Router Bits and Woodworking Products

Average Customer Rating: (6 reviews)
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Precision Sliding Router Table & Fence (3/5), Feb 5, 2010

By Bob Bacon (Plymouth MA US)

I have used the older version for a couple of years. The most demanding thing I've done with it is make raised panel doors and drawers for 3 kitchens. It's been a terrific help, but it's not perfect: 1. It's next to impossible to keep both sides of the split fence parallel to the table top. I installed a 4 foot one-piece maple fence, which works well for most jobs. 2. As others have said, the dust collection not very good. On mine, I can plug the dust collector and the router into the switch box on the table leg, so one switch turns them both on. Good feature. 3. Mounting and centering the router is tedious. See the manual. There are four clamps that hold the router base to the table and it's hard to get them all positioned so that the router shaft is centered. 4. The most frustrating thing was that none of my 3 routers (Dewalt, Mikita, and Rigid) had a long enough shaft to reach the table. I ended up buying a router bit extension collet, which solved the problem. Apparently the new package comes with an extension, so that may no longer be an issue. I would prefer not to have to use an extension when I'm using a big raised panel bit, though. Although the cuts are accurate, the vibration is a bit unnerving. 5.Mine doesn't have the gas filed lifting spring or the handles, so raising the bed to change bits and adjust the height of the router is not realistic. The bit extension I bought requires an allen wrench to change bits. With a little patience and a contortion, I can do it from the top of the table. 6. Adjusting the height of the router is awkward. I have the table against a wall and can't leave it pulled out while I use it, so I reach under the table and around the router from the front. 7. I use the hold-down system for raised panels but prefer a coping sled for the stile and rail end cuts. 8. Finally, I would change a couple of minor things like replacing the switch with a paddle switch and adding some adjustment screws so the height and alignment of the sliding table could be fine-tuned.

I don't have any experience with other designs or brands, so I can't judge how this stacks up. This one might well be better than most. It is stable and flat, and the sliding table and hold down are helpful when you're routing large pieces. I use this table a lot and am satisfied with it,for the most part. I do a lot of things I couldn't do without a router table, and using a table is a lot safer and more accurate than doing them without one.

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Woodworker (5/5), Oct 21, 2009

By Eric Kolda (Yankton SD US)

I have been woodworking since I was 12, now 38. I did a lot of research before purchasing this table. When I got the table it only took me about 1.5 hours to assemble including mounting the router. I cant say enough about this table, its solid, flat and worth more than what you pay. I would advise anyone looking for a router table to purchase this one you wont be disappointed.

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HOBBY (5/5), Oct 20, 2009

By DUANE KOLDA (YANKTON SD US)

I HAVE BEEN WOODWORKING AS A HOBBY FOR 30 YRS AND HAVE USED MANY DIFFENT ROUTER TABLES THROUGHOUT THAT TIME. RECENTLY MY SON BOUGHT THE HEAVYWEIGHT FROM MLCS, I USED IT LAST WEEKEND. THIS IS THE BEST TABLE I HAVE EVER USED AND I HAVE USED MANY INCLUDING THOSE COSTING MUCH MORE AND RATED TO BE THE LATEST AND GREATEST BY PRESS. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT THE ROUTER SHOULD BE PART OF THE TABLE NOT PART OF A PLATE THAT IS PART OF THE TABLE (JUST ANOTHER PLACE TO VIBRATE) I HOPE TO PLACE A ORDER FOR ONE OF THESE AS SOON AS I SELL THE ONE I HAVE NOW. THANK YOU FOR A GREAT MACHINE.

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HEAVYWEIGHT Router Table (4/5), Apr 29, 2009

By Roger Winters (Lynch Station VA US)

This is a great table, especially like the tilt capability. Changing bits is easy once you remove the tables outter and inner rings around the bit. I look through the dust exhaust port (after removing the vacuum hose) and can see the bit clearly and can adjust the height of the bit from under the tilted table while watching the exact positioning of the bit against the object or measuring device. One draw back is the table top scratches easily and cedar wood dust will stain it if not cleaned immediately.

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ROCK SOLID...for sure (4/5), Apr 22, 2009

By Camee :o) (Green Bay Wi US)

Great table!!! A bit confusing when it came to mounting the router. The instructions kinda suck in general but for this part they were totally useless-for me. Other than that it truly is a great table for a great price.

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Better than Average (4/5), Oct 15, 2008

By Richard Shrader (Scottsboro Al US)

I recently purchased the "Heavyweight" router table. They are not kidding when they tell you the weight. Suggest you get a friend to help with the lifting. Once assembled, the actual mounting of the router is somewhat challenging. This is the most difficult part of the whole assembly. I am using a Porter Cable fixed base router. It worked, but took a little persuading and a couple of off-color words. Once this is accomplished, the rest is easy. I suggest opting for the roller hold-downs. The fence could use a mechanism to offset the outfeed from the infeed for non-piloted cuts. However, this is the same on most of the available tables out there. A shim works just fine. The good part is the table is absolutely stable. No shake or vibration even when the router starts/stops. The dust collection chute works well and the table is absolutely FLAT. Assembly of the entire thing took about 2.5 hours. I did not need the extension with the Porter Cable router, but if doubt, it is a handy thing to have. I also suggest a mobile base. I used one from Woodcraft, but any heavy duty base will work. Overall, about a 4 out of possible 5. The only reason for the 4 is the instructions for mounting the router could be a little more clear, especially for new woodworkers. If you're a fan of the rock solid and foolproof table as I am, I would recommend it with confidence.

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Average Customer Rating: (2 reviews)
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Precision Router Table (4/5), Oct 10, 2008

By Michael L. Sweet (University Place Wa US)

The table is very sturdy. I'm glad that the sliding part of the table came assembled. It was a little work putting the rest of the table together because the directions were not very well written or illustrated. Thankfully I was able to look at the "exploded view" and construct it from there. The supplemental directions were also very good - especially for the wiring. Connecting the router to the table took a little time. It takes a while to get the router just right. Thankfully this package came with an extended shank so I use that as a centering tool. I am using a Milwaukee router underneath but can't access the adjustment knob from the top because there is no provision on the cast-iron part of the table. Not a big deal since access underneath is easy. I really like the sliding table. I would have given 5 starts but the dust hood seems to catch only a small part of the dust.

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Precision Router Table (4/5), Oct 11, 2008

By Arthur Payton (Central City Ke US)

A great table with few faults. I think a starter pin is needed for trim work. One big fault is the dust collecter, it does a very poor job and is very hard to position. The miter sled is great but the screw clamp should be a pressure clamp. I do really feel I have made a good investment with this table.

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