Axminster Router Table!!

[lastminute]

Does anyone know anything about the APTC Cast Iron Router Table...sliding table, hinged top etc?
It looks the business!
...am trying to decide to take the plunge (no pun intended!)

Gerry

 

[Chems]

Looks to be really good, although I think its a similar design to the record one:

http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... RPWRPMSRAV

But at a better price.

I'd prefer a nice normal table top and the axy router lift if it were me. But I wouldnt say no to either.

 

[Dodge]

I have been using the Record version for about five years with a triton router in it.

Basically I cannot fault it - It is damn heavy so you get no vibration and I wouldn't change it - It has had some very heavy use over the years.

My recommendation is go for it!

Rog

 

[maltrout512]

It looks quite good and the price is very good. The spec looks similar to Record exept the nvr switch. Record state upto 5 hp ! where the Axminster one is rated to 2000 watts, not that it makes any difference as most routers fall into 2000 watt rate. Just a thought.

 

[cambournepete]

The big Triton is over 2000W, as is the Big Festool and Makita, so it seems a slightly odd choice of NVR switch to me...

 

[Eric The Viking]

I started a long reply, listing why I didn't buy that table last year, but decided not to post it.

It will delight some people and frustrate others. You WILL need space all round it (can only realistically be used in the middle of a floorspace or needs good locking castors). Most importantly, it commits you to working in a certain way, that's different to the way the majority of people use their router tables. More than most router tables too, you're dependent on build quality and setup for accuracy and good results.

If it's your first purchase, consider instead getting a router plate and a kitchen worktop offcut, and making your own table. The outlay is much smaller, you'll enjoy the process, and you'll get a good feel for how you can and can't use a table (we all have preferred ways of working). Later, you can buy something purpose-made knowing what to look for in the design. You may even decide to build a mark 2!

Mine is a cautionary tale: I had a horrible, cheap effort from B+Q, and knocked-up a number of ad hoc arrangements that worked fairly well with limitations. Then, in a rush of blood to the head, I did buy a purpose-built table. It's OK (not great), but I really wish I'd made one properly instead. Now, to improve it to general workhorse status, I have to do the work I really should have done at the beginning of last year!

Pick a conventional table design and make one instead. It doesn't have to be French polished and walnut inlaid!

The late lamented Niki came up with some brilliant and flexible ideas. He based his main router table on a cheap workmate as the support. See here for one example of really creative thinking. Sadly, I only joined the forum shortly before his death: older members still miss him, and happily his ideas are still archived here, of benefit to us all.

I'd gently suggest you put the funds into a really good router, with power and accuracy (Trend, DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, Triton, Festool even), instead of into a posh but rather quirky table.

Long-term, I think you'll be happier.

Cheers,

E.

 

[Joe Saw]

Hi Gerry

I would echo Eric's point and recommend you build your own as I have recently,

Looking at axminsters cast iron table the fence looks too short for safe and effective vertical routing.

I have just sent Axminsters cast iron router table fence back to them, altough it was very heavy and looked the business, it just wasnt spot on accurate which is crucial for router tables I have now switched to a MR MDF fence I made myself

Also if using a worktop offcut make sure it is dead flat with a straight edge and seal all exposed edges from moisture as it may swell (as my one did). :x

I would spend the money on a dedicated T11 with base adjustment and some good jig hardware for a DIY table, featherboards etc. :wink:

hth

Joe.

 

[Shane]

I would also suggest making your own. I have a router table of unknown make, and whilst it is ok, I could do with a larger bed, so I'll make one from mdf, and also think of a way of building my own accurate sliding table

 

[dickm]

I'm definitely with the enthusiasts for this table. Mine is the earlier Ryobi badged version, bought secondhand, and as others have said, it's d**n heavy, which makes it wonderful to use. The sliding table is, to me, vastly superior to the usual T-track and mitre fence arrangements. Previously I had the Bosch version of the medium duty Trend, and the improvement in performance was unmistakeable.
Two faults with the early version:-
1. the absence of a gas strut to counterbalance the table; one day must see if it can be retrofitted.
2. the thickness of the table, which restricts depth of cut unless you use an extension. I hate these, so got the top milled out by a local machine shop to exactly fit my 177e. Cost me £20, which was well worth it.

OK, it's not beautiful, but it really does the job.

 

[nicklm]

for my two penith,

don't buy a record rpms2. I bought one and it has been nothing but grief.

1) the power cut off switch was faulty, blew my trip every time it was used. (replaced buy record)
2) sliding table not flat, and not level with cast iron bed. (replaced by record)
3) cast iron top was not flat, was nearly 1.5mm out in the middle (replaced by record), the replacement looks totaly different, original look slike it was never finished properly.
4) alot of the bolt holes dont line up.

With a little more thought from the manafacturer could be a great bit of kit.

oo and the fence was a load of junk as well, was not at right angles to table, so built a new one and tossed the other in the scrap bin along with the dust hood that was broken on delivery.

and too add isult to injury the useless collect extension is not even straight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so that gone in the bin as well.

all in all not a happy bunny wish i had built my own.

 

[BTR]

I have a record router table like the one above and use the dewalt 625 router in it and have to say never had a problem with it excellent piece off kit

 

[lastminute]

...thanks everyone! having taken onboard your most welcome advice I have just taken delivery from Rutlands a Dakota deluxe router table (down from £199 then £149 to £99!!)
..it looks the business (for the price!!) and looking forward to setting it up with my new Freud 3000!!

 

[Aled Dafis]

Hmmm... interseting.

I was just about to order one of these (Axi cast iron table) for the school workshop, but it seems to attract very polarized views, some love it, whilst others don't. The sliding table looks like a great idea, but if it's not that accurate, then it's no good. I'm also quite strapped for space at school, so I may be better off just going for one of the tabletop versions with a standard flat top.

I'd love to build a proper router table, but it's just out of the question at the moment with the mad rush to get 20 odd projects made in the next couple of months :shock: (hammer) :shock: (hammer) :shock:

Cheers

Aled

 

[studders]

..I have just taken delivery from Rutlands a Dakota deluxe router table (down from £199 then £149 to £99!!)

Even if you're building your own base for it I think that Table is excellent value for money (even if it never really was £199).

 

[liamscanlan]

If anyone is looking for the Record variant of the cast iron table and can collect from Poole - I have one that I could be easily parted from...
They are a good table - but only if you are not restricted for space (as previously stated). Unfortunately, I don't have room.

Liam

 

[theartfulbodger]

..I have just taken delivery from Rutlands a Dakota deluxe router table (down from £199 then £149 to £99!!)

Even if you're building your own base for it I think that Table is excellent value for money (even if it never really was £199).

I'm getting more and more tempted! How is the table out of the box?

I think it comes with legs?

 

[studders]

I'm very tempted as well, if only it wasn't fuel bill Month.

 

[markh]

I have an even earlier version of the Record. Supplied by the Woodcut Trading Company (remember them?) Excellent piece of kit apart from the work holding / dust extraction hood which is poor. Cast iron table and sliding carriage are fantastic. I drilled the table to bolt my Ryobi RE601 direct to the underside of the table which makes for totally vibration free working but means hassle if you only have one router like me!

I haven't used it much in 10 years mainly because I only had one router and haven't had many jobs big enough to warrant using it. Did a fantastic job on raised and fielded panel headboard for a bed. Regarding the collett extension, Rutlands used to do a properly mass balanced extension called the Xtreme extension which is brilliant. No vibration at all even with a big panel raiser. I have a spare one if anybody is after one. I might be interested in parting with the router table too....

 

[Alex]

I'd be interested in your extension please Markh. I'll pm you. Table as well come to think of it.

 

[Aled Dafis]

I ordered the CI table today, so will report back once it's assembled and I have the Trend T11EK fitted.

I also ordered the Axminster collet extension, but if it's no good it'll be returned post haste!