RT 1000 Router Table is here!

[Dave Jackson]

I recently decided that a new router table needed to be bumped up to
first on the tool priority list. The old one was a craftsman self-adjusting
router attached to a craftsman benchtop router table that was inlaid into a
larger table top (a quick and dirty workbench). Covered with paint, glue,
waaaay out of flat etc.... The damn thing vibrated so badly with the router
running, you couldn't set anything else on the 24"x48" table or it'd vibrate
off. Pathetic is an understatement for it.
Wanting to build my own, I started googling router tables. I pretty
much knew what I wanted as far a functionality, but wanted some
"inspiration" on the form. This table caught my eye -
http://rt1000.com/_wsn/page3.html Originally, I was going to "borrow" the
design and build it myself, but after adding up the cost of materials,
decided I might as well just buy it.
Before it even got here, I picked up a few things to tweak it for some
near future projects. I grabbed an Incra router lift with an adapter plate
to hold my Bosch 1617 and a mobile base at the recent woodworkers show .
Well, it's all set up now and I'm *really* pleased with it. The top is
flat, the fence is great, the cabinet is really nice, and the height is
right. The lift is the icing on the cake. I'm starting to feel like a
"tool snob" or something with this nice table! Anyway, I
have a few questions. Are those Incra positioners worth the price? Are
they good only for dovetails and box joints? I generally hand cut
dovetails (unless I have many to do) but I would like to make some small
boxes and am curious if the Incra positioners are all that. I've googled
and have found a bracket that will enable a positioner to be used on a
center mounted router table (as opposed to the offset ones), and was looking
at the Incra Pro 2. Anyone use one of these? Also, I have a set of panel
raising router bits. Although I've raised many a panel on a 3 HP shaper,
I've never done it with a router. Can a Bosch 1617 perform the task? Or
should I consider a PC 7518 or something else in the table. I haven't tried
the 1617 yet, but would hate to kill the thing trying to do something it
wasn't designed to do. Thanks, --dave

[Toller]

> I've never done it with a router. Can a Bosch 1617 perform the task? Or
> should I consider a PC 7518 or something else in the table. I haven't
> tried the 1617 yet, but would hate to kill the thing trying to do
> something it wasn't designed to do.

I have cut a few on my 1617V (you will need variable speed, no matter what
router you use) and it works, but is a real pain. If you plan on doing more
than once in a while and can afford it, get a larger router.

[Woodchuck34]

You might as well "borrow" the design as it appears the owner of the
business has "borrowed" the design from Norm & the NYW crew. Is it
legal to start a business with someone else's design? If so, I could
make a killing selling Woodsmiths' Rocking Horses.

Chuck

[Mike Berger]

Is the design covered by patent or copyright? If not, go get rich!