Thanks: 2
Likes: 7
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 15 of 24
-
20th February 2014, 06:22 PM #1
Decisions, decisions on which way to go for a router table
Following on from the thread I started this morning about Router Motors and transformers, this sister thread has been prompted by the question from Bushmiller, and also to get some feedback from users of the various systems out there.
I don't enjoy routing much, in fact I eschew it where possible. I think a lot of that is because I have a crap home-made system with a non-dedicated for the job router.
What I currently have:
A Triton TRA001 about three years old in my own version of a router table that is too small. Plenty of grunt, but I have always felt that this router is trying to be too many things. For freehand use it is too top heavy and for under table use it is too clunky in the height adjustment. It's "ok" under a table, but there are much better options available - but not in Australia.
So, my intention is to rework the whole Router table, one way or another. I'd be quite happy to build a table, and I have a custom made Alum plate and rings made for me Geoff Sims, ready to be installed. However, the seduction of Incra and JessEm calls....
Incra Options:
The large 27 x 43" table would be great, but alas not in my Barn, so I would have to settle for the smaller 24 x 36" Offset Table (at the most).
If I go Incra it would be because I want to use the 17" LS Positioner and Wonderfence but I wouldn't be able to use its full range of 17" on the 36" table anyway (so I have read).
As far as I can see, the 24x36" Offset table should be usable enough for fenceless work (i.e. using bits with bearings), but I'd probably end up making more use of the fence because of the built in dust extraction. And speaking of DE, whichever way I go I'd like to use the Cleansweep and Cleansweep Magnalock Rings (having spoken to a member about it).
JessEm options:
I think the Rout R Lift can be used with normal routers (eg a Festool OF 1400, and I presume a Triton) Gregory Machinery are now importing a small part of the JessEm range, including what looks to be this model, albeit with some changes. I don't know about their pricing yet, but you can probably guess what I'm thinking.
The Mast R Lift is suitable only for Router Motors, but there are none of these available in Australia, hence this mornings thread. I'll probably have to get some opinions from Sawmill Creek and Woodnet about these, as they seem to be restricted to the USA, and Porter Cable quality ain't what it used to be, otherwise known as Latino Quality Control.
Unless I wanted to use this with a JessEm tabletop, I would go with the Incra version of this (made by JessEm still) which fits the Incra Magnalock system and therefore the Cleansweep system.
What REALLY appeals is the Mast R Lift Excel which is built onto a solid phenolic table, with the height adjuster run by a handwheel off the side, rather than using tools in the top. I think there are numerous advantages to this system:
- less holes in the tabletop to gather dust
- the adjustor itself can't be covered up with dust
- tool-less (rather than two tool adjusting)
- other things that I can't imagine....yet
The Clear Cut stock guides look like a tremendous safety idea and the Mitre Slide could be added on later (looks very solid and accurate).
What I would like, I can't have - being able to use the LS positioner on the JessEm Excel table, and I certainly don't have the room or the pocket for two router tables!
Comments and user experience welcomed!
-
20th February 2014, 06:46 PM #2
And it was such an innocent little question !
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
-
20th February 2014, 07:22 PM #3
G'Day Brett,
I'll interested in what you find as it's on my "would like" list to have a router table that's easy to use over my current Triton table with Hitachi M12V..
I found that Lee Valley sell one of the items you mentioned ...
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/pag...=1,43053,69192
Cheers, crowie
-
20th February 2014, 07:25 PM #4
I have the 17" Incra LS Positioner with Wonderfence, Woodpecker Phenolic plate, Triton TRA001 (older model no above table adjustment).
I have never felt the lack of an above table adjustment, I also have a Triton MF001 that has that facility and that box is still wrapped in plastic.
It is not as though you are constantly changing the height of your router bit and when I need to do it it is literally a 15 sec job.
I love the look of all these beautifully engineering router lifts and I am sure they make that part of the job a bit easier, but I decided I would rather spend that money on a superb router fence.
The Incra LS is the best thing since sliced bread, the Triton is dedicated to this table, I never think twice about using the router table. For handheld work I have a Makita 3600 and a cheapie Aldi 1/2". I pick up the Aldi before the Makita.
Dare I suggest you are perhaps "overthinking" this? Some of the pros and cons you mention are perhaps more in the mind than in practice.
What is the term - "Paralysis by Analysis"? (I should talk)
-
20th February 2014, 07:39 PM #5
Yes, I'm all over the LV site for that crowie. They're cheaper there too AND LV will ship by surface freight (as you know).
However, speaking of freight, I'm researching Shipito at the moment and I think I may be getting a VERY good result there:
- Air freight is significantly cheaper than LV's surface freight (and obviously much quicker)
- They have a warehouse in Austria, with all of the ramifications that that has....
- They will warehouse items from varius suppliers for 90 days and then send one consolidated package
- etc
-
20th February 2014, 08:03 PM #6
Thanks for your feedback Fred.
This might be one of those things that once tried.....you'd never go back....
I queried JessEm about their fence, and they reckon it's every bit as good as the Wonderfence for Dust Extraction. The Mitre Slide looks red hot for stability.
I have Shedhand's old Festo 900 for handheld. It's not too bad actually, but one day I'll upgrade to an OF 1400 maybe. It will fit into the Festool Guide Rail system perfectly.
Yeah....occupational hazard for me I'm afraid....gotta find the best result. All part of the research of course. Too true that it can be all in the mind - particularly when I haven't used either system.
I'm finding that I do, particularly as I often prefer to sneak up with smaller bites. However, this could so easily be a function of my current crap table, and my inexperience with routers.
-
20th February 2014, 08:34 PM #7
Brett, I'll throw another option in the ring . . . Spindle Moulder.
Yes, my little dinky Jet (JWS 25) weighs in about 150Kg, runs 25mm and 19mm spindles and associated heads @ 8000rpm. Also has collets for 1/2" & 1/4 router bits(@10000rpm).
Depends on how deep your pockets arePat
Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain
-
20th February 2014, 09:25 PM #8SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Mar 2009
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 594
I have the LS Positioner also and although I find it a joy to use my biggest bug is how far you need behind the table to slide the fence back.(single garage workshop). For that reason I'm looking at putting some tracks in and getting the Woodpeckers super fence and micro adjuster.
-
20th February 2014, 09:27 PM #9
What table do you have it in Shane?
-
20th February 2014, 09:57 PM #10
Hi FenceFurniture
I too have the 17" LS positioner on the offset router table, with the big Triton router.
This matches the Incra fence on the tablesaw. I like the Incra gear because every cut you do is repeatable.
I have a wixey height gauge to set the height of the sawblade and the router bits, a wixey magnetic angle gauge for the blade angle and an Incra mitre gauge which allows repeatability on angle of cut and length of workpiece. One day I will put the digital readout on the thicknesser.
As a result, EVERY cut I make is repeatable. If I stuff up a part I can reproduce it, or more often, repeat an entire project.
Once you have made something once and recorded all the settings it is instantly and easily repeatable. It takes no time at all to record all the settings for future use.
I know this post goes beyond the subject of the router table , but had you considered compatibility across the workshop and the ability to repeat cuts accurately?
Cheers
DougI got sick of sitting around doing nothing - so I took up meditation.
-
20th February 2014, 10:47 PM #11
Cheers Doug. I don't have a conventional tablesaw, so the Incra or otherwise is restricted to the router table, but your thoughts are well worth noting.
-
21st February 2014, 12:26 PM #12
-
21st February 2014, 12:40 PM #13
-
21st February 2014, 05:14 PM #14
Ah! Sorry about that, I read "table" not "plate".
As an aside, I've just realised why I've been so vague for the last couple of days. My partner and I switched to electronics cigarettes, but she has only just told me that they have no nicotine.....
Had a look at you table, and it looks terrific! How I wish I had enough space for that size.
Leaving the router motor out of the equation (because I'll stick to that in the other thread):
The LS positioner would have to mounted in the 24x36" table (either Incra's or shop-made) and that would yield a usable range of 11", or 16" if I hang the positioner over the edge (which is possible space wise here - a few things sticking out into airspace can be accommodated).
If I decide to not go Incra (and I sure see the benefits of the LS) then the two other choices would be:
Woodpeckers Super Fence and 24x32" Tabletop, with the Micro Adjust (no comparison to the LS, but at least allows for adjustments)
or one of the JessEm combinations.
-
21st February 2014, 05:32 PM #15
Dont get too worried about being able to use the full 17 inches of the LS positioner. How often do you need to cut 17 inches of dovetails or box joints?
Like other things in life, all the work is done with the first six inches. The rest is just to look impressive.
Cheers
DougI got sick of sitting around doing nothing - so I took up meditation.