Table Saws and Routers

[Gary P]

Just getting back into woodworking and have a number of projects in mind ranging from cabinets, closet organizers, bookshelves, nightstands/tables and would like to get opinions on current table saws and routers for these types of projects.  I am looking for quality, reliability, without totally breaking the bank.

I reviewed a number of other discussions in this community but many are from 2011-12.    Would appreciate any and all suggestions and comments.

[Tim Grace]

What kind of budget are you looking at?  There are good $200 table saws, better $600 saws and $2000 saws.  Same with routers.  It is best to get the "best" tool you can afford.

When I bought my saw, I had a budget of around $700.  I looked at the Ridgid R4512, the Bosch 4100-09 and the Delta 36-725.  There were things that stood out with all three saws. I ended up getting the Delta.  Of the three, it had the largest cutting depth (will cut 4x4 in one pass). 

I did get a new router when my old one developed bit slip without a replaceable collet. I looked at the Porter Cable 892, the Bosch 1617EVSPK and the DeWalt DW618PKB.  They were all about the same price point (about $189). Again, there were things that stood out on each.  They are all 2.25 HP routers with variable speeds. The PC is somewhat of a standard, but at the same price as the others, it wasn't part of a kit.  In the end, I went with the DeWalt because I liked the handles on the fixed base and the adjustments on the plunge base better than the Bosch.

[carol]

I started working with a Skil 3310 table saw. even now, i'm kinda thinking "a saw is a saw"; it's how it's used that's key. once i built my own fence and sled, i started to enjoye this inexpensive table saw. obviously not a big expense, but when i'm making sawdust, my cuts are precise and the saw is easy to adjust. no bells and whistles, just a nice saw and it didn't cost much.

bought a 1.75 hp porter cable fixed based router. hm...ok, nice and heavy duty, does a really nice job but i have a few complaints. for about $150, i get a bare bones, no frills but solid steel, router. now i have to spend another $100 for the plunge base. AND make a router table...having variable speed would also have been nice. looking back, i'm happy with how little my table saw cost, but probably wouldn't buy this porter cable again. i'd spend a little more money on a variable speed, plunge base router that's easier to change bits with, and has a more stable way to calibrate the bit depth. that's the one piece of this router that they went cheap on, like the ability to determine bit depth was an afterthought.

oh, i also don't like where they put the on/off switch. i have to remove a hand from the router to turn it on or off and, being nice and heavy, it tends to jump a bit.

[daddywoofdawg]

Sawstop,powermatic are top of the price line,a delta unisaw is timeless and can be picked up on fleabay or CL for under 500.00.

As far as routers there all about the same, but festool that's just overpriced.

When picking a router hold it in your hands,turn the adjustments,if you have big bear paws some adjustments maybe hard to get to but you won't know unless you hold it and touch and try it.How hard is it to change bases,collets,etc.,Can it take both 1/4" and 1/2" shafts.

[1q6zh3jfc3s6i]

Hi there! You have a lot of projects in mind. I have been remodeling my kitchen for the past weeks and have been looking for some nice cabinets to make. I have been looking for some ideas on how I can make simple cabinets for my kitchen.

[Mike Atencio]

1q6zh3jfc3s6i I built my own cabinets out of 1/2 and 3/4 inch oak plywood. I didn't have any plans, I just went to Lowes and measured a cabinet I wanted and duplicated the dimensions on paper at home - some really rough plans if you want to call them that. Anyways, measure the ones you already have  - these things are big boxes and easy to put together. Be sure to use a square to insure that everything trues up. I would have used my old cabinets for measurements but I bought a house (Victorian) that had a kitchen fire and the particle board material burned the kitchen up. I didn't have any cabinets to measure for most of it. If I can help, let me know. Mike

said:

Hi there! You have a lot of projects in mind. I have been remodeling my kitchen for the past weeks and have been looking for some nice cabinets to make. I have been looking for some ideas on how I can make simple cabinets for my kitchen.