Router Table - Buy or Build ?

[Maverick81]

Will any router fit mount to any router table I may choose to buy?

For arguments sake I have a Freud ft2200vce router. Im thinking of buying a router table for it....

http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/tre...40-volt.html?gclid=CNfgpIuEl7kCFSXLtAodDVoAoA

or

http://www.powertoolworld.co.uk/tre...40-volt.html?gclid=CNfgpIuEl7kCFSXLtAodDVoAoA

or something in between to this effect.
Does anybody have any experience with such router tables and can any router be mounted to them???

Advice much needed.

Cheers gang.

 

[big-all]

i have this one from rutlands its good for the money no feather[finger ]boards included
http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodwo...g-deluxe-full-size-router-table-dakota+dk2009

its quite a big table

 

[Maverick81]

Cheers big all....that's cracking.
Can I ask what router you have in yours?
How do you find changing bits? and raising/lowering the cutter height?

 

[big-all]

i have a hitachi m12v an old version they are now called something like mv12
my raising mechanism is a metal tube with a a wooden platform with a pivot at the back across the frame theres a bungy cord taking most off the router weight
with the fence across oblong section to stop the whole lot lifting you can easily lift the router with the lever
without a lift off some sort you will need to remove the plunge springs as you are pushing the about 3 times the router weight uphill as the springs are far stronger than the router weight to lift it if let go

to remove the router if the cutter is down i just move the fence clear put my finger through the central hole and lift i have large fingers and they can easily lift the base enough to grab the edges of the base inserts

my router is the old plain green one
this link is just for reference
http://www.my-tool-shed.co.uk/m58/H...achi +router&gclid=CNbrq8GSl7kCFcfJtAodnUEA4Q

 

[RogerBoyle]

Make your own and save the money
Very simple to build and you can make it a size to suit you

 

[Maverick81]

Make your own and save the money
Very simple to build and you can make it a size to suit you

The money isn't a problem. Minus the cost of materials and time to build I think the difference is worth spending to have proper t-tracks and an accurate product.

 

[Maverick81]

Thanks big-all for taking the time to explain....though to be honest you lost me after "metal tube". )

 

[big-all]

think off a very heavy tin can under a table that needs even pressure over the whole tin and you need to hold it in place

you have a stick that you can push it up with all the weight will be far to heavy
you affix one end at the back center this pivot point means you can lift the stick up untill it contacts the tin with the platform that can rock on the top off the stick
if you lift it further it will push up harder

 

[RogerBoyle]

Make your own and save the money
Very simple to build and you can make it a size to suit you

The money isn't a problem. Minus the cost of materials and time to build I think the difference is worth spending to have proper t-tracks and an accurate product.

A bought table is no more accurate than a home made one. I would even go so far as to say the accuracy in some of the Router tables that you can buy can leave a lot to be desired.the Dakota one springs to mind in this department.

Another thing to consider is the size of the working table
If you plan on doing bigger stuff like door panels etc. then a bigger top will help support the workpiece better.

The track is a simple u Channel that can bought from most of the DIY sheds
and is simply routed into a shallow groove using the router

Have a look on U tube for Router tables . You may glean some ideas that you hadn't though about as well as see the huge amount of different designs that you can easily get

 

[big-all]

what problems have you found with the dakota then RogerBoyle ???

 

[RogerBoyle]

Fence not straight
Table bowed

 

[big-all]

have checked the fence and it is indeed about 1 mm out over the whole length using a 1m metal ruler
this is in the form off rocking at the center so if you transfer your hands from one fence to the other you would move the work off the cutter by around 1/100 of a millimeter
now easy solution pad out one off the outer fence surface 1mm from the casting giving a dead flat surface

 

[RogerBoyle]

have checked the fence and it is indeed about 1 mm out over the whole length using a 1m metal ruler
this is in the form off rocking at the center so if you transfer your hands from one fence to the other you would move the work off the cutter by around 1/100 of a millimeter
now easy solution pad out one off the outer fence surface 1mm from the casting giving a dead flat surface

Yes its an easy fix but the point is you shouldn't have to.

I wonder if the Advert said your fence may be up to 3mm out of accuracy and you will have to fix it yourself If you would still have been prepared to spend the same money on it..I suspect not

I do get why people buy them , Lack of time or inclination to build their own or they simply cant be Assed to do so etc. but for folks that ask should they buy or build then for me I will always advise build.

1. You make it a size that suits you Table mounted or free standing
2. You can make it as fancy or as basic as you need
3. you can put the dust extraction that you use at home wherever you want

At the end of the day you will have a table that suits you and your methods better that an off the shelf one that needs fettling before it can be used

 

[big-all]

yes i agree it should work strait out the box but many tools need tinkering to keep accurate
i have several times though about making my own but its pointless as it has to be mobile so the dakota one is perfect as i just move it as required

any way thank you for taking the time to explain

 

[RogerBoyle]

Keep an eye on aldi/Lidl as they often do deals on Caster sets
Very handy for making your own mobile bases