The author evaluated 13 router tables for the sturdiness of their tables and fences, for dust collection, and for ease of operation and setup. A good router table is flat and has a stout base and a fence able to support jigs and hold-downs.

The only router table in the test with a tilt top, the Hawk Routershop, in essence, turns your router into a small tilt-arbor shaper. With the router tilted, common bits can cut a wide variety of shapes. Set it at 90° to the steel table, and you’ve got a mortiser. A threaded rod-and-crank handle moves the router up and down when the table is tilted, or front to back when the table is flat. The stationary fence mounts to the front of the table with T-handled screws. A T-track located at the top of the fairly short fence sections allows use of jigs or hold-downs. A sturdy steel base supports the whole assembly—an interesting concept, but expensive for an open-base router table. For a woodworker who wants to increase the variety of molding profiles he can produce, or wants the basis for a horizontal mortiser, this table might be worth the money.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

3M Blue Tape

One of the most versatile accessories to have in the shop: from layout to seaming veneer. It has enough stretch to pull joints together.

Buy at Amazon

Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure

With its smooth lock, tough case, compact size, and excellent accuracy, this Stanley tape is perfect for workshop use.

Buy at Amazon

Double Sided Tape

A thin woven core makes XFasten tape strong yet not too thick (0.008 in.), and helps it hold powerfully without being difficult to peel off.

Buy at Amazon