Router Table Reviews

Bosch Palm Router vs Full Size Table

Dipping your toes in the waters of DIY allows you to be exposed to the different aspects of tools and construction, mostly in the woodcraft department. Whether you’re a professional or a beginning enthusiast, it’s common knowledge that a wood router is one of the most useful tools in the field; however, routing tables also play a vital role alongside it.

There are so many reasons why one needs a good routing table that’s excellently compatible with their wood router, but one of the main purposes of having one is to ensure the consistency of project quality in larger and complicated queries. In this article, we’re going to discuss what factors you should consider when buying a new routing table for your workshop. We also have a section wherein we compare and review two reputable brands in the woodworking industry which manufactures wood router lifts and tables.

 

Factors to Consider when Buying a Router Table

As they say, the perfect wood router and proficient skills amount to nothing if you don’t use a complementing router table. Without a proper one, it would make your job so much harder because you have to constantly check the situation from underneath the table just to ensure that your router is on the right path. Additionally, you’d also have to maintain and do manual router adjustments for the finest cuts. The problem here, though, is how you can choose the right router table for you. There are hundreds of units available currently, and each one is advertised to be your next big thing. Well, we’re here to guide you and provide you the details you need!

  • Sturdy Base

To maintain neat and polished cuts on your material, the table needs to have a base that’s strong enough to withstand router movements. Using a router table with a shaky and unstable base wouldn’t help you finish your project quickly.

 

  • Flat Table Top

As important as a stable base is, the top surface of the table should also be well-built and reliable. The high-quality top surface would help you ensure that you make clean cuts along your wood material for best project results.

 

  • Adequate Base Plate

The previous factors and the base plate have such a significant role in helping you work with ease and security that you’ll be able to work conveniently and make accurate cuts on your pieces.

 

  • Miter and T-Slots

You have to make sure that your router table has these ports. While you additional accessories aren’t required to use on this table, these slots may come in handy in future project purposes.

 

  • Proper Fencing

When it comes to the table’s fencing, there’s a different sets of factors, designs, and categories that you need to choose from. You have to choose the table with the fencing that’s applicable to the router operation you’ll use it for.

 

  • Compatibility

Lastly, compatibility between your wood router and router table is the key for successful crafting results. To achieve smooth working operation, make sure that your router excellently works with the table. This factor also allows you to do the project faster and more polished.

 

Product Review

In this section, we’re going to have a discussion about our featured products: the Woodpecker VS Incra router table. Below, we’ll explain the difference between each product in terms of its features and prices. Read on to learn more about these two!

Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Tools PRL-V2-420 Precision Router Lift

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The first model we’re going to discuss is the PRL-V2-414 brought by Woodpeckers. It comes with many features, but Woodpeckers ensured that the unit is good at what it’s meant to do: providing you a quick and easy-to –handle lifting mechanism. The lift has an excellent thumb wheel micro-adjustment that reduces the need for you to constantly turn the crank whenever you need to adjust the height or change bits. The height adjustment thumb that this product boasts allows you to work on high precision cuts because of its 0.001-inch accuracy. It also comes with an easy-to-read scale to make adjustments more convenient on your end.

Overall, the unit is easy to install and it provides you with an easy way to attach your wood router on it. Lastly, along with its features that combines convenience and general ease of use, the PRL-V2-414 also has three self-leveling twist-lock rings to support the user with additional security.

Compatibility

The Woodpeckers PRL-V2-414 has a set of motor pads that can cater to motors with 4.14-inch diamteter like the Milwaukee 5625.

Price and Warranty

The PRL-V2-414 provides a reasonable price for its features at $397.99. The convenience and accuracy it provides in working complex wood projects make its market price worth it. When it comes to its warranty, the Woodpeckers provide a 1-year limited warranty for this model.

 

 

Incra Mast-R-Lift-II-R Designed for Rockler Tables

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The second product we have is the Incra Mast-R-Lift-II. The router lift is the first model to introduce the MagnaLOCK System feature, which uses magnets to keep the plates in place as you work. This feature also allows you to make precise and accurate cuts because the magnetic field brought by the system is so strong that it locks the lift in its position. The unit also comes with five steel rings for incredible router fitting to reduce the vibrations as you work. Aside from that, the Mast-R-Lift-II features five sealed ball bearing system to provide you with enhanced control over your machine for more accurate cutting and positive project results. Lastly, this Incra model has a thread tensioning system to let you make height adjustments much easier than other lifts.

Compatibility

One of the known perks of having this router lift is you can use it with a whole variety of wood routers. Here’s the list of the following units you can use the Mast-R-Lift-II with:

  • Porter Cable (7518, 690-699 Series, 890-899 Series)
  • Bosch (1617EVS, 1618)
  • DeWalt (DW610, DW618)
  • Milwaukee (5625, 5616, 5619)
  • Craftsman (17543, 17540, 28190)
  • Rigid (R29302)
  • Makita (RF1101, RD1101)
  • Hitachi (M12VC, KM12VC)

Price and Warranty

The Incra Mast-R-Lift-II is more expensive than the Woodpeckers PRL-V2-414 lift at $425.63; however, the features that it offers are impressive enough for you to look past its price tag. It also comes with excellent compatibility with a wide range of routers.

As for the unit’s warranty, the manufacturer provides a 1-year limited warranty that allows you to bring the product for the company to maintain and repair for free.

 

Conclusion

Both the Woodpeckers PRL-V2-414 and Incra Mast-R-Lift-II are backed up with impressive features to help you work on your craft with convenience, ease, and precision on your side. However, when it comes to which is greater at which, we can suggest that you use each one based on your project applications and complexity. The Woodpecker model is for professionals who are looking for a new lift to add on their workshop. On the other hand, the compatibility of the Incra unit makes it perfect for both novices and professionals.

 

Best Router Table Plate

Setting up your benchtop router table is essential for your best woodworking or MDF projects, but it’s not always as easy to do as you might think. It requires you to have all the best tools and pieces like a router table fence to go with your table and one of those is the benchtop router table plate that you’re going to use to cut everything exactly the way you need it to be for your next project. What could be easier? At least, if you know what type of router mount plate you should be getting.

Rousseau 3509 Router Base Plate

Rousseau 3509 Router Base PlateThe Rousseau 3509 comes with two different snuggers to help you get just the right fit for your router and bits. The mount plate is very inexpensive, which is great if you’re planning to set up an inexpensive yet precision router table.

It also has a ¼” x ½” lip and makes sure that you have everything you need in order to get an ideal fit for the plate itself in your table as well. You won’t have to worry about freehand MDF work or anything else you want to do either because the shoulder pin can easily be moved and adjusted to make sure it’s just right for your own purposes.

When it comes to a warranty you’re going to get limited lifetime, which is definitely an important aspect for your peace of mind. The table will then be high quality and also will ensure that it’s going to last. You won’t have to worry about whether it’s going to break down in a couple years because you can always get right in touch with the manufacturer and get what you need. At a light weight, this is also a great piece for when you need to transport your table because it doesn’t add too much to it.

Bench Dog 40-140 Pro Plate

Bench Dog 40-140 Pro PlateThis Bench Dog Pro Plate offers you a single insert ring that has a 1 ½” bit opening. You’ll be able to purchase additional inserts as you need them to make sure you always have the ideal insert for whatever project you’re working on and whatever bit you need to use with your router.

It also has locking bolts and all of the mounting hardware that you need in order to get it attached to your current router table. That way, you can get started on any projects you want a whole lot faster than you might have thought.

You can take care of all the adjustments that you might need quickly and easily and you’ll definitely be able to attach your favorite router. It has a number of predrilled holes and is ready for you to drill out anything you might need to fit your specific router without problems. Made with aluminum, this is a high quality and durable plate that will last a long time and will stand up to heavy routers and extensive abuse as well. It’s definitely something you’ll want to check into for yourself.

Kreg PRS3034 Insert Plate

Kreg PRS3034 Insert PlateWith this Kreg PRS3034 Insert Plate, you’re definitely going to see the uniqueness because it’s actually a bright blue color with bright red rings. Designed to fit the Triton routers, you’ll also be able to get anything you need in order to build your next project.

The level-loc rings are designed to fit directly flat with the plate itself and the plate is designed to install quickly and easily into your table. When you’re ready to get started the brass starting pin is easy to add where you want it and if you don’t have the right spacing for your router you can drill your own holes as well.

At a moderate price, this plate fits with just about any router bit because it has three different rings to install. Because it’s made with a thick phenolic material it’s designed to stay sturdy and durable no matter what. It’s also super light, so you won’t have any problem getting it adjusted just the way you want. Make sure you are measuring everything out when you make any cuts or when you decide to drill out the pieces you need to fit with your specific router.

MLCS 9338 All-In-One Router Plate Kit

MLCS 9338 All-In-One Router Plate KitMade with a phenolic plastic, the MLCS 9338 will work with absolutely any router that you might have. That’s because it’s capable of being drilled out to fit any kind of adjustment method. It’s also complete with a starter pin as well as 3 different bit opening spaces.

That means it fits with any bit you might need for your next project and any bit that fits in with your specific router as well, which is definitely important if you’re going to be putting together your own system and making sure it works for your needs.

Easy to install, the system has a magnetic hold-down that will help you keep it right where it should be on your router table. Each of the rings is a different color, making it easier to know what you’ve got installed at the moment and just how it’s going to fit. All of the screws and leveling pieces that you’ll need in order to start using the plate are going to be included and they’ll make it a whole lot easier to start working rather than spending a lot of time on the installation method.

Palm Router vs. Full Size Table? See which one professionals prefer here.

Bosch RA1185 Router Table Mounting Plate

Bosch RA1185 Router Table Mounting PlateThe Bosch RA1185 is a little more basic than some of the others here, but it does provide the features that you’re looking for. It’s designed to be used with only a set number of different router systems, but it also has the capability to be drilled out yourself as well, since you’ll have no problem using it with any router.

Made 3/8” thick, it’s made with heavy duty plastic that means it will last very well for a long time. All you need to do is install it and you’re ready to go in no time at all. Just make sure you use the template and get everything drilled out properly.