It is suitable for routing wood, plastic, and metal. The Skil Router Table is prone to warping over time, so make sure you regularly check the surface for irregularities. It may be shimmed for jointing, and it includes T-slots for mounting jigs or feather boards. Having systems in place to mitigate that mess and make clean up simpler is one of the benefits that makes router tables a great addition to workshops. Name required. Browse all categories ».

Many have steel-framed bases designed for specific setups. The KREG PRS features an adjustable steel frame for comfortable use no matter your height, and lockable caster wheels may be purchased to fit for portability.

Then there are benchtop router tables, such as the Bosch RA listed above and the similar Bosch RA, which features a cabinet base to allow for double the dust collection. A great router table needs a high-quality mounting plate and fence at a minimum. A high-quality router mounting plate is one made with a material that will not warp or buckle under the weight of the router or the stress of its use.

Avoid thin or plastic options. Solid phenolic resin plates are good, but the best mounting plates are constructed of metal and are not over drilled. Universal mounting plates are a better option, as they allow you to drill the holes to fit your router. They are a bit more work, but the custom fit and plate integrity make it worth the time investment.

Look for models with a fence sturdy enough to hold up under work and the functionality you need to find the best table for you. Many models on the market offer split fences of varying heights that can be used for jointing. Some, especially models with taller fences, also includes T-slots for attaching feather boards or miter guides.

The best router tables incorporate T-slots on both the fence and the table surface itself. The availability of dust ports is another feature to consider when looking for the best tables.

Woodworking can be messy. Having systems in place to mitigate that mess and make clean up simpler is one of the benefits that makes router tables a great addition to workshops. When everything else is relatively equal, the clean up that system router tables employ can be your best bet for a tiebreaker. Both tables are about the same size, have the same main features, and they are designed to attach to any workbench.

The biggest difference between the two is in the base. This increases the efficiency with which the RA can trap the sawdust generated by the router, which makes it an excellent option for small workshops where messes can accumulate quickly.

Most handheld routers are capable of being mounted onto router tables, but that does not mean they are all well suited to being used in this way. If you plan to work with hardwoods or thick materials regularly, a router boasting larger three hp motor will be more suited to your needs. Routers with variable speed settings make for great table routers since they offer the ability to slow down when necessary.

As a general rule, large bits need slower speeds to keep cuts clean and prevent overheating. Fine detail work and smoothing with small bits is best done at higher speeds. Having the ability to vary the speed settings gives you greater control and precision with your cuts and helps maintain their integrity.

Install the router in a position where you will be able to reach those variable settings easily to save yourself time and headaches down the road. Electronic feedback circuitry, or electronic speed control, is another feature to look for when researching routers. What is it, exactly? This means it will maintain RPMs while digging through tough spots in the material when needed. The type of collets it can accept is another factor to consider.

However, some models offer adapters capable of making other collet sizes usable for the machine. Routers with a soft-start feature are ideal for router tables because bringing they speed up in increments instead of all at once, preventing the possibility of either the material or the router itself being jarred out of place. As you might imagine, this feature is just as helpful working at a table as it is when routing by hand.

A surprise jolt not only risks slips that could lead to injury, but it can seriously throw off your measurements, thus marring the results of your hard work. Having a system built in to prevent these jump starts, helps ensure you get a smooth, accurate cut and the best out of your machine.

Plunge routers are useful for many different jobs. While they can work well when table mounted, plunge routers generally require the addition of a lift to do so. There are routers designed with table mounting in mind.

Most of these models allow you to change out bits and adjust the bit height from above instead of having to make adjustments below the table.

They also do not require the purchase of a router lift. These router models tend to be much more convenient and versatile choices for use with router tables. There are several vital factors you need to look for when choosing a router table.

While some of these factors are universal to great router tables, which options will best suit your needs will be determined by your budget and what you plan to use it for. Using a table can increase your precision significantly over using a handheld router, but not just any table will do. Having one that wobbles, or one with a warped top, will not only decrease the dependability of your cuts, but it could prove dangerous.

Therefore, one of the first, and most crucial, things to look for when researching router tables is the construction of the table itself. Any great router table must have a sturdy, stable base. A good base acts like a foundation for a router table, and it must provide a level surface for the table top and be secure to the floor.

Next, look at the table top itself. You want a smooth, flat, and level surface to work from for the greatest accuracy in your cuts. You also want to make sure the table top will stand up to the materials and level of use you plan to get out of the table.

That is, without warping, scratching, or rippling, as this will affect the integrity of your cuts. It also needs to be rigid enough not to give under the pressure required to feed material past the router, which will also throw off your cut. For light use or lighter materials, a simple MDF top can make for an economical solution. If you go this route, make sure the MDF top is at least an inch thick and is coated in a material with a good slide.

A more durable option is MDF coated with high-pressure laminate HPL , which is much thicker and tougher than melamine. If you plan to use your router table on a regular basis, a table top made of solid phenolic resin will be a better option. Tops made from this material are impervious to water damage and also hold up well against chemical spills or temperatures over degrees Celsius.

They can take an impact like a champ and are resistant to scratches, divots, or warping while remaining durable and light weight. Cast iron tops are ideal for heavy, daily use. Few materials hold up to abuse better than heavy cast iron, and it has the bulk to absorb most of the vibrations caused by machine motors. Next, consider the base plates included for the tables.

Some will feature a few plates pre-drilled to fit one or two router makes and models. Some offer a base plate that can be custom fit for your router. Both are good options. However, stability in the base plate is just as important to the functionality of your router table as it is for the base and table top. Because of the need for stability and structural integrity in the base plate, you want to pay attention to the material they are made from as well.

Machined aluminum or solid phenolic resin plates are some of the best available. Routing can be a messy business, so an efficient dust collection system is another feature of the best routing tables. Most tables on the market offer some sort of system, but not all of them are created equal. Dual port systems allow two shop vacs to be attached to catch more sawdust.

Others have shrouds available to cover the port to catch any particles that slip through. The fence is your guide to accurate and clean cuts. You want to find tables with a fence that is sturdy, square, and easy to position and adjust for each cut. You also want to make sure the fence will remain in place and not shift once you begin feeding the material past the router.

There is an Anti-backlash mechanism to keep the router from creeping downward which I had to adjust after about 6 months of regular use.

A simple quarter turn was all that was needed to make this adjustment. A column locking knob provides further insurance when running large milling jobs. It fits openings on Rockler and Bench Dog router tables. The steel router table leg assembly consists of 16 pieces and results in a sturdy leg assembly with adjustable leveler feet. The ProMax cast-iron tabletop was then installed onto the leg assembly with 4 screws. Note — the lower cross-sections of the leg stand are a perfect height to mount a shelf or build in a small router bit storage box.

I needed to mill up a bunch of window sill stock and felt that this would be a great way to break in the new router table. The fence quickly and accurately adjusts but the secret sauce is the Pro Lift, man is this thing sweet. I think back to my earlier days of crouching down to reach under the table to adjust my router while simultaneously looking on top for the router bit adjustment, damn I hated doing that — no more! Your kids and grandkids will be using it. This setup is a beautifully designed and impressively engineered router table for both the hobbyist woodworker and professional carpenter.

As simple as a router table may be, it has an endless amount of woodworking applications. However, like many other woodworking tools, it is only as good as the way it is built. Robert Robillard is a remodeler, general contractor, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts, and serves as the Editor of Tool Box Buzz and founding editor of A Concord Carpenter.

Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review - Tool and Product Review - Video Channel, , where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials.

Rob enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the remodeling industry.

The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said! All posts by Robert ». If you were to be looking at the Rockler, SawStop, Woodpecker or Kreg router table what would be your choice and why? Those are the ones that I am considering and not sure.

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It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Tool Reviews About Contact Advertise. Related Posts No related posts. Rob Robillard Robert Robillard is a remodeler, general contractor, and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts, and serves as the Editor of Tool Box Buzz and founding editor of A Concord Carpenter.

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