PORTABLE ROUTER TABLES & ROUTER TABLES WITH STANDS

Routers are pretty flexible tools. Router table with stand turns a basic fixed based router into a more full fledged shaper, with all the pluses that implies. Its safer when the power isn't rotating at 18,000 rpm's in your hands, and eliminates many of the clamping challenges that you find as you become more familiar with your tool.

But this comes at a price. Its doesn't fit in your car quite as easily and harder to haul to the job site, so that is certainly something you have to consider in your buying/designing process. Here's a few options..

Table Saw Router: As we discussed before, this is no more than router table with hardware to install between the rails in your table saw... it doesn't really have any stand at all.

I've also seem similar models hinged or cantilevered to the side of a work bench.. so it capitalizes on the weight and strength of your bench and yet out of the way when the space is needed for other purposes.

Portable Router Tables: this basically means that you can fold away the legs that form the stand of your portable router table. You can see in the picture to the right that a portable router table is really just a router table with a set of folding legs or collapsible legs installed on the under side of the table.

These don't offer a lot of stability if you are doing any heavy works, and leave a lot of wasted space under the tool that may be better used.

They also come in a bench top version, like the Portable Freud Router table that is only 14" tall with the expectation that you will drop it down on top of your workbench.. so read the fine print to know what you're buying :).

They are really great if you're working on small boxes and intricate joinery and need to put away all of your tools at the end of the day.

So, I'd only buy a "Portable Router Table" if I really needed it to be portable.. then study the leg locking mechanism and gauge of metal to find one that you think might last longer than the first move... Match the ruggedness of the design to the intended workload.

LEGS/STAND:

More permanent tools ie. router table with stand come with either a bolt together set of legs, or built more like your bathroom vanity with all the drawers and cubby holes.

One advantage of just getting a set of legs with your router table is that most have a degree of adjustability, letting you set the height of the work surface to somewhere between 30 and 36"... somewhat relevant particularly for the short people in this world :) .. like me!

Heavier industrial gauge metal is always better, holds its shape and offers weight so your wood router doesn't walk around the room. The more cross-bracing the better. Better tables, powder coat the metal to prevent rusting.

I prefer square legs rather then flared ones.. only because I add cabinetry to the underside and it makes construction easier if I don't have to allow for flared legs in the design.

Wheels I always take off. Even "locked", the machine still tends to vibrate, so only in situations where ongoing portability is REALLY important do I worry about finding a router table with a set of rollers.

ROUTER TABLE CABINET:

Some router tables come with a pretty sophisticated stand. Bottom line is that I'd usually make my own, then I can customize it specifically to the set up I have and the tooling I own, but here's some things to think about in its design:

Access to your router: if you only have one router you're going to want to take it in and out of the cabinet.. how easy is that to accomplish.

Dust Collection: On the opposite end of that conversation, have they closed off the router box enough that you could get reasonable suction for dust collection and pickup?

Tool Storage: Does it work for the types of cutters that you use? Is there enough space for today and your future? Is there ever? :) I like a drawer in the bottom that holds my wrenchs, template guides and miscellaneous accessories Have they been configured in such a way that they won't fill up with shavings?

Power: Does the table include an independent ON/OFF switch that you plug your router's power line into. Nothing worse then getting into the middle of a fancy joinery cut and can't reach the off switch before you mess up your woodworking.

After market switches are available, just a question of knowing what you are getting.. and this is certainly something worth paying for.

Well that pretty well gives you an idea on all the options for portable router tables and router tables with stands. Now maybe we'll take a minute to discuss the possibilities in the way of router fences as the last element in the discussion about what makes the Best Router Table.

Router Table Fences >>