need router+table combo, weekend handyman.

[gychang]

I already have a Hitachi which is good for hand held. Need a fixed and table combo at a good price.

Lowe's has a sale on Skil router (1 3/4HP but with only 1/4" collet) with Skil's aluminum router table for $89. Anyone use this combo?, any deal better?

comments and suggestions greatly appreciated.

gychang

[sweensdv]

Save your money and pass on this deal. A basic router table and fence are fairly easy to make. Making your own shouldn't be more than a days project. A quality router alone that will give you years of great service will cost you more than that Lowes deal.

[John Hunter]

I agree with sweensdv. Since you already have a router for doing the hand held jobs get one with some real power for the table mount. Say in the range of 3 - 3 1/2 HP that will take 1/2" shaft bits. Building a router table is also half the fun. Here is one I built using the plans from Kreg Pocket Hole Jigs

[gychang]

I agree with sweensdv. Since you already have a router for doing the hand held jobs get one with some real power for the table mount. Say in the range of 3 - 3 1/2 HP that will take 1/2" shaft bits. Building a router table is also half the fun. Here is one I built using the plans from Kreg Pocket Hole Jigs

[ATTACH]2985[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]2986[/ATTACH]

that's impressive, I am a relative beginner.

gychang

[drumpriest]

Beginner or no, I would recommend getting a good router. If you get a junky one, you'll kick yourself later and have to buy a good one anyway.

You can get a good router combo kit for around the 200$ range. Bosch 1617 is my personal choice, but the dewalt 618 is good, and I hear good things about the new Ridgid.

[LCHIEN]

Beginner or no, I would recommend getting a good router. If you get a junky one, you'll kick yourself later and have to buy a good one anyway.

You can get a good router combo kit for around the 200$ range. Bosch 1617 is my personal choice, but the dewalt 618 is good, and I hear good things about the new Ridgid.

Good advice in this post.
89 bucks for a router and a table is going to be junky.

[SHADOWFOX]

Good advice in this post.
89 bucks for a router and a table is going to be junky.

I agree a 100%.. With a little patience and perseverance, you could find some good deals out there for a decent router. You said you already have a Hitachi router for handheld use. If that is the venerable M12V you can use that for the table instead and buy yourself a decent router with mulitple bases.. i.e. 693LRPK , Bosch 1617EVSPK, Dewalt 618B3, etc.

Go to rockler and get a plate and a table for your hitachi router and make the base on your own or go to IKEA and buy some table legs for it.

[LinuxRandal]

Go to rockler and get a plate and a table for your hitachi router and make the base on your own or go to IKEA and buy some table legs for it.

While were talking building tables, what plates would you all recommend?
TIA