Replies

1. 
   bones | Jan 12, 2008 09:16am | #1

   I have the woodpecker PRL and love it. It's tough and has fine adjustment. I have a dedicated router (PC7518) in it and it handles everything I throw at it. I built my own table from Norm's plans and I use the Incra ls120.  I think my home bulit matches up pretty well against any that I could have bought and I had fun making it.  Good luck on the decision.

    

    

    

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/12/2008 1:16 am by bones

   
1. 
   nazard | Jan 12, 2008 08:01pm | #3

   bones,

   Love the door panel.  Did you get that from the Church of the Holy Ogee, or was it from....

   -nazard

1. 
   bones | Jan 12, 2008 08:09pm | #4

   It's from the house of 7518!

   Seriously, I saw one like here, and sent a request for the pattern, and my better half made it for me.  Kinda snazz's it up a bit. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

   Edited 1/12/2008 12:10 pm by bones

2. 
   wolfonce | Jan 13, 2008 04:13am | #8

   thanks to you also for good advice. nice table you made, i think i may not go as fancy, leave out the stained glass, LOL. enjoy life.

2. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 12, 2008 05:00pm | #2

   ditto the Woodpecker PRL and the 7518. They are great.

   My top is from Woodpeckers as well - a custom size doubling as a saw outfeed table. I use a hex rod in a drill to really speed up the raise/lower cycle.

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

1. 
   wolfonce | Jan 12, 2008 09:07pm | #5

   thanks to your sage advice Woodpeckers will be making another sale. I will ask them to send you a thank you when I place my order, or better yet maybe a finders fee as a little extra advertising never hurts and the best advertising is a satisfied user. I love it when someone else does the work so I can make fewer buying mistakes. My hat is off once again to the experts.

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Jan 13, 2008 12:34am | #7

   Thanks for the "boost". Can I call on you the NEXT time I goof and am down in the dumps?Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

1. 
   wolfonce | Jan 13, 2008 04:17am | #9

   of course. When I need a boost I go out in the shop, build a good fire in the stove and make some sawdust. Always have a project in the works no matter how small. building something tangible is good for the soul.

1. 
   BG | Jan 13, 2008 02:22pm | #10

   Wolfonce,You mentioned in your initial post "We" and upgrading your shaper. I inferred from that you might be a professional shop? If this is true, I'd like to make a suggestion relative to the router table.I too have the Norm style router table and it does a good job. However, everything else in my shop where the cut is critical has a cast iron top...as I'm sure your shaper has a cast iron top. Norm's table calls for a 1.25" thick top laminated with Formica with sides. I'm inclined to look one of the 'add on to the table saw router tops' and build Norm's table around that. Anyhow, just thought I'd share my thoughts.

2. 
   wolfonce | Jan 13, 2008 05:36pm | #12

   thank you that is a good suggestion. unfortunately both our table saws are usually running and I am afraid I might not be fast enough to jump in, in between cuts. LOL. We actually have an area for routing and such and the new one will go there but I really appreciate all views as that is the way we evoke change, with input.

3. 
   [email protected] | Jan 12, 2008 10:04pm | #6

   There are several good lifts out there, Jessem and WoodPecker come quickly to mind.  And, either will work well. 

   As for router motors to go in which ever lift you get, look at the Jessem/Milwaukee motor setup.  They took the speed controls and power switch off the 3-1/2-hp motor, and have them on a remote panel that mounts out where you can get at it with out reaching into the table.  http://www.jessem.com/motor.htm

4. 
   BruceS | Jan 13, 2008 05:30pm | #11

   Take a look at the Kreg router table.  I am impressed with the tables flatness and fence.  The table is reinforced with two steel channels that run fore and aft on either side of the router plate insert. The table will also accommodate the Jessem lifts.  And the fence is pivoted on the left end and the right end has a micro-adjust.  The table is very slightly textured for less surface friction.   If you don't build the base cabinet the Kreg legs are X heavy steel and are adjustable for table height, a great feature for the tall and short.  If you opt for the castors, they are big and individually lockable( two way).

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   wolfonce | Jan 13, 2008 05:57pm | #14

   excellent, I really like their adjustment and the way it attaches to the table

5. 
   PaulMassachusetts | Jan 13, 2008 05:54pm | #13

   You might check the Rousseau Router tables-the company also has some Router lifts. One advantage they have is the larger table and more practical design. The Kreig has a small table with the router in the center; the Rousseau has the router set towards the back. The Rousseau has several variations with one model having folding legs. With that Rousseau you can fold and move the the table with he router still attached.

   What you run into when looking at router tables is too small tables and less expensive; or too small tables and too awfully expensive.  Try this link:

   http://www.rousseauco.com

    

    

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/13/2008 9:56 am ET by PaulMassachusetts

1. 
   wolfonce | Jan 14, 2008 03:53am | #15

   I like their tables. good size. I still like woodpeckers lift and kregs fence. Maybe they will all fit together! thanx for the imput

6. 
   BriMcG | Jan 14, 2008 04:09am | #16

   I really like my Veritas steel table but it has it's pros and cons. I have to make any micro adjustments from underneath which is no problem with my cabinet setup and my 3.5 HP Milwaukee (dedicated). You would have to drill a hole in the table for a router raiser system which is something I have found I just don't need or want. The undertable clamping system holding the router is fantastic. I can switch out routers including centering in less then 5 minutes and bit changes are a breeze.

   One con is no miter slot but the Veritas fence and sled system is awesome. No miter slot needed. At least I haven't run into any problems.

   Another con is the money but I've found it to be worth every penny. A pleasure to use.

   The pros far outweigh the cons in my book.

   Brian

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/13/2008 8:12 pm ET by BriMcG

1. 
   wolfonce | Jan 15, 2008 04:25am | #17

   I agree. I like the cast tables however we seem to adjust the height more than anything else and we feel we need the overhead adjustment more than the cast table. Up here where everything gets wet we also appreciate that wood tables don't rust. I do really appreciate all the viewpoints. I have learned more in the last two days than I did in the last month searching the web.