If you are willing to make everything easier with your woodworking, then it is high time for you to purchase the best router table. This multi-functional tool is capable of delivering excellent routing and cutting if your most frequent workpieces are hardwood and plastic.
However, trying to find a decent model without the necessary experience or background may be too risky. Therefore, this article is intended to help you make a wise buying choice and find the best router for router table or just a router table. After reading this article, you will surely learn so many useful things about woodworking and working with this beneficial item in particular.
It contains seven reputable items that target different categories of customers. Take your time and learn how to choose some cool table saw router table, how to set up this machine properly for various applications, and what issues to keep in mind when thinking about DIY router table.
Router Tables Reviews
Bosch Benchtop Router Table RA1181
The opening option is a super-reliable model produced by the famous German brand Bosch. In my opinion, this product has so many positive features allowing the RA1181 to stand out easily from a wide choice of models sold today. First of all, this benchtop router table comes with two adjustable feather boards, which means that your woodworking tasks could be performed with maximum comfort and preciseness. Secondly, I like the fact that this item comes with a router table fence with MDF face plates and aluminum router mounting plate that is pre-drilled to be compatible with many different routers, in particular in terms of table height adjustment. Also, this benchtop router table includes the starter pin and guard for routing curved workpieces. The built-in cord wrap is also included to provide convenient storage and decent portability. By the way, the item comes in pretty good dimensions (27.8 x 18 x 14.5 inches) to provide a spacious work surface for different routing tasks with the maximum throat opening 3 5/8 inches. The item weight is measured by 30 pounds.
Pros
- This product can be easily mounted to any workbench and comes with a full kit of mounting hardware.
- It has great speed control.
Cons
- The item is sold at a rather high price.
Bosch Cabinet Style Router Table RA1171
This is another highly competitive model manufactured by Bosch. Its cabinet-style design is one of the strongest features of this model as it comes with a smooth laminate work surface for high-precision woodworking. At the same time, the model’s rigid aluminum router table plate is pre-drilled for ensuring excellent compatibility with a wide range of different routers. What I also value in this product is its tall fence that handles taller stock and highly adjustable MDF faceplates and feather boards aimed at delivering maximum precision of your woodworking applications. After testing this product, I can assure you that it works equally good for hardwood and plastic allowing you to make precise and accurate cuts with minimum effort. Moreover, this item features two router table dust collection ports to enhance the process of removing and debris and ensure easy maintenance of this stationary woodworking machine. When speaking about its dimensions, I should say that it looks wide enough (15.9 x 25.5 x 18 inches) to give you a roomy work surface. The item’s weight is 35 pounds.
Pros
- The item can be mounted to any workbench at no time with a kit of mounting hardware.
- This product is characterized by a quick release.
Cons
- The item’s price is disappointingly high for an average customer.
Dremel 231 Shaper/Router Table
This model is intended to target those persons who have limited space in their workshop but still seek to install a router table there. First of all, this product easily copes with different woodworking applications even when it comes to making precise cuts in hardwood. Secondly, the item comes with a nice kit of accessories. It also features a table saw router extension that makes it customized and user-friendly. Although the Dremel 231 is made of plastic, the item still looks very sturdy. The main disadvantage of this router table lies in the fact that it has a relatively small work surface with the overall product dimensions (11 x 8.1 x 6.8 inches). However, this model is extremely lightweight weighing a bit more than 2.15 pounds. Hence, I can characterize this model as a portable router table.
Pros
- The item is cheap.
Cons
- You should think about adding some specifications to make it fully stationary and perpendicular to the table.
- The item may have some play between the actual bit and the table.
Craftsman Router and Router Table Combo
The router table combo is ideal for those users striving to buy everything at once. By purchasing this functional item, you get a router and a router table at once. Moreover, the item looks rather sturdy even despite the fact that it is made of softwood and has some plastic details. Up-to-date and user-friendly design of this product is yet another positive feature that helps this model attract the admiration of customers. Moreover, it also comes with a large dust collection port, two reliable featherboards, and the MDF faceplate. I like the way this item works with hardwood and plastic, as it really allows making deep cuts in no time. Also, the Craftsman has a pretty vast work surface. The product dimensions are 26.3 x 15.9 x 14.7 inches and its weight is as much as 25.4 pounds. Keep in mind that it can be used with Craftsman bits only.
Pros
- This is a low-priced combo product.
- It can be easily mounted on different types of workbenches.
Cons
- The quality of the materials is questionable.
- The item does not work that good when it comes to making precise and sophisticated cuts.
Skil RAS900 Router Table
After testing this model properly, I can call myself a real fan of this great tool. Coming with two featherboards, this model allows for improved routing through enhanced workpiece guide. Additionally, this product has no problems with fixing the workpiece reliably. You can use a starter pin and guard to support the workpiece for routing curved lines and edges. What I also appreciate in the RAS900 is its thoroughly-planned user-friendly design. This model goes with two accessory storage containers, which can be of great value in small workshops. Furthermore, this model has a bit height gauge for improved bit setup and cutting precision. This trim router table also has a tall fence with adjustable laminated MDF faces. Keep in mind that the model comes pre-assembled with just minimal setup needed. I also like the fact that the Skil RAS900 provides a spacious work surface to allow you to work comfortably even with large workpieces. The product seems very sturdy and wide (28 x 9.2 x 17.8 inches) with a weight of 31.5 pounds.
Pros
- The item has a pleasant price.
- It can be easily mounted to any workbench.
Cons
- Its fence seems to be too thin and fragile.
- Finding a proper replacement for a broken part is very problematic.
Kreg Precision Router Table System PRS1045
I truly believe that this simple but efficient model can bring multiple benefits to many users seeking a reliable and universal router table. This product comes with an adjustable and multi-purpose steel stand, the weight of which can be changed from 31 to 39 inches depending on your current application. Also, the Kreg PRS1045 has a spacious router table top with an insert plate and a table fence. By the way, its fence has an L-shaped aluminum extrusion featuring two fully independent fence faces in order to deliver zero-clearance support. What is more important, you can find a micro-adjust wheel for precise setups. Moreover, this item is very sturdy as it is made of steel having a powder coating for increased durability and anti-corrosion prevention. At the same time, the model seems to be very bulky (37.5 x 25.5 x 36.5 inches), though this indicates that you will have enough space to cope with really large hardwood and plastic workpieces. Its weight is the most obvious downside of the model because it weighs almost 70 pounds.
Pros
- The item is made of high-quality materials.
- It has a surprisingly low price for such a versatile model.
Cons
- The MDF’s plastic covering on the table’s edges has unsafely sharp corners.
Kreg PRS2100 Bench Top Router Table
Here is another great router table produced by Kreg. The core highlight of this particular model is its precisely engineered anodized-aluminum fence coming with adjustable faces, vertical jointing, and tight-fitting cam clamps. Additionally, the PRS2100 features an MDF top and full-size router table insert with three lever lock rings. This product stays on a heavy-duty steel stand with vibration-dampening rubber feet that keep this tool stationary and prevent it from undesired moves. Also, I like the way its work surface is designed, as it features an easy-slide cover. Furthermore, this model has a bottom-up insert plate levelers for perfect leveling accuracy. The Kreg PRS2100 also features a vacuum shroud and a large dust collection port for allowing easy maintenance of the item and keeping the workplace neat. This cast iron router table still looks large enough (19.2 x 30 x 4.8 inches), but again it means that it provides a roomy work surface for performing a wide range of woodworking applications with maximum comfort. However, this bench top router table weighs just 28.4 pounds.
Pros
- The item is made of high-quality materials.
- It has a surprisingly low price for such a versatile model.
Cons
- The MDF’s plastic covering on the table’s edges has unsafely sharp corners.
Buyer’s Guide
How to Setup a Router Table Correctly?
Working with this tool can be awesome if you know how to set up it properly for your current application. This is a small guide to help you learn this process by heart.
- Fit the router table insert plate. Most models come with a 6mm aluminum or a 10mm phenolic inserts. The phenolic one is made of a hard plastic meant to hold its shape and light use. The aluminum one is a more durable item. For the reason that the base of this machine is pre-drilled to accommodate various types of router, attaching them is pretty simple and secure.
- Keep the item on the level. You just need to passing a section of timber over the plate to make sure it snags where it meets the table. Experiment with the grub screws to adjust the level.
- Install a starter pin on the insert plates. You can just screw in a nylon pin into the holes. This will add more preciseness to your work.
- Set the fence properly. Keep in mind that the fence usually has a scale on the side that allows you to accurately line the fence up with the cutter. Use a lock knob located on the side to hold the fence in the desired position. You can also move the adjustable outfeed and infeed fences closer to the cutter for improved performance and safer routing.
- Set the featherboards attentively to keep your fingers safe and prevent injuries.
How to Use a Router Table?
There are so many woodworking applications that you can do easily with this tool without even being aware of them! Here are some basic works that can be done in no time with the help of this wonderful machine.
- You can make straight edges on boards or plywood, as the smooth straight surface left by the router bit allows for making thin seams while you are gluing wood edging to plywood.
- Making easy end-grain routing is no longer a challenge for the owners of this tool.
- Additionally, this machine also allows for freehand routing with a starting pivot when it comes to shaping small pieces.
- You can also use it as an edge jointer.
- Moreover, this multi-functional tool is perfect for machining long and narrow stock.
However, you can go even further and set up your tool for performing more applications (e.g. working with plastic). You just need to practice more and you will open new woodworking horizons with a router table in your workshop or garage.
Is It Real to Make a Router Table at Home?
In fact, DIY router table is not such an impossible task as it seems to be at first glance. If you have the soul of an engineer and have enough time and persistence to design and assemble this multi-functional tool, then your hard work will be awarded definitely soon!
- You need to design your wood router table and opt for the most suitable materials and needs. You can search on the web to find ready mock-ups and choose those that you believe you can handle and afford.
- Pay special attention to the top as it is the most functional part of the tool.
- Then move to designing legs as they should be sturdy enough to keep the tool stable.
- Your next job will be designing the fence. Again, better look through different mockups that you can find online and choose that one that suits your needs and body.
- Finally, think about how to make this all work form the socket. The electrical part of the work seems to be the most challenging, though you just need to buy correct tools and cables and make necessary holes for them to be mounted securely.
If you have enough experience and skills, DIY router table can be a good variant for you. However, if you feel that designing this tool is the next level play for you, try to opt for the best router table from the list above!