The local TV station was running a series of The Router Workshop every
night in a row for a couple weeks. This is the first I've seen it.
What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc. these
guys used. It really makes one wonder why people spend money on router
lifts and fancy fences unless they are just gadget freaks (I'm a bit of
one, myself, but I'm also cheep).
Seems that skill mixed with equipment that performs its basic function
well is what gets the job done. The bells and whistles may be fun, but
they don't make quality pcs of wood.
Comments???
Of course, people have been building stuff well made for years with a
minimum of equipment. It's just that man as a species has a tendency to
try to improve the functions of the tools he uses, it's just a natural
inclination.
Whether you want your router table to produce a minimum of dust, make
it extraordinarily easy to make a fine adjustment, or even just to have
it look good for when your buddies are over, doesn't matter, it's your
satisfaction with the tool that counts.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The local TV station was running a series of The Router Workshop every
> night in a row for a couple weeks. This is the first I've seen it.
>
> What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc. these
> guys used. It really makes one wonder why people spend money on router
> lifts and fancy fences unless they are just gadget freaks (I'm a bit of
> one, myself, but I'm also cheep).
>
> Seems that skill mixed with equipment that performs its basic function
> well is what gets the job done. The bells and whistles may be fun, but
> they don't make quality pcs of wood.
>
> Comments???
>
There is absolutely no reason to buy the fanciest router table/lifter if you
have mediocre skills and quality is unimportant to you. The flip side is
that even if you have abounding talent and precision is your middle name,
this high end equipment will not make you any better, just faster.
My router table is the right side extension of my unisaw and I have the
Rockler master lifter. It saves me from bending over to makes small height
adjustments and bit changes. My fence is a self-made unit that serves me
very well.
Dave
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I agree on the lift. It always a nice feature. I am just in the final;
satges of my home made router table. I used a 1.4 : Plexiglass base. I
have a craftsman router that has a lift on it, you just put in a
extended allen wrench and turn it, works great. I am going to build my
own fence as well. I made mine BIG. 22 X 48 long. I like a area that I
can put a large piece of board on and not worry about it tipping off. I
bought a miter gauge channel from Mikes tools, Great price once again,
and will have that there as well for support in some projects.
>
> Consider the lift. If I want to raise the bit a hair, I need to crouch
> down, unlock the motor mount, turn the adjuster, lock the motor mount,
> stand back up. With the lift, you just turn it. If you've got a bad
> back, that could be useful.
Style of table releated to application and efficiency. I have 3 types,
lo teck, pin, & hi teck.
Hi teck at the pix link:
http://www.patwarner.com/images/bdpwf.jpg link
______________________________________________________________
[email protected] wrote:
> The local TV station was running a series of The Router Workshop every
> night in a row for a couple weeks. This is the first I've seen it.
>
> What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc. these
> guys used. It really makes one wonder why people spend money on router
> lifts and fancy fences unless they are just gadget freaks (I'm a bit of
> one, myself, but I'm also cheep).
>
> Seems that skill mixed with equipment that performs its basic function
> well is what gets the job done. The bells and whistles may be fun, but
> they don't make quality pcs of wood.
>
> Comments???
Joe Barta wrote:
> wrote:
>
> > Then I found out that the true value lies in using
> > the router and bits effectively for things other than opening
> > paint cans.
>
> I'd love to hear more about using a router to open a paint can ;-)
>
> Joe Barta
I hear you need special bits that are long and flat on one end...
Seriously, Thanks to all for the comments.
Sounds like "to each his own", just remember that you don't NEED fancy
equipment to do good work. I think the best part of The Router
Workshop, as someone mentioned, stimulates you thinking about new ways
of doing things.
Y'all take care, now.
Sounds by what you said about this guy he must have been building his
booster rockets for his "Space Ship".
>
> In a shop I worked in some years ago, another fellow was doing a "G"
> job to take home. He was drilling a small hole in a bit of wood on
> the drill press. Instead bringing the quill down into the wood, he
> used his finger to support the piece from underneath and pushed the
> wood up. At the last bit of wood, his hand jerked up and he drilled
> a hole through his finger - bone and all. After freeing himself, he
> ran into the office holding his finger and yelled "I drilled a hole
> through my finger". The service manager, who was less than
> sympathetic, looked over and casually said "What size?".
>
> In all things there is humor - twisted though it may be.
>
> Pete
[email protected] wrote:
> The local TV station was running a series of The Router Workshop every
> night in a row for a couple weeks. This is the first I've seen it.
>
> What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc. these
> guys used. It really makes one wonder why people spend money on router
> lifts and fancy fences unless they are just gadget freaks (I'm a bit of
> one, myself, but I'm also cheep).
The various additions do serve a purpose.
Consider the lift. If I want to raise the bit a hair, I need to crouch
down, unlock the motor mount, turn the adjuster, lock the motor mount,
stand back up. With the lift, you just turn it. If you've got a bad
back, that could be useful.
The extruded aluminum fences are nice since they have built-in slots for
t-bolts to slide in. This allows for the placement of stop blocks, hold
downs, bit covers, etc. You can add t-slot to a shop-built fence and
make the other stuff, but it takes time.
Like most things, it's a tradeoff between time and money. I built my
router table/fence when I had time--it's got sliding sacrificial
sub-fences, built-in dust collection, etc. But it took some time to
build--time that others might have preferred to spend building furniture
rather than shop fixtures.
Chris
Thu, Feb 9, 2006, 12:57pm (EST-3) [email protected] doth query:
<snip> Comments???
If my router table cost me more than $2 (that's two dollars, U.S.)
I'd be shocked. And, I'll be shocked if the next one costs more than $3
- major upgrades on the next one. LOL
JOAT
Don't believe everything you think.
I guess it's a question of whether you like the
"nudge and bump" fence and bit height method
and making four or five "test cuts" before
getting the thing done you went to the router table
to do. Also depends on what you're expectations
of what a router table "system" will enable you
to do, or do more easily.
There are router table cuts that require fairly
precise fence adjustments - case in point -
lock mitered corners. If you want clean, sharp
corners you must be able to move the bit and
or the fence in very small, controlled increments.
If you just want to cut dadoes, rabbets/rebates
or T-slots a "nudge and bump" set up is probably
fine. But if you want to cut finger joints, half
blind or through dovetails - that fit, then a
precision positionable fence system fits the
bill. If a loose, or overly tight fit of ply in
a dado is ok - you probably don't need an Incra
or JoinTech fence system.
There's also the question of where you're going
to put all the router table related stuff -
collets, wrenches, rabbet bit bearings, set
up blocks etc. . Having a router cabinet with
drawers - and maybe a pull out shelf or two
are nice to have. Homeless stuff has a tendency
to wander off and hide. But if they have a nice
drawer to live in, or a dedicated space in a
cabinet they tend to be easier to find - and use.
"Like With Like" makes for a good filing
system - and the stuff seems more comfortable
hanging out with relatives.
charlie b
On 9 Feb 2006 12:57:27 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>The local TV station was running a series of The Router Workshop every
>night in a row for a couple weeks. This is the first I've seen it.
>
>What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc. these
>guys used.
When I go my first router 30 yrs ago, I thought this is the ulimate in
expensive tools. Then I found out that the real value is in the bits.
Then I found out that the true value lies in using the router and bits
effectively for things other than opening paint cans.
When you watch the show, pay attention to the fixtures and the way
they get used. You don't 'see' any other shop tools on a regular
day. It's all about using the router for more that making a stylized
edge on mostly straight wood. Best of all, the jigs that Bob
Rosendahl (and son) make to preform the various cuts is the most
valuable part of the show.
If you get impressed with tools, watch New Yankee Workshop then buy
the plans. If you want to be impressed with tool use, watch Router
Workshop and get ideas. Don't get hung up on the simplicity of their
setups or what they make.
Having said that; there are some things that I make or do
differently, but only because I go the ideas from them and others.
Enjoy
Pete
You cannot possibly call yourself experienced until you've seen this
happen. I watched superman finish a router cut, then lay the router
on its side on his bench next to a can of stain. The router was still
winding down. He snagged the cord, spun the router over and slit a
gash in the can. Superman does things super fast, doesn't pay
attention to what he does or what's around him, nor gives any thought
to a possible aftermath. And he has excellent hindsight.
Pete.
On the silly things we do;
In a shop I worked in some years ago, another fellow was doing a "G"
job to take home. He was drilling a small hole in a bit of wood on
the drill press. Instead bringing the quill down into the wood, he
used his finger to support the piece from underneath and pushed the
wood up. At the last bit of wood, his hand jerked up and he drilled
a hole through his finger - bone and all. After freeing himself, he
ran into the office holding his finger and yelled "I drilled a hole
through my finger". The service manager, who was less than
sympathetic, looked over and casually said "What size?".
In all things there is humor - twisted though it may be.
Pete
I had a "nudge and bump" two piece fence. I spent ages nudging and bumping
with trial cuts to get the edge cut I needed. Every now and again I went
onto the next stage and then found out I had to re-do some piece for one
reason or another. What a pain to get the "same" settings.
I now have a router lift and Incra fence. Setting up is fast and avoids my
old frustrations. When I have to repeat an operation I can get back to
exactly the same dimensions.
I know I could make my old simple "nudge and bump" system work. For my
workshop "I pays the money and makes my choice". My choice may not be for
others, but I am happy I invested the money. I like the results and it
makes the hobby more fun for me.
Dave Paine.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The local TV station was running a series of The Router Workshop every
> night in a row for a couple weeks. This is the first I've seen it.
>
> What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc. these
> guys used. It really makes one wonder why people spend money on router
> lifts and fancy fences unless they are just gadget freaks (I'm a bit of
> one, myself, but I'm also cheep).
>
> Seems that skill mixed with equipment that performs its basic function
> well is what gets the job done. The bells and whistles may be fun, but
> they don't make quality pcs of wood.
>
> Comments???
>
CW wrote:
> Try watching the show that the OP talked about. Better still, come to my
> (home) shop and I will give you a demonstration. Even better, come to my
> place of employment and I will show you how to line up fixtures within
> .0001" with a mallet. Or adjust the settings of hand screw machines to
> similar accuracy...with a mallet. It is a skill that has to be learned but
> is very do able.
It's really not that hard...
Barry
wrote:
> The local TV station was running a series of The Router Workshop
> every night in a row for a couple weeks. This is the first I've
> seen it.
>
> What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc.
> these guys used. It really makes one wonder why people spend
> money on router lifts and fancy fences unless they are just gadget
> freaks (I'm a bit of one, myself, but I'm also cheep).
>
> Seems that skill mixed with equipment that performs its basic
> function well is what gets the job done. The bells and whistles
> may be fun, but they don't make quality pcs of wood.
>
> Comments???
I absolutely agree. My router table that has served me well for years
is a PC router, bolted to a piece of 1/4" steel plate, set into a home
made table, with a simple one piece pine fence that clamps down with a
couple bolts and wing nuts. It's a very simple setup but gets the job
done magnificently.
Joe Barta
Try watching the show that the OP talked about. Better still, come to my
(home) shop and I will give you a demonstration. Even better, come to my
place of employment and I will show you how to line up fixtures within
.0001" with a mallet. Or adjust the settings of hand screw machines to
similar accuracy...with a mallet. It is a skill that has to be learned but
is very do able. A router lift and micro adjustable fence will allow you to
get good results without as much practice but is not at all needed to do
good work. Just depends on how much you want to put into it. For me, bumping
my fence into alignment is just natural. Others will have to make up their
own mind as to what they want.
"charlie b" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I guess it's a question of whether you like the
> "nudge and bump" fence and bit height method
> and making four or five "test cuts" before
> getting the thing done you went to the router table
> to do. Also depends on what you're expectations
> of what a router table "system" will enable you
> to do, or do more easily.
>
> There are router table cuts that require fairly
> precise fence adjustments - case in point -
> lock mitered corners. If you want clean, sharp
> corners you must be able to move the bit and
> or the fence in very small, controlled increments.
>
>
> If you just want to cut dadoes, rabbets/rebates
> or T-slots a "nudge and bump" set up is probably
> fine. But if you want to cut finger joints, half
> blind or through dovetails - that fit, then a
> precision positionable fence system fits the
> bill. If a loose, or overly tight fit of ply in
> a dado is ok - you probably don't need an Incra
> or JoinTech fence system.
>
> There's also the question of where you're going
> to put all the router table related stuff -
> collets, wrenches, rabbet bit bearings, set
> up blocks etc. . Having a router cabinet with
> drawers - and maybe a pull out shelf or two
> are nice to have. Homeless stuff has a tendency
> to wander off and hide. But if they have a nice
> drawer to live in, or a dedicated space in a
> cabinet they tend to be easier to find - and use.
> "Like With Like" makes for a good filing
> system - and the stuff seems more comfortable
> hanging out with relatives.
>
> charlie b
[email protected] wrote:
>
> What really impressed me was the dead simple table/fence, etc. these
> guys used. It really makes one wonder why people spend money on router
> lifts and fancy fences unless they are just gadget freaks (I'm a bit of
> one, myself, but I'm also cheep).
Wanna' be really impressed? Look up the book "Tage Frid Teaches
Woodworking".
Barry
"Chris Friesen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Joe Barta wrote:
>
>> I'd love to hear more about using a router to open a paint can ;-)
>
> How about using one to *stir* the paint can?
>
I think David has already tried that.
On Thu, 09 Feb 2006 15:24:04 -0600, Chris Friesen
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Like most things, it's a tradeoff between time and money. I built my
>router table/fence when I had time--it's got sliding sacrificial
>sub-fences, built-in dust collection, etc. But it took some time to
>build--time that others might have preferred to spend building furniture
>rather than shop fixtures.
Exactly. It all depends on what you want to get out of the table.
Now that I'm building another router table, there are all kinds of
add-ons that I'm including, simply because at one time or another, I
kept telling myself "there's got to be a better/easier/safer way to do
this". Now I'm incorporating all the better/easier/safer elements
into the new table that will ultimately make it perform better and
make it a joy to use, rather than just a tool that I can do the job
on, if I fight with it enough.
On 9 Feb 2006 21:19:36 -0800, "bdeditch" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I agree on the lift. It always a nice feature. I am just in the final;
>satges of my home made router table. I used a 1.4 : Plexiglass base. I
>have a craftsman router that has a lift on it, you just put in a
>extended allen wrench and turn it, works great. I am going to build my
>own fence as well. I made mine BIG. 22 X 48 long. I like a area that I
>can put a large piece of board on and not worry about it tipping off. I
>bought a miter gauge channel from Mikes tools, Great price once again,
>and will have that there as well for support in some projects.
I'm doing flip-up infeed and outfeed extensions on my new table, great
for doing long pieces or moulding. When you don't need them, they're
gone, when you do... there they are!