Archive for the ‘Tool Comparisons’ Category

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

Woodpeckers woodworking makes some really great router tables. They are not as well known as some of the other brands but that does not mean much in quality. These tables are well thought out and use some very good design work. Traditionally this table just comes with the top. You have to buy your fence, insert, and stand seperately. Router Table Depot put them all together and called it system one, (very similar to what Rockler did with Package 1) to give you everything you need out of the box. It is competively priced at $320 as well. Here are the features of the table.

Introducing Woodpeckers newest router table; the 24 x 32 Precision Router Table. Taking advantage of our 15 years of manufacturing experiences, we’ve taken this MDF router table to a whole new level. This unit is predrilled for the listed routers below. (only)

Top

• 32″ x 23 1/2″ x 1 1/4″
• Micro Dot Laminate over MDF core
• Combination Miter track and T-track channel (1 piece)
• 2 Embeded Fence Tracks
• Laminated bottom

Insert

• Phenolic Mounting Plate
• Pre Drilled for Porter Cable models 690, 890, 7529 and 8529 Makita 1101, and Bosch Models 1617, 1618 series
• Measures 11 3/4″ x 9 1/4″ x 3/8″
• 3 Twist Lock Rings with 2 5/8″, 1″, 1 3/16″ openings
• Spanner ring wrench and starter pin

Fence

• 32″ LE Fence
• Aluminum Core with Micro Adjust
• 15 3/4″ x 3″ Extensions, Laminated MDF
• Dust Port, 2 1/4″ Internal diameter
• Saftey Cover
• Black Knob and bolt assemblies to ride in fence track

Stand

• 27″ x 19″ x 32″
• Easy Assembly
• Steel
• threaded insert kit

Woodpecker top does not come predrilled for a stand. This table comes with four threaded inserts and bolts for easy attachement. (see the directions page for this)

From the Manufacturer

Building on the flatness advantages of MDF, the Woodpeckers Precision Router Table features a lower friction “Micro-Dot” laminate, a bolted in combination T-miter channel / T-track and two embedded fence tracks.

The new Micro-Dot laminate product from Formica greatly reduces the drag from sliding wood over the table top. A continuous pattern of small dimples serve to decrease the contact area between the work piece and work surface. Decreased contact area results in lower friction.

Our new tables also feature an anodized aluminum combination T-Miter Channel / T-track which is bolted in from underneath making it extremely resistant to pull-out when using feather boards or other types of clamps. This attachment technique also makes it very easy to replace the channel if necessary.

Two embedded, anodized aluminum tracks are spaced on 17” centers to accommodate Woodpeckers LE or Super Fence.

Like all Woodpeckers router tables, the table is laminated on both sides with a full thickness, horizontal grade laminate, pressed in a fifty ton press, heated for four hours to stabilize the panel and machined in a CNC router to achieve tight tolerance features.

Table size is 23-1/2 x 31-1/2 x 1-3/8 thick with the router opening centered length wise and offset back approximately 13” from the front. The plate opening is a standard 9-1/4 x 11-3/4, 3/8 deep with 3/4 radiused corners. The support lip has eight leveling screws to set the router plate flush with the table surface. All outside edges are sealed with PVC edge banding.

You can find the Woodpeckers Router Table here.

The Porter-Cable 698 is a Router Table without Motor. The table top is machined aluminum, lightweight but stable and measures out at a pretty generous 19-3/4 by 16-3/4 inches with a 3/4 inch miter gauge slot. There are two starter pin positions for folks who like to use them. As on most tables this size, the fence is a split design and while that has its detractors. Each section adjusts smoothly, giving flexibility in both front-to-back and lateral positioning. The table hole is large enough for a 3-1/2 inch bit and two inserts are included one with a large opening, the other small. The legs are a tad over a foot high, plenty of room for most routers and they’re wide and sturdy with predrilled holes on the bottom flanges.  $189.99

Porter Cable 698 Router Table

Large 19-3/4 inch x 16-3/4 inch machined aluminum table with cast-in lip to support extensions
3/4 inch miter gauge slot
Multiple starting pin locations
Quick-adjust split-fence design with independently adjustable halves
Large 3-5/8 inch table hole size allows use of 3-1/2 inch diameter router bits
Dust collection hood sized for 2-1/2 inch hose
12-7/8 inch leg height allows use of 1-1/2 to 3-1/4 HP routers

Model Number:	698
Size:	Table Size: 19-3/4 x 16-3/4 inch Table Leg Height: 12-7/8 inch Miter Gauge Slot: 3/4 inch
Weight:	35 lb(s)