Router and Router table

[Ash Parikh]

I am in market to buy a router table. But before I do that I want to replace my 25 year old Craftsman Router. I am a moderate woodworker with better than average skill and week end user but believe in precision. Budget $400 for both.

[Kerry Drake]

The Kreg PRS2000 Precision Bench Top Router Table is the portable solution to true precision routing. The Kreg PRS2000 features a high pressure laminate Micro-Dot MDF Surface, a full-size phenolic insert plate and a heavy gauge L-shaped aluminum fence. The Kreg PRS2000 also has a rigid steel base which actually tests quieter than enclosed portable router tables. With all of these features, the Kreg PRS2000 Precision Bench Top Router Table is ready to stand up to the toughest jobs.

$230.00 - Amazon.com

[Kerry Drake]

Porter Cable 9690LR 1-3/4 hp Corded Porter Cable Router

$149.99 - Sears

[Robert Sanford]

First off you might want to look into building a table using a Kreg plate. I did and the whole setup for a 28 x 32 table from MDF and laminated both sides cost me less than $120 Add to that the Router of your choice but I would go with the Porter Cable 690 and if you can swing it get the 693 plunge base or if you look closely a lot of vendors have the combo kit for just a few bucks more than just the 690. Another good kit is the Dewalt as Amazon has the DEWALT DW618PK 12-AMP 2-1/4-HP Plunge and Fixed Base Variable Speed Router Kit with 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch Collets for $180 now

[Ash Parikh]

Will I be able to use my Craftsman Router initially with this Table and change to Porter Cable Router later?
Kerry Drake said:

The Kreg PRS2000 Precision Bench Top Router Table is the portable solution to true precision routing. The Kreg PRS2000 features a high pressure laminate Micro-Dot MDF Surface, a full-size phenolic insert plate and a heavy gauge L-shaped aluminum fence. The Kreg PRS2000 also has a rigid steel base which actually tests quieter than enclosed portable router tables. With all of these features, the Kreg PRS2000 Precision Bench Top Router Table is ready to stand up to the toughest jobs.

$230.00 - Amazon.com

[Robert J Guidry Sr]

I do not have a Kreg table, I have a Oak Park table, but the basics for mounting the router are the same. You can get another insert and mount any type of router you wanted. I have 4 routers with plates that I use when making cabinets. I keep one for Stiles, one for rails, and one for raised panels. I keep these 3 set up while making cabinet doors so I do not have to change setup at any time. The fourth one is for any other bits that I may need to use.
I don't know about the Kreg table mount, weather or not you have to drill the holes for the router, but the Oak Park table inserts you have to buy the insert for the router.

Bob

[kenny from Sundre]

Hello Ash ;
There are a number of good routers on the market today, the hottest and newest is the Bosch MRC23EVSK. Take a close look at this one, it looks like a super tool. Saw a video where they set the tool, with no bit, on a bench top and let it run at full speed for over 3 minutes. It never moved.
kenny in Sundre, AB.

[david almond]

check a company called cpo. they always have good deals. i got the bosch 1617pk for under 200.00. has both the fixed base and plunge cut. unfirtunately, i am with you on the router table thing. narrowed it down to the bosch and the kreg

[Ash Parikh]

Thanks. I settled on Hitachi combo router with variable speed and 5 year warranty. Looking at Rockler Router Table Top and build Table myself.
Ken Guenther said:

Hello Ash ;
There are a number of good routers on the market today, the hottest and newest is the Bosch MRC23EVSK. Take a close look at this one, it looks like a super tool. Saw a video where they set the tool, with no bit, on a bench top and let it run at full speed for over 3 minutes. It never moved.
kenny in Sundre, AB.

[Gary roofner]

Question for you that have made your own top. Did you make the template or buy the Rockler for 10 dollars? I have read there are problems with the template.

[Robert Sanford]

I made my own template as all you need is a four pieces of 1/2" or 3/4" MDF cut to maybe 3" wide. Set them down around the plate where you want it and hold the MDF down with double sided tape. Make sure you use a pattern bit with the radius of the plates corners. Cut the table with the bit set to the thickness of the plate plus maybe the thickness of a business card if you are using leveler screws. This allows you to make sure the plate is flush with the table top. After cutting remove the MDF and use a sabre saw to cut out the inside portion. Now you can install any leveler screws that you might need or you can shim the plate to level with pieces of masking tape. Remember though you can always shim the plate as it is not easy to setup you jig again to cut deeper.

[Joe Massena]

Ash, check on ebay, type in router tables in the search engine and look down the pages for two different homemade router tables that are not only beautiful but are really nice function wise. I believe one of the models is RT-1000 . THEY ARE VERY REASONABLE for what you get I think they are $289
and the RS-500 http://www.rt1000.com/
Joe

[D M]

GET A COMBO ROUTER, Dewalt makes a nice one, i got it and i am very happy with it. as for the table get the kreg workbench one you can find the router at lowes for $208.00

http://www.lowes.com/pd_226742-70-DW618PK_4294857537+4294926871_429...|0||p_product_quantity_sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_DEWALT_4294857537%2B4294926871_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=DEWALT