Your dream router and table - Printable Version

Your dream router and table - Printable Version

+- Woodnet Forums (https://forums.woodnet.net)
+-- Thread: Your dream router and table (/showthread.php?tid=7378829)

Pages: 1 2

Your dream router and table - Arlin Eastman - 07-11-2025

If you could have a dream router and table how would you like it or dream of it working with any attachments?

Me attachments would be something like clip on additions which were small or just big enough that attached to the fence or table itself to get the job done right. I would like a router raiser that has large numbers to read and settable to raise by 1/16 or 1/32 up and down with a big noise suppression where it will change the bits automatically changed to what is needed for the job.

I love attachments that show on a screen how it works or adjustable to how you want it to work or adjust itself to what you want to do or where it suggests ways you can use it to its potential. Or another think is you want a cabinet door and it suggests many different styles and or hinge selection and automatically does it with a board you just lock into place.

What do you guys want in a one.

RE: Your dream router and table - EightFingers - 07-11-2025

You need a cnc

RE: Your dream router and table - Brian in sunny FL - 07-11-2025

(07-11-2025, 02:32 PM)EightFingers Wrote: You need a cnc

with an automatic tool changer

I don't care so much about the table; solid with a decent lift. I did buy the Jessem motor that has a CNC ER style collet and variable speed with knob and digital display. That was a nice upgrade but not a necessity.

RE: Your dream router and table - Arlin Eastman - 07-12-2025

(07-11-2025, 02:32 PM)EightFingers Wrote: You need a cnc

You are ruining my dream buddy.
Laugh

RE: Your dream router and table - tablesawtom - 07-13-2025

Brian commented on a router with ER style collets. And since a person can get them in any size it would be helpful to use undersized bits. Especially on Mortices, cut the mortice with a 1/32 undersized bit and then just change to an on size bit and finish it. But like Brian said it is a nice upgrade but not necessary. And as far as a tool changer goes, you would be up with the big boys. I do not know about wood working CNCs, but the last CNC mill the company I work part time for paid a little north of 350,000 for it. A machine with a tool change is way out of my price range.

But to cover the rest of your dream, it isn't to hard. I bought a big PC 3 1/4 HP ( 1988) back when it was about the only router with variable RPM'S. But today there are several to chose from today. But for my money today, I think the Bosch 1618, or any router in the 2 HP range will do, not sure if the number is correct, but it is more than good enough. The Bosch will spin the big raised panel cutters. It may just take a couple more passes.

This router table I built back is 1988. It was before there was a router lifts.

[attachment=55216]

[attachment=55217]

For my newest router table I used the top off from an old Sears shaper.

[attachment=55220]

I understand that cast iron tops are popular today, But I do not understand why they cut a large hole for the router plate when they could just mount the router lift to the top. I do not have to level any plat which is never prefect from a tools and Die Makers point of view. I purchased the Woodpeckers lift from a person on the S@S section here on the forum. Got a great deal at a great price. This lift does several things. Holds the big dog routers, Has a rapid raise and lower feature for tool changes above the table. and has a fine adjustment for small movements. It takes all the hassle out of bit changes and has a fine adjustment. It meets some of Arlin"s wish list.

[attachment=55221]

[attachment=55222]

For an add on I prefer a shaper jig. Slides in the miter groove and the edge is just out of reach of any size of router bit I have. I have an aluminum block shown being mounter onto the top. It has two dowel pins slip fit in the top . I put it on and the distance is set for making the end cuts on stile and rail joints. All that is left is to adjust the height of the cutter

[attachment=55223]

[attachment=55224]

As for the fence fence, I have a half nut and to move the fence in large amounts, I push down on the nut and it releases the screw and just glides back on the rods. The screw is a 3/8ths -16 so every turn of the handle is 1/16th so it adjusts very easily and a 1/4 turn screw locks the fence in place. In other words, disengage the half nut and shove it back Raise the bit to get changed lower the bit and set the height I will use a ball bearing bit. I pull the 6 inch rule out of my pocket and rapidly move the fence toward the bit and then using the rule as a straight edge I fine adjust the fence to the ball bearing lock the fence and I am ready to go.

I have redone the fence since since the picture was taken. I added 2 more pillow blocks for more rigidity. MDF faces to the fence and house wrap to the MDF to reduce friction. I have also build a cabinet under the whole thing much like Norm Abrams cabinet. It is on casters.

A final note, the city destroyed my building that my shop was in when they took down a building next to me. and I have a lawsuit going. So as for now all my shop equipment is in 2 storage units so I can't get better pictures.

RE: Your dream router and table - tablesawtom - 07-13-2025

I have spent a lot of time and effort to make a router table that address all of my wants and needs and I only posted because Arlin asked about some of his concerns. I hope you enjoyed My post.

Tom

RE: Your dream router and table - Arlin Eastman - 07-13-2025

Tom I really like your easy adjustable fence. Pretty slick

RE: Your dream router and table - fredhargis - 07-13-2025

I'm still happy with my Norm style table that I built in the late 90s. I have been through a couple of different motors, and the one I have now is the one I like best...it's a Milwaukee 5625 (made in North America) and 2 lifts. I started with a Freud FT2000 in a Woodpecker's Plunge Lift. The router was great, the lift wasn't as good as it could have been. So I got a used PRL from a Woodnetter and put a PC 7518 motor in it . To be honest that motor ran very hot, so hot I replaced it with the 5625. I had to buy a different collar for it to fit the lift, I returned the 7518 and have been suing the setup I have since then.

RE: Your dream router and table - Derek Cohen - 07-17-2025

I am not a big router table user, but I have two. Neither could be considered "ideal", but they work well enough and set up easily enough. Would I like better? Yeah, sure, but it is hardly a priority since I get a bigger thrill from hand tools. The idea of a CNC is waaaay back among the list of desirables, for this reason. Woodworking for me involves the challenge of problem solving added to personal skill. Not working a computer.

My big router table sports a shopmade fence, which is pretty complete and as good as top-of-the-line fences. The router is an old Elu, powerful enough, and attached to a standard aluminium plate with a range of inserts. No special lift. Instead there is a Router Raiser plus Muscle Chuck (for above table bit changing). Bonus items are the JessEm ClearCut Stock Guides. The fence connects to that of a Hammer K3 slider, and that fascilitates the microadjust ..

The other router table is for a trim router. This is built into a MFT and uses a small lift and a store-bought fence ...

This one actually gets as much use as it is convenient. The Makita router uses 8mm bits for added security and smoothness.

Regards from Perth

Derek

RE: Your dream router and table - ajkoontz - 07-18-2025

This is my dream set-up. It's a work in progress, started in 2020 but not yet complete because life gets in the way. It's 2 SawStop cast iron wings bolted together and mounted on a Kreg table. Fence is shop-built using 80/20 components + off the shelf router parts from various WW suppliers. JessEm lifts on both sides. Plan is to build lower cabinet for bit and misc. storage and possibly add on-board shop vac for dust collection (still working out the DC situation). I really need to make time to get this done and I think this will be the ultimate router table set-up.

[attachment=55264]
[attachment=55265]