Replies

1. 
   JeffBuck | Feb 26, 2005 12:00pm | #1

   look ..

   the potato chips and the router are both upside down ...

   gotta mean something?

   kismet ...

   Jeff

     Buck Construction 

      Artistry in Carpentry

           Pgh, PA

1. 
   Jemcon | Feb 26, 2005 04:40pm | #2

   Routing in the kitchen, Mrs Buck is gonna kill ya!

2. 
   Shoeman | Feb 26, 2005 04:56pm | #3

   Jeff, I gotta believe this only a 8th inch collet ... which is good ... is a typo - right?

   I'm thinking you meant that it only had a 1/4" collet, but with the price and brand - I figured I better double check.

   I also end up clamping lots of work and running the hand held router and dream of a table, but can't decide or afford the right one - what is the one to have?

   Thanks for the post,

   Shoe

1. 
   Sphere | Feb 26, 2005 05:28pm | #5

   If Jeff is posting at 0400 EST...it means something, trust me. 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..

2. 
   JeffBuck | Feb 27, 2005 03:25am | #9

   ya know ...

   half way thru the day on Fri I was telling a buddy over the phone about my new little router ...

   and I saud the exact same thing!

   8th inch ... he's like ... Wow .. that is a cheap router ...

   he let me ramble for a coupla more minutes before he asked where I got the special bits ... was I sure I didn't mount my rotozip by mistake ... was I building a doll house ...

    

   I finally figured it out!

    

   man ... I gotta learn to read them ... wadda ya call it ... tape measures?

   twice in one day ... I'm a freaking idiot.

    

   Jeff

      Buck Construction 

      Artistry in Carpentry

           Pgh, PA

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Feb 27, 2005 03:51am | #10

   Hardly...you just forgot the word RADIUS!

   A 1/8" radius is acually a 1/4" diameter collet...

   ;)

    

   I found myself in the same predicament. I took the non plunge base I got in my Bosch kit and mounted it on a panel that drops in the "extended opening" on the right of my Bosch tablesaw. Then I made a spacer for the fence and I was good to go.

   The outfeed table already set up for the table saw was handy.Jake Gulick

   [email protected]

   CarriageHouse Design

   Black Rock, CT

2. 
   RalphWicklund | Feb 27, 2005 07:31am | #12

   So, there I was, in Lowes, as if I didn't have any work that had to be done...

   Had been looking at the router table and 3 1/4HP combo by Freud - only $400 bucks - during the 20% sale last year. Combo would have been $320. Didn't buy it.

   Last week, there I was, again, in Lowes, and spy the same router combo in the sale area. No price tag. Department manager says she has to move them. New price - $269.  Now we're talkin'.

   Out the door price with an additional 10% off ('cause I'm such a great guy)  is $242.

   Now I got four routers and two router tables. What to do. What to do.

3. 
   BillHartmann | Feb 28, 2005 12:10am | #19

   I don't know what all the fuss is about.Nothing wrong with 1/8 shank router bits.Here is the rounter, router table and bits.http://www.mytoolstore.com/dremel/router.html

3. 
   Hooker | Feb 26, 2005 05:01pm | #4

   Hey, I had a similar experience with a $99 Ryobi kit just like yours from HD a couple years ago.  That little thing has paid for itself several times over.  1/4 collet, and the bonus of a light duty router surprisingly easy to handle as a hand held.  Nice & light.  Changing bits is a PITA, but what do I expect.

   My most used router is a Milwaukee body grip.  Thought it was cool, bought it, and have loved it ever since.  I coulodn't justify buying or making a table to fit it, thus sparking the little cheapy purchase.  Money well spent. 

   ADH Carpentry & Woodwork

   Quality, Craftsmanship, Detail

4. 
   FastEddie1 | Feb 26, 2005 07:31pm | #6

   Recently I too got into a situation where I needed a router and table and absolutely could not use the one in the garage, so I bought the same table and router you have, but not as a package deal.  It is a nice table, but a little small.  The router is a real POS.  Even clamped securely to the base and table, there was way too much deflectioin ion the bit ... I could move the bit about 1/32" with my finger.  It seemed like there was too much slop between the router body and the router base.  And it adds a new meaning to the word loud.

   So I threw the router in the trash and kept the table for a garage sale one day.  One problem with the table is that it is only drilled to match Skil routers.  I spent over an hour in lowes one day opening router boxes and trying to find one that would align with the pre-drilled holes.  I ended up buying the Bosch $250 table and using my existing Dewalt router.  It is very nice, and well made.

    

   I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

1. 
   Shoeman | Feb 26, 2005 07:34pm | #7

   Been thinking about this table by Bench Dog - any comments?

   http://www.benchdog.com/Products/ProBuilder/ProTopContractor.dwt

1. 
   rez | Feb 26, 2005 09:12pm | #8

   Well, I'm watching this thread. See, I collect tools.

   What they do is sit in their new boxes or cases looking pretty while I sit my azz on Breaktime for hours to dream up my next acquisition.

   I've been planning on a routertable like forever man, now for my new Bosch 1617, but don't want to do it twice.

   If I knew more I'd make my own since many say that is the way to go.

   But then I'd have less time to waste on here so what a battle rages. Then again sometimes I think too much time on here can make you go coo-coo.

   'Course someday I might actually use these things.

   Then I'd need a trailer to haul them in since a pickup with a shell sucks even if it is a highboy. Friggin gut complicates crawlin in there.

   I hate winter.

   be non-winterizedbe coo-coo

   SanchoRon the caballero bowed low as he waved his sombrero and said goodbye.

   FREE SANCHO!!!

1. 
   MarkMacLeod | Feb 27, 2005 08:23pm | #17

   Well, I knwo I don't have the experience of any of you, so I'll put that straight up. However, I did have an opportunity to buy a Jessem Router table with the built in Mast - R - Lift. It is built to work with the PC big fixed base router. Given that I didn't own the router, it made the half price table a bit less of a deal however I am absolutely wild about the table. The lift is great, the top is dead flat and the dust collector is fine. The only problem is some sort of interest on thepart of the maker to have the fence square to the table . . . . didn't make much sense as a round bit don't know no square . . . however, a small point.This weekend I've done the cut work and prep for 30 cherry doors and I've been whistlin' as I've worked. I am a cup half empty guy at the best of times so when I find myself really happy with something, I'm surprised. It is made here in Canada . . . so there is a bit of a break price wise for those south of 49 . . . but it is still pricey.My 3 centsmark macleod

1. 
   rez | Feb 27, 2005 09:11pm | #18

   Dear half-empty guy,

   Sounds to me like you got enough experienced jazz going on.

   View Image

   SanchoRon the caballero bowed low as he waved his sombrero and said goodbye.

   FREE SANCHO!!!

2. 
   MarkMacLeod | Feb 28, 2005 12:32am | #20

   Hi:Well, I guess I can be my own worst critic. I think it comes down to always seeing something that I think I could do better/not having enough time/not having enough experience. Anyways, thanks for the supportive comments.I have the other Jessem table - with an integrated lift that works with a dial system/crank mounted on the front of the cabinet. The dial is direct read on the top of the table . . . . it's accurate and really helps with set up. That table set up has recently been changed to a crank on the right side of the cabinet. . . . there must be a reason but the drive system is longer and the crank seems to be in a more awkward place.The only problem I've heard with the table was from one friend of mine who bought one and the clamp for the rounter was not machined correctly . . . replaced on the spot.So far, so good.mark macleod

2. 
   djj | Feb 27, 2005 05:39am | #11

   Shoeman,

   I have the previous version of this and it is a decent unit. I got mine off Amazon. For a contractor lugging it to the jobsite, I am sure it would work great. For serious woodworking though, I think a larger dedicated table is a better choice.  My biggest gripe is having to haul it out every time I want to use it, get out the saw horses or the workmate, and bolt it down. I use it with larger bits or places where I need to bolt on a taller fence but for 98% of the routing I do I either use an edge guide or bits with pilot bearings.

   Regards,

   Dennis

    

3. 
   JeffBuck | Feb 27, 2005 11:34am | #14

   that Bench Dog is what I'm thinking of getting for my "real" router table.

   I still need portable ... that one seems to be the best of the bunch.

   Jeff  Buck Construction 

      Artistry in Carpentry

           Pgh, PA

1. 
   Shoeman | Feb 27, 2005 06:41pm | #15

   Thanks for the feedback.  I keep coming back to the Bench Dog as the most likely choice for a portable.

2. 
   jackleg | Feb 27, 2005 07:02pm | #16

   Faced with eactly the same job recently matching existing trim on 7 doors and 5 windows-6" wide casing.I was cutting to length at the saw then reaching for the laminate trimmer on the edge of the stand...rout one side ,flip and finish-no clamps needed.I've been using the cheap PC trimmer with smaller bits rather than pulling out larger routers.

   I've had my eye on the Bench Dog set-up for awhile also but have restrained so far...when it comes to tool lust the flesh is weak.

5. 
   andybuildz | Feb 27, 2005 08:52am | #13

   looks like there's a bottle of aspirin and some meds too..does that say anything to us?
   BE WELL!!!
   a...

   The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!

   When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..

     I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,

   I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.

   I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you

   and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.