Thread: What is a good router table/router table accessories?

Spot on with your choice. See other entries in these forums.
Don't get too carried away by "awesome" other stuff. (You are young and gulliible.)
You can make a perfectly satisfactory router table for yourself and, if my memory serves me correctly that model can be adjusted by a supplied crank through the table. No need for an awsome perforated plate.

I would spend the money on the router, try for the 2400W triton if you can stretch the budget, I've been using that for ages and it's just as good as when I first bought it. Now as far as the router table is concerned, making your own is the go, I've made my own table (along with many on this forum) and I used the small router table top from woodwork supplies and it's bloody wonderful!!!!.

Now having said that, I am building another router table...the reason why? I needed a bigger table top. I guess that is no problem, I can always flog it to someone else I suppose (that is the old router table I'm talking about - the new one is staying with me!)


Ciao,

M.

Originally Posted by martink

I would spend the money on the router, try for the 2400W triton if you can stretch the budget, Now as far as the router table is concerned, making your own is the go,

I certainly haven't discounted the option of making it myself, I'm just looking at what the commercial alternatives are at this stage. Part of the reason I am waiting a few months is that is how long it will take me to finish my workbench, and I suspect by then I'll be keen to be a bit lazy and not build everything myself.

What about a top like this one? http://www.woodworksupplies.com.au/category24_1.htm

and a router plate like this one?

http://www.woodworksupplies.com.au/category19_1.htm

on top of a base I made myself?

Originally Posted by SilverSniper

I certainly haven't discounted the option of making it myself, I'm just looking at what the alternatives are at this stage.

What about a top like this one? http://www.woodworksupplies.com.au/category24_1.htm

and a router plate like this one?

http://www.woodworksupplies.com.au/category19_1.htm

on top of a base I made myself?

G'day SilverSniper,

Yep, go with them, they're , here's my router table, http://www6.cyanide.com.au/%7Ewoodwo...ad.php?t=48663 , I made using the same gear from PWS. $500 to buy a r/table? forget it, you can make one better.

Yep you are on the right track if you want to follow the path I have taken. My attitude to building both my fouter tables was this, I feel comfortable making the base and customising it to exactly what I want but wasn't comfortable making the top.

The most important part of a router table is that it is dead flat, really flat! now I have the older type 'A' roueter top on my old router table and it works great - the router plates you mentioned will fit this fine - in fact they come ready drilled to fit the triton router in them! The link you gave me was for two types of router plates, the phenolic one works fine, I have the aluminium one in my table now - the main reason is that it has graduated marks on the plate itself (not shown in the photo) that makes my life easy with setup - what can I say I'm lazy!

My new table is using the type 'C' router top because I have a large incra fence that can use the space. And that is the only reason I'm building a new table. My current (soon to be old) router table is serving me well and I've had it for years!

The best thing you can do is to have a search on the woodwork forum for 'router table' as you will see plenty of great examples of router tables and bases so you can get ideas on what is possible and what you need. If, like me, you don't feel comfortable in trying to make your own router top, then just make the base and talk to Grahme at PWS for the rest of the bits - I have found him to be a great help.

Ciao,

M

Originally Posted by martink

Yep you are on the right track if you want to follow the path I have taken. My attitude to building both my fouter tables was this, I feel comfortable making the base and customising it to exactly what I want but wasn't comfortable making the top.

The most important part of a router table is that it is dead flat, really flat! ... you don't feel comfortable in trying to make your own router top, then just make the base and talk to Grahme at PWS for the rest of the bits - I have found him to be a great help.

Ciao,

M

was my thinking and practice too.

Yep. Dead flat, home made, based on Gifkins plans ( can send if you wish ).
Make own fence and you choose your own features and build to suit.
Router - I have big Triton, Big Hitachi, small B&D, small Ozito. By far the best for table is Big Triton. Don't need an "awsome plate", save some money for other things. You can adjust cutting depth very easily from under table and can change cutters from above table. Even The Americans believe in the Triton! as do the Brits and most Europeans.
If I knew how I would send photos of my table.

okay, sounds like I'm on the right track, thanks for all the responses.

So right now my wish list is:

Triton 1400w $288

and from WWS

Incra fence $133
Pro router table top type C $210
Phenolic Router Plate $100

all up $731 dollars, and that's not counting the cost of the base unit. Still in budget, as its only $443 worth of accessories. and it leaves me some money to buy bits

Does anyone have any views on the above list? (I'm still thinking of going for the larger triton, but that's a topic for another day)

I guess I could just use a very basic frame as a base until I built something more sturdy - would a workmate work?

SilverSniper,

You're on the way with your list there. A workmate ? nah, go a bit extra and knock up a cabinet out of 16-18mm MDF.

Originally Posted by Waldo

SilverSniper,

You're on the way with your list there. A workmate ? nah, go a bit extra and knock up a cabinet out of 16-18mm MDF.

ok, point taken. didn't mean an actual workmate, that could be a bit painful and hard to make them sit still.

what about installing it into an old bench that runs along the side of my garage? does the unit it need to be movable or would it be okay to be fixed? I guess the main concern is getting access to clear away the woodchips and dust?

Portable, or at a fixed point, or able to be taken down and put away all falls to the room you have. Some, my FIL included clamp the table to a bench and put away when not in use, for me I like a dedicated unit and moveable. It's all horses for courses.

I'm still buggered if I can figure out why you think you need a phenolic resin plate.Agree with Incra fence. Great machine. Make sure you get metric scales.

Originally Posted by artme

I'm still buggered if I can figure out why you think you need a phenolic resin plate.Agree with Incra fence. Great machine. Make sure you get metric scales.

I'm a beginner, never switched on a router in my life, so what I think i need and what I see on the web and the forums are kind of the same thing

AS far as I know the Incra router fences do not come in metric but that should not put you off. To get started why not make up a table support out of 25.4 knock together aluminium frame ar la big shed's approach. If your budget does not extend to the cabinetry at this point you can add it later. If you are going to make regular use of your table to make good stuff conveniently at minimul epence the Big Triton is the only way to go.