Router table choice - trend / Rutland / DIY

[GCM]

Hi All,
I’m new here . I’ve lurked for a while though
Can I ask for some expert opinions on router table choice?

The background:
I’m very much an amateur woodworker. I’m in the middle of a Victorian house restoration, and it is now time to start the kitchen / dining room.
I will be making cabinets, doors, drawers etc. Everything will be bespoke sizes, and designed so it does not look too ‘fitted’

I previously had a cheap no-name table top router, but this went up in smoke. It wasn’t much good anyway...

I have a Triton Tra 001 router that I plan to install in a table.
Time really does not permit me to make a table from scratch (I’m very behind schedule on the house!).
So, I’m planning on buying a ready made table.

The triton table looks a bit cheap and flimsy to me.

What about the Trend WRT or the Rutlands premium router table?
Any experience of this?

Or is the opinion going to be to spend a weekend making my own? If so,what recommendations for affordable fence / track / plate etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Spectric]

If you want quick and reasonable price look at the Kreg table Kreg PRS1045 Precision Router Table System

it is what I am using with my Triton Tra001 router and it is a good starting point. If you want something with very good repeatable precision then the Incra fences are a very good choice but will cost more and the Jessem/Incra router lifts, the Jessem prestige will take your TRA001 whilst the other options will require the AUK router motor. There are many options and directions you could go but search these forums and you will find ideas from basic setups to space age all singing and dancing.

 

[GCM]

Thanks,
I should have mentioned budget in my first post...
Ideally I would prefer to not spend much above 300-400 on the table. (Renovating a house is an expensive job !)

what benefit does the Kreg have over the trend or rutlands? Just the ease of fitting the router, or generally better quality?

If I went for the cheaper options, I assume the Triton would fit OK, but would need a hole drilling for the adjuster?

 

[Spectric]

The Kreg has solid steel legs and a decent fence arrangement and is Canadian, same country as Jessem. I can vouch for it's sturdyness. It also offers an upgrade path in the future because as far as I am aware it uses a plate size the same as Jessem/Incra.

 

[bp122]

The Kreg has solid steel legs and a decent fence arrangement and is Canadian, same country as Jessem. I can vouch for it's sturdyness. It also offers an upgrade path in the future because as far as I am aware it uses a plate size the same as Jessem/Incra.

I have the same kreg table bought from a member here and I use a Triton TRA in an incra plate. Very happy with the setup.

Fence locks well and has a "jointing" option built in to use the router as an edge planer. That works reasonable well too. Table top is nice and thick and I think the new one choices with for featherboards as well.

Only reason I might change the setup in the near future is to integrate the router into the table saw extension and save space. But otherwise I wouldn't change it.

If you are willing, you are welcome to come and take a look.

 

[mr rusty]

I have a trend craftpro with a T11 in it. Very very useable. Bought it to machine a grands worth of sawn Accoya and turn it in to 7 sash windows. With a couple of roller stands and an extra featherboard, it took and takes everything I throw at it. Spend any other money on good cutters - they soon add up to more than the table...

 

[GCM]

The Kreg looks to be a good option, although seems out of stock everywhere. And I’m not quite sure my budget would stretch to it!
It’s a very good point about cutters. I have a basic set of cutters, but will need some more specialist ones for the jobs ahead...

interesting about adding it to the saw table - mine will be directly next to my saw table - is there a big benefit in making it one unit? I’ll start a separate thread as I have some other questions about my workshop layout!

if I go for the cheaper and more available tables (trend/Rutland), is it the case that the Triton would fit to the insert but I might need to add a hole for the winder?

 

[bp122]

Unless you buy a Triton specific router insert, you are likely going to have to drill a hole for the winder (and potentially for the router as well). Should be easy anyway.

Having the router in the saw extension has its advantages.
1. You can route ( pun intended) your dust extraction setup closer because the table saw and the router will be much closer together.

2. You can utilize the table saw surface as an infeed or outfeed table for your router, depending on which sure of the saw you place the router. Larger router tables although are easy to love, on their own can be very expensive and space consuming.

3. If designed and built in correctly, you could use the mitre slots on the table saw for your router as well, same goes with the table saw fence. But this could take some thinking and correct execution to get it right.

4. If you put the whole thing on wheels, you can move it around well and can use this larger surface in your shop as a secondary work surface when you are assembling projects.

But it also has its limitations.
1. Instead of two small things you have one big bulk to move if you need to move it for any reason.

2. You need to level the two surfaces right, otherwise it may soon be a pain you wish you didn't have to endure.

3. It is more time off actually working on projects that you have to spend designing and building the thing, which is what you are trying to avoid in the first place.

Something to think about.

 

[GCM]

Some very good points there - thanks!
I like the idea of integrating the router with the saw extension. Especially with regards to dust extraction.

But, on balance, your point 3 - time spent faffing about creating the workshop rather than working on the projects is the deciding factor!

I think I will go for a Rutlands or Trend table. Drilling out for the Triton won't be an issue, and overall it should save me lots of time. I might not get the 'perfect' setup, but there is time for that in the future.

for now, getting on with the kitchen / dining room build is the priority

 

[bp122]

Sounds sensible. Crack on, all the best.