Does anyone have any experience with the Hawk brand Routershop? This is a router table (used to be marketed under the name Porta Nails, I think) that has a “patented” split table that can be tilted up with the router attached, thus allowing the router to be used in the horizontal or vertical position. There was recently an article in FWW by a guy who made a homemade wooden table that could do about the same thing. The Hawk company (also makes RBI scroll saws) looks like a good outfit but their products are not cheap. This table goes for $525. on sale. If anyone knows anything about this router table, I’d appreciate the advice. Thanks.
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
I have experience with the router table before RBI took it over. It was called the ShopCenter. I bought one. It has great features. You can flip the router bit down and profile the piece flat on the table rather than holding it against a router fence. The following link is about the ShopCenter but it all applies to the Routershop.
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/cfw1.htm
The Routershop is much better. There is now a fence which didn't exist until RBI took it over. It is expensive but the table top is all metal so the magnetic feather boards can be used. I love mine.
Thanks for the tip. I was worried if the thing thats holds the table tilted is sturdy enough, or how sturdy the miter gauge and fence are etc. For that kind of money, I'm glad to hear it's a good machine. I was also looking at a spindle sander, and for example, Grizzley has a heavy floor model with motor included for $525. This routershop table does not include the router, so the expense is considerable. Thanks again.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled