Raymond Fries
07-25-2007, 11:43 AM
Looking for advice on Jointech 12 or 18 Clincher and Router Table Size.
I have a small shop (at least till I can move) and I am always looking to save space. The size of the 24 x 32 table would be easier for me to use, however, I do not want to sacrifice future expanded capabilities for current space needs. We all know when you get a new tool, new doors are opened for expanded capabilities. So here is what I have and please offer any suggestions that might be useful to help me make a few decisions.
I have a Dewalt 625 router which weighs about 11 pounds. I have never used a router table with any bit that did not have a bearing. I want a precision system to use and have the ability to make joinery. Currently I have a table saw with no tenon jig and no jointer. From what I have read, Incra and Jointech are both excellent systems. People seem to think Jointech has a slight edge on features but Incra has the edge on customer service. I am still undecided on Incra vs. Jointech. I do prototype work and only have a need for one or two of a kind projects so I do not need production machinery.
A lot of my questions come because I have never done joinery and I have never seen anything like these systems on New Yankee Workshop or Router Workshop. Are these systems really worth the investment for precision? Those guys get precision without one of these systems. These systems look wonderful to me but I would like to understand what I gain by investing in one of them.
Here are my questions Be patient Ladies and Gents as I am really new to this bigger better router table?
I just want to do all of my homework and purchase the right one
Are tenons for example just as easy on my table saw if I get a jig? Would that jig money be better invested in the router system?
If you have a 12 system and would need to dovetail a 24 wide board, could you machine half of it and then flip the board and set the position so you could do the other half?
Is the 18 system a better choice to accommodate any possible larger projects?
Has anyone bought the smaller system and then been sorry for not getting the larger one? I have read many posts that state that it is very difficult to machine wide boards. Not being a production shop, I really do not care if it takes a little time to setup because I only do prototypes. Does the machine hold the wide boards securely so you can repeat the machining precisely over the full length of travel, or, is the time setup the only complaint?
Will a heavy router make a 3/8 Jointech or Incra phenolic plate sag? Should I get aluminum?
Does anyone have a DW625 router used under the table? Is the fine adjustment easy to use under the table? Or is the Incra plunge lift a better choice?
Is the 5 ring set offered by Jointech sufficient to accommodate all of the bits necessary for joinery? Is the 8 ring set offered by Incra a better choice? Do you even deed a ring set? I never see them on the Router Workshop.
What is the real advantage of getting a 32 wide fence on a 24 wide table? Is the 4 overhang on both sides of the table really that useful?
Incra touts the advantage of having an mdf top laminated with phenolic is a closer tolerance for flatness?
From their site: MDF as a core material is about perfect, all things considered. It has a thickness tolerance of +/- .005 for a Ύ thick sheet versus .034 for a similar thickness piece of solid phenolic.
In the world of wood, is a thickness tolerance of .029 that critical for a well made project. Has anyone that uses a solid phenolic top ever had an issue with a tight fitting joint because of a table thickness tolerance?
Thanks for any help or direction you can provide.
Raymond
I have a small shop (at least till I can move) and I am always looking to save space. The size of the 24 x 32 table would be easier for me to use, however, I do not want to sacrifice future expanded capabilities for current space needs. We all know when you get a new tool, new doors are opened for expanded capabilities. So here is what I have and please offer any suggestions that might be useful to help me make a few decisions.
I have a Dewalt 625 router which weighs about 11 pounds. I have never used a router table with any bit that did not have a bearing. I want a precision system to use and have the ability to make joinery. Currently I have a table saw with no tenon jig and no jointer. From what I have read, Incra and Jointech are both excellent systems. People seem to think Jointech has a slight edge on features but Incra has the edge on customer service. I am still undecided on Incra vs. Jointech. I do prototype work and only have a need for one or two of a kind projects so I do not need production machinery.
A lot of my questions come because I have never done joinery and I have never seen anything like these systems on New Yankee Workshop or Router Workshop. Are these systems really worth the investment for precision? Those guys get precision without one of these systems. These systems look wonderful to me but I would like to understand what I gain by investing in one of them.
Here are my questions Be patient Ladies and Gents as I am really new to this bigger better router table?
I just want to do all of my homework and purchase the right one
Are tenons for example just as easy on my table saw if I get a jig? Would that jig money be better invested in the router system?
If you have a 12 system and would need to dovetail a 24 wide board, could you machine half of it and then flip the board and set the position so you could do the other half?
Is the 18 system a better choice to accommodate any possible larger projects?
Has anyone bought the smaller system and then been sorry for not getting the larger one? I have read many posts that state that it is very difficult to machine wide boards. Not being a production shop, I really do not care if it takes a little time to setup because I only do prototypes. Does the machine hold the wide boards securely so you can repeat the machining precisely over the full length of travel, or, is the time setup the only complaint?
Will a heavy router make a 3/8 Jointech or Incra phenolic plate sag? Should I get aluminum?
Does anyone have a DW625 router used under the table? Is the fine adjustment easy to use under the table? Or is the Incra plunge lift a better choice?
Is the 5 ring set offered by Jointech sufficient to accommodate all of the bits necessary for joinery? Is the 8 ring set offered by Incra a better choice? Do you even deed a ring set? I never see them on the Router Workshop.
What is the real advantage of getting a 32 wide fence on a 24 wide table? Is the 4 overhang on both sides of the table really that useful?
Incra touts the advantage of having an mdf top laminated with phenolic is a closer tolerance for flatness?
From their site: MDF as a core material is about perfect, all things considered. It has a thickness tolerance of +/- .005 for a Ύ thick sheet versus .034 for a similar thickness piece of solid phenolic.
In the world of wood, is a thickness tolerance of .029 that critical for a well made project. Has anyone that uses a solid phenolic top ever had an issue with a tight fitting joint because of a table thickness tolerance?
Thanks for any help or direction you can provide.
Raymond