Noddy

I started a thread collecting comments on the bench dog router table, (thank you for the comments) and I've recently come across the Rockler Bench Top router which is normally 99 buck, and is on sale currently for 59.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=6565



I would be using it with a Hitachi MV12VC router.

Curious if anyone on the forum has had any hands on experience with this router table and can share their thoughts on it.

My initial thought was to get this one, get some hands on time and use with it, and then step into a nicer / higher priced unit with other features, larger in size, etc. after using this one to know what I like, dislike, want, don't want.

Comments would be appreciate.

Regards-
Noddy

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Regards-
Noddy

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Joe Lyddon

Noddy,

I agree that it's one great buy right now... you get a lot for $59!
Worth trying it out...

I really think that you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that it will do everything you want to do... for a router table... and for that price, can't be beat!

I've never used it...

The ONLY thing that I would be concerned with would be the mounting of the router, bit changing, etc.

I think I would prefer to have a Plate where I could flip it out to change bits, etc. just like they do on The Router Workshop... That wouldn't be too hard to do, I think.

Noddy

That's my only question at this point which is getting my router (Hitachi MV12VC) into this table. Even if I'm missing some of the ease of use with the full base flipping in and out, I think I'm OK with that initially to get some exposure to using a router table.

My guess is that the outer holes are what you use to mount the router's fixed base into the bottom of the table, and then bit changes require pulling the router out of the base.

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Regards-
Noddy

challagan

Hello Noddy. I think that is the big 3 HP Hitachi isn't it Noddy? If so, I would be a little concerned that it might be too much router for that table. I think you would have a heck of a time adjust bits and removing them with that big of a router under there. You also would want to make darn sure you have it fixed real well to the bench or where ever you are routing. It's a nice little router table, I am just not sure it is well matched to a big router if that is the 3HP model.

Corey

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http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/

Noddy

Sorry-
Hitachi KM12VC.
2 1/4HP router and the "soft start" feature. (starts slow and comes up to speed rather than power=FULL speed 'right now'.

I want to call Rockler Customer Service on Tuesday and bounce a few questions off them.

Would you guess that is "too much" router in that table?

Here is a link to my router:
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-KM12VC.../dp/B0002ZZWX8

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Regards-
Noddy

challagan

Noddy, probably ok, I was thinking that was the big 3 HP model. Either way you would want to make sure it is bolted to a base and clamped down.

corey

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My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/

Glenmore

Noddy sorry to tell you this but the one for 59.00 only mounts a 690 porter cable I know I bought it and it is drill specificly for this router only. So keep looking.

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Glenmore

Days without wood working are days not worth getting up for.

thisoldman

Noddy,
Why not buy it and route out for a mounting plate for your Hatachi. Then you would have the stand and fence. That cheap you can't go wrong. A piece of melamine would cost nearly as much. Even if you laid it across saw horses or over a barrell. My first router table was melamine that I clamped across the table saw.
Good luck
thisoldman

challagan

That's a bummer. Thanks Glenn for letting him know. I guess he could put a new plate in it but I think he is trying to abvoid building a table or modifying it.

Noddy, you could modify it with another base plate. The Oak Park 7 inch plate would be perfect for that I think. I am sure it would fit your router plus you can buy it undrilled like I did for my mini table.

Corey

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My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver
http://iowacarver.tripod.com/

My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503
http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/

Noddy

Well, it turns out I got a little impatient today.
Which of course usually leads to spending money... :-(

So, kicking around craigslist this morning over a cup of coffee, I find a guy selling a table, (not a "stellar" table, but a table none the less)

And of course, he is just up the road. So we strike a deal for 25 buck for his craftsman table, which I take home and make use of. (after a stop to Sears to buy an adapter ring to get my router to fit in this table.)

After using it for a couple of hours, playing with different bits, adjustments, etc. I have learned a few things.

a) I completely understand the value of a good quality base and that base being level / flush with the rest of the table. This one is not perfect, although I've attempted 3 times to get it perfectly level.

b) for the money spent, (which was very little) I will later get into a nicer table, something in the $300 to 400 range, which I can now see after using this one (the Craftsman), and seeing / looking at other tables (Rocklers, Bench Dogs, Freud, etc.) what the difference is going to be in terms of ease of use, features, quality / accuracy of cuts, etc.

So, what have I learned?
When Rockler is closed for Holiday- I get antsy with a day to kill.
I buy a used entry level table, and understand, play and use different bits, material, etc. and get some exposure to a router table.
Prepped me in some way for the next in knowing what I want, don't want, etc.

I know I want:
More options / add ons which are easy to use, configure and access such as feather boards, jigs, etc.
General space of table (as in total square inches)
Greater adjustment in the fence.

But, no complaints. I got a basic table, put some sawdust on the ground, and taught myself a few things.

(thread started on my tinkering project today)





Thread started on the racks in the "Show and Tell" section with my couple of hours of sawdust in the garage this afternoon.

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Regards-
Noddy