Router Table Depot Blog: August 2008 Router Table Depot

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

When you come to the point of wanting a router table in the shop, you have to ask yourself if you want to build your own table or buy one. When you build it yourself, you get exactly what you want. You can make the dimensions anything you want as well. This is a good thing if you have some unique space challenges. I get a lot of phone calls asking me questions about certain tables or tablesaw extensions fitting with certain tools. The short answer is always a resounding "I don't Know" It's pretty tough to know every tool ever made.

The same goes with building or buying your own router table. Here are some handy things to ask yourself:

How much money is my time worth?
Do I want to take the time to build this project so that I can finish another project?
Do I have the right tools to build the table? (a tablesaw to cut the top, a flush trim bit to trim the laminate, a jig saw to cut the inside out, etc)
Am I the type of person that is a perfectionist?
Will I be adding on to the table? (like a cabinet)

These are all good questions that only you can answer. Most woodworkers enjoy the process, getting covered in sawdust can be soothing. Custom tools can certainly say a lot about your workshop, but due tend to take longer than just buying off the shelf. The question is really about time management. For myself I have the "git er done" type of philosophy. My time is generally limited so I want as many shortcuts that I can get without compromising too much. I tend to buy stuff off the shelf with an expansion mindset.

Labels: Building-Router, Tables