Opinions please...Freud Micro-adj fence..

[Greg Koch]

I'm interested in getting one of these for my router table project. Seems like a good price and a good product. Anyone have one, or have an opinion?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005Q7CN/qid=1142109514/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-5556887-6270335?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013

Also do I need this kit for installing the fence on a new "virgin" top? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001VNWEE/ref=pd_sim_hi_2/104-5556887-6270335?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013

Thanks,

[willie sobat]

I looked into that when I built my last table. It's been a long time. But if I remember correctly it limits the diameter of bit that can be used. Occaisionally I use horizontal raised panel bits so this presented a problem. I came across Pat Warner's router table/fence design in FWW. Despite it's appearance it was easy to build and far superior to any I have seen or used. This was the 3rd table/fence I built, and I don't think I'll ever want another. See the link below.

http://www.patwarner.com/routerfence.html

[Greg Koch]

I bought a router book that has plans for that fence..it looks great (Pat's work is awesome) but I thougt it would be hard to make. Maybe invest in the parts for it instead?

Any others?

[willie sobat]

I built it without the dial indicator. I didn't feel it was needed then and if I want to I can add it later. So there was a savings there. Most of the wood/MDF I had in my shop (garage). I bought the aluminum bar stock from lowes. I wrote Pat when I was planning it and he sent me a link to the parts list. http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00103parts.asp

What you can't find locally can be purchased at Reid Supply Company.
https://reidecom.reidtool.com/xephr/qbe/HOMEPAGE

Here is a link to Pat's site, if you don't already have it.
http://www.patwarner.com/

I built the whole table. That was 2-3 years ago and I'm still thrilled with it. Hope this helps. Good luck whichever way you go.

[Greg Koch]

Willie,

Thanks a lot for the links. I just may give it a try as it was what I was looking at before I saw the fence at Amazon.

How long did it take to make? Any special tools needed?

Even so, I'd still like to hear from anyone who has the Freud...

Greg

[willie sobat]

Sorry to take so long to get back to you. It took me probably a couple of days to make the fence and another couple for the table. Its all pretty straight forward I was just trying to be a perfectionist. The only critical part is setting up the jig to route the slots for the aluminum rails in the upper and lower fence sections other than that a piece of cake. No special tools required. One other great feature of the table is the top. It is dead flat and has been so since it was made (a problem my previous tables all suffered from).

[Charles McCracken]

I looked into that when I built my last table. It's been a long time. But if I remember correctly it limits the diameter of bit that can be used.

The Freud SH-5 will easily handle 3-1/2" raised panel bits.

[willie sobat]

My apologies Charles