Tool Dock Router Station

[smessick]

Anybody have any thoughts regarding the Tool Dock Router Station?

[SteveColes]

Not sure what that is. Do you have a link

[smessick]

Yes, I saw it here:

http://www.woodworkerssource.net/Mer...roduct_Count=0

Woodworking.com has a write-up here:

http://www.woodworking.com/article_a...4&article=1093

[DaveO]

Looks pretty good. I don't know about the dust collection, from the pictures it looks like only a 2" dust port on the fence. I would like to see a 4" port in the cabinet. The table seems plenty large, and the fence looks like it will do the job.
But for $250 you could probably build your own with more functionality (more drawer, cabinet storage and better DC). Of course I have been planning to build one for almost 2 yrs. and it hasn't gotten done. One call or a few clicks and you'll have that router table in a week or sooner.
My .02, Dave

[SteveColes]

I see several things that I wouldn't like . First dust collection is through the fence which is fine, but It doesn't appear to have inside the cabinet dust collection That means you will have a lot stuff inside the cabinet all over the router bits it says to store there.

The fence moves through groves in the top. That means it will be a PITA to remove the fence or move it out of the way when you are routing things that are not straight.

[smessick]

Thanks, those are the kinds of things I count on from here. Maybe I'll go back to the idea of a shop made bench top table. Dave, my sense of urgency is pretty much the same as yours.

[SteveColes]

This is the type of contraption you can put under a router table to give good dust collection from below. The doors open to give you access to the router. Close the doors and have 4" hose in the back and the thing stays almost spotless. I have this one mounted under my table saw extension. With it and fence collection and there is not much more to do.

These can be bought a few places, Hartville, woodpecker, Rockler, etc. And obviously built by yourself. If really doesn't have to be this complicated. When I get a chance I'll get a picture of how it is done On a Bench dog table. That's the way I would go if I were to build my own table.

BTW, You got me on one of the few things I know something about

[Ozzie-x]

This may be where I need to get on my router table soap box since ya'll haven't heard it yet (fortunate guys), and I'll probably offend half of the group. I guess the motivation for most folks to go router table vs. shaper is cost (was for me). However, if you're honest and do the math, nice router table/station + hot rod router + top-side adjuster + a few other necessary gadgets = price of a small shaper. I started using router tables back in the 80's and have always found them to be aggravating, hard to set-up, etc. Plus, if you need your router for hand work, you have to wrestle it out of the table then put it back. Out of shear hatred, I bought the small Jet shaper that has 1/4" and 1/2" router collets and 1/2" and 3/4" shaper spindles and I've really been happy with it, one of my favorite tools. It sets-up inside of 5 minutes including changing spindles or collets, and has plenty of power. It's only about 2' square, and with a mobile base it's easily moved out of the way or moved to cut long stock. So, it's always my recommendation to go the small shaper route versus a router table. Anyway, that's my 2 cents, everyone feel free to scold me.
My Best
Randy O.

[McRabbet]

Originally Posted by Ozzie-x

I'll probably offend half of the group. I guess the motivation for most folks to go router table vs. shaper is cost (was for me). However, if you're honest and do the math, nice router table/station + hot rod router + top-side adjuster + a few other necessary gadgets = price of a small shaper.... So, it's always my recommendation to go the small shaper route versus a router table. Anyway, that's my 2 cents, everyone feel free to scold me.
My Best
Randy O.

Won't offend me , but how do you cut a sliding dovetail on a shaper? Or an 8" wide fluted pilaster with say 7 flutes? Or a dado set ten inches from the edge of a cabinet side panel (I know, you'd use a hand-held router for the last two)? I absolutely agree that a shaper is a great tool for rails, stiles and raised panels, plus round overs and pattern work because of their power, but certain operations still are easier with a router table. Besides, two routers are better than one!
BTW, I'd love to have a shaper, too!
Rob

BTW2 - Happy New Year everyone!

[cpowell]

I have had a Bench Dog router table top/fence for about 2 years and finally decided to build a cab around it. I am about 95 percent done on a Norm-style router cabinet with bit-storage drawers and a large drawer at the bottom for general storage.

It took me forever to just finally break down and build something. I couldn't afford to buy a decent router cabinet.

If you like the table/fence, you could certainly use the cabinet to get by until you have time to build something permanent, then sell the whole kit. It's probably better than doing without for 2 years, like me!

[Ozzie-x]

Hello Rob,
This shaper uses router bits shaper cutters. It has 1/4" and 1/2" router bit collets that go on the shaft end. So this is perfect for sliding dovetails, column flutes or dadoes in the middle of a wide board. The only drawback I've found is that the fence doesn't go back far enough and I often end up "C" clamping a fence board across the table. I think this shaper was around $700 which is in the ballpark of a good quality "easily adjustable" router table outfit.
My Best
Randy
P.S.- Happy New Year to you & yours as well!

Originally Posted by McRabbet

Won't offend me , but how do you cut a sliding dovetail on a shaper? Or an 8" wide fluted pilaster with say 7 flutes? Or a dado set ten inches from the edge of a cabinet side panel (I know, you'd use a hand-held router for the last two)? I absolutely agree that a shaper is a great tool for rails, stiles and raised panels, plus round overs and pattern work because of their power, but certain operations still are easier with a router table. Besides, two routers are better than one!
BTW, I'd love to have a shaper, too!
Rob

BTW2 - Happy New Year everyone!

[McRabbet]

Originally Posted by Ozzie-x

Hello Rob,
This shaper uses router bits shaper cutters. It has 1/4" and 1/2" router bit collets that go on the shaft end. So this is perfect for sliding dovetails, column flutes or dadoes in the middle of a wide board. The only drawback I've found is that the fence doesn't go back far enough and I often end up "C" clamping a fence board across the table. I think this shaper was around $700 which is in the ballpark of a good quality "easily adjustable" router table outfit.
My Best
Randy
P.S.- Happy New Year to you & yours as well!

That sure makes your shaper a real complete system. I built my own router table using a plan from Jointech (plan found at http://www.jointech.com/routerstation.htm) that I extended to take a 32" x 44" top equipped with a Jointech Cabinetmaker's Fence System that gives me 18" of lateral movement of the 32" long fence with built-in dust port to within 1/1000". The fence system also has templates that simplify a variety of dovetail and box joints and has accessories like featherboards, push fixtures, a stop block and zero clearance router bit profile inserts. With my new 3-1/2 HP Milwaukee VS Router, I've got about $700 invested, too. I also have a PC 693 Plunge router mounted on a second table insert plate so I can interchange setups for lower power applications. Works great. Rob

[Ozzie-x]

That's a nice set-up Rob. I'm sure it worls geart and is fun to use. If I had a set-up that nice my opinion of router tables would prbably be better.
My Best
Randy O.