut and remove the start pin.

I think he's already taken it back fo a refund.

[Longbow]

I was also looking at the table for occassional work. After your experience I think I will give it a miss. I am not impressed with the way companies dismiss safety issues associated with their equipment.

[smidsy]

Hei Guys,
I've been having a think about this and I think that what Harry was doing was as Mat suggested putting the work between the fence and the bit.
All routers turn the same way (IE anti clockwise as you look at the router mounted upside down in a table.
The only way what Harry is describing could happen is if he has the fence set way out wide and the work is running in between the fence and the bit - my understanding is that you have the fence set in close and the edge you are routing is the edge that is up against the fence.
The only other thing I can think of is if Harry had a dud GMC router that is running backwards.
I'll be checking out this table tommorrow, although I suspect that my router (a makita 3612) will be a tad big for it.
Cheers
Paul