In my search for a router table, I had been really interested in solid phenolic tops because of the stability of the material. Then I found the Incra LS system and realized that I would need to get an offset router table top or build one. I cannot find anyone that manufactures a solid phenolic offset top.

I'm interested in the Incra 27"x43" offset top or the Woodpecker 32"x53" offset top. Both these are MDF cores with phenolic laminated to both top and bottom. I have wondered how well tops like these hold up to dampness, such as shops located in basements. Do tables of this sort hold up or how common are de-lamination issues?

My Woodpeckers top has been just fine for 18 years. I has occasionally been in damp enough conditions to rust cast iron tables tops. I personally have neve seen one delaminate. I think the bigger issue is having enough support under to prevent sagging, especially if you are mounting a large 3+HP router under it.

 

Dmeadows - thanks for your input. Just looking to get perspective and your 18 years gave plenty. I am planning to install the 3 1/4 horse Porter Cable, so I'll be sure to get some support under it. I've heard this from several sources.

 

Have you thought about a de-humidifier? Just mentioning that because if you have enough moister to possibly do damage to that top there are probably other tools suffering. sometimes just keeping a fan running and air moving can be helpful. I know it doesn't answer the question.

I have the incra table, but I live in the high desert

 

I have a dehumidifier and run it when needed, which really is not that often. I had heard about delamination issues here and there. I then resolved to get a solid phenolic top but when I settled in an Incra LS, that changed my plans a little.

 

Here i go, changing the subject again, but why is your basement damp?
Unless that was just an offhand example?
Damp leads to mould and we now know how serious a health issue mould is.
Anyway that didn't help with your question...

 

No mold here but thanks for thinking of my health.

 

Didn't know there were solid phenolic tables available. I thought phenolic was just the special surfacing applied to some substrate.

In any case you could just make up your own table using phenolic covered plywood if you are concerned about the MDF substrate.

 

I thought about making a top but would really be more interested in doing the work on it if I were making a solid phenolic top.

 

I have a Woodpeckers table top that is also 18 years and it is in good condition. No problems with delamination. An MDF or MDO core is stable and not likely to be affected by moisture in the air unless you soak the material. Solid phenolic is available, you just have to search for a source. I found a company in Greenville SC that sold any color, thickness and etc you would want by looking on the internet. Sorry but I don't remember their name. I can tell you that the Woodpeckers table will be a heck of a lot cheaper. Most companies don't like to sell small quantities of the material unless they have some scrap pieces available.

 

I might just go ahead and search for a phenolic materials source. Thanks for clarifying how reliable your Woodpeckers table has been for you. Just what I was looking to know.

 

I also have the Woodpeckers table for more than a decade. No problems at all.

 

Thanks for sharing. A decade is long enough to prove a point. Awesome, Steve!

 

There is at least one made from solid phenolic that I am aware of.

 

Well, James. That's neat, though I bet freight on that top would be a bit much from Australia to Wisconsin, USA. Thanks for sharing.

 

Also in USA:

JessEm 03004 Mast-R-Top Phenolic Router Table Top for Rout-R-Lift - Amazon.com

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2081354/30461/woodpeckers-27-x-43-phenolic-router-table-top.aspx

 

Also in USA:

JessEm 03004 Mast-R-Top Phenolic Router Table Top for Rout-R-Lift - Amazon.com

Buy Woodpeckers 27 x 43 Phenolic Router Table Top at Woodcraft

Now, James, these would be great if I could get them in the offset configuration such as something like this

http://incra.com/images/rtable_rt2743_main_zoom.jpg

 

Actually, compared to the price of a comparable MDF top shipped--that Jessem with free shipping isn't too far off. Way far from building a top, for sure, but not bad for phenolic. My problem is that all my current inserts are Rockler/Bench Dog sized--and i'm more in the mood to get back to real projects. If it just would warm up enough to glue (or even warm enough to cut!!)

Gareth--if you can find 3/4" phenolic at a reasonable price, i might like to know. I shouldn't like to know, but we're almost solvent again--why not??

earl

 

Well, Earl, I'll keep you in mind when I find some.

 

Gareth...

A while back I had an offset table Custom made for me by Woodpeckers. It has held up beautifully. Absolutely no complaints.

While they no longer offer custom made tables to the public, you might think about giving them a call. While having mine made, I was in constant communications with them and they were nothing but helpful and patient. At the very least they might be able to point you in the right direction. ...

Bill

 

Bill,

I emailed Woodpeckers about whether it would be possible to get an offset router table from them in phenolic. Mike J. was very quick in his reply pointed out they do not make a phenolic table as large as their offset router tables and no longer do custom orders because they no longer have the machine time anymore to do those things.

I considered the Woodpeckers 32"x53" offset router table but when comparing that to their 27"x43" offset table, I noticed that the description of the 53" table says the core is 1" MDF, while the 43" table is 2 layers of 5/8" MDF. Essentially the bigger table is 1/4" thinner than the smaller table from website description. I would think the larger table would benefit from being as thick or thicker than the smaller table.

Thanks for your tip.
Gareth

 

Let me plug incra one more time. I have the offset table (actually I bought the whole package minus the lift since I have a Triton), and I am very happy with the quality. I did have one minor issue and their customer service which is Neil who I think runs the place along with Mark took care of it with a phone call. They communicate quickly by email and answer the phone - and fix the problem.

 

Shortslvs - when you say you bought the whole package, did you also get the Incra cart with the extruded aluminum corners that have 1/2" slots to accept 1/2" plywood to create a cabinet? If so, how do you like the cart? Sturdy?

 

Incra Table

I just bought the complete Incra LS 17 system with the 27x43 table and the stand.
I also got the Incra Master Lift II for my PC 7518.
Couldn't be happier.
The stand is very substantial, especially when I slipped in some 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood on 3 sides and made an oak face frame for the front to fit the drawers and router box.
The table is of excellent quality and the Master Lift fit it perfectly.
The Incra Fence is just way cool..........Never again with the tap,measure,tap method.

 

I just bought the complete Incra LS 17 system with the 27x43 table and the stand.
I also got the Incra Master Lift II for my PC 7518.
Couldn't be happier.
The stand is very substantial, especially when I slipped in some 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood on 3 sides and made an oak face frame for the front to fit the drawers and router box.
The table is of excellent quality and the Master Lift fit it perfectly.
The Incra Fence is just way cool..........Never again with the tap,measure,tap method.

Thanks for the explanation Gordon. I'm looking at this seriously. Do you think the 27x43 table is big enough?

 

The table size is just right, I seldom use a router table for dado-ing bookcase shelves and for everything I've used the table for so far, I haven't had the fence further than 12 or 13 inches from the bit. Plenty of capacity and the ultimate in accuracy. Its now a pleasure to use and i also love the lift. I've been many, many years without one, and I would never go back. Good luck with whatever you decide, but I'm very glad I picked the products that I did.

 

Yes I did. I didn't get the wheels though. I had part of a mobile stand laying around I needed to put to work so I cobbled something together out of that.

Stand is pretty solid. It's kind of like what happens to metal studs once you screw panels to it - it tightens right up.

 

Good idea with the floor register, Gordon.

Thinking outside the box......

 

Thanks James,
The floor register has adjustable louvers so I can throttle the intake up or down until i get it just right, and the flow is directed downward to the bottom of the router box to pick up more material. The whole front is just held on with magnets so it's easy to remove to change speeds on my PC7518..So far ....so good

 

Never heard of a floor register but I like the idea of the louvres.

 

Never heard of a floor register.

Used to diffuse air flow where ductwork terminates and enters a living space using forced air HVAC systems(most times)

google link