Free Standing Router Table

[Gene E Miller]

Greetings & Salutations,

I have been using a bench top rounter table for about 18 months
now and want to upgrade to a full free standing router table.

I have been thinking heavily on building my own but with
the way things have been going to make a quality table
at this time would be pretty expensive.

I have been searching around and have found this website
that seems to have a pertty nice table that is similar
to the NYW that Norm builds which is kind of what I have
been leaning towards.

http://rt1000.com/index.html

I don't think I can build one with quality materials
for the price that I can purchase this one for.

If I had the money I would really go all out but as with
most of us money is an issue at this time.

I also think that if I purchase or build a table I will want to
upgrade to a 3 HP Router or better and there goes some
more funds.

I have been looking at the Trition Router and think that
if I go that route I will not then need to purchase a high
dollar lift but there may also be some opinions in that
department too.

Has anyone here on the creek purchased on of these and
if so was the quality what they claim it to be and how
has it stood up to used?

I would welcome any and all opinions good or bad about
this table or one of similar price as well as the best choice
for a dedicated router for the table with lift.

Thanks for all the advice in advance.

Gene
Merry Christmas too all.

[Dewey Torres]

Gene,
What is your budget?

Also, I know for sure someone on here has bought that table as I remember reading the post but I can't seem to find it. I will keep looking and post what I can find.

There are certain things I buy rather than build for my shop because I would rather work on WW vs Shop projects when I can afford it. I am guessing that is why you are considering buying one.

[Derek Tuchscherer]

Hey Gene,

Seems some Creekers are satisfied with it...

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=93008&highlight=rt1000

Derek

[Gene E Miller]

Dewey I was wanting to stay in 300 buck range for a table
and to build a quality table I think it would run more than
that at this time. And like you I would enjoy building
a table but I also have several other actual projects
that I want to build instead of the table..

It seems that I too have seen a thread on that table
here before but just could not find it in either.

Thanks for the input.

Gene

[Rob Diz]

I don't know what type of TS you have, but consider getting a metal extension table with router insert. Quality Grinding will make something to fit your dimensions. The reviews of their extenion wings are really top shelf. I think that something around 27x 16 costs around 300, and 27x24 about 350, with the SMC discount.

You should give some thought to using their table rather than building your own - more floor space for other projects plus you get the weight and stability fo the TS, plus a HUGE table if you need it for big pieces, or a short table for the short pieces, depending on how you set up the fence.

The owner answers the emails and sets things up for you. Finances are tight for me, or I'd have one on order. Last time I checked, it was about a week to getting something to ship - quick turn around.

They are a sponsor and have a forum near the bottom of the page.

[Myk Rian]

I made a router cabinet out of 1/2" baltic birch ply with a double layer 3/4" MDF top. It's very sturdy.

[Gene E Miller]

I don't know what type of TS you have, but consider getting a metal extension table with router insert. Quality Grinding will make something to fit your dimensions. The reviews of their extenion wings are really top shelf. I think that something around 27x 16 costs around 300, and 27x24 about 350, with the SMC discount.

.

Hi Rob,

I have seen the extensions that Quality has made and they are
beautiful but my problem is that due to a bad back I try to have
most of my benches and tools up higher than the cabinet saw
that I have.

If I had a lot of work to do on the router table and it was in
one wing of my cabinet saw by the end of the day I would not
be able to stand up.

I know that there are a great many advantages to having the
router in the table saw but for me I am not sure that would
be the way I need to go.

One of the reasons that I am looking at that rt100 is by it
being a free standing table I can put a riser under it even making
it mobile and then I can work without doing too much stooping.

I appreciate that thought and idea and if I was 30 yrs younger
and not had back surgery it would most likely be the option that
I would choose.

Gene

[Ray Schafer]

I bought this video (for $10) and am planning to build this soon.

http://www.woodpeck.com/kregroutertabledvd.html
(Kreg Router Table DVD)

I have a friend who is going to build one along side -- he needs one, too. They suggest buying the top, and I bought the Rockler router table top.

Just a thought.

Ray