Router Table

[Thornley Marshall Designs]

Hi All, I’ve been looking at Router Tables and as I have a Trend T12 Router, I was looking at this table (https://www.screwfix.com/p/trend-crt-mk3-router-table/257kn?ref=SFAppShare).

What I wanted to ask is this, are these known to be decent or terrible. If they are decent, where would you recommend buying from (reliable sources)?

If terrible, what’s terrible about them and is there an alternative to this one which would work with my Trend T12 Router?

I’m needing a quick response to this please as I’m already behind on a deadline and would like to get this all sorted by end of next week so all advice is greatly appreciated.

Rob

 

[Sideways]

Being happily controversial: all router tables except the £1,000 plus combos are rather naff and many are simply horrid.
Just screw your router to the underside of a plank and make a fence from a bit of wood.
Burn it when you're done with it.

 

[Spectric]

Also look at spindle moulders, they are more capable and cost effective. For a decent router table take a look at

https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/routing/router-tables/router-table-combos/

and do a search on these forums as a lot has been previously discussed.

 

[HOJ]

Just screw your router to the underside of a plank and make a fence from a bit of wood.

That's what I have been using for donkeys years, but mine's a premium version as its made from a gash bit of kitchen worktop.

@Thornley Marshall Designs It does help when asking a question if an explanation of the job in hand is shared, there maybe other options and suggestions.

 

[HOJ]

its made from a gash bit of kitchen worktop

The evidence:



No I'm not taking orders, or have any inclination to manufacture them

 

[Dauph]

I just made one, The insert plate was £80 (you don't necessarily need one that pricy, or at all) and the NVR switch was £30. My Trend router can't take a lift, so I put a scissor lift table thingy under it.. I get adjustment of 0.1 mm accuracy with height and table distance from the bit. Boxing it in reduces the noise as well. Considering that I'm fairly new to woodworking and everything I do is a bit shonky,
I'm really pleased with how well it works. Unless a pre-made table offers a function that you can't build yourself, making your own is definitely a good option

 

[kinverkid]

shonky,

Can't wait to use that one in a conversation.

 

[fleyh]

What I wanted to ask is this, are these known to be decent or terrible.

I am a happy user of Trend CRT/MK3 Router Table. It is a benchtop table (not floor-standing). Bought it 3 or 4 years ago. Can't think of anything bad to say about it. Had to drill new holes in the insert for my Triton router and moved NVR switch to the left side (when it was in front as in the picture it was obstructing access to Triton controls).

One thing I am not certain is if it is going to work in combination with Trend T12. Is this the one that uses special connection when used in a table to bypass its built in NVR?

If they are decent, where would you recommend buying from (reliable sources)?

Screwfix you linked is a reliable source.

 

[Woodworker Ireland]

Hi All, I’ve been looking at Router Tables and as I have a Trend T12 Router, I was looking at this table (https://www.screwfix.com/p/trend-crt-mk3-router-table/257kn?ref=SFAppShare).

What I wanted to ask is this, are these known to be decent or terrible. If they are decent, where would you recommend buying from (reliable sources)?

If terrible, what’s terrible about them and is there an alternative to this one which would work with my Trend T12 Router?

I’m needing a quick response to this please as I’m already behind on a deadline and would like to get this all sorted by end of next week so all advice is greatly appreciated.

Rob

I bought a Draper routet table with 1500w motor i made a few fences myself using small roller wheels cost less than €400.
You would pay nearly as much for a decent router table with lift.

 

[Dauph]

Can't wait to use that one in a conversation.

I believe it's a Yiddish word. It sounds like a compound of sh*t and wonky, which I like

 

[chriscook]

I just made one, The insert plate was £80 (you don't necessarily need one that pricy, or at all) and the NVR switch was £30. My Trend router can't take a lift, so I put a scissor lift table thingy under it.. I get adjustment of 0.1 mm accuracy with height and table distance from the bit. Boxing it in reduces the noise as well. Considering that I'm fairly new to woodworking and everything I do is a bit shonky,
I'm really pleased with how well it works. Unless a pre-made table offers a function that you can't build yourself, making your own is definitely a good option
View attachment 189163

Great job!

 

[Fergie 307]

Router table a very different proposition to the DIY table saw. Anything from Sideways suggestion upwards really.
If you want something a bit better without breaking the bank I used a plate of 6mm aluminium to make the plate the router screws to, recessed flush into a piece of 18mm ply. Routed out a shallow recess then mounted a stainless rule flush on either side to position my fence, just a suitable metal bar with a cut out which I clamp in position, or you could make a wooden one.
The whole thing has a couple of bits of 2x2 screwed to the underside and clamps on top of a workmate.
If you Google NVR switch with socket you will find loads so you can mount that somewhere.
You just need a router that has a conventional on off switch, or one that can be held in the on position in some way, then plug it into the NVR switch.
That works really well for my little Bosch 1/4 inch router. Obviously a bigger machine would need a thicker plate and mounting board.

 

[Dauph]

Router table a very different proposition to the DIY table saw. Anything from Sideways suggestion upwards really.
If you want something a bit better without breaking the bank I used a plate of 6mm aluminium to make the plate the router screws to, recessed flush into a piece of 18mm ply. Routed out a shallow recess then mounted a stainless rule flush on either side to position my fence, just a suitable metal bar with a cut out which I clamp in position, or you could make a wooden one.
The whole thing has a couple of bits of 2x2 screwed to the underside and clamps on top of a workmate.
If you Google NVR switch with socket you will find loads so you can mount that somewhere.
You just need a router that has a conventional on off switch, or one that can be held in the on position in some way, then plug it into the NVR switch.
That works really well for my little Bosch 1/4 inch router. Obviously a bigger machine would need a thicker plate and mounting board.

I umm'd and ahh'd over whether to fit an NVR (didn't want to spend the money) Really glad I did.

 

[Spectric]

I umm'd and ahh'd over whether to fit an NVR (didn't want to spend the money) Really glad I did.

Why ?

For me I wanted a very easy to operate switch that was easy to access, think of some task where you only go so far to a stop. Now at this point you have reached the end of the cut but the cutter is spinning so I just turn off the router with no effort and wait till the cutter stops. You could try removing the workpiece whilst the cutter is spining but that can easily lead to taking chunks out of your work and these cheap NVR switchs are clumsy compared to a proper DOL and for domestic workshops with one man use the NVR is mostly not needed.

 

[no idea]

IIRC the T12 is not compatible with an external NVR because it has an internal one. The T14 has an add-on to overcome this when used in a table. This is purely from memory so please do check if this is right.