OK..like everyone on here, I constantly scour Craigslist for tool deals. Most of my shop is a Craigslist find including my pride and joy…my Unisaw. Recently I decided to keep my eye open for used routers. I like the idea of having several routers with different often used bits loaded up and adjusted ( round overs, chamfers, etc.)..I figured I would pick up some cheap machines and have a collection that I could just “grab and route”! So a couple days ago I was sniffing around on CL, and I see a listing for a Bosch 1617EVS 2 1/4 HP router, so I click on it. Then my eyes practically popped out of my head..the router is mounted in a Veritas steel router table! And it gets better..I see that along with the table is the fence and the right angle sled and what looks like either the table top base or a home made version of it. I have been drooling over this setup for the last year ever since I sold my cheap made mdf router table…but it’s expensive..$550.00 for the top, table stand, fence and sled. This whole setup, with the BOSCH router was priced at $300.00! It was a local tool consignment shop and it was right around the corner from where i work, so I bolted down at lunch time. I checked it out for almost an hour..the top had some surface rust and slight pitting on it but it wasn’t too bad. The fences looked in perfect condition and the router worked and looked almost new. There were some things missing..the studs for the table, a couple inserts and the pin wrench to remove/install them, the wooden sub fences (although someone had made a replacement one out of pine), and the fence comes with a micro adjusting device to accurately adjust it.. that was missing too. So I offered $250. and the guy countered with $265. and I said OK..knowing full well that even used and a little dirty and rusty I was still getting around $700 bucks worth of stuff. SO, take a look at my latest score..
Here is the top fence and stand..
The right angle sled
The router
A couple close ups of the table top..you can see the rust and the pitting..
Here is the right angle sled mounted…
The stand is missing a top piece..I will make a replacement for it. It has this simple kick stand setup to tip the top up and prop it to adjust the router or change bits. If your not familiar with this system the top is super strong, thin steel, and the router clamps to the bottom with the base plate still on. You can take the router in and out in less than a minute and its perfectly aligned every time. I am going to call Veritas and see if I can get replacements for the studs, and the micro adjust. I am going to try and polish the rust and pits out of the top with my ROS and some Scotch Brite pads. As soon as I got it home I was all over it with the straight edges and the engineers square. The top was flat, the fence is straight, smooth and perpendicular to the table, but the right angle sled was perpendicular to the fence, but not to the top. I messed with the leveling screws but I clearly had to crank them way out of alignment to get it right. I looked over the piece and I noticed that where the sled meets the top attachment rail for the fence the rail had chamfers in it that rested on flats on the sled. The piece looked skewed, so I loosened the attachment screws and as soon as I did i felt the pieces settle together. I tightened the screws and now it was close to perfect, except for the adjusting that I had made previously was now messing it up! So, a little fooling with the leveling screws and its dead on. The sled slides like glass down the length of the fence and has zero play.
I am so glad I jumped on this deal…sure it needs a little TLC, and some replacement parts, but this is an amazing router table system. He also had the companion book on how to use the system to it’s fullest extent, and I also want to purchase all the accessories that they make for it. This system got great reviews in allot of woodworking publications ..Like I said I have been wanting one since I first read about it, and I am so psyched that this one fell in my lap!
-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248
16 comments so far
WayneC
home | projects | blog
14359 posts in 5551 days
#1 posted 06-17-2011 11:41 PM
Very nice David. It pays to keep your eye on CL.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
jim C
home | projects | blog
1472 posts in 4552 days
#2 posted 06-17-2011 11:53 PM
You hit the lotto Dave!
Good for you
wildbill001
home | projects | blog
111 posts in 4096 days
#3 posted 06-18-2011 12:18 AM
In case you are not aware, the 1617 body tends to “stick” in whatever base you put it into. Use a little wax or Top-Coat (NO wd-40 or silicone) to keep in sliding nice and smooth.
Nice score.
Bill
-- "You can tell the pioneers by the arrows in their back" -- Unknown
CanadianWoodChuck
home | projects | blog
402 posts in 5367 days
#4 posted 06-18-2011 12:26 AM
Nice Grab Dave – Enjoy
-- Wood Chuck (Bruce) http://3dwoodworkingplans.com
doninvegas
home | projects | blog
334 posts in 4361 days
#5 posted 06-18-2011 12:41 AM
I have that table but I got the overarm pin router set up instead of the fence. I’ve had for about 4 years now the the steel top is still dead flat even with the 3 1/4 horse Triton hanging under it. The threaded connecting rods that hold the table together come loose so check them regularly. You’ll be very happy with this. I now I am.
-- "Courage is being scared to death -- but saddling up anyway."
Brad_Nailor
home | projects | blog
2545 posts in 5411 days
#6 posted 06-18-2011 01:13 AM
Thanks guys…
Bill..I did notice when i was cleaning the router up that the body didn’t slide that smoothly..I will have to wax it
Don..Sweet setup! I cant wait to clean mine up and use it. I am making my list of stuff I need to order from lee valley!
-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248
Beginningwoodworker
home | projects | blog
13345 posts in 5127 days
#7 posted 06-18-2011 01:20 AM
Nice score, David.
Bob42
home | projects | blog
457 posts in 5244 days
#8 posted 06-18-2011 01:32 AM
Nice David,
I too am a CL junkie!!! I have found some really great deals, bought and sold and so far been very happy the them. A little clean up is a small price to pay for a good deal. Enjoy your new purchase.
-- Bob K. East Northport, NY
KBX500
home | projects | blog
35 posts in 4016 days
#9 posted 06-18-2011 01:40 AM
That is a sweet buy. Congrats !
My shop is equipped the same – mostly CL finds.
As a fellow CL hound myself I have to tip my hat to you.
Keith
Manitario
home | projects | blog
2818 posts in 4337 days
#10 posted 06-18-2011 05:03 AM
He Scores! Nice find!
-- Sometimes the creative process requires foul language. -- Charles Neil
MedicKen
home | projects | blog
1615 posts in 4916 days
#11 posted 06-18-2011 05:31 AM
You will love the router. Its my go to for everything
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their [email protected]
chrisstef
home | projects | blog
18140 posts in 4460 days
#12 posted 06-19-2011 12:09 AM
Now i know whos been beating me to all the good tools in CT … ive got my eye on you David!! Good score … there was an antique sale in Glastonbury today with a few hand tools .. i picked up a Stanley #80 for $15 and a QSWO swivel piano seat for $5 that ill probably strip and refinish.
-- Its not a crack, its a casting imperfection.
Brad_Nailor
home | projects | blog
2545 posts in 5411 days
#13 posted 06-19-2011 05:58 AM
I have been busy working on my router table..

I milled a replacement piece for the base from 3/4 Baltic, re aligned all the other base pieces and tightened up all the tension rods in the base. I picked up some Merlon abrasive pads to polish the top with. The grits were 360, 1500, 2600. I cut the pads into squares and used my ROS to polish with. It worked well, but the ROS really destroyed the pads….I don’t think the y were made for a power sander. I wiped it down with mineral spirits between grits. Then after the polishing, my usual coat of wax from some crupled up wax paper..I think maybe on this I might get some renaissance wax..I think its looking much better..
I also contacted Lee Valley/Veritas about replacement parts and they responded the next day with an order number and I would be contacted by the fulfillment dept about prices and shipping.
-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248
reggiek
home | projects | blog
2240 posts in 4724 days
#14 posted 06-19-2011 06:14 AM
He shoots….he scores!!!! CL Rules for tools…..what a deal….
-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!
Robsshop
home | projects | blog
923 posts in 4429 days
#15 posted 06-21-2011 06:24 PM
One mans misfortune, another mans reward ! Nice pick !
-- Rob,Gaithersburg,MD,One mans trash is another mans wood shop treasure ! ;-)
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 16 comments
Have your say...