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4K views 21 replies 16 participants last post by  allthunbs 
#1 ·
Why do so many of you make your own router tables and not by for one?
 
#2 ·
Hi Trevor,

Some build their table to save a little money, which I have doubts that they really do in the end for the most part. The biggest reason is to get exactly what they want and the bells and whistles they are looking for. There is also a lot of pride in having built a practical tool for your shop thru which you can show your skills.
 
#3 ·
Hi Trevor,

Like Bob said, many build their own for that satisfaction, others, cost and yet some, to get exactly what they're wanting.
 
#4 ·
Hi Trevor:

Multiple reasons exist for building one's own. For example:

1. Table design is custom to the needs of the user. No one size fits all crap here.

2. In the custom design, does one add a miter track? Personal choice.

3. Does the router mount on an insert plate? Personal choice.

4. What is one's personal choice of size?

5. [Big one] What is optimal table height for the user?

6. Learning experience in building a significant project.

7. Satisfaction of making and using one's own table.

8. Bragging rights. :sarcastic:

Cassandra
 
#7 ·
+1 on your post, Cassandra.

A few additional ones that applied to me...

9. Do you add T-slot(s)? If so, at what distance from the bit? How much working space do you want in front of the bit (beyond the miter)? How much depth do you want behind the bit? Everyones answer is different.

10. How KISS (keep it simple, stupid) do you want to go? The choice is yours.

11. Do you want natural (MDF) edging, laminate or hardwood.

12. You can bring together the best features you see in a number of tables to make one that's uniquely *yours*.

13. If you're $$$ limited, you can build a basic unit and add other things you may desire (or think you may desire) but can't afford today at a later date (miter slots, incra fences, etc.).

14. Last but *certainly* not least, you'll feel a *lot* more comfortable using your router by the time you're done. Aligned with what you'll see / hear in many articles and videos, building things for your shop (where you're on your own schedule and others won't see little mistakes) will give you the practice and confidence to use similar techniques on things for others. It's a great confidence builder!

15. You'll have the confidence to modify (additional cuts, holes drilled, adding additional routers to the table, etc.) on one you built, as you know you can build another if you make firewood from this one!

16. If you're in a tight working space (or as I must make room for the car in the garage when it's winter), you can consider this in the design.

17, 18 & 19. (Repeating Cassandra) Bragging rights! :D

Hi Trevor:

Multiple reasons exist for building one's own. For example:

1. Table design is custom to the needs of the user. No one size fits all crap here.

2. In the custom design, does one add a miter track? Personal choice.

3. Does the router mount on an insert plate? Personal choice.

4. What is one's personal choice of size?

5. [Big one] What is optimal table height for the user?

6. Learning experience in building a significant project.

7. Satisfaction of making and using one's own table.

8. Bragging rights. :sarcastic:

Cassandra
 
#5 ·
I think Cassandra summed it up quite nicely. For me I had cabinets and top on hand so it really was cheaper to make my own.

Why do so many of you make your own router
tables and not by for one?
 
#6 ·
Need, Cost, Plan, this was the order of importance for me.

Need was my impetus, I needed a plunge router for a upcoming project and had future intentions for a new bathroom vanity and making the doors for it among other things so a router table seemed the obvious next step.

For me the cost was negligible all I needed to buy was the router, base plate drawer pulls and casters. I had everything else recovered from past customer projects, (frames, remods, razings, etc).

If I was going at it by scratch it would have been considerably more daunting however I had the Ult. RT design from a mag. which pretty much had all the things I could think I'd want at the time and took out all the guess work. With a few mods I have a better unit that at most cost me time not money.

In a perfect world where money was no object I'd prefer a machined, super flat, heavy metal top with a universal base plate opening that would accomodate any and all current and or future plates for all past present and future routers.
 
#8 ·
hi trevor

i think i built mine for experience and it was cheaper and i think i got a superior product.

i will say this, ive heard you can customize it to your needs, but if it is your first i think that isnt correct. i now see that on my second and third i will customize it to my needs.
but till you build one you wont really know your needs. on the first you really dont know what you will need.
 
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#10 ·
Hi Trevor:

Evolution is my reason. No manufacturer has yet to figure out how to use a router let alone make a table for it. I use a broad range of "tools" with my router none of which any manufacturer will acknowledge let alone develop product for. It never ceases to amaze me how many ways designers can put a high speed motor into a plunge base but then supply dangerous options.

The table is the basic starting point for all router operations. You either set your workpiece on a table and work on top of it, or run it over a router mounted into a table. I've gone through several iterations of tables and now I'm working on a base with a range of tops for different purposes.

The biggest problem I had was finding out about all of these methods, there are 18 and counting. Each requires a different table philosophy and no manufacturer makes anything for any of these methods. The only method manufacturers seem to support is a horizontal table with expensive options. This also happens to be the least used method of all those available to me.

gotta go. work day tomorrow
 
#11 ·
Personally, every router table I have built I look at it and get that "I wish I had..." thought. I your buying your first table get a cheap one because you will develop a reference point for what you want and need then build your own..Like most on here you will not stop at only one....
Just thoughts form Georgia's largest private saw dust mfg.

George II
 
#14 ·
This is very nearly the same thought process I was going through shopping for a table. :)I have seldom purchased anything like this that I didn't end up changing some, in many cases, changing a lot. With this I had no idea what I needed or wanted in a table so I went with an inexpensive one that gave me the basics.
True to form, I was already planning changes while I was unpacking it. I have already made several changes and have more planned. And there are some shortfalls I haven't figured out how to do better with yet. Once I have it working the way I need it to work, it should be a fairly simple matter to build my own incorporating what I know will work for me and leaving out what won't.:yes4:
Just my .02......
 
#12 ·
Cost and features. As I live in the U.K. many tables and tops are unavailable over here. If I bought an Incra top alone, that would have cost me in excess of $350 plus. So I build my own, for less than $50 all in, fence, switch etc. How I want, how big I want, what position, which plate of lift. I am in the business of making things, so I do.
 
#16 ·
I am new to routing. I spent about 3 months trying to decide what I wanted, based on my lack of skills. I ended up buying the OP "build it yourself" table top. Go it on sale for $119. I have since finished the table build, and built a cabinet to put in on, from the OP plans. I like the set up, but will probably build a different cabinet, to meet what I want.
 
#17 ·
I am new to routing. I spent about 3 months trying to decide what I wanted, based on my lack of skills. I ended up buying the OP "build it yourself" table top. Go it on sale for $119. I have since finished the table build, and built a cabinet to put in on, from the OP plans. I like the set up, but will probably build a different cabinet, to meet what I want.
Hi Carl,

Sometimes, this is the best route to go for many people. Purchase one to get an idea of what you'll need later. Build one from idea's off of the one you purchased. I believe in, purchasing one first. Again, it will give you idea's of what you'll need as time goes on. :yes4: (yea I know, I repeated myself):haha:
 
#18 ·
Trevor...

I tend to agree with Ken up there... Get yourself a good lowend table setup and get a feel for what you want to do, what you like or dont' like about routing etc... You can find a good 'used' setup quite readily for a fair price. I believe that the more you learn, the more you learn what is possible as well. Once you see what is possible, then you can make a call about building your own or upgrading to a higher end setup.
I will say however that building your own is a great learning experience as well and shouldn't be shrugged off. It all comes down to what your more comfortable with..
 
#19 ·
I built my own table, cost was important to me. I don't care for bell and whistle stuff that is not my priority. I like to plan for: what to add to make my priorities, not someone else's. Also, it allows me to know what i need , and to get the correct parts that i need to make any repairs, and i can trouble shoot easily.
 
#20 ·
Above, I stated my personal philosophy when dealing with tables. However, there is another side that should be stated: Commitment!

A router table may be the part that holds up the router but that's where all commonality ends. You cannot use OakPark attachments on a BenchDog table nor can you use Kreg attachments on an OakPark table.

Philosophy is what dictates and when you select a philosophy consider that manufacturer will have his hand in your pocket for ever. Once you've discovered that OakPark is cheaper and more functional it will be too late because of the investment you have in Kreg stuff.

The point I'm trying to make is to go into this with your eyes open. Do your research. I always recommend to newbies that they watch the Router Workshop videos before making any decisions about what and how. The pros make everything look simple. When you do it, you find out all of the stuff that didn't get shown in the brochures and videos. The exception is the Router Workshop. They seemed to figure out simple ways around the warts and they show you, warts and all.

So, before you go an plunk down your dollars, be aware of what you're buying and why. There's a huge market out there with hundreds of manufacturers vying for your dollars. Most of it isn't worth a plug nickle but it is dressed up to sparkle in the moonlight.
 
#21 ·
For the framing and finish carpentry novice.

In a shallow defense of store bought, for the most part you can expect the unit will be square, straight level and plumb.
Important points will be at 90 deg. and that all the attachments will fit and do what they're supposed to. If they're not, you can send it back for a replacement at the sellers expense

If your pocket book/wallet is larger than your personal woodworking experience, store bought is the way to go.
 
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