I'm about to pull the trigger on a new router table setup. I'm looking at the Incra LS 25" positioner super system, and the Jessem PowRtek router in the Incra branded Jessem router lift.
I cannot find any user feedback on the Jessem router motor. I know it is fairly new. It will cost me about $30 more than a PC7518, which I know to be a proven design with a longer (3 yr) warranty. The Jessem provides a rheostat style speed control and digital rpm readout on the front of the cabinet. This will make speed changes easier without having to go into the cabinet, and some bling factor with the digital rpm readout.
I will be building the cabinet and top myself, for two reasons: 1. Save money, 2. Make it bigger to suit my space, and higher quality. I will do a base cabinet, with an MDF torsion box on top. then a 1.5" mdf top, which I will laminate with formica. My goal is a lifetime router table. The price of this may be a wash vs. the pre made Incra top, but I can make mine bigger and not have any sag issues due to the torsion box I plan to build. Do i need to laminate the bottom of the tabletop with formica?
I considered the Incra Cleansweep cabinet, but with more time than money on my hands, I don't see why I couldn't make an mdf box to enclose the router. I will be hooking this to my Clearvue cyclone, and dust collection is of primary importance to me, so if there is any reason to purchase the Cleansweep cabinet, I am all ears. I will order the cleansweep rings as I do see the benefit of them and they are not something I am setup to make in my shop.
If anybody has any input on these items, I would love to hear it:
1. Jessem router motor vs PC 7518
2. Shop made tabletop vs premade Incra tabletop
3. Thoughts on the value of the Incra positioner vs. a shop made fence.
I may be over analyzing this project, so I would love to hear from those with real world experience.
Thank you folks,
Brian