Shadrac

Well..first off, sorry for the late reply....and thanks for the responses.

I made a simple 'box' style table for my router(a $17.oo 'cheapo' from Harbor Freight Tools)....and made and used a set-up based on the one Julie posted earlier....and the results were great! The hardest part was setting the distance between the rail and the bit to match the width of the bit...but after a few scrapwood 'test-fits' it was a breeze!

I actually ended up spending zero on the set-up, making everything from scrap. And I did my first finger-joint box, which I ended up making a lid for...and a recessed bottom, with a custom hardwood handle for the lid.
I gave it to my mom as a 'keepsake' box and she loved it!(as only mothers can do...lol).

Finally, I ended up getting a Crafstman Router today, model# 17542 for $79 on sale, based on Hamlins recommendation and some research( the 17542 is basically the 17543 but without the plunge base). This will be used primarily in a fixed table. I haven't tried it out yet....(it was too late by the time I got it home) so the anticipation might make it just a little harder to sleep tonight.

It has soft-start and variable speed and the motor is WAAAAaaay more powerful than my HF Tools router. It even came with a nice case!

I forgot to take pictures of my box before I gave it away...but will try to do so with my next project(a bookcase) and then post them in the forum here if that's allowed.

And, Lord willing, I will give a review of the router after I put it through its paces.

Finally,....thanks to each of you for your constructive responses.

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Julie

Great to hear you made the jig and the box!

My jigs are all made of scrap, and as I said before, the more you use the router and the more jigs you make from scratch, the more you will feel comfortable with all your tools and how to adjust them, etc. Practise, practise, practise!

I never did answer your previous question. I have a Hitachi M12V and I love it. It spends most of its time hanging upside down in my homemade router table (made from scraps, too). When I need to route by hand, I just pop it out of the table (like Bob does on the show) and in most cases I leave the oak-park big black base on it and away I go.

Let us know how you enjoy your new router.

~Julie~