HF Router Table

[mashtun]

Well I was at HF last night using my %15 off coupon, when I noticed there Router Table, item number 91130. It is normally $199, and then I saw that it was on sale in their flyer for $169.

It looks like it might be one of those rare HF items that might actually be worth the money. It has a large steel table, and an Aluminum fence all setup with T-tracks.

Has anyone ever used one of these?

John

[windmill]

Interesting that nobody responded....surely somebody must have it?

I've seen the router table, and it looked very solid to me. Fence, dust collection, lots of storage, variable speed control..and it comes with a router! I guess the real question is - how easy is it to replace it with a standard router?

Bas.

[newood2]

John, I would stay away from something like that. For one, a 1HP unknown router is not very promising. It's like buying a "puss in a bag". Secondly a router for table use should be at least 2HP. The table height of 43 1/2" seems a little high to me, Im not sure how tall you are. Metal table and stand for routing can be overbearingly noisy especially in an enclose space. The metal cabinet will increase the sound -resonance- of the router motor, as oppose to wood which would dampen or deaden the vibration. Something to do with the laws of physics.

Howie

[JoeyGee]

I have seen that table at HF. I honestly never paid attention to the table itself, but I did see that the fence is identical to the Craftsman Professional fence that was on clearance for ~$20 a couple years ago.

I would stay away from it myself, but I am firmly in the "Build" camp in the "Buy vs. Build Router Table Battle".

[WayneJ]

I work at the HF in Saddlebrook N.J. We don't sell very many of that machine. I have seen about 50% of them returned, because people were'nt happy with them. The motor that comes with it is about the size of a trim router. If you could replace the motor it might be useable. The table and fence are pretty solid. HF sells a table top router table with a bigger router for about $100, I think its a 1 3/4hp.
Wayne

[AAJIII]

harbor freight router table

Bought one a few months ago and returned it on the same day. This is one to stay away from, a huge POS.

It would be cheaper to build your own.

AL

[Uncle Cracker]

My son has one of those. He was not happy with the effort required to put it together, but since he got it up and running, he has been pleasantly surprised. It has held up for him, and he has done some very nice stuff with it. Now, I will qualify that statement with two caveats... He did take my advice and invest in quality bits, and he only paid 99 bucks for the whole thing, using sale prices and coups. The motor looks flimsy, but he plans to retrofit a better unit if this one hacks up a lung... He does wish the base was enclosed, so that shavings don't cover whatever he puts on the shelves.