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Cost of Building a Full Feature Router Table

2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  JackDuren 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Let me start by saying that a few weeks ago I was put off at the high cost of deluxe router table set ups. Six hundred, $800, $1000, and more. Why should something a simple as a router table and cabinet cost so much?

A couple of months back my son-in-law complained that the cheap commercial router table he had didn't work very well, and he was sure happy that I had given him my Sears contractor saw with Vega fence to work on his kitchen cabinet project. When he said that I resolved to build him a nice router table and cabinet. Well I just finished it.

Believe me when I tell you I'm a value shopper. I look for value and good deals on whatever I buy. I started by buying a 24" wide solid core door, 1 7/8" thick, for the top. It was damaged, and I got it for $15. I followed that up by buying 2 4×8 sheets of 5/8" veneer plywood for the cabinet. Paid $41 each which I thought was plenty. From laying on a pallet, it wasn't exactly flat. I had bought an old 3600 series Makita router sometime back, and I decided to us it as the power. I bought a Router-Razr kit from Peachtree for $100 delivered, so he could change bits from the top. It along with a set of JessEm Clear Cut guards that I paid $100 for were the only extravagant items I bought.

Built a nice fence around an old Craftsman shaper fence assembly I bought off e-bay. Designed and built a retractable wheel assembly for the table.

Well, not counting the Makita, I spent $609 for the materials, and that doesn't include the materials like Formica, aluminum extrusion for fence, and the trimming hardwood, and Lexan I already had on hand. I can't believe how much all the bits and pieces cost. I spent $42 on paint!

The table has turned out great. Pretty and it works fine but…. So I guess when you're window shopping and see something you think is expensive, and think you can build yourself so much cheaper: Beware! Jim
 
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#4 ·
Many folks justify a shaper on the cost of building a RT. That's not the case for me, and router tables can run a lot of money, even for "value" shoppers. But for me it's my favorite tool to work with in the shop.
 
#5 ·
A router table does not need to be expensive though. I built one for less than $30 and it works fine. It certainly doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the table listed here but it has a split fence so I can use it as a jointer, a miter gauge slot, dust port for vacuum, and it is big (2' x 4').
 
#7 ·
I forgot to thank everyone who has posted about their router table build. I especially appreciate the photos provided. These posts inspired and informed me. I had the opportunity to look at what you all had done, glean ideas, and compare results. Unfortunately I don't own a camera, and wouldn't know how to post photos even if I did, so I can't show the results. Sorry.

Thanks again. Jim
 
#10 ·
I had a really hard time finding a router table that was big enough for my needs so I was forced to build one. Not a whole lot of 2' x 4' or larger router tables available. Let me know if you find one or know of anyone that makes one that large. Building my own, I am on my second table now. My next one will definitely be beefier than my current one which is made out of plywood and melamine.
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Some of us started with router tables that were a hole in a sheet of plywood, and the router screwed on underneath, with a jointed 2×4 as the fence, with a pair of C Clamps to hold it still.

So yeah I think a router table at 1K is really crazy.

You need not have all of that "stuff" to make it work. Most of that is either for guys like Darthford, and pros who either pay rather than build, but with the pros they also need to get it done, so buying could be an option. For most hobby people with nothing but time, it's not a necessity. If you really want the frills, do them yourself. The link below offers a lot of choices for rolling your own.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=build+a+router+lift
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
Spending money on a router table is personal. It depends on what you expect out of it. There are members of woodworking forums across the country spending silly amounts on there shops. For either show or usage.

You hae to be your own judge of how much you spend on each tool and it's usage.

Everyone starts with the basics and moves forward.
 
#17 ·
I have probably $100 in BB plywood and salvaged wood for my cabinet. Salvaged casters and a solid core office door finished it all up.

Now add a few hun for the Milwaukee router and maybe double that for the lift and Incra fence and your $1000 quote looks good!

As with anything, the storage is cheap compared to the necessary accessories 8^)
 
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