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| How much Router Table should I buy? |
| Items · Basic · Mitre track and T-track · Sliding tables, raised panel · Inserts plain,deluxe, aluminum · Dust collection · Large verses bench · Space saving extensions |
| Intro Buying a router table can be a confusing experience. Which one do you need? Which size, how many features do I really need? What’s the difference between tables? In this article we will discuss features to look for and tables you can eliminate in your search. Keep in mind , most people think they should have more table than they really need. This is usually the same case for routers. So what are the features out there? Lets take a look. |
| Features Router tables come in many basic packages. You usually can find router tables in two basic sizes, benchtop and full size. Benchtop tables are usually purchased because the user has a lack of shop space. Benchtop tables can be stored under workbenches and still handle a variety of chores. Most are made of metal or aluminum but they are a few wooden ones as well. Lets take tables in general and discuss features and break them down into their basic components and then talk about the pros and cons of each. |
| Tops Made of Metal, wood, MDF, plastic, Phenolic |
| Inserts Not all tables have inserts. Inserts are made so that you can attach the router to them and then install the insert into the top. This is so that bit changing is made simple. When you want to change a router bit you pull the router and insert together up through the table and change your bit. If you table has no insert you have to attach the router directly to the top thus making bit changes more difficult since you would have to remove the router from the top to change the bit. Insert can be made of Phenolic (acrylic or aluminum) |
| Miter slots Miter slots are an advanced feature. They can be used for a variety of things. The most common use is for a coping sled to slide along the mitre slot . The coping sled gives the user a very stable platform in which to cut stile and rail joinery for raised cabinet doors. Cutting these cuts without a coping sled or mitre slot is very difficult and somewhat dangereous. You can also use a miter gauge to fit in the miter slot. There are also several feather boards that fit in standard mitre slots. |
| T-track T-track is very popular on router tops because it gives a way for router fences to be held down and adjusted on the router top. They are usually milled into the top and are flush to the top. T-track can also be installed on the fence front face to be used in conjunction with stop blocks. Here is an example of T-track. |
| Dust Ports Dust ports on router tables are very handy to keep the table clean while working. You can usually find them in 3 basic sizes. Shop Vac, 2 ½” and 4” Shop Vac sizes obviousely are designed to fit shop vac attachements. These are not popular and you will not find many of these. The standard dust hoses are 2 ½ and 4”. Ports that fit these two sizes fit standard dust collection systems. Once you have dust collection attached and operational on your system, you will wonder how you lived without it. It is a definite advantage. Click here for dust ports. |
| Starting pins Starting pins fit in router inserts and are generally used to help start wood onto the bit when free hand profiling on a table. |
Table thickness
You can find MDF tables in a variety of thickness. They are ¾” 1 1/8” 1 ½ and 2”
of the top and throwing it out of true flatness. MDF is a great material because it is very flat. in seasonal areas such as the Midwest, I would recommend having both sides laminated. But in seasonal areas such as the Midwest, I would recommend having both sides laminated. But this is not always necessary. Also if your hanging a big heavy 3 HP router on the top, you might consider lamination on the bottom. Again it depends on what your doing. might consider lamination on the bottom. Again it depends on what your doing.
Worth mentioning is the way that all three of these tops are edge treated. Most manufactures add a edge treatment with a T-molding. This is a rubber edge that is glued around the edge of the table. The manufacturing process of this treatment is simple thus making it widely available. T-molding is installed by a shallow rabbit routed around the perimeter of the top. Then the molding has a small tenon that fits into the rabit or groove routed into the table. Some people argue that this weakens the top. It really depends on the thickness of the top On thinner tops I can see how the argument has more value. On thicker tops, the argument does not go far. By far the best looking edge treatment is real hardwood. Not only does it look excellent, but it adds more rigidity to the top itself. Having a nice thick ¾ “ of hardwood around the edge is also handy if you ever want to attach something to your table. |
| Fences There are two schools of design on fences. Fixed one piece fences and split fences. Each have their advantages and each have preferences to the woodworker. |
| Fixed Fence holds the dust port in the ideal position to collect dust. The profile bit determines the holds the dust port in the ideal position to collect dust. The profile bit determines the distance of the wood to the edge of the bit. A good example of this would be a roundover distance of the wood to the edge of the bit. A good example of this would be a roundover distance of the wood to the edge of the bit. A good example of this would be a roundover distance of the wood to the edge of the bit. A good example of this would be a roundover bit which cuts a round over on the edge of a board. Here is a good example of a fixed fence.fixed fence.fence.fixed fence.fixed fence.fence.fence.fixed fence.fence.fixed fence.fence.fence.fence.fence. |
| Split fences needing the flexibility of and adjustable fence. You can use the split fence with profile needing the flexibility of and adjustable fence. You can use the split fence with profile bits as well. You can now use your router table as a jointer. This is now growing in popularity, but it is limited. If you were interested in this application, you would need a split fence UNLESS you had a fixed fence that was solely dedicated to being a jointer fence. This would mean you would need two fixed fences which is fine. You can see split fences hereYou can see split fences herefences here |
| Stop blocks Stop blocks are handy to have if your routing material that has to stop at a certain point. I find this feature nice but not necessarily essential since I can clamp any piece of scrap wood to a fence and thus create a cheap replica that functions the same. |
| So now you have all these features lets look at some of the common sizes out there Benchtop Larger Benchtop Full Size Advanced |
| Benchtop Router Tables have at least 12 inches from the bottom on the insert to the table. This allows for have at least 12 inches from the bottom on the insert to the table. This allows for greater flexibility of router sizes. You generally don’t use big 3 HP routers on benchtop tables. tables. |
| Larger Benchtop Router Table Usually measure 15 x 24 and have more features. They are more heavy duty to standard benchtop sizes. They can have the ugraded mitre slots and t-tracks or be plain. These heavier tables can accomidate any size router. (kits can be found here) |
| Full size Router Tables more features. You can find both types of fences on full size tops. Full size tops usually more features. You can find both types of fences on full size tops. Full size tops usually sit on a wood or metal base. Look for a good stable heavy design. Click heresit on a wood or metal base. Look for a good stable heavy design. Click hereClick here |
| Advanced These are usually tops that are designed with special purposes. You can find horizontal tables, pin router tables, and sliding tables. Sliding tables are a unique table that offers a very clever sliding miter much like a sliding table on a table saw. These tables eliminate the need for a coping sled and are top quality if your thinking about cutting a lot of stiles and rails. All these tables fetch higher prices but are also jam packed with features and dust collection. Most but not all, are made of aluminum but are larger and incorporate unique features. |
| Average prices (new) Small Benchtops $69 to $129 Larger Benchtops $89 to $169 Full Size $129 to $300 Advanced $350 and up |
| FAQ’s 1. Can you buy large tops with no mitre slots? Yes you can, you might have to look harder or ask for some custom work. Having the slot is not all bad, you may advance later down the line. 2. Whats better Aluminum or Acrylic inserts? Some people claim aluminum does not flex at all. I have never seen an acrylic insert flex, so it would come down to user preference. There is a price difference. 3. What are the larger routers used for? Larger routers are generally used for heavier duty applications. However I can get everything done that needs to be done with my 2 HP router. The key is not to take large chunks at a time but to take small passes with small amounts. If you do this large routers do not have the advantage. Larger routers are good if you need features that larger routers have such as speed control. You would want that if you use large diameter router bits. 4. How heavy is a standard 1 ½ thick large top? The top weighs about 48 pounds 5. What kind of lamination should I look for? You want a high quality horizontal work surface laminate. Another good fact is to find out if it has been vacum pressed. Laminate applied this way has superior holding power. 6. Who makes the best tops? Look for a manufacture that you feel comfortable with (their reputation). Just because the popular catalog merchants carry all the different brands does not make them the best, they are the merely the best marketed tables. Look for someone that you can ask questions too, if they are a salesman, then the chances are not good they are woodworker's |
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