To Build or Buy?

[robinson46176]

In my usual "but I don't have THIS one" tool buying pattern I have accumulated at least a half dozen routers, some new, some at garage sales etc.
As I mentioned I want to build my router table much like the Router Workshop guys table pictured earlier in this thread. One of the things I want to do differently is to stretch it a little, leave out the little slide out bit tray and make it to hold 2 routers. The first one would be the primary and the other a secondary. The secondary would likely be a little smaller than the primary due to the fact that none of my routers are exactly the same HP (unless I hit a good deal on another one ). The size wouldn't matter much on the secondary since its big function would be to just be there in case I want to make a second setup while not breaking down the first one. With the kind of stuff I like doing I expect the secondary to be sitting there with a round-over bit in it much of the time...
I currently have a new little Porter Cable "trim" router that will spend much of its life with a smallish round-over bit in it but I don't expect to put it in a table. It's too handy to grab and use with one hand. It's this one.
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Does anyone else ever keep two routers sat up at once in tables?


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[fiatben]

I like farmer's idea of two routers in one table. It makes the mind spin with possibilities.
When I decided I needed a router table, I saw my choices were cheap (and very small) or expensive (for a darn table with a hole in it). My choice? Grab some scrap MDF and build my own. It isn't pretty, but it has a power strip mounted to the front which I use as a much more convenient on/off (thought about mounting a genuine switch but just added expense when a $4 power strip works fine) and I cut a mounting plate from some clear plastic I had laying around. The trickiest part was getting the hole just right, and it wasn't really all that bad.
The neat thing is that I got to build something, and I got something useful out of the deal that suits me. It sits on a shelf when I don't need it, and pops onto the workbench when I do. And I feel free to drill holes, add stuff, whatever as needed. In fact, a lot of time it sits on the worktable with the bit lowered and makes a really convenient height worktable for small stuff, sketching an idea out, etc.
My vote, do your homework and then build what you need.
(Now, I'm headed out to the shop to look at that extra SS table I have because this has really got me thinking.)

[damagi]

Two routers is something I have seen on some woodworking shows/demos before, and I have seen as many as six in a single table in a craigslist listing.

The dual router table was on American Woodshop, and I think it was being used for rail and stile...something like that. Basically an operation where you want to fit parts together with bits that mate.

The six table config was probably a production setup for a similar reason.

[fjimp]

I have three Porter Cable 890 series routers. One each set up in the OPR, an Incra under table set up and one that I use for free standing work. For small jobs as indicated in the other suggested post I like the Bosch colt. Which is the only router I feel relaxed when using. Jim

[backhertz]

I bought a router tonight. A Bosch model 1617EVSTB from HD for only $116 which was yellow tagged minus a 10% military discount. So I have two bases.
A RA1161 base with two wooden knobs and a RA1165 base which will allow me to raise the router using a T-handle Allen height adjustment wrench.

Instead of buying a new table, I dug out a stand-alone Shopsmith overhead pin router setup I bought several years ago and had packed in a box in the back of my basement. So I can keep one permanently mounted to my overhead pin router which was packed in the back of my basement. Or simple disconnect the from the table base and use a handled base for simple projects.

So $116 ain't too bad for this router IMHO. I noticed many tools HD dididn't sell during Xmas are yellow tagged. Can hurt to look- oh the have a special on 7 1/4" Freud blades where buy one & get one free.

Tony

[backhertz]

I bought a router tonight. A Bosch model 1617EVSTB from HD for only $116 which was yellow tagged minus a 10% military discount. So I have two bases.
A RA1161 base with two wooden knobs and a RA1165 base which will allow me to raise the router using a T-handle Allen height adjustment wrench.

Instead of buying a new table, I dug out a stand-alone Shopsmith overhead pin router setup I bought several years ago and had packed in a box in the back of my basement. So I can keep one permanently mounted to my overhead pin router which was packed in the back of my basement. Or simple disconnect the from the table base and use a handled base for simple projects.

So $116 ain't too bad for this router IMHO. I noticed many tools HD dididn't sell during Xmas are yellow tagged. Can hurt to look- oh the have a special on 7 1/4" Freud blades where buy one & get one free.

Tony

[eagleta2]

I have a CRAPSman router (1/4" shaft...wish it was 1/2") that I've left mounted to the tiny router table for the last 20 years...removing it is just a PITA.

I'm definately going to mount my router to one of my floating tables...

This is definately one of those "why didn't I think of that ideas"!

Geo

[hdoilcan]

I bought a router tonight. A Bosch model 1617EVSTB from HD for only $116 which was yellow tagged minus a 10% military discount. So I have two bases.
A RA1161 base with two wooden knobs and a RA1165 base which will allow me to raise the router using a T-handle Allen height adjustment wrench.

That's a good deal!

[hdoilcan]

Instead of buying a new table, I dug out a stand-alone Shopsmith overhead pin router setup I bought several years ago and had packed in a box in the back of my basement. So I can keep one permanently mounted to my overhead pin router which was packed in the back of my basement. Or simple disconnect the from the table base and use a handled base for simple projects.

Can you post pics of this set-up? I have an shopsmith ohpr also and was thinking of doing something similar. It would be nice to see for ideas.

[backhertz]

I have to dig it out of my basement and up to our "unfinished master bedroom which will become a small wood during the winter the window jam extensions, trim work, etc. I'm also going to turn my 520 into a MArk VII as I bought the Power Pro- was one of the first ten, and I ordered the double tilt base upgrade. The bug got me good today. But I figure we have to all share i keeping Shopsmith in business.

I'll post pics when I have it set up.

Tony