woodrat or not....

[neilyweely]

good evening all !!! today i received a dvd and pamphlet through the post from woodrat detailing their gadget. it looks amazing, and even though most of my work is in property refurbs i like the idea of having that much control over the router. So basically my question is ; is it really as good as it looks? I know some of you guys have them, and have heard some good things about them, but is it worth the money, and is it practical to change routers in the woodrat or should i just dedicate one router to it?

Any help and tips would be greatly appreciated guys......

 

[RogerM]

Neil - there have been quite a few discussions on this choice in previous threads on this site - worth doing a search. Choice seems to be between the Wood rat or the new Router Boss, and a decent router table incorporating an Incra Fence. I guess it depends on the use you intend to give it. Well worth having a look at the online video of the Incra Fence in use on the woodpecker website. I'm beginning to come down on the side of the router table with an Incra fence - particularly as I shall be going to the US later this year and should be able to pick up an Incra Fence for about half the price charged in the UK.

 

[Harbo]

I have both - the Router Table is easier to get your head around things but the Woodrat is capable of lots of complex things once you get the hang of it.
For long runs etc I use the table - for joints I use the Rat.

Have a look at Aldel's web page there's lots of stuff and advice there:
http://www.aldel.co.uk

Rod

 

[neilyweely]

thanks harbo, and roger. First I had heard of the boss and must admit it looks good. seems to be able to clamp at different angles easier than the woodrat. so, i would love to be able to see one first hand, do they have demo's anywhere? i shall look on the net for some, but if anyone knows...
and harbo, should i dedicate a single router to the table/rat, or can they be easily changed? thanks mate. neil

 

[ivan]

All the pix (routerbosss) are computer generated, it's not availabe till July/August in the US and may never be in the UK. I have both a router table and woodrat, later used for joint cutting. I have an Incra jig which works, but stays on the shelf. The 'rat is very versatile and will do what the maker claims. Most of the grumbles come about because the thing tempts you to do a bit more than that. For solutions read all of Aldel's pages carefully.

 

[Escudo]

Hello Neilus,

I have a woodrat and have a router permanently fixed (Dewalt 625).

It would be tiresome to keep removing it as it is attached to a plate which slides on the rat.

It is a versatile machine, limited only to the ability to clamp and hold work against it. I must get round to making some jigs / alternative clamping system to improve options.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Tony.