Thread: Router table - freestanding vs table saw mounted

I think it comes down to how much shed space you have. Mounted on the saw wing is a great space saver and you can then attach a router fence to the saw fence. Nice large table surface on the saw too. If you decide on a table saw mounted router then all you need is a decent insert plate and a way to raise the router. Been plenty of past posts on here about it.
Regards
John

As said above if you have the space it is a no brainer separate router table

Yeah space isn’t at a huge premium right now so I guess a stand-alone is probably better. I’m thinking I might build a long station for the router table and stick the mitre saw along side it to better utilise the space.

Another factor to consider is what table saw you have, or will have, and what fence... are you considering an Incra TS-LS Positioner? If so, mounting a router table (not cast iron though!) in the Incra rails is a pretty neat solution.

Cheers mate yeah I had thought of that but I don’t see an Incra fence appearing anytime soon, I’ve gotten my table saw fence pretty well dialled in now so quite happy with it.

Have decided on the 27” x 16” cast iron table + stand & switch from Timbecon and I’ll add a router lift sometime in the future. Not too fussed about that yet, the 3601b has no plunge function so shouldn’t be too hard to adjust from under the table. Just need to start figuring out the combined mitre saw & router station now!

Freestanding is good so that the saw is free for ripping at the same time .

I've an earlier model of the 3601b in my Triton Router bench, and it's a real MONGREL trying to get that final mm raised or lowered, let alone the .5mm.
Interested to see what you come up with for a fix.
Kryn

Cheers mate, I’ll have to keep an eye out for that. I know I definitely want a lift but just can’t decide between a DIY solution with a motor for the rise and fall or the lift from Timbecon. It’s been put off till after my sisters wedding next month, probably not going to get a lot of time in the shed before then.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Another factor to consider is what table saw you have, or will have, and what fence... are you considering an Incra TS-LS Positioner? If so, mounting a router table (not cast iron though!) in the Incra rails is a pretty neat solution.

Why not cast iron ?

I have a 12" saw with router wing and ts-ls system. The triton router is mounted in a cast iron wing.

I absolutely love this setup. The incra allows swapping back and forth easily and quickly and my router table is my most used machine in my wood work shop.

Obviously part of my reason for combining them was to leverage the investment in the incra, but I do not find the setup inconvenient at all really. Without an incra that might change though...

Hi I built a router table that mounts to a miter saw stand. It allows me to take it off and store it aside in the garage. I also built a DIY lift for the router that you can only adjust from under the table unfortunately. It was my first try and now I am going to rebuild the lift on vertically mounter linear bearings and rail. I will use a lead screw and a motor to raise and lower the router. Also I will be able to manually adjust the router height from above the table; all going well.20180204_084935.jpg20180125_094413.jpg

I hinged mine to the end of my workbench, just swing it up when required and use a removable leg. It hangs real neat with the router safely under the bench, just have to wind the cutter below the deck when you finish work.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Cheers guys. Timbecon had an Easter sale on the freestanding router table and lift so I pulled the trigger, picking up Friday arvo after work [emoji846]

Here are the pictures Old Tom, I used large T hinges and the table can swing 180° to make bit changing easier. The height adjustment is done from the top of the table.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Thanks for the pics Crocy. Sensible solution to small space.