What is in Your Router Table?

[Jay Albrandt]

Hi All,

Just got the Hitachi M12v router for Christmas. I would like ya'alls opinion on what is the best router raiser and insert.

Because of my current time constraints, I will be buying a router table top also, so if you have opinions on that as well I would appreciate all comments.

As Always, Thank You in advance.

Jay

[Jim DeLaney]

I'm using the M12V also, with the "Router-Razer" accessory installed. It works very well. I got my Router razer at Rocklers - about $89, a year or so ago, as I recall...

[Randy Gleckler]

Jim... I've heard the Razer is a little difficult to install and to use. Have you found this to be true or ?!?!? Thanks. (I'm interested too as I have a M12V I'm planning on mounting in my TS)

Randy

[Lowell Kinzer]

Jay,

I have a Veritas Table Top, Fence & Stand (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=43885&category=1&SID=&ccurrency=2) kit from Lee Valley that I'm quite happy with.

The quick-change clamp system for attaching a router to the table top is easy to adjust to firmly hold even a large router. Once adjusted, you only need to loosen/tighten two fasteners with your fingers to remove/install the router. The fence is straight, steady and also easy to use. Dust collection through the fence using their Magnetic Dust Chute is excellent when using a shop vacuum and cutting MDF.

The stand is currently mounted on top of a Black & Decker WorkMate, which puts the table at a good working height for me (I'm 5'10"). I'll eventually build a portable table for it, sometime after I finish my current home improvement projects (making seven kitchen drawers and installing another 600 sq. ft. of laminate flooring, some plumbing repairs/upgrades, and ... ;) ).

Cheers,

Lowell

[Robert Henderson]

Bench Dog Pro Lift Ni PL1002

Cast iron and with nickel chrome finish. No vibration and router seem to run quieter.

Bob

[Bobby Hatfield]

Hey Robert, where you buy that lift insert ? I like that one, looks like it will hold a 3 1/4 hp PC. Should be a good one for production short runs.

Bobby

[Mark Singer]

Hi All,

Just got the Hitachi M12v router for Christmas. I would like ya'alls opinion on what is the best router raiser and insert.

Because of my current time constraints, I will be buying a router table top also, so if you have opinions on that as well I would appreciate all comments.

As Always, Thank You in advance.

Jay


Jay,
I have the Hitachi as well and its great in the router table. I have the Bench Dog top and fence and I like them. Because the Hitachi has the fine adjustment knob...I would not spend the money on a router lift
Mark

[Mike Sweat]

I also have a Hitachi. I'm using the Woodpeckers Plunge Lift, it was a little hard raising it untill I took the springs out, now it works great!

<img src="http://www.mandswoodworks.com/assets/images/db_images/db_Hitachi_M12V1.jpg">

<img src="http://www.mandswoodworks.com/assets/images/db_images/db_pic_0014.jpg">

[Jim DeLaney]

The Razer took maybe fifteen minutes to install in the M12V. I had no problems with it at all. If you go to their website, you can download the specific instructions for any router it'll fit. Even their own instructions make it sound more complicated than it really is, though. Piece of cake...

[Mike Evertsen]

I have a Hitachi TR12 3 hp in my router table,,,,I've had this router for 13 years it's still a work horse,,,,,

[Ed Falis]

I'll second Lowell's recommendation on the Veritas table. There's also an accessory called a bit jack, that allows quick and easy gross or micro-adjustment of the bit depth for plunge routers. It's only about $80.

- ed

[Robert Henderson]

Hey Robert, where you buy that lift insert ? I like that one, looks like it will hold a 3 1/4 hp PC. Should be a good one for production short runs.

Bobby


I got it at Wilke Machinery in York PA.


http://www.wilkemachinery.com/OnlineCatalogDetailResults.tpl?SearchDetail=105113 9186555339&PreviousCategory=Shapers

Robert

[EliotMason]

I've got a PC 7518 beast mated to the WoodPecker PRL. That router is particularly well designed for use with a PRL or similar from Benchdog. When I bought the PRL, I don't think the Benchdog ones were out yet else I'd have bought the cast iron one. But those won't help you with your plunge router. Its Router Raizer or a plunge lift from Woodpeckers.

BTW - anyone seen the new Jessem system with the offset height adjustment crank? Sweet -- and very dear $.

[Jay Albrandt]

Jay,
I have the Hitachi as well and its great in the router table. I have the Bench Dog top and fence and I like them. Because the Hitachi has the fine adjustment knob...I would not spend the money on a router lift
Mark

Mark,

How has the Bench Dog top stood up to sag? Also, without a lift, I am assuming you use the cam lock for gross adjustments, and the fine adjustment knob for...well...fine adjustments? Any problem with changing bits through the top?

Your work is an inspiration! Thanks for posting it.

Jay

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

Mark,

How has the Bench Dog top stood up to sag? Also, without a lift, I am assuming you use the cam lock for gross adjustments, and the fine adjustment knob for...well...fine adjustments? Any problem with changing bits through the top?

Your work is an inspiration! Thanks for posting it.

Jay

I have one M12V in a table with a Rosseau insert, and one in a table with an Xacta lift (Jess'em). I've always just lifted the whole insert/router out of the table for bit changes, and I do the same thing with the lift because I don't have a beny wrench. I think the lift is a vast improvement over the knob adjustment, and I'll be getting one to replace my Rosseau.

KC

[Thomas Prondzinski]

Hi All,

Just got the Hitachi M12v router for Christmas. I would like ya'alls opinion on what is the best router raiser and insert.

Because of my current time constraints, I will be buying a router table top also, so if you have opinions on that as well I would appreciate all comments.

As Always, Thank You in advance.

Jay
I got the Sommerfeld Industro top without the insert,with a Hitachi M12V (springs removed) and a router razier. Check out Woodshop demos for setup info,spindle lock on outside of table. works like a shaper. I love mine.

Tom

[Bart Leetch]

I have never seen a factory made router table top I like.

In my younger in-experienced years I got bit by a router under a router table top & found out it was do to my in-experience & mostly due to the narrowness of the top front to back ( not enough support on the front).

Now days I am still not happy with what I have top size wise.

I have a Delta router/ shaper it has plenty of power & its own raising mechanism I plan on making a top (to replace the ribbed aluminum top) 24" x 27" with a recess to use the factory inserts & install this in place of the left wing of my table-saw & use the Freud micro adjust router table fence & my table saw fence with the 2 approximately 1 1/4" thick adjustable oak faces that I have been using with the little 18" x 27" router table & my PC 690.

I figure with the motor housing & adjustment system set a little further toward the back of the table more of the panel or what ever wider item I may be edge routing, rabbiting or grooving (as in dado)will have more support.

I believe I can easily make the Freud fence so it can be clamped to my table-saw fence (for off-set routing) so it can be installed & removed quickly & easily.

[Dennis McDonaugh]

I've got a Bosch 1617 under a Rossau insert. I just lift the whole thing out of the top to change bits and open the front door to adjust the height.

I plan to replace the router with the new Milwaukee, but I don't think I'll be buying another insert.

[Mike Kelly]

Jay, I have had a M12V in a Woodhaven insert for 9 years or so and it works fine. I also have a TR12 in a Woodhaven insert since 1986. I am on my second PRL (same size as the Woodhaven insert) with a PC 7518 which I love, but the PRL gets hard to crank after a few months. Won't work on a M12V anyway, but they have one that will. Don't know if it has the same crank up/down design or not. Woodhaven has a crank handle that mates to your router and works fine under the table. It is easy to lift out to change bits if you don't want to pay for the fancy solid lifts.