[Updated February 2024] Here’s a quick Look at router tables to help you to decide which is the best router table for you. Home DIYers who enjoy puttering around the garage or basement on weekends probably haven’t given much thought to routers, or router tables, since shop class in high school. Then, one day, you’re faced with a job that involves cutting, shaping, and trimming cabinets, molding, or decorative shelving. Where do you start?
Suddenly, a router seems like a pretty great tool to have in your woodworking arsenal. A router table is a necessity when working with narrow stock, creating perfect joints, or making clean and crisp cuts.
Hand-held routers can often do the job, but not with the precision needed for detail work. A router table, on the other hand, lets you keep both hands free, and guarantees both accuracy and safety. A router table might seem like a big investment, but you can find terrific tables relatively inexpensively.
Table of Contents
Choosing the Best Router Table:
Here’s a look at the features to consider when looking for the best router table for you.
When working with any power tools, safety is paramount. This is a major reason why a router table, with the router mounted underneath, is so important; it lets you use both hands for maximum control.
Not just any table will do. Your router table must be well-made, stable and sturdy. With a good table, the router work won’t be compromised by the machine’s vibrations or the table flexing under the weight of the project.
A key factor in the stability of a table is a rigid top that won’t flex, and a smooth working surface. The question is, what is the best material for a router tabletop?
A common material used for an inexpensive router table top is medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which works well for everything but heavy-duty use. MDF tops should be at least one-inch thick and surfaced with a durable material like high-pressure laminate (HPL) or phenolic resin; the latter is the best choice.
The inexpensive router tables will often use melamine instead, which are suitable for light-duty projects. If you want to spend big bucks on the best router table for commercial use, a cast iron floor model is the way to go.
The base plate that the router is attached to is also important in the table’s stability and performance. The base plate must be flat, and strong enough to support the weight of the router. The two top choices for the best router tables are machined aluminum or solid phenolic plates.
If possible, look for a table with interchangeable, pre-drilled plates that fit different models of routers. Many inexpensive router tables come with just one plate that is pre-drilled with different holes so any router will fit. However, that design can interfere with the structural integrity of the plate. It can also lead to dirt build-up in the unused holes, and that dirt will eventually poke up above the surface of the plate and interfere with your work. There should also be an easy way to adjust the level on the base plate so it sits flush to the table’s surface.
The last piece of the puzzle is ‘the fence’ that acts as a guide for the stock you’re working on. You can choose between one-piece and split fences. A one-piece fence is easier to use but can be a problem when using both very large and very small diameter bits. A hole that’s large enough to accommodate large bits can leave a gap between a very small bit and the fence, where your stock could get caught.
One-piece fences also can’t be offset, so they won’t allow you to joint a straight edge. Split fences (which have separate sections that can each be adjusted on their own) alleviate those problems but can be a pain to get aligned exactly. The best approach is a one-piece frame that has adjustable sub-fences.
Other features to look for in a router table include a table with a miter slot to handle a miter gauge and T-slots to accommodate flip stops, feather-boards or other accessories, dust collection systems, and safety switches.
What are the best router tables currently on the market?
– The Best Value Router Table
Before we answer that question, consider what the best router table for the money is. First, decide what your budget is. Next, read the online reviews on routers and router tables. After that, you should have a good idea about the top-rated router tables and features.
What Is The Best Router Table to Buy?
– The Best Rated Router Table
When you are deciding the best router table for your needs and budget, you should consider aspects that are not related to the router table itself. Such as your budget, your available space, and the amount of time you will be spending on your woodworking projects.
You may have read the best router tables reviews, and still haven’t found the right one for you.
If budget is your main concern, I’d recommend that you read more about the best inexpensive router tables or consider reading the best benchtop router table reviews as well.
If limited space is a primary concern, or you want a customized router table to fit your needs, I would recommend reading about the best portable router tables.
Perhaps you want to take this to the next level and search for the best DIY router table.
The biggest goal when buying a router table, naturally, is getting the most for your money. Now that you’re armed with basic information on what makes a good table, here’s a look at some of our choices for the best router table for home workshops or contractors who need to bring their equipment from job to job. We will be focusing on tabletop units, rather than stand-alone models.
Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table
This Bosch router table is probably the best benchtop router table on the market today. It isn’t intended for heavy-duty use, but it’s a very nice choice for the home handyperson. It sits on the top of your workbench with legs that are designed to be clamped or screwed right to the bench. Perhaps the most notable fact is that the RA1181 has a large 27” by 18” rigid top, almost as large as those you’d find on full-size floor models.
The coated MDF top is built well, and the flat surface is slightly roughed to allow the stock to move across it easily.
We like most of the features of the router plate on this Bosch router table, which is made from cast aluminum and is very strong. Strong enough to hold even heavy-duty routers. There is also a simple but effective leveling system (locking nuts and bolts), along with snap-in inserts which can narrow the size of the bit hole and avoid the issues we mentioned earlier.
We weren’t thrilled that the plate is a pre-drilled, one-size-fits-all model, but you can’t have everything at a price range like this one.
The Bosch RA1181 has a rigid, tall aluminum fence with adjustable MDF face plates along with two MDF faces which can be set to create a center gap that works with bits as large as 3½”. There are also two full-sized shims that can be placed behind the out-feed fence face, allowing for easy jointing of pieces as long as three feet. Fence adjustments are done with knobs on the back of the extrusion.
Other impressive features for a router table in this price range include a standard mitre slot which will also accept feather-boards (two are included), a dust collection port that can be used in conjunction with a shop vac or permanent collection system, included router mounting hardware and an on-off switch protected with a “bump” cover which turns the router off in emergencies whenever the cover is touched.
The Bosch router table is portable yet sturdy, strong enough to hold just about any router you’d want to attach to it The smartly-designed router can handle projects almost as large as those that stand-alone models (which could cost twice as much) are built for. It’s a bargain at the price. That’s why we might consider it The Best Router Table.
Bench Dog 40-001 ProTop Contractor Benchtop Router Table
The Bench Dog router table isn’t quite as large as the Bosch (22” x 16”), but it has several unique features that make it almost as effective in tackling large projects. We’ll get to them in a minute. First, let’s look at the basics and why it is considered “The Best Router Table” to some.
The cabinet is made from solid birch plywood which is sturdy, yet supposedly noise-limiting. However, its rubber feet don’t lend themselves to a permanent installation on a work table.
There is a strong, completely-flat laminate top and a phenolic pre-drilled plate which fit most commercially-available routers (including Skil, Makita, DeWalt, Craftsman, and many others); a pre-drilled plate isn’t ideal for reasons we’ve mentioned, but it’s sturdy and shouldn’t affect performance greatly.
The forward-offset router location is also quite convenient and gives you lots of space on the table to work with. There is an aluminum ¾” miter track for accessories, and T-slots on the fence and table so you can use any sort of accessory required for feather boards, fence risers, and stops. There are leveling screws and a dust-collection port as well.
The Bench Dog router table’s “Pro Fence” is one thing that sets this unit apart. It’s based on a one-piece, heavy-duty aluminum fence which is machined to be square and flat. There are several sub-fences for zero-clearance work and a bit-guard to let you adjust to any type of job. There are also dual fence slots that let you move the fence to the other side of the table for maximum convenience.
There are a few drawbacks to this Bench Dog router table, which you might consider. The plate only has a two-inch hole so you need to order a separate plate to accommodate larger bits, the on-off switch is difficult to reach, the “noise-limiting” cabinet has a tendency to echo the sound of the router, and the plate only fastens down with two screws, leaving the possibility of losing level over time.
We like the 40-001 model a lot, and we’re sure you will too. We just aren’t sure that you’re better off with this unit at its price than you are with the Bosch for over $100 less.
Kreg PRS2100 Bench Top Router Table
The Kreg router table takes a very different approach to construction and is considered one of the best router tables In 2024, it is built on a wide stance, steel stand, and has many of the same features as the company’s full-size models.
The stand is indeed sturdy. Like the Bench Dog router table, it has rubber feet that aren’t designed to be screwed into a workbench. But unlike the Bench Dog, the Kreg also has pre-drilled holes so you can easily remove the feet and screw the base onto your bench.
The top of the table is made from thick MDF and is large at 24 x 16 inches. The phenolic insert plate, as with all of these units, is one-size-fits-all, but there’s one problem that’s also a benefit. The plate is not pre-drilled. It only comes with a pre-printed centering template, so you need a drill press to accurately drill the holes that will be required to attach your router.
The benefit is that with no extra holes in the plate, its strength and stability are enhanced once you’ve got everything working. If that sounds like a deal-breaker, you can also order pre-drilled plates from Kreg separately.
One added feature of the table that makes mounting the router to the plate more convenient once the holes are drilled is the “Level-Loc reducing rings”. There are three rings included with the router table and more can be purchased separately. The rings match the exact size of the router mountings and twist into place on the plate so that they’re always exactly flush with the surface. Precision levelers are included as well.
The PRS2100 Kreg router table has been around for a long time, and one of its longstanding problems has been the table’s fence. The company heard the criticisms and redesigned the fence for this table, and it’s somewhat improved.
In the past, there was a cheap plastic fence with plastic cams that had to be manually tightened with a screwdriver every time an adjustment was needed. The fence is now made from heavy-duty anodized aluminum, and there are plastic cam clamps with quarter-turn locking levers that are much easier to manipulate. They’re not as reliable as the screw knobs on the Bosch router table, but they’re a lot better than before.
The rest of the fence system is good, with adjustable sliding faces for supporting your workpiece around the drill bit, and jointing rods (included with the table) to allow you to do vertical jointing.
This Kreg router table also has a dust collection port to be used with a shop vac or collection system, as well as a bit guard.
We thought the PRS2100 was the quietest of all three of these router tables and maybe even the ‘Best Router Table’ because of its open metal design which doesn’t trap sound. The table’s design makes it the most stable of the three options. Its features (particularly the cam clamps) don’t quite measure up to those of the Bosch, though, and it’s $40 more expensive, so we’d consider this decision a bit of a toss-up.
It’s a very good router table for the money, and like the other models, we’ve looked at, we believe that it can also be used by professionals who need portable router tables to take to their jobs.
Router Tables
Router Table Reviews and Recommendations
Router tables have become a must-have in the woodworking field today. Besides their professional outcomes when it comes to woodworking tasks, a good router table keeps the wood clean and adds additional safety to woodworking. It provides a steady stage to shape the wood and precise edging. Router tables can handle about eighty percent (80%) of your woodworking tasks with less effort and more productivity. We suggest you read the router table reviews to get the best idea as to what is available and help you to decide on the table router that best fits your needs.
The Workshop Router Table Guide to help you choose from the various router tables out there.
The workshop router table should match the woodworker’s needs, plans, and projects. There are many router table designs and brands on the market. We will focus on some of the router table basics that should help your decision.
One of the first steps in purchasing a router table is to read good router table reviews on the product you are looking at – before taking a final step and ordering it.
Router Table Dimensions and Basics
The tabletop must be stable, steady, and able to do quality work. It is best to have a high-pressure laminate top on each side.
There are a lot of switchplates out there. Consider getting a solid base plate for your router table because it is better quality, and the snap-out rings of the switchplates are difficult to deal with and tend to sag after time. From an easy-to-use point, they are troublesome.
Router table height is fundamental to take into consideration. The size of the router table, and the space it occupies, are important to consider. You do not want the router table to be too big to use precisely. At the same time, you do not want it to be too small to handle big projects and plans.
When installed in a router table, your router acts as a small sharpener. You can put an edge on a long thin piece of wood easily by running it against the fence at the desk. By adjusting the split fence where the outgoing side is against the incoming side, you can safely route the entire side or edge of aboard.
A router for a table OR a table for a router?
If you are searching for a woodworking router to add to your shop, a router table combo is a superb idea. Getting a router and a table in one allows you to complete many tasks that would be difficult to do with only a hand-held router.
There are times when it is best to bring the tool to the work, and times when it is best to carry the work to the tool. The same goes for a router.
Some operations may be simpler when you have your router mounted on a work table and you bring your material to it. You would probably buy the router table first, a mounted type would be better, then think about the best router that fits the table.
Router Table Rental may be an option
There is a trending concept in the woodworking field today which is ‘Router Table Rental’. Simply speaking, you rent a router table and a router to finish your woodworking tasks instead of buying one. It is something to consider if you have only a small number of projects to finish.
Yet, if you are a professional woodworker or going to be working a lot of projects, I would recommend you to get your own router table. Reading router table recommendations, router table comparisons, and router table techniques will give you a great idea about what you really need.
Routers
Ryobi Router Review
The Ryobi Router, or to be more specific, the factory-reconditioned Ryobi 8.5 Amp 1-1/2 HP Fixed Base Router is perhaps one of the cheapest options when it comes to all-around routers. It comes with specifications that seem almost perfect for working on a wide range of woodworking tasks, yet it is surprisingly affordable.
The 8.5 motor it comes with, clearly reflects the great value for the money you’re getting. It also boasts other impressive features that we will be going through below.
Factory-Reconditioned Ryobi Router Review
What Makes The Ryobi router one of the best out there? The price is a perfect entry point for all woodworkers, even beginners. You will need it if you are thinking about Router Table Plans to start your woodworking journey.
- High Performance
An all-around router needs to come with a powerful motor to work with precision and accuracy on a wide range of tasks. This is the reason we think the Ryobi router is an ideal all-round router, as it comes with a reasonably powerful 8.5-Amp motor.
- Highly Durable
Durability is another important feature to look for in an all-around router. After all, it may have to go through rough use and wear.
That being said, the Ryobi router surely doesn’t disappoint with a durable aluminum base and very well-built ergonomic handles.
Besides ensuring a great level of durability, these things also allow the router to be impressively accurate and work with great precision.
It becomes the best router in the market if you are looking for a companion for the Ryobi Router Table.
- Accurate Cuts
The Ryobi router also comes with a micro-adjustment knob, which offers zero-reset, ensuring a very accurate depth adjustment. This means that pretty much all types of cuts you make with it would turn out to be surprisingly accurate, a sign of a high-quality all-around router.
- Near-Perfect Condition
Well, yes, although it’s cheap and factory-reconditioned, it comes in almost perfect condition. You get all the accessories you would get with a new product. There seems to be no reason to be worried about its quality or encountering any problem with it.
- Perfectly Easy to Use
Despite coming packed with many useful features, the Ryobi router doesn’t fail to offer an impressively high level of ease of use. The high-quality ergonomic handles make it very comfortable to use, while the LED lights offer improved sight while working on different types of routing tasks.
Similarly, the on and off switches are very conveniently located, further adding to the ease of use and saving time while working on time-consuming tasks.
Finally, there’s also a feature that allows you to spindle-lock the motor, making it easier to make highly accurate cuts.
Another great feature of the Ryobi router is that it’s compatible with most router tables out there, including the Ryobi, Craftsman, and of course the Kreg PRS2100 router tables, which you can read more about in the Kreg Router Table Review – Kreg PRS2100.
- Works Fast and Saves Time
We can’t emphasize enough on how the Ryobi router comes with pretty much everything that an all-around router needs to come with, despite being priced so low.
The Ryobi router boasts 25,000 RPM, meaning that it would work fairly quickly on most tasks, and save you quite a bit of time. It also means that the cuts you get with it may turn out to be impressively accurate and clean.
A Final Word
Honestly, you probably wouldn’t be in your right mind if you ask for more at this price. With that said, we can easily conclude that if you’re looking for a great all-around router but are on a tight budget, the Factory-Reconditioned Ryobi 8.5 Amp 1-1/2 HP Fixed Base router is probably your best bet.
Craftsman Router Review
It can be challenging to find the right router for your needs as the market is flooded with many different types of routers. While many routers may serve the purpose, the better ones will help you do a lot more. An example is the Craftsman router. It makes sense to take a look at several different routers so that you can go with the one that seems to be the best for your needs.
One of the routers worth considering would be the Craftsman router. It comes with many advanced features at a surprisingly affordable price. It also seems to be one of the best all-around routers out there; along with the Bosch Router (you can read more about it on Bosch Router Review). The Craftsman Router is capable of getting done almost any task effectively and accurately.
Craftsman Router Review – Offers an Amazing Value for Money
So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the most important features the Craftsman Router comes with.
Feature-loaded product for an amazing price
First things first, we think it’s worth elaborating on the amazing value for money this product offers. It comes with tons of features, including several advanced ones, but is still offered at a surprisingly affordable price.
So, despite being a low-priced router, it’s perfectly capable of working on many advanced tasks, or pretty much everything you throw at it for that matter.
You can Get both the Craftsman router and router table together for a perfect price.
Read more details on that deal in Craftsman Router Table and Router Combo Review.
- Variable speed control
This is one of the many advanced features included. It boasts six variable speeds, with the speed range of10,000 – 25,000 revolutions per minute (RPM).
What this means, is that you can work perfectly comfortably on a wide range of tasks, regardless of the requirements that may change from one task to another.
- Height adjustable
This router allows you to set the bit at your desired height. This is great because it means that you can work on some of the more complex tasks out there with great precision and accuracy.
Furthermore, the router doesn’t self-adjust while being used, which means that you won’t be annoyed at the router re-adjusting the bit height. A feature that seems pretty common with some other routers on the market in the same price range.
- Lightweight yet powerful
This is a fairly rare combination, as you don’t often get both portability and strength at the same time. However, the Craftsman router surprises on this front as well, with being lightweight enough to be highly portable, yet powerful enough to work effectively, even on many heavy-duty tasks.
It’s also a great product as it’s not only capable of working with a Craftsman router table but also with many great router tables like the Kreg Router table. You can learn more about it in The Kreg Router Table Review.
- Great precision
This router allows you to make even 1/64-inch height adjustments, offering a great level of precision. However, if you’re looking to save some time, you can simply shift to the “rapid” height-adjustment feature with the push of a button, which would allow you to make ½-inch of height adjustments.
- Quality concerns
After going through some of the important features of the product, it’s also probably worth noting that there may be a potential downside to it as well. While it seems to be impressive at pretty much everything, we also came across a couple of customers expressing their disappointment with the quality.
That being said, it’s important to note that at the end of the day, it’s a very affordably-priced router. The powerful motor it comes with does allow you to use it on several heavy-duty tasks, it obviously wouldn’t be a good idea to use it on such tasks on a daily basis.
A Final Word
All in all, this Craftsman product seems to be a great bang for your buck. So, unless you’re looking for a router to work on very heavy-duty tasks regularly, this router may well turn out to be your best bet.
Bosch Router Review
The Bosch Router 1617EVSPK is probably one of the most popular routers on the market. Although it is considered to be a mid-sized range router, it’s believed to be perfectly capable of handling more advanced woodworking tasks as well. This is thanks to its powerful motor, aluminum construction, the ability to use both 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets, and being fit to be used with pretty much any popular router tables out there.
This Router is also a great companion to the Bosch Benchtop Router table. If you are considering buying Both the router and the router table, you should probably take a look at the Bosch Router Table Review as well.
Bosch Router 1617EVSPK Review – Powerful, Durable and Versatile!
It seems fit to be used by all types of wood crafters, beginners, and experts alike. While it comes with a long list of advanced benefits for the professionals, it doesn’t fail to impress the beginners as well. It offers a high level of versatility that assists woodworkers in getting the job done easily and accurately.
- Impressively Powerful Motor
The motor is undoubtedly one of the most important features of any router. This Bosch Router comes with an impressively powerful 2.25 HP / 12 Amp motor. Making this router perfectly capable of getting pretty much any routing job done, including the tough ones.
If you’re a professional, you will definitely be pleased with it, because using the plunge base is going to be a breeze.
Furthermore, the Bosch Router 1617EVSPK also boasts of an advanced feature known as ‘soft-start’ motor. What this does, it reduces the initial load on the motor upon start-up, paving the way for easier handling and consistent performance.
- The Versatile Speed Range
The speed range is another extremely important feature of a good router. This Bosch router offers a high level of versatility, thanks to its speed range of 8,000 to 25,000 RPM. That, coupled with the powerful motor, helps you to get pretty much everything done with extreme precision and accuracy.
What’s more, there are also features that allow you to set an optimal speed for the routing task, and to run the router at a constant speed. This helps minimize errors and improves accuracy significantly.
- Offers Both the Fixed and Plunge Base
If you’re a beginner, the option of both a fixed and plunge base may not matter much to you. However, it may make all the difference to a professional or advanced woodcrafter.
First things first, the microfine bit depth adjustment range on both of the bases is very accurate (to 1/64 inch to be precise). This means the bit depth adjustments are going to be fast and accurate.
You Can Also get a Great accuracy with the Bosch Router Using the Whiteside Router Bit Set.
Similarly, both of the bases ensure that it’s perfectly easy for the bit to be centered with the sub-base, as well as any other optional guides which the users may want to use. This helps to ensure that the bit stays where it’s intended to when using various guidance devices such as templates, jigs, and more.
- Additional Features
Besides the important features mentioned above, this Bosch router also comes with other useful features. Let’s take a look at them as well.
- The ability to use both 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets, allowing you to use a wider range of bits
- Highly durable – The router and bases hold up well over time
- Quite easy to use – even for beginners
- Great cutting depth adjustment system
A Final Word
The Bosch 1617EVSPK offers quite a bit for its price, making it a great value-for-the-money product. It’s no surprise that this router is one of the most popular routers on the market. It is also one of the best selling routers in the world, after The Ryobi Router. You may find The Ryobi Router detailed review useful for you.
There also seem to be some minor faults with the Bosch router. These include the relatively poor quality wooden handles on the fixed base, lock-washers not being very useful, and so on. But given that they aren’t anywhere near to being significant enough to outweigh the pros, the Bosch Router 1617EVSPK is definitely something you want to consider.
OTHER ARTICLES
The Help Of Router Tables in Woodworking
Why are router tables important in woodworking?
Many carpenters believe the router to be the most adaptable and portable power tool in the shop. Although the router is portable for most of the tasks like the Bosch Router, it can also be fixed on a router table, taking its applications to a whole new level.
Woodworking Router Tables
A router table is a stationary woodworking table that has an upright spindle for a router that extends from the machine table and can be spun at different speeds. The spinning cutter cuts a shape on a piece of wood as it slides into the machine.
Router tables increase the usefulness of a hand-held router. Each router option is suited for particular applications. For example, bigger work-pieces are harder to mount on a router table, so they must be used with the handheld router. On the other hand, small work-pieces cannot be cut precisely using a handheld router, so a router table will be preferred for such detailed work.
Structure of the Router Table
A router table is a helpful yet safe woodworking machine. It adds versatility to your shop as it allows you to have both of your hands-frees for as much control of the work-piece as possible. The extra control allows you to complete the routing operations easily and makes it safer than the handheld router.
Routers are mounted upturned on a table or bench. The base plate of the router is mounted from underneath the table with a hole letting the cutter extend beyond the tabletop. This enables the work-pieces to slide over the router, instead of the other way round.
This is helpful and safer when working with smaller objects. A router table can be fixed with fingerboards, a fence, and other guiding tools to allow a more accurate operation.
A simple router table contains a flat top with the router screwed or bolted underneath. Changes can be made to detach the router from the table or adjust the height of the router’s bit using a mechanism to lift the router. When it comes to router bits, woodworkers prefer the MLCS Router Bit Set. There is a detailed look at the bits in the MLCS Router Bit Set Review. When used in this mode, the router can execute tasks like a spindle molder. However, for smaller jobs, the router is easier to use than the spindle molder.
The router table is also sometimes used with the bit horizontal so that the router cuts from the side, providing alternative operations such as slot cutting and panel raising.
Router Table and Woodworking Techniques
The router table is a big help for carpenters. Being the workhorse that it is, it’s often among the first few purchases a carpenter makes. We have gathered some common woodworking procedures that you can master in a short time once you acquire your own router table.
Extended, Thin, or Small Stock
Router tables work wonders when it comes to working with thin stocks of wood. The flat surface on top that holds the stock tight against the fence allows a steady operation. Generally, router tables allow for working with sizes of wood that can’t be done with handheld routers. Furthermore, since the router table doesn’t require using your hands like a handheld, it is easier to hold smaller pieces with your free hands.
Pattern Work
One of the specialties of the router is precise and smooth work. Using the table for cutting edges and pattern work allows for a faster process by removing the need to hold the work-piece while working.
Grooves and Slots
With the help of additional router bits, like the Whiteside Router Bits, you can do wonders when it comes to cutting similar shapes and slots. Router tables can help speed up similar work.
Stopped Cuts
Stopped cuts are the cuts that do not continue to the whole length of the work-piece. Many tasks require stopped cuts, and the router table can be set up in a short time to perform these cuts.
Box Joints
Making box joints using a router table has its advantages. Although jigs make it easier and quicker for making box joints, they do not offer many options for sizes and possible joints. A router table, on the other hand, can be set up for a wide variety of joint sizes.
Router Table Features
Smaller router tables are often disliked by carpenters not because of their size but because of their lightweight and non-flexibility. The base of the table should be hefty so that the machine does not move when pressure is applied. Small tables are often not able to handle heavy pressures.
Router access
Approaching the machine from above can be difficult and require you to bend down. Instead, a detachable base-plate can be lifted out of the table. The router table also allows bigger sized cutters to be fitted safely.
Tabletop
A vertical boundary across the router table delivers a long edge to allow shaping work. The fence is also easily adjustable and movable. A sliding fence combined with the main fence opens new doors for crosscut work.
Table Mounted Routers Compared to Handheld Routers
Handheld routers are used by sliding along or across the work-piece so that the cutter can cut or shape the edge or surface of the material. They are generally better when you are working with bigger pieces of material that are harder to mount on a table.
Using a handheld router also allows better control of the cutter, so you can alter the feed rate.
A stationary table router, on the other hand, is fixed on top of a table with the cutter of the router emerging from the top of the table. These routers are suitable while working with smaller pieces of material. To move the work-pieces along with the cutter, push tools are used. Border work and molding should be done on a router table.
Conclusion
We haven’t even touched half of the possible woodworking operations that a router table can perform. There are so many more. Once you become a router table expert, new project ideas will pop into your mind after only a few weeks of working with your new router table. The possibilities are endless.
Benchtop Bosch Router Table Review
According to Amazon, the Bosch Benchtop Router Table, AKA Bosch Router Table, is the best-selling router table out there. And boy does it justify this claim! Bosch might not be the best brand out there for router tables, but it surely does deliver the best bang for your buck and the Bosch RA1181 is a great example.
Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table (Bosch Router Table) Review
The Bosch table is suitable for do-it-yourself enthusiasts and casual carpenters. If you’re going for bigger, specialized projects, you might want to go for the higher-performing machine.
First Impression
At first, this Bosch router table seems to be strong and user-friendly. despite being cheap. It comes with the important functions that one might expect from a router table. With an aluminum router plate, effective debris-gathering mechanism, and a large work surface, it lives up to expectations.
Structure and Design
This Bosch router table consists of three main parts: fence, table, and router plate. Assembling these parts is simple enough. The upper surface of the Bosch RA1181 is engineered to reduce friction while operating. Another good thing about this aluminum router table is that it’s 27-inch long and 18-inch wide, which is almost as good as the full-size models.
The table contains a ¾” broad and 3/8” deep opening that covers the whole table and works fine with any common jig.
The list of routers compatible with the Bosch RA1181 is in the owner’s manual, including the Bosch Router – of course.
Aluminum Router Plate
The amazing thing about the Bosch RA1181, is the strong, pre-drilled aluminum router plate, which makes it well-suited for different routers. If you already have a router, there’s a good possibility that it will fit in this machine and you won’t need to buy a new one. The aluminum plate is strong enough to deal with the powerful vibrations and torque created by the routers.
This benchtop table is beneficial for small wood shops because you don’t have to worry about bending the plate from the weight of a bigger router. Three snap-in inserts come with it. Using the inserts, you can cut the diameter to 1, 2 or 2.75 inches according to your needs.
Electrical Safety
A 6-foot power cord and two-outlet safety switch come pre-wired with the Bosch RA1181. An interlock key for safety is also present on the switch. Removing the key disables both switches. This feature is intended to stop people from accidentally switching the router on when you are not around.
The rocker switch is also protected by a cover. You need to open the cover to turn the machine on, whereas turning it off only requires a bump on the top of the cover. This is a useful safety measure should anything go wrong near the Bosch router table.
Adaptable Fence
The adaptable fence is made of aluminum that is 25″ in length and 4 7/8” in height. The extrusion also includes a tube that is wedge-shaped and placed in the inner corner, functioning as a support. This makes the fence firm with ideally zero flex.
A 2.5-inch dust port is also present, and its effect is improved with the help of a vertical bit guard plate. This plate closes some of the fence openings and guides airflow from the bit. A pair of 12.5” long and 3.75” tall medium-density feather-boards can be attached to make the gap in the middle as wide as 3.75”.
This range enables the faces to be set up close to the size of any bit. All the fences in the Bosch RA1181 are adjusted using hand-operated knobs on the rearmost face of the fence.
Jointing Ability
Another convenient feature of the Bosch RA1181 fence system is the capability to join work-pieces at the edges. While the length of pieces that can be joined is limited to around 24” to 36”, that range covers a large majority of the work-pieces that are required for common tasks. Also, the included faces make it easy to copy any bolt pattern to make longer faces if necessary.
The Accessory Spot and Dust Collection Point
The Bosch RA1181 contains a dust collection mechanism that can be fixed to any standard 2.5” hose.
Aside from the router table, a set of 3 mounting plate rings, dual-outlet of 15-ampere switches with overload safety, router fixing tools, two feather-boards that can be adjusted, 2 1/16” out-feed fence shims, and an adjustable clear guard come along with the Bosch RA1181.
This covers almost all the things you would need to get started with the most basic projects in woodworking.
Conclusion
The Bosch RA1181 is a well-built, proficient and nicely dimensioned router table that brings all the necessities most woodworkers would need for completing basic tasks. For the price, it is probably the best way to meet your needs without burdening your pockets.
The resilience of the materials in this router table means that it will work just fine for a very long time. Even with small projects, the glued-up panels are used in such high numbers that the joining capability of the Bosch RA1181 becomes an important feature.
Although it is made as a benchtop unit, you can make it a completely working router table by building a base and mounting it on a mobile base that may be easier to use in the work-spaces available in your shop. The Bosch RA1181 will make a great router table for your shop, and can surely be considered as the Best Router Table of 2024.
After totaling the included components, you’ll find it cheaper to buy the Bosch RA1181 than to build one with the same specifications.
What Are The Best Router Tables In 2024
Why Would you need to know about Best Router Tables in 2024? Because a good router table can be a great addition to your shop, offering you the required versatility to kick the accuracy and precision of your tasks up a notch.
One of the biggest advantages of using a router table is that it allows you to work with both of your hands comfortably, instead of having to hold the router in one hand.
The Woodworker’s Guide to Choosing the Best Router Table
A router table helps you to have much better control while working on routing tasks. A table turns out to be especially useful when it comes to relatively complicated tasks such as routing grooves or edge profiles.
Similarly, there are also certain tasks that may not be very safe to work on without a router table, such as routing narrow stock. A well-built, quality router table, especially router tables available in 2024, ensures a level of safety while working.
However, choosing a router table may be far from easy, given the numerous options on the market. Options like the Craftsman router table, Kreg router table, and Ryobi router table. We will be sharing a few things that should help you know more about the best router tables in 2024.
The top should be flat and solid
If you usually work on a wide range of routing tasks, it’s crucial to get a router table that comes with a surface that’s as flat as possible. It’s because there are certain tasks out there where even minor irregularities in the surface of the table may result in inaccurate cuts.
Similarly, it also needs to be very solid and rigid. The reason is that the table needs to handle downward pressure, especially while feeding wood. If it isn’t solid or rigid enough, it may flex a bit, which again, would lead to inaccurate cuts.
Routers also tend to be quite heavy, and the table that holds a router needs to be strong enough to support its weight.
Rigid and flat base plate
With most router tables in 2024, the base plate holds the router. It also impacts the functionality of the table. Therefore, it also needs to be flat, to help ensure the required stability, and rigidity, to hold the router securely.
Miter slot and T-slots
While many routing tasks may not require the use of a miter slot, some tasks do need a miter slot to maintain the required level of precision. This is especially true if you’re looking for a table for your shop, or tend to work on a wide range of routing tasks. In such cases, you would ideally want the router table to come with a miter slot.
Secondly, there are some tables out there that come with various T-slots to hold attachments such as stops and feather-boards. In that case, I would recommend reading the Ryobi Router Table Review.
A Look at the Best Router Tables in 2024
Well, now that you’re aware of what to look out for when choosing a router table, let’s take a look at which tables seem to be the best router tables in 2024.
Kreg PRS1045 Precision Router Table System
This router table appears to come with pretty much everything you would need to work on most routing tasks with great precision and accuracy.
Key features include:
- Built with high-quality aluminum
- Independent sliding fence
- Dual locking bits
- Very versatile
- Highly durable
- Works with great precision
Going through these features alone should give you the idea that it is one of the best routers out there, especially given the versatility and level of precision it brings to the table.
PORTER-CABLE 698 Bench Top Router Table
This is a relatively affordable router table. It is quite sturdy and should last the test of time. While it may not turn out to be enough for working on industrial-level tasks, it should get the job done when it comes to home or entry-level use.
Some of its most important features include:
- Very reliable
- Durable heavy-duty aluminum top
- Offers great ease of use
- Reasonably easy to assemble
Perhaps the only noticeable issue with the product is that it is compatible with only a few routers out there. But if it is compatible with yours, it could definitely turn out to be a good choice in this price range.
Craftsman Router Table
If you’re looking for a beginner and budget-friendly router table, there aren’t many better options than the Craftsman router table.
Here are some of its highlighted features:
- Highly adjustable miter gauge
- Comes with three insert rings of different sizes to offer better compatibility
- Adjusting the height is fairly convenient and easy
- Very easy to use
Basically, this router table is just perfect for beginners, especially with a limited budget. It comes with pretty much everything they would need to work on entry-level tasks, and even some intermediate-level tasks.
Kreg Router Table Review – Kreg PRS2100
The Kreg Router Table is a surprisingly affordable professional router table that comes packed with advanced features. It seems to be based around a very interesting concept. That it is a full-size, industrial-quality router table but still portable and versatile; which seems to be a rare combination. Given the surprisingly low price, the Kreg PRS2100 Benchtop Router Table is definitely something you would want to consider, regardless of whether you’re a professional or beginner.
Kreg PRS2100 Bench Top Router Table Review
Let’s take a look at its features.
- Amazingly Versatile
One of the most disappointing things about professional router tables is that they are usually not versatile enough. While they may be a good fit for certain industrial tasks, or to be used on a job site, they may not work as well when it comes to a variety of tasks, or being used in a small shop.
This is exactly where the Kreg Router Table PRS2100 stands out. It seems to be ideal for on a job site, and in a shop. While it comes with many advanced features pro woodworkers would want, it also offers the required level of portability and versatility to allow beginners to also work on a wide range of tasks with great precision and accuracy. That’s why it’s always considered as one of the Best Router Tables in the Woodworking World.
- Highly Adjustable Fence
The fence of the PRS2100 can be quickly and easily adjusted, which is surprising for a budget industrial-quality router table. It also boasts a large working space and comes with three-level-loc rings and cam clamps.
These, along with an impressively innovative design, allow it to work perfectly with even big routers. This includes the craftsman router which is considered a perfect router for a Kreg router table. Read The Craftsman Router unbiased Review to learn more about it.
However, as many customers have pointed out in their reviews, there seems to be a minor flaw in the design of the Kreg Router Table PRS2100, related to the fence. But the reason it may not be worrying at all now is that the manufacturer seems to have realized that and made the required changes to the design. This is perhaps the reason why pretty much no customer who bought the product recently complained about the flaw.
Remember that should you find a flaw in your table, you can easily contact Kreg’s customer support to send you the alternate levers to fix the problem.
- Extra-Large MDF Table Top
The Kreg PRS2100 surprises us at pretty much every front for its price, with the tabletop being no exception. It’s indeed extra-large and measures 16” x 24”.
This provides you with ample working space while working even on big projects, which makes it one of the better industrial router tables out there. Furthermore, the easy-slide surface, as the name suggests, is very smooth and ensures a great level of precision and accuracy.
- Full-Size Router Insert Plate
Despite being fairly small and portable for an industrial-quality router table, the PRS2100 comes with a full-size router insert plate. The three Level-Loc rings it boasts help fit pretty much every router out there perfectly.
On top of that, there’s also the option to buy and use more rings of different sizes with the table.
A Final Word
As of now, there doesn’t seem to be a better option than the Kreg Router Table in the budget, industrial or professional router tables segment. This is especially true given that the seemingly only major downside is a flawed fence design, that has probably been addressed and is no longer an issue.
Bench Dog Router Table Extension Review
First things first, we would like to start this review by saying that there is a pretty good reason that the Bench Dog Tools 40-102 ProMax, AKA Bench Dog Router Table Extension, manages to please its buyers despite the relatively high price.
In addition to being perfectly compatible with most types of table saws out there including The Best Router Table In 2024, it also comes with several highly useful features. This makes the table very functional and helps it to get around the common flaws most other router tables fail to avoid.
Bench Dog Tools 40-102 ProMax Cast Iron Router Table Extension Review
Let’s simply start by taking a look at some of the most impressive features of the ProMax Bench Dog Router Table Extension.
- Perfect Fit
Although this may not sound like something ground-breaking, if you ask experienced woodworkers, they know how important fit is. A great fit means that you can get the most out of the table, and do more than you otherwise could. You can tackle projects with a great level of precision and accuracy.
The ProMax Bench Dog Router Table Extension fits all contractor-grade and cabinet-grade table saws, given the thick iron cast tables they have are 27-inch deep by 1-1/2-inch. As far as the table plates are concerned, it accepts the 8-1/4”x 11-3/4” ones without a problem.
The only thing you may want to keep in mind here is that the ProMax cannot be installed on the left of left-tilt, cabinet-grade tables and the right of right-tilt ones. This is simply because their motor would protrude on those sides. However, installing ProMax on the opposite side of where the table saw tilts may turn out to be a perfect fit, though you would have to support it with two steel rails.
Finally, many customers have been amazed that they didn’t have to make modifications to the extension, or even the saw, for the table to fit. This is also a great addition if you already own A Bench Dog router table, which you can read all about in The Bench Dog 40-001 Router Table Review.
- Takes Versatility to Another Level
The ProMax Bench Dog Router Table Extension can take your table saw’s versatility to an altogether new level. It comes with a cast-iron top that is very durable, as well as a miter gauge track and a 28″ ProFence, making it ideal for small shops where space is usually a big constraint.
The rotating fence ensures that you’re able to work just as comfortably from either side of the table, making it a great option for maximizing the workspace. There is also a third miter slot to effectively handle crosscut sleds, making it even more convenient to work on different types of routing tasks, even in a small workspace.
Other Great Features
- The ProMax comes with an impressively long list of features, let’s take a look.
- Predrilled for many adjustment wrenches
- Movable fence, offering even more versatility and ease of use
- Dust collection port
- Can easily be perfectly leveled
- The width of the fence can be adjusted, and it can be locked in place for improved precision
- Very heavy duty and durable, further adding to the precision and accuracy
A Final Word
Finally, we would like to conclude with what we started off with. There is a good reason buyers end up being so pleased with the product despite paying a relatively high price. The customer satisfaction reflects the level of versatility, functionality, and ease of use this table provides, as well as the value for money it offers despite the relatively high price tag.
