Thread: Router Table needed

I built a router table from Roger Gifkins' plan and whacked an el cheapo Maktec (handyman Makita) 12mm router in it. The Maktec is a one spanner changeover which is really good. (no skinned knuckles). I keep the big Makita for hand held.
Cheers

Don

Do not buy the GMC router table. I have one and its probably the worst tool to exit the GMC warehouse.

Incidentally I think, in general, GMC stuff is great. Terrif value for occasional use. The router table is a lemon (but not their routers)

When/if I get a bigger shed I will make one - don't seem to be brain surgery.

Originally Posted by Bodgy

Don

Do not buy the GMC router table. I have one and its probably the worst tool to exit the GMC warehouse.

Incidentally I think, in general, GMC stuff is great. Terrif value for occasional use. The router table is a lemon (but not their routers)

When/if I get a bigger shed I will make one - don't seem to be brain surgery.

Anyone with half a brain can make one Bodgy so you'll be right..

I'd suggest making ur own router table. there are plenty of people who have done it, so there are plenty of ideas on this frum and on the net. U can also build a nice height adjustment set up for it too.

Originally Posted by Just George

What a shame you don't live in Brisbane, I have a spare 2000 Router Table at the moment.

As it turns out, he was in Brisbane and dropped by and bought my soare table.

Talked to the Bunnies bloke and he agreed with the forum sentiment - don't touch the GMC table with a 40 foot pole.

Thanks to George I now have a second hand Triton table - wasn't it lucky I was going to Brisbane just at that time.

Now looking at the Ryobi 1400 watt router from Bunnies - $89 but I'm waiting for the grand opening of the new Bunnies warehouse in Grafton on the 18 February - hoping to get a better deal.

Thanks for all the suggestions folk.

Derek, the immediate problem in 4 pieces of Tassie Oak about 25mm square that will be the edge of a coffee table made of Blue Gum. Trying to hold them down while I route is a problem, as well as the fact that I need a lot more practice using a hand held router.

Don

Derek, the immediate problem in 4 pieces of Tassie Oak about 25mm square that will be the edge of a coffee table made of Blue Gum. Trying to hold them down while I route is a problem

Don

What shape are you looking for?

Something like this?

<div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Woodworking/Bevel1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br />

Routing anyrthing as small as 25mm is tricky, if not dangerous. The above was done with a block plane. Perhaps another method may work better.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,
The edge will be the full length of each piece (about 900mm each) and will be one of those fancy edges, ie small 1 or 2 mm drop, then a concave bit.

I did the edge you showed in the piccie on the bottoms of the legs using a block plane.

Don

Well I now have a router table thanks to Just George. It's a Triton 2000.

Haven't got a new router for it yet (looking at the Ryobi 1400w) but decided to try my fabulously expensive (joke) NRG 600w router - with variable speed.

Routered the edge for my coffee table with absolute ease, and with very few blemishes, nothing a little sanding won't fix.

To answer Derekcowen's question - "Before you go and splurge on a router table" - I'm definately glad I got it.

The NRG may be slow, and has no fine adjustment, but I can use it much better in the table than free hand. Additionally there is little sawdust thanks to the dust chute on the Triton.

Will probably need a more powerful router and will get the Ryobi at $89. (yes, looked at the new Triton but at $288 not worth it)

Thanks for all the ideas
Don

NOW!!... Go get ye the orange big birtha TRITON router!!

Hint... ITS WORTH THE MONEY!! Beautiful peice of machinery and destined to be one of my favorites in the new shed

were the comments about the GMC router table about the little table they put out or the table with the built in router?

The reason I ask is that I also need a router table but haven't really got the time available to go and build one and can't afford a more expensive option.

Jack

Jack, my comments were about the little GMC router table. It does have a power supply, but thats it.

The problems are:

The milled and channelled alloy top is not flat
Due to above the work catches on the edges of the channels as you feed across.
The fence is woeful, doesn't slide freely, fine adjustment impossible, the adjustable lateral fence doesn't seat correctly and got junked immediately, et al. Awful.
No height adjuster, which, in my view, is essential. I had to make one.
The inserts aroung the router head are lower than the table, hence work catches
Whilst it does have a 50mm dust port, the table is not enclosed, hence dust goes everywhere. I enclosed mine and added a 100mm dust port for the DC.

To sum up, I only keep it due to lack of space in shed. It's better than nothing. $50 is probably a fair price, but be prepared for frustration.

Thanks Bodgy

I wasn't really interested in the little table but thought that the 'Powered Router Table" with the inbuilt 1050W router looks like a more reasonable buy.

Has anyone had experience with this product?


Cheers
Jack

Originally Posted by Don Nethercott

Thanks for the info so far folks.

I was browsing the web and came across a GMC powered router table. Don't know how much yet. Has anyone had any experience with one of these?
Description can be found at -
http://www.gmcompany.com/index.cfm?p...0007CAA3EF2D9#

So far my experience with GMC has been good. I have one of their thicknessers and it's probably the most used power tool I have, and I have had no problems (apart from feeding a piece of Camphor in with a stone lodged in it).

Don

Don't ... Bought one a year or so ago and the big problem is that the table top is not flat and the ring around the router is proud of the table itself & this is apart from the height adjustment mechanism is clumsy and slow.

I am just finishing a double router table similar to Roger Gifkins design and will post some picies in a day or so ... I have my old Makita and a new Triton 1400 mounted and I just love the new Triton ... winder for height adjustment and bit changing above the table!

Cheers,
Zoot Esq.