Fine Woodworking Review of Veritas Router Table System

[Terrence Ramsey]

I'm considering purchasing a Veritas Router Table System from Lee
Valley and remembered seeing mention of a review in Fine Woodworking
somewhere on this NG. Anyone know which issue? Can't seem to find it
at Fine Woodworking's site.

Thanks for any help. Any comments on this table/fence/sled combo are
welcomed.

Terry

[Greg Ford]

The Router Lifter review was in the April 2002 issue of FW.

Greg in Reno

"Terrence Ramsey" <tdra...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:04kkaukt06ci4tjvo...@4ax.com...

[Specter]

Terrence Ramsey wrote ...

> I'm considering purchasing a Veritas Router Table System from Lee
> Valley and remembered seeing mention of a review in Fine Woodworking
> somewhere on this NG. Anyone know which issue?

Terry. It was mentioned as part of Fine Woodworking's "Survey of Router
Tables" in the September/October 1999 issue. I wouldn't put too much effort
into finding a copy of that issue - the review was fairly brief, and the
Veritas system was barely mentioned.

Overall, the Veritas system scored well - as it always does, but took hits
for being too expensive. The author of the article, it should be mentioned,
went on propose a "dream router table" made up of components from several
sources. The price of his dream system was a whopping $619 US! And he thinks
the Veritas system is expensive?!

> Thanks for any help. Any comments on this table/fence/sled combo are
> welcomed.

So far, I only have the router top and stand. The top is amazing. I love the
versatility of being able to quickly pop the router out anytime I need to
use it hand-held. I have no need for a second router, saving me hundreds of
dollars I'd have likely spent, had I bought just about any other router
table. The stand is another story. It serves a basic purpose, but I, mostly,
bought it only to serve as inspiration for a more fully developed, home-made
design.

Other pluses to the Veritas system include:

- You can buy the manual, or a demonstration video before buying anything
else, allowing for a more informed purchase. Some Lee Valley stores also
offer demonstration classes for the entire system. I'll be taking one this
weekend.

- Buy only what you need, when you need it. Lee Valley frequently offers new
attachments for this system. You have to admire that level of support.

After the demonstration course this weekend, I'm planning on adding the
fence and sled to my table top. After a while, I'll be able to offer an
informed opinion on these parts of the system. For now, all I can tell you
is they seem well designed and solidly built. They'll have to be, as the
Veritas top doesn't have miter slots and relies, instead, on the sled.

I hope some of this helps.

Rob

[Major Wood]

Popular mechanics did a review recently, just read it in the
barbershop within the hour.

[Brian Laufman]

I'll tell you what, I've got the Lee Valley system and I love it.

There are a LOT of good ideas put into the design of that system. While the
fence itself in my mind is well above average, the use of little brass nuts
behind the fence to help you repeat settings is great.

The quarter inch steel will not flex at all - no matter how heavey your
router is. The router clamping system is excellent - flexible to hold any
router, and boy does it hold the router!

There are a series of round plastic inserts that have an openning to allow
for the router bit - these snug in perfectly flat to the table. I don't
know any other router table that can say that.

The sled is great for doing box joints, and even better as a support for
your work piece for raised pannels, etc. This table does NOT have a miter
gage - and it doesn't need one with the fence.

Again, I'm quite happy with mine, and I use it alot. At this point, I've
bought just about all the accessories for it that there are available
(except the arm with a pin) - and they're all of excellent quality.

Brian

"Terrence Ramsey" <tdra...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:04kkaukt06ci4tjvo...@4ax.com...

[scottpail]

Thanks for any help. Any comments on this table/fence/sled combo are
> > welcomed.
> >
> > Terry

Terry;

I can`t think of any problems with the Veritas System. I have the
table, stand, both sleds, work hold downs, safety shield, magnetic
dust chute, micro adjust. The chute is connected to a DC, and I run a
Makita 3612C in the table. One visitor described it as a Uptopic
Experience. I really love woodworking, and I am totally transported
when using this system. I have done some of my most accurate work with
this setup (double slotted dovetails made of maple and walnut using a
vernier caliper. Add wood and Veritas system, set it up, push the wood
through.) Even the first rate service at Lee Valley. 40 lbs of hold
down force on the dust chute for sure - holds the 4 inch hose right
where you want it. A real dream. Sorry if I am babbling, but very
repeatable set ups, solid lifetime system, fine
adjustments.......right...I have been in love with this system for
over a year now, and the honeymoon ain`t over.

Good luck,

Paul

[Slowhand]

I also have the veritas router table system and ditto what Brian sez. It's
a superb setup and I highly recommend it.
SH

Brian Laufman wrote in message ...