Hey Guys,
Im always trying to improve my work, and with wood I would classify myself as a finish carpenter not a cabinet or furniture maker.
I would like to pick up a router table, and recently saw the bosch table at Lowes… its about $170. I had planned on waiting until I could get all the pennies and get a Bench dog that is around $400. I would be using it for clients and my own stuff.
Anybody have any opinions? Anyone use the bosch? I have a bosch router the 1617. I love bosch tools but heard raves about the Bench Dog a bit back. I just dont know if it would be worth it to wait or if the Bosch rig is worthy?
Replies
I have a "Bench Dog" table with a Jessem lift for the router. First class all the way! I use it a lot and would be lost without it!!!!!!!!
For a smaller router table I like the Bench Dog Contractor Model, around $200.00 but it will depend on your needs. My only complaint about the Bench dog is a lack of stability inherent with a small table-top model..
For portable applications it's perfect and I have a Milwaukee 1 3/4hp router mounted in it. What I like about the Milwaukee router is the fine adjustment screw for raising and lowering which allowed me to not have to purchase a lift for that particular set up.
If you're going to be trying swing larger bits, like raised panels, you're going to want a larger router with a speed control and a larger table. As I've said I'm very happy with the smaller one and if I needed it, I'd buy the larger version in a heart beat except for:
My main problem with purchasing a large router table is the cost, You'll spend $400ish for the table, you'll want to dedicate a router to it so you don't have keep changing it out for another $250-$300 and a lift makes things much nicer so add another $200 for an entry level lift, you've no spent $850.00 for the whole set up and you can get an entry level 3hp shaper from grizzly for around $1,000 including a bit spindle so you can use 1/2" router bits.
So for an extra 150 you just bought yourself a hole lot more versatility.
As for making you're own router table, unless you just want to show of your abilities and enjoy the process, which is a valid reason, economically it doesn't make sense to me. Factor in the value of your time plus the material cost you can buy and assemble one for less.
Just my 2 pennies
Thanks, You got me thinking.
Is there a larger table that you might recommend? I would put this in my shop not on the road. I dont know if I want a shaper never reall thought about that. I figure if you think i need more router, The 3 whatever horsepower Hitachi is pretty well recommended and not too expensive. I talked to a hardwood dealer who also does custom stairs and rails and his bent was that I could breeze through hard wood with the Bosch and dont worry about the bigger motor, but I dont know I havent been there yet.
If its truly the shaper route that you would recommend I will look at them, I love grizzly tools.
I'm hoping to build soon, where I will have a bigger shop that is conveniently accesable to my garage, on the same floor. I'm planning to get a Grizzly table saw with the 70 inch top when I get there. I have to save my change for a while though I guess.
-zen
I wanted a larger table but didn't want to spend a lot, so the best solution for me was to buy the table itself from Rockler (~$110) and buy a lift from Rockler as well (~$125)--I built the base myself and have a large drawer below for accessories and nice rubber casters so tables is very mobile. The top is probably 24"x36", so plenty big, and comes with a decent adjustable fence--couldn't have a better set-up for the money...
Edited 8/31/2007 1:05 pm ET by Grant74
I'd suggest you price it out and compare how much it would cost for a dedicated large router table with everything you would want it to have and compare that to the cost of the Grizzly 3hp. shaper, the one I'm thinking of cost $950.00 last time I checked. The router bit collet is another $50.
As for a larger router table I don't own one. If I were to purchase one I'd look at the Bench Dog & Jessem set ups, both looked very well built and "nice" last time I checked them out at woodcraft.
The suggestion for just buying the top is a good suggestion if you want to make a simple base for it, though I'd still argue my time is more valuable elsewhere if it were a business decision.
I like the router table Norm Abrams has built so if you want to build your own I'd look at that the plans for that.
If you're purchasing a table saw and the side extension table will be melamine or laminate I'd look into purchasing a table top insert and cutting it into the side extension table. I plan to do that to our table saw when I find the time.
Then again I may just take my own suggestion and buy a shaper ;)
I bought that Bosch router table about 2 yrs ago. It's ok. Nice aluminum top, sturdy plastic legs, convenient switch. Fence is ok, adapts easily to my shop vac hose and picks up almost all the chips. But I'm not sure it's worth $170 which is less than I paid. I have a Dewalt fixed base router in it. Nothing wrong with it, just overpriced IMHO.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Edited 8/31/2007 11:51 am ET by FastEddie