Veritas Router Table Review
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TOOLS & TECHNIQUES SERIES Plans NOW® www.plansnow.com RKBE September 2001 O NC W H ® A W A R D Y IT E O L D F Q UA IT Router Tables O Router Tables R ’S CHOICE router is probably the most versatile and to get the job done. It can be as simple as a accurate woodworking machine in your piece of plywood with a notched board for a Ashop.To make the most of it, however, fence. In fact, many woodworkers build their you need the right router table.This indispen- own.The reason to buy a commercial table is sible shop fixture opens up a world of possibil- for the accuracy and conveniences manufac- ities for joinery, grooves, rabbets, panel raising turers build into them. In this tool review, we and edge-forming operations. A router table tested nine router tables for the budget-minded doesn’t have to be expensive or overly fancy woodworker — all priced under $300. Nine router tables compete for top honors. Which one is best for you? From Workbench Magazine page 1 © August Home Publishing Co. WHAT’S IMPORTANT baseplate that fits into a rabbeted to keep air circulating through it. All router tables aren’t created equal. recess in the top. Baseplates make bit- FEATURES. Many router table We found some significant differences changing easier, especially if you’re manufacturers offer quite an array of in several key aspects.We’ll talk about using a plunge router in your table. optional accessories that you can use those in a minute when we get to the They also make it easier to mount to customize your table. If the models individual table reviews. But overall, and remove the router. shown here don’t have every feature here are a few things to consider when Most of the baseplates on our test you want, check with the manufac- buying a router table. models came with concentric inserts turer for available options. TOP. A router table top needs to for added support close to the bit. be very flat for the most demanding Phenolic baseplates resist sagging work, where slight variations could better than acrylic ones, but you can’t change the angle of the workpiece or see through them. the depth of cut. Overall, the tables in BENCHTOP/FLOOR-MODEL. this test scored high in flatness. The word “benchtop” is a bit mis- The size of top is also important. leading. For safety and comfort, a Larger tops provide more support, benchtop table should be mounted on but for most operations, smaller tops a stand with the top surface at work- work just fine. bench height.Benchtop tables are more FENCE. A good router table will portable than floor-models, but they have an easily adjustable fence with don’t have the unlimited router height features such as a dust collection port, clearance that full-height tables do. If a bit guard,and an array of hold-downs, you plan to use a large plunge router jointing shims, and stops. in your table,make sure there’s enough We prefer fences that clamp to the headroom. edges of the table top rather than attach Some of the benchtop tables had by bolts through slots.They’re easier enclosed stands.These cut the noise to remove, and there aren’t any sharp by a few decibels, but the enclosed edges to “catch”a workpiece. space can lead to overheating prob- BASEPLATE. Many commercial lems. We suggest installing an addi- router tables have a drop-in router tional dust port in the enclosed stand TWO INNOVATIONS THAT BREAK THE MOLD Router tables have come a long way Veritas router table. Underneath the table JOINTING. Although several of the since they first started to appear in is a unique clamping mechanism that router tables could be set up to joint the woodworking shops. With two of the lets you mount the router (or remove it edge of a board, one model in particular models tested, we found features that from the table) in a matter of seconds had a terrific new twist. But before get- definitely broke the mold. (Photo a. below). And don’t worry if you ting to that, here’s a quick overview of MOUNTING THE ROUTER. One of the have a router with an irregular-shaped jointing on a router table. most innovative ideas is the method base. This quick-change clamp can be The idea is to mount a straight bit in that’s used to mount the router to the adjusted to fit any router base. the router and then, with the edge of the board riding against the fence, make a pass. To provide support for the workpiece after the mate- rial has been removed, the outfeed part of the fence has to be shimmed out a bit. To accomplish this, the fence on the Bench Dog router table has two aluminum bars that are used a. b. to shim the fence (Photo b.). By placing the bars in a different pair A unique, quick-clamp mechanism on the Veritas router For jointing, two aluminum bars are of fence slots, you can change the table lets you mount or remove the router in seconds. used to shim the Bench Dog fence. amount of offset. From Workbench Magazine page 2 © August Home Publishing Co. VERITAS At A Glance: Everything about this table is intelli- router.Three cam-shaped table inserts Price: $269 gently designed. A unique router- drop easily into the table opening and Table Size: 24" x 16" mounting clamp system makes it easy are tightened with a spanner wrench. Under Table to mount any There isn’t a miter gauge slot. Clearance: 16" router The double-decker split fences are Top: Steel quickly and movable and feature a micrometer- Weight: 40 lbs. firmly style gauge to set positions within Virtues: Sturdy and accurate; without .001". You’ll need some tools to make unique router mount; micrometer removing the adjustments, but Veritas has included a positioner; instructional video. baseplate.The nifty 4-in-1 tool to help. Vices: Blade guard and dust smooth steel Options include hold-downs, a chute not included; fence top tilts up for right-angle fence for cross-feed requires tools to adjust. bit changing routing, a magnetic dust collection Verdict: An innovative, very and flips over chute, a pin router attachment, and user-friendly table; our unani- mous choice for best in test. to mount the blade guards. WOODHAVEN BENCHTOP At A Glance: Woodhaven’s design expertise and atten- You can have the plate pre-drilled for Price: $290 7 tion to detail are evident in this slick almost any router at no additional Table Size: 23 /8" x 19" Under Table benchtop router table. Although it took charge. 7 21/ hours to assemble, The fence clamps comfortably to Clearance: 14 /16" 2 Top: Laminate on MDF it was worth the the table top. This makes it easy to Weight: 52 lbs. time.The table is remove, and it’s free of slots. Extruded solid as a rock, fence channels accept Woodhaven’s Virtues: Excellent fit and finish; with a great fence, many optional accessories. unique snap-in insert rings; slick a dead-flat table, a On the minus side, the top vibrates fence system. phenolic baseplate when the router is running,although not Vices: Need screwdriver to with snap-in insert enough to affect accuracy.We also would adjust fence; top vibrates; no dust port in cabinet. rings, and a supe- have preferred to see a dust collection Verdict: A solid, well-made rior plate-leveling port in the enclosed base, but it’s easy product with all the bases cov- system. enough to install one yourself. ered; plenty of add-ons available. BENCHDOG RT100 At A Glance: 3 Compact and solid, this benchtop Our test model had a /8"-thick, Price: $199 table comes with a lot of standard clear acrylic baseplate with a 2" hole. 3 Table Size: 22" x 15 /4" bells and whistles. Some of these Interchangeable insert rings aren’t Under Table 3 include a beefy T-slot/miter-gauge available. For different-sized openings, Clearance: 12 /4" extrusion, a dead- you’ll need separate baseplates. Top: Laminate on MDF flat fence that’s The split-fence adjustment knobs Weight: 35 lbs. perfectly square, were cramped,but the main knobs that Virtues: Flat, solid and nicely and an enclosed secure the fence to the table were made; excellent fence and miter stand. The miter accessible and comfortable. gauge extrusions. gauge slot is Besides the solid construction and Vices: Minimal router headroom; adjustable with set the full-featured fence, we were espe- fence knobs crowded; no dust port screws that take up cially impressed with the clever alu- in cabinet. any slop in the fit minum jointing shims. These offset Verdict: Best value in test, with of the miter the outfeed fence quickly and posi- all the features needed in a com- gauge’s bar. tively for jointing. pact and affordable package. From Workbench Magazine page 3 © August Home Publishing Co. ROCKLER At A Glance: Price: $273 This floor-model table has a full-size for a blade shield and an optional 3 Table Size: 31 /4" x 24" top and all the important features.We featherboard and Under Table tested it with a solid oak stand.A pine stop block. 1 Clearance: 35 /2" stand and a metal leg set are also avail- A drop-in alu- Top: Laminate on MDF able.The top has an aluminum miter minum baseplate is 3 Weight: 42 lbs.