To Build or Buy?

Forum for people who are new to woodworking. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

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mrhart
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Post by mrhart »

jcraigie wrote:or you could always do this and really save space:D

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Thats cooler than "pockets on shirts". :D
I guess the acquisition of an extra table is the place to start.
R Hart
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dusty
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Post by dusty »

I have often wondered why Shopsmith never offered something like a main table that was cut for a router. Yes, they have router tables in the catalog and two in my shop but I still think an aluminum table would have been a slick addition.
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major_bob
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Post by major_bob »

Jeff,
I have a Freud RTP1000 Portable Router Table and have been pleased. It folds flat, stores easily and has a good micro adjustable fence with dust collection port. Only complaint I have is that to fold it, I must remove the router (so it rarely is actually folded).

By the way, to where are you are PCSing after your deployment ?

bob
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garys
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Post by garys »

I have a router table and a handheld router. I bought both of them 30 years ago. After using the router on the table a few times, I put the table away and started using the router hand held.
I find that for most of my routing needs, hand holding the router works far better than trying to do it on a table. I can easily move the router across large pieces of wood, but can't move large pieces of wood across a table.
I would suggest first getting a router, and then if you later find a need for the table, get one later.
My router table hasn't been used as a router table for over 25 years. I now use it only as a stand for my thickness planer.
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jeff__130
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Post by jeff__130 »

jcraigie wrote:or you could always do this and really save space:D

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Great idea, and I think I could pull that off, but how do you solve dust collection? Would clamping the shop hose to the underside be sufficient?
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jeff__130
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Post by jeff__130 »

major_bob wrote:Jeff,
I have a Freud RTP1000 Portable Router Table and have been pleased. It folds flat, stores easily and has a good micro adjustable fence with dust collection port. Only complaint I have is that to fold it, I must remove the router (so it rarely is actually folded).

By the way, to where are you are PCSing after your deployment ?

bob

I'll look into that. I don't mind storing a table on top of the bench when not in use. I'm hoping to go down to Pensacola and be a flight instructor. I'm a summer '13 mover. Thanks for the advice.
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robinson46176
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Post by robinson46176 »

Some years ago I got to watching the Router Workshop guys. I first watched it "just because it was there" and it was woodworking. I thought that it was going to be kind of putsy and doing all manner of woodworking on a simple little router and leaving most of the "real" woodworking stuff sitting. The more I watched the more impressed I became... :) There really was method in what they were doing.
I have owned several (mostly crappy) little router tables and finally sold them or gave them away. The more I looked the more I became convinced that their simple little setup is all I need.
I have not built one yet but want to soon. Obviously I will make a few simple changes but probably not that many. Mostly just more dust collection and I will build it on a Shopsmith mini frame with casters.
Like much of the planet I always wondered what the back of it looked like since it was about as unseen as the far side of the moon used to be. I recently found a couple of pictures of one made from the plans they sell at the site and one was of the mysterious "back side". :)
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farmer
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I did not equip with Shopsmiths in spite of the setups but because of them.
1 1988 - Mark V 510 (bought new), 4 Poly vee 1 1/8th HP Mark V's, Mark VII, 1 Mark V Mini, 1 Frankensmith, 1 10-ER, 1 Mark V Push-me-Pull-me Drillpress, SS bandsaw, belt sander, jointer, jigsaw, shaper attach, mortising attach, TS-3650 Rigid tablesaw, RAS, 6" long bed jointer, Foley/Belsaw Planer/molder/ripsaw, 1" sander, oscillating spindle/belt sander, Scroll saw, Woodmizer sawmill
backhertz
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What Router Model to Buy?

Post by backhertz »

Welcome to the world of wood chipping. Be sure to protect your lungs. I have a Shopsmith standalone overhead pin routing system I bought used some years ago and am just getting around to putting it together tonight. But I was looking at new router tables and the good ones are expensive. So I've been wondering the exact same question- do I simply build a router table or buy one? Then I see this thread. Thanks Jeff. The prices to me are too expensive for the new ones of any quality. I like each of the three posted by Pennview to your question.

I am wondering what would be a good router to use? The models recommended & listed in the Shopsmith Routing System and Components booklet I have, to my knowledge are no longer manufactured as this publication was published in 1987. The new Woodcraft catalog had a Bosch Router with a bonus table base for $170 for a model 1617EVSTB- $70 savings! But it was a sale limited to stock on hand and they're out. I'm considering going to Amazon and buying a Bosch 1617EVSTB for $200 that comes with the router table base/lift that allows raising & lowing the router with an Allen wrench which seems to be the best deal I can find. Plus I think the Bosch base will fit on the Shopsmith table insert with is only 7 1/8" x 9 1/2"- smaller than the other mechanical router lifts which are larger.

My wife bought me a huge Craftsman router 35 years ago that is only 1.5 hp. Routers now have 2 1/2 to 3 1/4 hp. Well, I know it's not really 3 1/4 hp or it would far more than 12 amps. So what do you guys recommend as a good router for my overhead pin router.

I learned my woodworking skills in woodworking hobby shops on 13 Air Force bases I was assigned to during my career before retiring. When I would come hoe on leave during the last part of my career was when I started using my father's Shopsmith. He had become hooked on them when seeing the demonstrator at the mall near where they lived, but it sat until I put it together. <Smile>
One Greenie, Two Mark 7s,Three 510s and much more…
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beeg
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Post by beeg »

SS 500(09/1980), DC3300, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, Strip Sander, drum sanders,molder, dado, biscuit joiner, universal lathe tool rest, Oneway talon chuck, router bits & chucks and a De Walt 735 planer,a #5,#6, block planes. ALL in a 100 square foot shop.
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Bob
pennview
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Post by pennview »

Bosch makes good routers, but so does a number of others. I've had a 1.5 HP Porter Cable on my Overarm Router in the past, but currently have a Craftsman 11 or 12 amp model on it. I bought it with fixed and plunge bases a few years back and it works fine. You can't beat the price when these are on sale.

I saw on the Sears web site today -- http://www.sears.com/tools-portable-pow ... /s-1021208 -- they have the 12 amp fixed base router is on sale for $72.24. They're made in China as are so many tools these days. It comes with two collets, has variable speed and soft start.

As far as mounting a router under the table on the smallish Shopsmith router plate, if you remove the router's handles, it makes life a lot simpler.
Art in Western Pennsylvania
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