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Woodythepecker

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While reading the posts about router tables, fences and router lifts etc, it gave me an idea of what present i could give my sister on her birthday in March.
She has been dabbling with wood as a hobby for a number of years now and the router table she made about 5 years ago really needs replacing so i thought that i would build or buy her one.

Since i became my own boss last year she has really worked her fingers to the bone when i have needed an extra pair of hands, and yet she would not take a penny for all her hard work. So i want to give her a router table that is very special with all the bells and whistles on it.

This is where i need your help and advice. If you wanted to give yourself or someone else the best what would you put on it? Do i build a Norm clone or buy a top rate one?

Regards

Woody
Do i fill it with Incra, Jessems, Woodpeckers, a mixture of all 3 or another manufacturers parts.
Until you look about you really do not realise how much router products there are. Look at Jessems for instance they have the:

Rout R Lift, Mast R Lift, Mast R Top, Mast R Fence, Mast R Plate, Mast R Lift XL, and Rout R Tables to name just a few, and it seems Incra and Woodpeckers have more then these.

She uses her router table a great deal so i want to give her one that will allow her to do most things, and precision routing is a must.
 
Hi Woody
I have no hesitation in recommending Norm's basic table. It's well designed good storage, easy access.

I made a few changes. I had the dust extraction out of the side not the back, so the table can be pushed against the wall without bashing the pipework. Norm's fence is a bit basic, so I made it micro-ajustable - see last month's GW. I know that plenty of guys sing the praises of the Incra.

I also put it on locking wheels and built a horizontal mortiser into the left-hand side, the one from Bill Hylton's book, Router Magic. I don't use it often, but when I do need it...

Finally, fit the Xtreme Xtension and Router Raizer from Woodworker's Workshop. Yes they are expensive. Yes they excellent. Yes they are worth every penny.

A table like this is going to cost you a pretty penny, but it's a nice project to make, if you have good sheet-handling facilities, and it will last a lifetime. And it sounds like your sister is worth it.

HTH
Steve
 
HI Woody

I just built Norm's table with an Incra fence and a Triton router in it (review soon) and I don't think you'll find a better combination. Router lifts are good but when you consider the cost of one + a router, then the Triton makes good sense as it has both course and fine height adjustment and the collet comes right up out of the table and locks solid for one-handed bit changes :D
 
I've got the Jessem system with the lift and mitre fence. It's very good quality and the lift adustment is spot on. Not cheap though!!
 
Thanks to you all. I think that i need to go to a few dealers and try some of these options out.

Tony, even after seeing the Triton and its adjustments mentioned by others in the past (including yourself), i have never really taken a good look at it, but after reading about it on their web site i am going to give it serious consideration, because from what i see it has most of what she would need.
The only real problem is that she has 3 routers already so at £200+ it will not be any cheaper then one of the lifts.

Once again thanks, and keep the idea's coming.

Regards

Woody
 
woody

I will post a review of Triton this week which may (or may not :wink: ) help
 
Just fitted the UniLift from woodpeckers.
Beautifully made high quality and VERY accurate.
Delighted with it in a Normesque (his blue period!) router table.
Martin
 
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