Fortunately over the last few years I have found many good pieces of WW equipment on Craigslist. However, I don't have a router table. I know a lot of folks here have built lovely and functional router cabinets but right now I don't have time to do that.
I have a small shop so all of my equipment is on mobile bases and the router table will need to be mobile also. So whatever I get must have casters/wheels. I took a good look at WoodCraft. I thought the Kreg table was pretty sturdy as was the basic Jessem table. However, I was kind of thinking I want a phenolic top. After some research it looks like Rockler makes a router stand and a phenolic top that is pre-drilled to fit.
I had been leaning toward the Kreg stand - I figure I could build some drawers into the metal Kreg stand pretty easy when I get a bit of time. The Kreg stand seemed solid - and is supposed to be made of 12&16 gauge metal.
Looking at the $130 Rocker stand description it states it is made out of 1/8" steel - which I believe would be like 11 gauge. So that would be heavier that the 12&16 gauge steel on the Kreg. The only odd thing about Rockler is the 8 1/4 x 11 3/4 router plate requirement - seems a bit odd. However, they do make an affordable FX lift which looks like it would work fine - when I am ready for that down the road. I think I could build storage in it as easy as I could the Kreg.
Do any of you have experience with the Rockler Router Stand and how it compares to the Kreg? Is the Rockler stand a good choice for the foundation of my router table system?
Is the Rockler Phenolic top a good solid choice for the table?
Is the FX lift a good choice down the road?
I have a small shop so all of my equipment is on mobile bases and the router table will need to be mobile also. So whatever I get must have casters/wheels. I took a good look at WoodCraft. I thought the Kreg table was pretty sturdy as was the basic Jessem table. However, I was kind of thinking I want a phenolic top. After some research it looks like Rockler makes a router stand and a phenolic top that is pre-drilled to fit.
I had been leaning toward the Kreg stand - I figure I could build some drawers into the metal Kreg stand pretty easy when I get a bit of time. The Kreg stand seemed solid - and is supposed to be made of 12&16 gauge metal.
Looking at the $130 Rocker stand description it states it is made out of 1/8" steel - which I believe would be like 11 gauge. So that would be heavier that the 12&16 gauge steel on the Kreg. The only odd thing about Rockler is the 8 1/4 x 11 3/4 router plate requirement - seems a bit odd. However, they do make an affordable FX lift which looks like it would work fine - when I am ready for that down the road. I think I could build storage in it as easy as I could the Kreg.
Do any of you have experience with the Rockler Router Stand and how it compares to the Kreg? Is the Rockler stand a good choice for the foundation of my router table system?
Is the Rockler Phenolic top a good solid choice for the table?
Is the FX lift a good choice down the road?