WROB

I have read on many forums the different kinds of router tables that can be purchased or built. Unfortunately, I have been very frustrated as the price is usually so much more than I (in my neophyte stage) would want to invest. Building my own is not an option. What about the very inexpensive Wolfcraft router table that sells for $99. I have the DW router kit just waiting for me to use. There has to be better alternatives for those of us at the beginner level. No?

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Mike

If you are going the economy route your best bet is to look at flea markets and garage sales. Often there are used tool resale shops where deals can be found but they change daily. Good luck!

Bob

I have the Wolfcraft table and find it to be adaquate for my my amatuer needs. I must warn you that it was a real pain in the arse to assemble though. I have the DW618pk and it mounted fairly easy without the generic plate they provided. Mounted it directly to the table with the screws that were in the base plate. I hope to build my own table after the holidays for the experience and have more flexibility of options.

g-man

If I wanted to build another router table and cost for me is a factor, I would go to garage sales or second hand kitchen cabinet suppliers and use an old cabinet and put a top on it made from a counter top. If you have the knowledge you can buy a router plate. Carefully rout out the opening for the plate. What I did was rout out the underside of the top of my table just enough to screw the router in from the top,took the baseplate off the router and bored a hole in the center of the table for the bit to come through.

g-man

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Steveanson

I made my router table out of a garage sale wheeled microwave cart. This cart has one drawer, and cabinet space on the bottom. A perfect starter platform.

I cut off the elevated microwave portion, removed the fiberboard top, reinforced the inside with 1 X 2 furing strips and replaced the top with 3/4" MDF. The MDF top is also hinged on the back, for easier router access.

At first, I just mounted the router to the bottom of the MDF, and bought a well used delta fence. This worked, mmm, ok for a while, but whenever I had a little extra money, I would upgrade the top. It now has a Rockler router plate, and a used freud fence that I bought off of ebay. Lastly, I mounted a dial guage behind the fence, and now have what I feel is the perfect router table for me. None of the parts for this project, broke the bank, and with a little patience, I think anyone could assemble a similar very accurate yet low cost table. Matt

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Peg Leg

Building your own is not an option. Sounds like you really don't need a router table.

Cheap - I bought counter top sink cut outs for $2 each. Route out an opening for the plate and cut one into strips for a fence, L-shaped one strip for the base glued and screwed to another for the face and a few gussets for strenght.

FordPrefect

My first table was a scrap of counter top attached to a three sided 2x8 base (also scraps) on scrap 2x4 legs and an MDF fence. I did buy a retail plate for it (big mistake $50!), I should have bought a phenolic sheet ($20 to make a plate) and that would have cut the cost of my table by 3/5!

kp91

My first table was a sink cut out (lovely granite color, very nice) but the table was a little small. My next table was the extension wing of my table saw, but the top was even smaller. My next table was too big and too fancy, so I switched to just the router workshop table and plate dropped onto a steel cart that came from a department store. The cart is about twice as deep as the oak-park table so I mounted a piece of MDF on the extra space. This I use as a cutting surface for above the table work, and replace when necessary. I also am able to clamp my shop vac floor nozzle underneath the table at the joint (which was purposely left to allow clamping of my fence), and it collects a ton of sawdust as I cut.

In short, simple and cheap works very well. Plus having it on locking casters makes it easy to move around the shop to get out of the way.

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Doug
1 John 1:9

Glenmore

I saw a skil router and table combo at lowe's in December for just 89.00 check it out. I know what you are going through I'm in the market to up grade my router table and they are some pretty high price stuff. I am a little afraid to build my own not enough skill to build my own yet.

Mike

Glenmore, router tables are not a demanding project. You can do it! We all make mistakes from time to time. This is a good skill bulding project. Go for it!

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Mike
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