Constructing router table. Kreg or Woodpecker? [Archive]

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Girius

16th January 2011, 10:50 AM

Im building a router table.
Just bought a ProRouter Table Top Type C.
Now im looking for an insert. Im looking at the Woodpecker TLR or the Kreg PRT. Has anyone used these? What would you suggest? Perhaps there is a better option? Incra? Trend?

The rest of the table and fence I will be constructing myself, unless of course someone suggests some parts I should waist my time on and just buy.
Thanks

pellcorp

16th January 2011, 12:26 PM

The pro router top is built for the woodpeckers I thought. I have a TLR and it works great.

Only thing I might upgrade is buy a larger selection of insert rings.

Mr Brush

16th January 2011, 01:28 PM

I have the Woodpecker TLR, and wouldn't recommend it.......:((

Its about 2 years old, and has had very little use. I've had to change the insert a few times to accommodate different bits (the whole point of the thing), and now NONE of the inserts sits flush with the plate. Due to the unique threaded design of the inserts I'm not sure which part has worn, but suffice to say there is no way I can see to adjust this out. The dip on one side of the insert is enough to cause timber to catch as it passes over the router bit.

I'm actually looking at the Kreg to replace the Woodpecker one, but knowing my luck it won't fit the same cutout and I'd have to build a table all over again.....

Add that to the early Woodpecker router table top I bought which delaminated and fell apart after only about 12 months (despite being installed strictly per instructions), and I'll be off to Kreg for my next router table I think.

Big Shed

16th January 2011, 02:05 PM

I have the Woodpecker TLR plate as well and have no problems with the plates not sitting flush.

I made my own router table and top for an Incra LS25 with Wonderfence, combined with the Triton TRA001 it is a great setup that is a joy to use.

On my TLR plate the inserts have a reasonable amount of friction as you bayonet them in to the plate, so it shouldn't be hard to insert them level with the plate.

Just wish the inserts would be available separately, not just in a set of 8.

Haven't used the Kreg, so can't comment on it.

Charleville

16th January 2011, 03:42 PM

I used a JessEm insert in the router table that I made early last year using a bit of 33 mm thick Laminex bench material, well supported with a solid steel frame underneath.

https://img.skitch.com/20100207-kkms6en4jmn5eas2t2a8npa84f.preview.jpg (https://skitch.com/charleville2/nwdny/router-plate)Click for large view (https://skitch.com/charleville2/nwdny/router-plate) - Uploaded with Skitch (http://skitch.com)

I am pretty sure that different sizes of the red round insert can be bought individually, albeit I have only used the one. I bought it from ... Northwood Tool Company - J-03100 Rout-R-Plate (http://www.toolco.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=1375)

Something that has delighted me is that I can change routing bits from the top in most cases except for very wide ones. By unscrewing the red round insert, I can use simply a plumbers tube spanner to undo the collet on my Makita 3612 router for narrow router bits or wind up the height on the router from underneath and use the router's open spanner to undo the collet from above.

I have been very pleased with the JessEm insert.

However, as I made my router table from scratch, I was able to rout the table to the exact size to take the insert, using the insert itself as a male template from which I made a female template with which I could use a router with guide to cut the hole. If you have bought a proprietary table top, wouldn't you need to buy the same brand of insert to ensure that it will fit?

.

Woodlee

16th January 2011, 11:03 PM

I bought the Rockler insert Group C ,fits the Triton TRA001 , havent got around to constructing the table yet ,but the inserts are held in with screws and are available as individual pieces or as aset .
They are probably easy to make as well.
The screws may not be a quick change way of doing it but , there is no special tools needed at all.

Good value I reckon and the plate is well made ,the mounting hardware is aslo available and quite reasonably priced.

Rockler Router Table Plates - New Larger Size - Rockler Woodworking Tools (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21299&filter=router%20plate)

Kev

Girius

17th January 2011, 10:02 AM

Wow...
Thanks for the replies so far. It has been helpful.
Perhaps some of you guys have some pics of the tables you have made. I want to make sure i construct the best possible solution for routing jobs - especially the fence.

Big Shed

17th January 2011, 10:11 AM

My fence probably won't help you much as I have the Incra, but this thread may give you some ideas.

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f70/router-table-incra-ls-47602/

Could I suggest that you do a search on this forum for router table, there is a great variety on display here.

If you Google on router table there are a lot of other examples and WIPs out there.

Girius

17th January 2011, 04:50 PM

nummins

18th January 2011, 01:53 PM

critterjg

18th January 2011, 05:24 PM

I have the Incra Magnalock plate which would fit the Pro Router table. It is probably one of the best plates around and has a the typical well thought out and constructed characteristics of Incra products. See link below

INCRA Precision Fence :: Router System Accessories :: INCRA Solid Aluminum MagnaLOCK RT Plates (http://www.incra.com/product_rta_mlp.htm)

Cheers
Nick

I am literally about to order a 32" TS LS WF system without one of these plates in it as I have the Sidewinder router lift already. If you get back to me I will include it in my order and get it to you for a price you otherwise wouldn't be able too... no real skin off my nose. Let me know if you are interested as I will need to get an updated price. Failing that you would probably be able to order it from Professional Woodworking Supplies as a one off. I will need that info soon, however, as I need to order this thing from the US today so it gets to my house to coincide with my leave in early Feb (I am working overseas right now).

Girius

18th January 2011, 05:45 PM

I am literally about to order a 32" TS LS WF system without one of these plates in it as I have the Sidewinder router lift already. If you get back to me I will include it in my order and get it to you for a price you otherwise wouldn't be able too... no real skin off my nose. Let me know if you are interested as I will need to get an updated price. Failing that you would probably be able to order it from Professional Woodworking Supplies as a one off. I will need that info soon, however, as I need to order this thing from the US today so it gets to my house to coincide with my leave in early Feb (I am working overseas right now).

Thanks for that :U
I think that I will be ordering Woodpecker Cast Aluminum Router Plate directly from woodpeck.com along with some other parts and attachments for fence construction. The price with shipping is not too bad, although I am trying to negotiate the shipping price down to USPS First Class.

Gwhat

19th January 2011, 08:35 AM

I am literally about to order a 32" TS LS WF system without one of these plates in it as I have the Sidewinder router lift already. If you get back to me I will include it in my order and get it to you for a price you otherwise wouldn't be able too... no real skin off my nose. Let me know if you are interested as I will need to get an updated price. Failing that you would probably be able to order it from Professional Woodworking Supplies as a one off. I will need that info soon, however, as I need to order this thing from the US today so it gets to my house to coincide with my leave in early Feb (I am working overseas right now).

What router are you using with the Sidewinder? It only takes fixed base routers so I'm intrigued?

Regards

Grahame

critterjg

19th January 2011, 11:01 PM

What router are you using with the Sidewinder? It only takes fixed base routers so I'm intrigued?

Regards

Grahame

Grahame

I have a Bosch 1617EVS which I am going to couple with a 2000W step down transformer. I haven't had the chance to test it out yet as I am overseas, but is second priority when I get back in June (top priority, just in case my wife is reading, is my newborn)!

Cheers

James