Archive for the ‘Tool Comparisons’ Category

I have done an interesting study and have answered a lot of phone calls.  A lot of them include the question of what brand is this router table, or router bits or accessory?  This seems to be an important question for some and others really could care less.  I decided to post a very short poll to find out from you, our readers what you think is most important when considering a tool purchase.

A lot of independent companies or sellers online have developed their own brands.  They do this by approaching a manufacturing company that makes a “universal” or generic tool have have them brand it with their name.  This is very very common and if you look closely at a lot of tools you can tell the only difference is in the label.  A good example of this is the Bosch Tool company who makes their own great router line.  They also make a few models for Craftsman, with the craftsman name for sale at Sears (of course).  Great tool and both have a good reputation.  But what about smaller or lesser known brands?  Are they just as important?

I think the answer comes in reputation.  If a company has a reputation for cheap quality tools, it could have a negative effect.  If it is unknown, its a crap shoot for the buyer.  Now a days tools have really improved in quality and sellers have to sell quality if they want to stay in business.  What do you think?

Bosch RA1181 Router Table

The Bosch 1181 is fairly easy to find router table.  Frequently you can find it at Lowe’s and several places online. It is a decent table with several features that would be a step up from something like a Skil.  The table has some full features like the drop in router insert plate, adjustable fence and power switch.  It even comes with a featherboard, which everyone seems to get excited about for some reason.  The base is plastic and the size of the fence is somewhat limiting in my opinion.

I think that for $190 bucks or so, you can have lots of options and can even get a full size table that you can grow with.  Some people prefer the bench top size, which is fine if space is an issue.  But the price is the killer here since I really believe there are some other bench top router tables that have a nicer fence and some better features.

There is a really good review here by new woodworker.

Bosch RA1181 Specifications:

• Amperage: 120V – 15AMP
• Height: 14-1/2″
• Depth: 18″
• Width: 27″
• Max. Fence Opening: 3-3/16″
• Max. Throat Opening: 3-5/8″
• Cord Length: 6′

Bosch RA1181 Includes:

• (1) Set of 3 Mounting Plate Insert Rings to adjust opening to bit size
• (1) Hardware for Mounting Most Bosch Routers
• (2) Adjustable Featherboards
• (1) Adjustable Clear Guard
• (1) Starter Pin and Guard
• (2) Outfeed Fence Shims – 1/16″ Thick
• Predrilled for following routers:
  BOSCH 1617 series*, 1613 series, 1619EVS; Porter Cable 690, 892-895 series*, 7529; Milwaukee: 5615, 5616; Hitachi: M12VC; DeWalt: DW616, DW618*; Makita: RF1100, RF1101; Ryobi: R161K, R162K; Craftsman: Fixed base models with 1/2? collet capacity

Pretty good setup for the money

Almost perfect

Great Table

This is the follow up for the router table that I reviewed here. I think that you will find that having a video can help you get a better idea of the features of the table and give you some more information. The fence turned out to be an interesting feature. I am going to post a separate video going over how it works and what makes it unique.

Here is a free download of a router table review.  It is not exhaustive, but it will give you an excellent idea of what is available and where to get them.  Some of this links are not working correctly since its a PDF file, but it will give you some excellent information.  Get it by clicking the link below.

Router table review

We did a review of the video series for Sommerfeld tools and its only fair to have a look at the router table that was featured in it.  If you are doing some research to figure out which table to buy, this table should certainly be included.  However it is not the cheapest and should be rightfully compared with router tables in its same price class.  It is well thought out and offers a very nice fence.  Below are the particulars for the table and the fence.  You can find the table at their website, www.sommerfeldtools.com

Table Top

Huge 36″ x 27″ extruded aluminum Table gives you plenty of support for your largest workpieces

3-5/8″ dia. opening (without Insert Rings) accepts even your largest panel-raising bits.Five pre-drilled holes for mounting Triton’s 2-1/4 or 3-1/4 HP routers. Tops with no holes predrilled are available for other router types.

2 Threaded holes for starter pin (included)Table end tracks, each with two T-slots. One for 5/16″ bolts w/1/2″ hex heads-one for 3/8″-16 weld nuts.Tabletop T-slots. Four accept 5/16″ bolts w/1/2″ hex heads-four accept standard 3/4″ miter gauge bar w/or w/o T-slot washers. Great for jigs, fixtures, featherboards, etc.
INCLUDES:(8) twist-lock Insert Rings (Solid, 1/2″,3/4″,1″,1-1/4″,1-1/2″,2″,2-5/8″ openings) w/Spanner Locking Wrench

(3) Zero Clearance Fence Inserts

(2) 5/16″-18 threaded Knobs

Screw-in Starting Pin

5/32″ Allen driver.

Nuts, bolts and assorted mounting hardware.

16-page full-color instruction book, DVD 3 Router Table Made Easy and 48″ x4-3/4″ of easy-adjusting Fence to guide your stock through the cut.Spring-loaded Pin allows rapid pivot adjustments of Fence from one end-or use Locking Knobs on both Fence ends if you prefer when working with cumbersome workpieces.

Fence can be swapped end-for-end, allowing work from either side of Table

4-step Dust Port slides captive over full length of Fence in dovetail slots. Slide out of the way to access bit area for cleanout-accepts 1-1/4″,1-1/2″,2″ & 2-1/4″ I.D. fittings.Three T-Slots for attaching stops, hold-downs or similar devices using 516″ bolts w/1/2″ hex heads. Another slot on Fence for mounting HDPE Sub-Fences.

HDPE Sub-fences slide left to right and lock in T-slot…can be shimmed from behind for outfeed support when making full-height edge cuts.

Zero clearnce Fence Inserts (3 included w/Fence) can be customized to match your bits.

Product Description-Incra Precision Tools LS25WFNCSYS

Everyone knows how famous Incra is for making super accurate tools. Just having one in the shop shows that accuracy is important to you. The tops and joinery systems take your woodworking to the next level. And lets not forget, they look really really awesome.  $679

Product Description-Incra Precision Tools LS32-TS-WF

The new INCRA LS32-TS-WF offers the one thing that every table saw fence should have that none does – namely, Automatic Positioning Control. All other table saws depend on a tape measure and your eyesight to position your work. That’s why all table saw users are resigned to the fact that a good cut requires long set-up times and endless trial and error. The INCRA TS-LS completely eliminates the need for these tedious processes by using INCRA’S patented lead screw technology to position your work instantly and automatically to within 0.002″.

Even better, if you want to repeat a cut, you can return to any former position in less than 5 seconds with ZERO repeatability error. This kind of accuracy and perfect repeatability are luxuries that woodworkers could only dream about before the INCRA TS-LS. And because of its structural design, centrally placed carriage, and optimized side mounted clamping system, the entire unit virtually welds itself together into one solid block of steel and aluminum when locked in place. The result is exceptional strength, rigidity and stability.

Includes-Incra Precision Tools LS32-TS-WF

32″ Range INCRA LS32 Positioner
Pair of 72″ TS Rails
Base Mount Unit for LS32
TS-IIIA Rip Fence
INCRA Wonder Fence
INCRA Shop Stop
INCRA JUMBO Right Angle Fixture
Master Reference Guide
51-Piece Template Library
All Instruction Manuals
82-Minute Instructional DVD
Router Table Extension Wings NOT Included

You can find the Incra LS32-TS-WF here

or

This is Bench Dog’s only small router table. It is what we call a “mini cabinet” It has all the features of their larger cabinets but in a smaller size that is designed to fit under your work bench. This table would be good to take on the job if you do any sort of contracting work. It has all the good design features that you come to expect from Bench Dog and the price is reasonable. $239

Top

• 24” x 16”
• Laminate covered
• Miter Gauge slot with ¼ accessory t-slot
• 8 Leveling screws
• Fits all standard Bench Dog Inserts

Fence

• 22” x 3 5/8”
• Adjustable sub fences
• Bit guard included
• Jointing capabilities

Insert

• 2” bit hole
• Phenolic
• Predrilled for these routers only: Bosch 1617series, DW616/618series, DW621, DW625, Fein RT1800, Hitachi M12VC, Makita 1100series, Milwaukee 5615/16/19 series, Milwaukee 5625, All Porter Cable, Triton MOF001 and TRA001

Cabinet

• 15” inside height 22” outside height
• Birch Ply
• Rubber Feet
• Twin steel rail supports

Customer reviews

There are quite a few customer reviews for this product. I have taken a brief snapshot of them to give you an idea.

1. Excellent portable router table
2. Better Than Most, But Still Some Issues
3. Well-Made Table
4. A Best Buy in Router Tables
5. Perfect router table for a weekend warrior
6. The FINEST Benchtop router table at ANY price!
7. Quality well built table
8. Excellent Portable Router Table
9. quality product
10. solid, well-built router table

You can find this table at Bench Dog 40-001 Router Table

Here is a table that often gets overlooked. It is a full sized cabinet table that is comparable in features to the Larger Bench Dog 40-300 table, but a lot more inexpensive. This table is a custom table that is sourced and built for Router Table Depot Customers. When you look at the price, remember to factor in the larger delivery fee on bigger tables. As with all large router tables, this one is heavy and costs about $100 to deliver. Even adding that to the price still brings you in far less than a name brand table. It really has good looks too, plus a really nice cabinet with lots of storage. Price $469

At this printing there are no customer reviews for the table, but we will add them as they become available.

From the site:

RTD presents a little something different, a custom hand built router table. If you’re tastes vary from the typical name brand table, this deluxe router table might just be the ticket. It is chock full of features and is bound to help you create all sorts of unique projects and special memories for you and your family.

Cabinet

• Cabinet is constructed of solid wood core Oak veneer panels. This material is not common plywood, it is solid wood laminated on both sides with Oak veneer, very strong! Inside shelves are mdf Built in floor leveling system compensates for uneven floors and keeps the unit stable. Total height to table surface is 35”.
• 2 drawers hold 28 – ½” bits, 2 drawers hold 36 – ¼” bits and 1 wrench drawer. Lower storage drawer is mounted on KV roller slides and large enough to hold several routers. The side 2 ½” quick-connect dust port draws dust through the fence and out of the router compartment while ventilating the router motor.
• Router compartment light is great for changing router height and bits. Plus being able to see the work as it contacts the bit under power. Once you use a table with a light you will wonder how you ever managed without. On/Off switches for the Router and Light are mounted in front for easy access. Both recessed for safety. Two 120-volt receptacles in back. Equipped with 6′ Power cord and casters.

Top

• Top is 22″x 30″ x ¾” thick with durable ThermoSet Plastic Melamine on both Top and Bottom surfaces. Table edges are thickened to 1 ½ and wrapped in Oak for durability and plenty of heft for clamping fixtures down. Two ¾ steel reinforcement struts run the width of the table top to insure it stays flat Plus two additional steel bars under the router opening to support large routers without worry. The 9-¼”x 11-¾”x 3/8’ opening in top is sized to accept many of the most popular router lifts. Clear 3/8”Acrylic plate with 6 leveling screws ships blank for custom fitting to routers up to 3 1/4 hp from All manufacturers.
• Plate is offset to the backside of the table to allow more working surface in front where it’s needed. Aluminum ¾” x 3/8” miter track runs the width of the top.
• Steel Reinforced

Fence

• The fence is constructed of 9 ply cabinet grade ½” Baltic Birch using glue, brads and screws with enough supports to insure it stays square.
• The fence is mounted to the table with large Star Shaped comfort grip knobs. A few turns of the large knobs and the fence lifts off, leaving a smooth unobstructed table for pattern and freehand work.
• The 4 1/4″ tall-segmented fence is ideal for control and accuracy in vertical routing operations. The top section has a “T” slot along its length for attachments such as feather boards, hold downs, stop blocks and guards. The lower section opens from 0″ to 3 1/2″ for the safe use of larger bits. Fence adjusts Forward and Back 5″. Dust is collected through the fence from under the table surface.
• T-track on fence is included

Shipping

• After inspection the top and base are removed for shipping. Assembling the table, with the supplied hardware, is a simple project requiring only a few minutes.

• Assembly and illustrated router mounting instructions included.
• Fixed rate shipping on this item. ($89) No shipping outside of USA nor canada, HI, or AK

• This table needs 7 to 10 days lead time, this overrides the statement that says it ships in 2 to 3 days.

They should have called this one “the Big Dog” instead of Bench Dog, cause its the top of the line in their series. If you want to pull out all the stops on adding a table to your shop this is where you go. Cast iron on the top of a cabinet is the best of the best, giving you strength and stability no matter what season or humidity level in your shop. The cabinet provides some great storage and keeps all your router bits and accessories in one spot. You have to buy the insert separate, but if you spending this much money it really should not matter. $840

The Bench Dog 40-300 is a the Cast Iron top, Pro Fence 32 and Cabinet system. All you have to do is choose your insert of choice.

This cast iron top is heavy duty, it will meet all your expectations for any project that you can throw at it. It is a solid one piece unit weighing in at 100lbs.

• machine ground to .008
• 12 point leveling and locking capabilities
• Fits both Baltic Birch Cabinet and the Steel ProStand
• Dual track miter and t-track, molded into top.
• Fence Slots fit Pro Fence 32
• Insert is sold seperately

Pro Fence (Bench Dog 40-132)

Heavy duty Aluminum, one piece

Fence length is 32″ x 3 1/2″

Adjustable Subfences

Bit Guard included

28” x 3 5/8”

accessory t-lock, accepts 1/4″ & 5/16″ t-bolt plus 1/4″ hex bolt

Dust Port 2 ½”

Hole free sub fences

Pro cabinet (Bench Dog 40-110)

• Baltic Birch
• bolt and cross dowel construction
• pull out router bit tray
• built in dust port
• fits pro caster 40-188 (sold seperately)
• Best looking cabinet on the market!

If your looking to order the top and the fence, that item number is called the Bench Dog Pro Max 40-301, Cast Iron table and fence combo

Make sure your order your insert for this table

Bench Dog Large Router Group 1 Insert

Bench Dog Standard Group I Insert

Bench Dog Large Router Group 2

Bench Dog Standard Group 2 Insert