The best Router Tables: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

My shop is very small (10' x 16') so I decided to ditch my crummy bench top router table and get this cast iron table saw extension. I found an Amazon warehouse deal for about $50 off that said the product was 100%, only the box was damaged. Instead of the cast iron table what I received was a couple pieces of plywood screwed together and painted silver. Whoever did this even took the time to cut dados for the miter gauge slots. Oddly enough the fence was still in the package but the sliding MDF pieces were also replaced with plywood.

Luckily Amazon is great and immediately refunded/shipped another, but just thought I'd rant/share -- I was so excited to use this table yesterday!

Oh man! This is so me and my problem. I haven’t ordered it yet, but wouldn’t an edge guide work for getting these inside cuts?

I believe that’s the correct answer, here is another similar one so you can see it from different angles

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Deluxe-Extraction-Adapter-RA1054/dp/B00005RHPP/

Maybe there is missing part for the edge?

I had a Skil table saw that did the same. I filed down the top T part for a 5/8 total miter slot. Milescraft's D/TFeatherBoard includes two 3/4-Inch and two 5/8-Inch miter bars: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WUB2JQ

Get a pair of offset collet wrenches.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-RA1152-Offset-Wrenches-Bit-Changing/dp/B00N8I2GXA/ref=asc_df_B00N8I2GXA/

They let you change the bits from above. No fumbling with wrenches below the table or taking the router out.

I have the same router so understand your question. I think what you are supposed to do is adjust the router depth so the collet sticks out beyond the plate. But mine is semi-permanently installed in a router table so I typically don't do this. Instead, I stick the smaller wrench on the flats and use the walls of the access hole/area as a way to hold the smaller wrench while I turn the larger wrench. You can also get both wrenches on at the same time in the shape of a 'V' and then squeeze both wrenches with you hand.

You can also get recessed/angled wrenches like this that will reach from the top of the router table.

I just did a quick look through the comments but get a feather board to keep the pressure down on the board and not a stick or your hand. One similar to what I use https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1406-FeatherBoard-Router-Tables/dp/B000WU36EA/ref=sr\_1\_5?crid=2NMTW7R8R01GF&keywords=table+saw+featherboard&qid=1658324370&sprefix=tables+saw+feath%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-5

The edge guide is a great addition for this item.

This thing is one of the best investments I made for my router.

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I bought the fence pre-built. It is from a company called Taytools and I really don't have any complaints with it aside from having to use 1 piece of painters tape to shim it so the 2 mdf faces are parallel. It was off by maybe 1/64th, but it was enough to have the piece snag when you're pushing it through. Its square to the table and easy to adjust. Id recommend it. 👍 they have 2 different sizes, I got the 32" model. I bought it after I put the t-tracks in (I was originally going to build my own fence) and I was lucky the distance to mount it matched up!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZDHY1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_V.53FbQKTM86A

I've had that same router for a few years now. Best one I have ever had.
I got the matching Bosch Router Cabinet for mine, but to be honest, save your money. It doesn't fit well in there, and there are plenty of other better ones you can get for the price. If I had it to do over, I would have bought a non-Bosch branded universal router table insert and made my own table.

https://www.amazon.com/Taytools-300015-Anodized-Aluminum-Adjustable/dp/B07BZDHY1S I use the t track by powertec to hold it down. It all works pretty good. Adjusting it is a little tougher than I’d like but with some bolts that slide better in the track it will be all good

Deal link: Amazon

^^Note: ^^The ^^deal ^^may ^^have ^^expired ^^by ^^the ^^time ^^you ^^see ^^this ^^post.

I got one of these too.

The bosch 1617 is a top notch handheld router, best on the market.

The benchtop router table is a bit of a different story. Too small for my taste and their small size makes them rattle and vibrate excessively unless you bolt it down tight, even then not ideal. Some people with small shops like that they can stow them away when not in use though I guess. Anyway, you can steal the table surface off it and attach it to your table saw or build a bigger cabinet for it if you already have it though. The bosch system uses a router lift base adapter that is OK, not as good as a proper lift but it gets the job done, mostly, and is a lot cheaper.

I find it really annoying to have to swap my router in and out of the table, switch bases around and what not, so I have a dedicated router in a lift and then a separate handheld router (well several actually). But if you are on a budget and don't mind living with the hassle the 1617 is more than adequate for table operation.

If you have a Bosch, they sell an under-table base that adjusts via an allen key - https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-RA1165-Under-Table-Router-Above-Table/dp/B0007VHPFK/ref=sr_1_2

​

I actually bought a new motor and base for mine. The pair is pretty affordable sometimes from CPO (~$100).

However, you can do just the base, and swap it out easier!: The base is here: https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-RA1165-Under-Table-Router-Above-Table/dp/B0007VHPFK/ref=pd_bxgy_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=0S7RNVNBGCZTFHKAA550

Yea, the extension table wood was falling apart from a prior move anyhow, so you can guarantee I was looking at Kreg inserts last night.

Also, this looks awesome. https://www.amazon.com/Bench-Dog-Tools-40-102-Extension/dp/B001TDLSUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471389466&sr=8-1&keywords=40-102

I think I got a solid deal at 400.

Do you know if there is a kernel for this router?

Bosch Under-Table Router Base is the table mount. The package came with the router, this base, the plunger base, and a case. $170 total. It was a split package though, not everything in one box.

I was worried about the rails supporting it too. When I got it, the manual said it doesnt need to mount on the rails. Mine is a craftsman, so it's a 4 bolt battern to mount the aluminum extension to the cast iron. This is all it needs to mount to your table, so no rail support.

There are some pre drilled holes that lined up with my rails, but it definitely doesn't need it so I didn't use it. Even with the router and work pieces on it, it's very sturdy. I wish it was a delta saw though because theirs is a 3 bolt pattern and the bolts for it were enormous.

This is the amazon link to the exact one I bought. I absolutely love it. I also ordered the Bench Dog aluminum router plate despite a few reviews saying theirs wasn't flat. Not sure about the other peoples, but mine was perfect.

I'm not sure if it's the same as what you linked, but I have the dust collection attachment that came with the edge guide. It attaches either to the edge guide or to the plunge base in place of the plastic shield. I haven't actually used it so I can't comment about whether it's effective.

look for the bosch edge guide. That's been a champ.

don't try to get it to work with a Craftsman router table. You'll just be disappointed.

edit for link

I use this one in your situation. It's a great little piece

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WUB2JQ/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687742&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000VRML5Y&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1BNGX7Y3XG10M9A30TM6

If youre looking to go the route of just buying one I really like my Bench Dog Pro Top. It's a little pricey but very high quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Bench-Dog-40-001-Contractor-Benchtop/dp/B00002242E

Looking back I wish I would have built one for myself but I was working too many hours and didn't have time to do so in addition to my projects.

this bosch table will work as a table saw wing if you remove the base. There is also the bench dog promax to consider. good luck in your search - we all expect to hear about whichever you choose :)