New Router for Kobalt Router Table

10265 Views 36 Replies 15 Participants Last post by old55, Dec 15, 2021

Sergeant Slingshot

Discussion Starter · May 10, 2021 (Edited)

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and look forward to learning! I have the Kobalt router table combo. I enjoy it and it works fine, but I want to upgrade to a variable speed router. I've started making a lot of things from HDPE, and and having trouble with tear out along curved edges that I believe can be remedied if I'm not spinning at 25,000 RPMs constantly.
I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I do want something worth buying that's variable speed and will mount to the table I have. I've already looked to see if Kobalt makes a variable speed version of their router. They do, but only in a battery powered version for hand use only. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

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Bob Bengal

· #2 · May 10, 2021

Welcome to the forum.

Is this what you have? https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Fixed-Corded-Router-with-Table-Included/1000318615

I looked at the pdf manual for it, seems the table only has mounting holes for the included router, it is likely that another company makes the router for Kobalt but I don't know who, hard to know what other routers have the same screw pattern. If the diameter of the router base is compatible with your table you can drill holes for a different screw pattern.

Will you be routing wood with the table or only HDPE? What are the longest edges you will be routing? I started with a Bosch table comparable to yours, and quickly wanted something larger, but I work with wood up to 8' long. Whether to stay with the table you have depends in part on what projects you want to do in the next few years.

For a variable speed router I like the DeWalt DW618, a mid size with 1/4" and 1/2" collets. I don't know your power requirements, if you don't need a lot of power and just use 1/4" shank bits you can get a compact/palm router, that will save $.

Please tell us how thick the HDPE is, what kind of bits you use, etc, hopefully someone here will be able to give you a better answer. I've only sawn HDPE.

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Sergeant Slingshot

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 10, 2021

2

Bob Bengal said:
Welcome to the forum.

Is this what you have? https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Fixed-Corded-Router-with-Table-Included/1000318615

I looked at the pdf manual for it, seems the table only has mounting holes for the included router, it is likely that another company makes the router for Kobalt but I don't know who, hard to know what other routers have the same screw pattern. If the diameter of the router base is compatible with your table you can drill holes for a different screw pattern.

Will you be routing wood with the table or only HDPE? What are the longest edges you will be routing? I started with a Bosch table comparable to yours, and quickly wanted something larger, but I work with wood up to 8' long. Whether to stay with the table you have depends in part on what projects you want to do in the next few years.

For a variable speed router I like the DeWalt DW618, a mid size with 1/4" and 1/2" collets. I don't know your power requirements, if you don't need a lot of power and just use 1/4" shank bits you can get a compact/palm router, that will save $.

Please tell us how thick the HDPE is, what kind of bits you use, etc, hopefully someone here will be able to give you a better answer. I've only sawn HDPE.

Yes, that's the router/table combo I have. The HDPE I'm working with is anywhere from 1/4 thick to 3/4 thick (6-18mm), and the pieces are never more than 6'' long. I make custom slingshots from it, and I use round over bits for the edges and 1/4'' cutting bits to make the band grooves. Here's an example of what I'm working with. Started on it yesterday

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Bob Bengal

· #4 · May 10, 2021

Cool, I wondered if it was slingshots from your avatar. So the table you have is plenty big enough. As I said before I don't know if a compact router would be right for you. You might ask the HDPE supplier or the bit company what bit speed etc they recommend.

How are you cutting the overall shape from a sheet of HDPE? If I was doing slingshots from plywood I'd:
cut a rectangle with a table saw or hand held circular saw, cut to a 1/16" of the shape with a scroll saw, then with a template cut to line on the router table.

Sergeant Slingshot

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 10, 2021

Bob Bengal said:
Cool, I wondered if it was slingshots from your avatar. So the table you have is plenty big enough. As I said before I don't know if a compact router would be right for you. You might ask the HDPE supplier or the bit company what bit speed etc they recommend.

How are you cutting the overall shape from a sheet of HDPE? If I was doing slingshots from plywood I'd:
cut a rectangle with a table saw or hand held circular saw, cut to a 1/16" of the shape with a scroll saw, then with a template cut to line on the router table.

No I cut the initial shape with a scroll saw and then go to the router. The round over bit works much better at shaping the edges than a dremel, with the exception of the aforementioned tear out

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Bob Bengal

· #6 · May 10, 2021

And bit speed partly depends on the cutting diameter of the bit, so you might use a lower RPM for a round over bit than a 1/4 spiral.

Sergeant Slingshot

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 10, 2021

Bob Bengal said:
And bit speed partly depends on the cutting diameter of the bit, so you might use a lower RPM for a round over bit than a 1/4 spiral.

That's my issue, I can't lower the speed with the router I have now.

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ScottyDBQ

· #8 · May 10, 2021

I'm not sure whether your router is a soft start model or not. If it is not a soft start router, you may be able to purchase a separate speed controller that works like a rheostat to control the speed of the rotor. I don't have one of these myself and I recall that they are not compatible with soft start routers, but if yours is not soft start a separate speed controller might be worth trying. I think they cost around $20-$25 on Amazon, And I see Rockler has one that will handle up to 25 A for about $60. Harbor Freight may have one That is less expensive. But if you're router has a soft start, you may wish to see if it will work with any speed controller.

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Sergeant Slingshot

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 10, 2021

It's not a soft start to my knowledge. It's wide open from the flip of the switch

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ScottyDBQ

· #10 · May 10, 2021

If you Google "Harbor Freight variable speed router controller", there are some references to the HF device and to some YouTube videos with references to other videos on other speed controllers. This may be something that will give you an economical solution. You might also want to call the tech staff at Rockler and ask them about their product.

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old55

· #11 · May 10, 2021

Welcome to the forum.

DesertRatTom

· #12 · May 11, 2021

2

Hi, very interesting first post. Welcome. The rheostat speed controller is a likely solution. If you're going to get a new router, I suggest you go for the Bosch 1617 EVSPK kit. Plenty of power, accessories up the kazoo, great customer service.

Have you checked closely for a speed control? The Bosch has a tiny dial on top and so do many others. DeWalt is pretty good, but I don't much like its raising/lowering mechanism, but that's a personal preference.

Many tables are drilled in a fairly standard pattern, so you might not need to drill new holes at all. Attached is a guide showing the hole patterns for various routers. You can see that there are only a few patterns out there, so if you get a new router, you can use this pattern to determine the hole layout.

If you drill your own holes for a new router, use the base plate from the router to mark the layout of the holes. Use a drill press and drill the first to a little wider than the threaded screw you're going to mount it with. Then drill a second hole a little bigger than the head of the threaded screw. This will give you a little wiggle room. Drill using a drill press if you have one, or at least a guide to hold your bits as vertical as possible.

Also attached is a cross section drawing of the stepped hole I mentioned.

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dmengland45

· #13 · May 12, 2021

Sergeant Slingshot said:
Hey all, I'm new to the forum and look forward to learning! I have the Kobalt router table combo. I enjoy it and it works fine, but I want to upgrade to a variable speed router. I've started making a lot of things from HDPE, and and having trouble with tear out along curved edges that I believe can be remedied if I'm not spinning at 25,000 RPMs constantly.
I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I do want something worth buying that's variable speed and will mount to the table I have. I've already looked to see if Kobalt makes a variable speed version of their router. They do, but only in a battery powered version for hand use only. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

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mlcs hasa decent one - fairly cheap MLCS Router Speed Control and Billy Pedal Foot Switches

TenGees

· #14 · May 27, 2021

I guess that you tried with a thin last pass? Start with the bit lower than the desired height and then do another 'finish' pass.

mgmine

· #15 · May 28, 2021

I replaced my burned-out speed controller with one from MLCS but then I found that Harbor Freight had the exact same one for half the price so I went with that one.

Reactions: 1

the bdb

· #16 · May 28, 2021

Curious if the OP has had success with adding a variable speed control. I also own the Kobalt fixed corded router and purchased the MLCS variable speed control box. While it's not brushless or soft start (to my knowledge), I haven't been able to get the router to work with the MLCS box; it runs when on "full," but won't start when on "variable," even with the dial turned up to max. Any thoughts? I assume this the router, but willing to try other variable speed control boxes.

kfd82

· #17 · May 28, 2021

Page 18 of the manual states that the Kobalt router does have a soft start feature.

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the bdb

· #18 · May 28, 2021

kfd82 said:
Page 18 of the manual states that the Kobalt router does have a soft start feature.

Thank you! I guess it's non-starter then for me... pun intended.

old55

· #19 · May 29, 2021

Welcome to the forum @the bdb

old55

· #20 · May 29, 2021

Welcome to the forum @kfd82

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