It seems like a table router would be easier for what I'm building. I don't really know what my options are though; I just know it's don't want to spend a ton of money. I'd primarily be routing corner profiles, template cutting, and possibly surfacing end grain boards with a jig.

I would not use a table mounted router for any of these things.

 

Why not? It's kind of a pain to do some with just a palm router, like putting a corner profile on coasters

 

Maybe for something small like a coaster, but anything larger, it's much faster to do with a handheld.

If you want a quick and cheap table router, drill a 1" hole in a piece of MDF, and screw it to the base of your router. Instant router table, free of charge.

 

It seems to me that simply having a fixed cutting point alone is a benefit over having to manage both a cutter and the piece. Even cutting the 12x18 serving board I made meant i had to deal with the power wire, had to make sure the plate was flat on the face, had to be careful not to tilt the piece. It felt like a lot more work than would be necessary with a table. What's so bad about a table that you don't think it's a good idea to use one?

 

BTW, welcome to the forum.

A router table can be as simple as suggested by Ger.

Google 'simple trimmer table' by JSK Projects

I have made one for my Ryobi cordless router and it works well.

Some methods work well handheld as well as in a table.

 

Welcome to the forum @Big Ry

 

First, welcome @Big Ry. Easy enough to say how simple things are to do, but daunting for first timers. Ask me how I know. First of all, a router table top is pretty easy and cheap to make, although a palm is just a little light for that kind of duty. Check to see if there is some kind of mounting plate you can get for that router. If not, there are a lot of other options. I've attached two pdfs on how to make a router table top. If like most of us, your shop space is tight, you only need the top. You can sling it across a couple of saw horses. Drill a home in one end to hang it up out of the way when not in use.

I have also attached a long piece on the 18 or so things that accelerated my learning curve when I started woodworking. It's long, detailed and has pictures. The thing is, don't try to do or get everything all at once. For example, I wish I'd saved my money on the sliding miter saw. Most of what I use it for could be done with a circular saw and a straight edge. A table saw to me is the most important tool in the shop, and there's some suggestions in the 18 things pdf. Some of my first projects were shop stands and cabinets. Learned a LOT and they're still in use. Hope this helps. Check first for a mounting plate for your Palm, if you find one or can make one, go for it.