They cost over £800 plus you still need a table and a fence
Once you own a router lift like Jessem or Incra it will last a lifetime and deliver precision, they sound expensive but if you think a Triton Tra001 is now around £280 Triton TRA001 2400W Dual Mode Plunge Router 240V | Toolstation and the AUK is £280 AUKTools 2400W Fixed Base Router with NVR Switch then with the Triton you need a plate at £70 for a Jessem or £145 for Incra, or you could get the Jessem prestige for £380 now is that as expensive as first thought. For an extra £140 you get the best router lift / motor setup compared to sticking a triton in a jessem prestige which you might also want the £70 muscle chuck.
But having decent tools that just deliver without any fuss or struggle makes any job a breeze, you want to get the restoration done without struggling with messed up workpieces or tools that let you down. You need to factor in stuff like making decent mouldings over just purchasing, the savings here will offset the cost of tooling. I learnt the hardway with cheap chiesels, I would have got better results with a pet beaver until I forked out on some decent ones which cut without needing hitting with a club hammer.
Totally understand what you mean. It is a huge difference. I'm certainly not comparing like for like, and also understand that people have budgets to keep to.
That is the first small router table I've seen with an adjustable fence. I think the newer Ryobi replacement has as well but it is all plastic and phenolic. Well done for holding on to it !.
There is no plastic on the table at all excepting NV switch and two rubber pads to cushion the hinged bed, all the rest is cast iron ,steel and alley and as for fence setting I have never seen the need of sub 1mm accuracy wood is a living thing and is susceptible to temp and environmental changes. Exception to the rule is when I'm making my miniatures when 1mm is equal to 1/2" ish
It comes down to the right tool for the job, I think putting a plunge router into a table has always been out of necessity and originated from when we had no other options but now we have the right tool for the job which has been designed with just the table in mind. I think the router motor held round its's waist is a better solution than hanging the plunge router by its top, it has to reduce vibration as it is now clamped rigidly rather than just by some screws.
Don't know what you where routing with the Lumberjack, but I make oak picture frames on mine without a problem, perhaps being a bit optimistic with the depth of cut in one pass may be the problem you encountered.
But highly skilled craftsmen who were taught by others with years of experience and the skills were past down. We now live in a fast paced world where we want jobs done fast and are not willing to wait.
This is it. Over generations we have accepted a drop in quality, whether that be furniture, new build homes or even clothing. When it comes to woodworking, I am coming at it from a DIYist perspective where the family have been living in a property with with bare walls, covered in dust etc for the past 18 months so now that we are in the "putting it back together" phase, I simply don't have the luxury of time. That said, after doing the electrics, plumbing, general building solo, woodworking is the only trade I can see myself doing post renovation and look forward to really learning/making a lot more
