Bench Dog - 40-001 ProTop Contractor Router Table

Editor's Review: Router Table Cuts Cost but Not Quality

The ProTop Contractor Router Table is sturdy, well-engineered, and inexpensive enough to tempt the thriftiest carpenter. Made of Baltic-birch plywood, the table is small enough (24 in. by 16 in. by 16 in.) to lug around easily but still large enough to house a big 3-hp plunge router. The table was a bit unsteady when I pushed hard on a long piece of stock, but its rubber feet could be bolted down to a workbench.

A phenolic-resin baseplate is predrilled for several common router models. Eight leveling screws keep the plate flush with the tabletop but are hard to adjust, especially with the router in place. The extruded-aluminum and MDF (medium-density fiberboard) fence is flat and straight, and has big T-head bolts that make adjustments a snap. The table also has a recessed aluminum track for standard miter gauges, which means you can put it to work making frame-and-panel doors for cabinets. A hinged door keeps the chips that escape the vacuum inside the box.

Overall, I thought this router table was worth the money; the smooth aluminum extrusions alone have me sold.

Editor Test Results: