Router Table Questions

[tmaceroli]

I'm finally getting around to building a router table, and would like to ask a few questions before I start. I have a PC 690 Router with fixed and plunge bases. I was thinking of using the fixed base router in the table, for ease of adjustment, and keep the plunge router for hand work. So here are my questions:

- I know the 690 is not a powerhouse router, but I don't forsee much more than pretty basic raised panel work. Is this router powerful enough?

- I wasn't planning on an above the table height adjustment, but did notice that there were a couple of systems (e.g. Woodpeckers) that worked well with plunge bases, and seemed to be less expensive than lifts for fixed-base routers. If that's the case, and those systems work well, would you consider a router lift?

- If I decide to go with no lift, which table insert do you recommend?

As always, thanks for your help.

[Salty]

Hello Tony.

I have the PC690 with the fixed base. I was told by the manufacturer rep that it is not recommended for doing raised panels. I took this seriously because I have know the guy for 10+ years. However, I plan to try it by making 2 or three passes and checking for overheating....if and when I get to the point of making raised panels.
I built my own table and used a plastic insert. I would recommend the aluminum if it is in your budget. I will eventually replace mine.
In my case I do not have a need for the fancy height adjustment because I encorporated a way to tilt the table so that I can easily pull the motor or adjust the height. Makes changing bit much easier too.

Dale

[LCHIEN]

If you don't plan on many and have plenty of time and patience then it will be useable.

It would be a good idea if you make sure your design is flexible and will take a future, to be named router, because one day that 690 will burn out or you want to upgrade.

[bigsteel15]

If that's the case, and those systems work well, would you consider a router lift?

- If I decide to go with no lift, which table insert do you recommend?

As always, thanks for your help.

I just picked up a Jessem Rout-R-Lift FX that is designed for the 2-1/4 HP motors.

If no above table is required, then I would look at the Mast-R-Plate. Guaranteed to fit every router on the market.

The two are actually interchangeable if you decide to dedicate a router to each.

[vaking]

I want to repeat the question that Ray already asked earlier but I don't think I have seen a good answer:
Some router lifts cost as much as Freud or Triton routers with built-in height adjustment and bit changing being done above the table. Why would anyone buy a router lift if you don't yet have a router that you just have to have in a table?

[bigsteel15]

I want to repeat the question that Ray already asked earlier but I don't think I have seen a good answer:
Some router lifts cost as much as Freud or Triton routers with built-in height adjustment and bit changing being done above the table. Why would anyone buy a router lift if you don't yet have a router that you just have to have in a table?

I don't think you would by a lift unless you either have or intend to have a router that is designed to fit it. With the Triton or Freud the mounting plates should be just as well and I would think that most lift manufacturers have plates that match their lift.

[poolhound]

I would tend to leave the fixed base in the table as it is more accurate for height adjustment. The plunge base is more usefull out of a table and you would find yourself continually removing it.

Not sure if you can get one for this PC but for some units you can buy an auxilliary fixed base intended for permanenet mount in a table. I think thatit is basically the same as a fixed unit but possibly minus handles.

Jon

[JimD]

Loring doesn't like my PC690s but he can have his little Bosch. The 1 amp bigger motor is not going to make it last any longer.

I have two PC 690s and have made dozens of raised panel doors with them. You need a variable speed motor or a separate speed control if you will use a horizontal panel raising bit. The doors I've made were of oak, softwood, and some were painted with MDF panels. The most recent ones were MDF panels with a 3 1/2 cove cutting bit - it removes a lot of material. My older PC 690 is about 20 years old and still going strong. You can cut the cope and stick cuts easily with the 690 and it will swing the large panel raising bits fine but you will have to make 3 or 4 passes. Loring's Bosch would require the same number of passes but a Hitachi M12 might be able to do OK with one less (it has a 15Amp motor).

I do not recommend a separate plate to mount the router on. Just make a top for the router table of something like a sink cutout and route the back side in the shape of the router base to a thickness around 3/8 thickness. Make an opening for the largest bit you will use with a hole saw and screw the base down. I do not see an advantage worth spending money on a plate.

I use a router table with a home made lift which is based upon a design in American Woodworking's March Router issue a couple of years ago. It works nicely. I have a plate to mount the PC motor in this lift but I do not do that much. Instead I have a 20+ year old Ryobi R500 motor I use on a regular basis in the router table. It is slightly more powerful (13.3A) but the main reason I use it is that it does not work very well hand-held anymore. It is a plunge router and the sliding mechanism sticks. In the router table, it works great. This home-made lift cost me about $50 in parts and my time to make it. If I had to spend close to $200 on a lift, I would not. They are nice but you can do just as good a work without it.

Jim

[crokett]

I'm with Jim on this one. My 690 outperforms my DW621 which is supposed to have a bigger motor in it. In the table my fixed base 690 is easier to adjust than my plunge base DeWalt. However the 690 does not have the variable speed to drive the larger bits.

[John Hunter]

I am picking up the material right now to build the Kreg Router table http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013 My local woodworks club has the video in it library and instead of a lift I am using a hinged table so that i can just swing the table top up and make my adjustments to the router.