Hello and welcome to the router forum.
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Hey, Mtsaz; welcome!
Looking at the router in the table, from in front ie the infeed and outfeed are to the right and left of you, the fence goes behind the bit. You feed stock from the right to left...because the router is upside down, making it the opposite to the normal left to right when the router is right side up.
You already know that you NEVER feed the stock between the bit and the fence(?).
(Having said that, I recently was introduced to a jig for making very small mouldings * that did feed between the bit and fence, but the amount of material being removed was extremely small and there were several safety innovations that prevented launching the material.)
Other than that I have nothing.
* it was a luthier doing the mouldings
Looking at the router in the table, from in front ie the infeed and outfeed are to the right and left of you, the fence goes behind the bit. You feed stock from the right to left...because the router is upside down, making it the opposite to the normal left to right when the router is right side up.
You already know that you NEVER feed the stock between the bit and the fence(?).
(Having said that, I recently was introduced to a jig for making very small mouldings * that did feed between the bit and fence, but the amount of material being removed was extremely small and there were several safety innovations that prevented launching the material.)
Other than that I have nothing.
* it was a luthier doing the mouldings
Mounting your router in a saw table is one solution that works in limited space. Most people are more comfortable with a router table that is higher than a table saw; 3-5" below your elbow is the best fit for most people.
In the 3 hp field you have another option to consider: the Portamate router. The Portamate is virtually the same as a PC 7518 and in fact you can swap collet/nut assemblies between them. You can save a fair amount of your hard earned money versus the 7518.
I do not like router lifts for a couple of reasons: they do not improve your accuracy and it is faster to pop the router out of the table for bit changes. On behalf of the many forums members who prefer working with a lift I researched every brand I could find. My conclusion was that the features on the Excalibur lift were the best option available. I liked the fact that this lift worked with both 3-1/2 and 4" router motors by selecting the shim to fit your model. In the end the only way to be sure about a tool is to get one in your hands and work with it. General International was kind enough to loan me an Excalibur lift and their deluxe cast iron router table. Set up was very easy and the lift worked as it should. I used this combination for a month and have nothing negative to report on it.
I was very happy when the rep came and picked it up... as I said this is not my preferred way of routing and having a 5th router table in my small garage shop was very cramped. I think both of these products are worth your consideration.
In the 3 hp field you have another option to consider: the Portamate router. The Portamate is virtually the same as a PC 7518 and in fact you can swap collet/nut assemblies between them. You can save a fair amount of your hard earned money versus the 7518.
I do not like router lifts for a couple of reasons: they do not improve your accuracy and it is faster to pop the router out of the table for bit changes. On behalf of the many forums members who prefer working with a lift I researched every brand I could find. My conclusion was that the features on the Excalibur lift were the best option available. I liked the fact that this lift worked with both 3-1/2 and 4" router motors by selecting the shim to fit your model. In the end the only way to be sure about a tool is to get one in your hands and work with it. General International was kind enough to loan me an Excalibur lift and their deluxe cast iron router table. Set up was very easy and the lift worked as it should. I used this combination for a month and have nothing negative to report on it.
I was very happy when the rep came and picked it up... as I said this is not my preferred way of routing and having a 5th router table in my small garage shop was very cramped. I think both of these products are worth your consideration.
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Wow thanks to all of you for the great information. Yes- I am very much aware of the work between the bit and fence- I always move the fence to the bit and try to get the bit in the little crack in the fence--so that only what I need is sticking out--and I can use the fence vs freehanding it. I am thinking about building a router table- or just buying a kreg one (legs) and putting my bench dog on top of it. I too have limited space---by the time you get a drill press, disk sander on small table, grinder on little rolling stand, thickness planer on my tool chest, table saw, and then a router table---it does get tight. That is why I was thinking I could use the table saw. I am thinking of using this craftsman thing and ---I have it just in the bosch holder- and if and when I decide I need more- I can use the lift and bench dog either on table saw or as I say- a separate setup. Even as cheesy as it is- being 24" wide and requiring 1.5" square stock on each side- and the holes are all predrilled and don't line up with anything- so I had to make an adapter to match the holes, and then make holes in the adapter for the router----it seems pretty decent. The one nice thing that rockler lift has is a pin. I suppose I could rig one- drill and tap a hole and screw it in. Here are a couple pics of the craftsman thing. disregard the 2x4- its related to nothing. Ironically its a craftsman saw with delta fence/rails and incra miter gauge- but the stuff that came with this saw was atrocious. Incredibly bad. I appreciate your suggestions and help. Let me ask about the porta mate? Isn't that the same as the MLCS? Not that I care- but I would buy the cheapest one. I do notice you NEVER EVER see these big routers used. I guess when someone gets one- they hold on to it which is a very powerful statement. thanks so much!
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MT; yup, on the big routers. Thing is, they aren't inexpensive and once you've invested in one, letting it go is like losing a loved one.
I hardly use my Bosch 1619EVS anymore as it aggravates my rotator cuff injury, lifting it down from the shelf, or using it vertically...I still don't have a router table and in any case, it's a plunge router (although it has a clever plunge lockout arrangement).
So, yeh, no, it's not for sale.
I hardly use my Bosch 1619EVS anymore as it aggravates my rotator cuff injury, lifting it down from the shelf, or using it vertically...I still don't have a router table and in any case, it's a plunge router (although it has a clever plunge lockout arrangement).
So, yeh, no, it's not for sale.
I am 6'4" Angie and my table is too high for most people to work with. This is not a problem when members visit my shop because I have other tables to set up for their requirements.
James from Australia is wearing the green shirt and standing in front of me in the first photo. The second photo was a gag with an empty can over Moderator Brian's head.
James from Australia is wearing the green shirt and standing in front of me in the first photo. The second photo was a gag with an empty can over Moderator Brian's head.
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