Affordable MFT-style workbench with router insert?

[farlsborough]

As above, getting sick of my homemade and very fiddly router table setup. Going to treat myself to the TR001 as currently at a decent price at Screwfix! But the question is what to mount it in.

I had almost settled on the Kreg benchtop router table and dedicated insert plate but space is at a premium in my single garage workspace. So now wondering if there is a reasonably sturdy yet portable option, akin to MFT but not a gazillion pounds.

Even the triton option is pretty pricy, particularly when you factor in the router table insert. I’m keen to have a prefab dedicated router surface, I’ve done the home made version twice now and there are just too many frustrating variables - I want to make stuff, not spend endless time making my tool setup!

Currently TR001 plus Kreg benchtop table plus insert plate would be ~£500 and really hoping not to spend much more… any ideas?

 

[Spectric]

As above, getting sick of my homemade and very fiddly router table setup. Going to treat myself to the TR001 as currently at a decent price at Screwfix! But the question is what to mount it in.

There has been a lot of threads on the subject of router tables and different setups so do a search on these forums and it could save you a lot of money in the long term.

If you go the Triton route which is how I started then forget the insert plate and at least buy the Jessem Prestige lift which is where I am currently at but my end goal was the AUK motor and a Jessem / Incra lift along with the Incra positioner which are probably the best lifts you can get. My plans grounded to a halt when the idea of a spindle moulder was thrown into the equation and still in limbo. My Triton has been modified and is fitted with a muscle chuck so that it is as easy to use as possible and no longer needs or has the spindle lock.

I did a thread on the cost of a router setup and at the time if starting from nothing then it was more cost effective to just bite the bullet and at least get the AUK motor and a lift than go down my route of the Triton and a prestige lift.

Now the Triton does have the ability to adjust from above the table but inside it has plastic gears which have caused people some issues so the best way to adjust is to use the knob to adjust to a rough position and then just use the handle above the table to fine adjust and always wind up to height and not down.

Since getting the prestige lift it has made adjustment much much easier and precise with repeatability which I never got from the Triton lift mechanism.

The other item you need to factor in is the fence, again a decent fence will make all the difference in setup, currently I have a Kreg table and fence which works but can be awkward to setup and adjust for multiple passes. It also is rather crude when it comes to offsetting the outfeed fence half which uses these plastic rods slid into some slots.

Some time back I gave my Kreg insert plate, set of inserts and levellers away to a new home when I got the new Jessem lift but take a look at previous post on the UKW.