| Overall Rating: |
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5out of 5 |
| Appearance: |
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5out of 5 |
| Workmanship: |
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5out of 5 |
Written By:
Anonymous
(Seattle, WA)
Customer Review
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| "A solid table at a solid price." |
Date: 10/27/2005 |
"What I wanted: The best table for the lowest price. Unfortunately, all good router tables are expensive. After extensive research, I determined the relatively acceptable range of a good complete setup to be $300-$900. A bit pricey for a tool with not even a motor. All router table setups are basically made up of five components. Ideally, all components come together in one box as a complete kit:
*Good quality Tabletop- large & smooth durable finish.
*Portable Legs- when set up, it should be as stable as a fixed leg unit.
*Good quality Fence- should adjust accurately, easily, and stay where I set it.
*Router Lift- must be able to fine tune depth easily to at least 1/64" increments.
*Accessories included- remote on/off switch, feather boards, multiple clear shields.
What I got: This table kit is essentially a Bosch-dized Rousseau 3350. With that known, I tossed out the stock fixed mounting plate and dropped in the Rousseau 3000LS Lift which fits perfect. This completes my setup and is reviewed as such.
Assembly: The table and legs come assembled and unfold easily and lock in position. A screwdriver is the only tool needed to screw in the remote switch and dust port. The mounting plate needs to be leveled flush with the tabletop and is done so with 6 nylon screws into brass inserts from under the table. This along with 4 screws from above are used to tighten it down. Time can be spent getting it all perfect, but it only needs to done once. The Bosch fence varies from Rousseau by adding two horizontal threaded rods for mounting the vertical feather board and/or clear shield. It also uses MDF instead of Baltic Birch for the fence faces. Count on a leisure Saturday morning to setup.
OK. But does it all work: Nice and wide 44" workspace on a very stable platform and it actually folds away. The lift makes the table all it can be and is one incredibly precise & easy to use piece (see my review of it for more info). I did have to remove the vertical clear shield, as its "foot" sticks so far out that it blocks access to the Lifts height adjustment. I will either amputate the "foot" or just leave it off. There's lot of room underneath the table to easily adjust stuff like speed or pull the router. The fence adjusts well enough, although after using the lift with it's 1/512" precision makes me wish it too had micro precision adjustment for fore and aft. Otherwise, the horizontal / vertical feather boards and remote switch work as expected.
Was it worth it: It would be nice to see this table & lift combo as a standard package since they work so well together. My only real wish is, it sure would be nice to see a micro adjustment on the fore and aft movement of the fence. This would add speed & great precise, although at a hefty price increase. Perhaps the fence faces could extend out to the width of the table too. Since it is 44" wide and not 32". Overall, this is one versatile and precise router table setup for the money. 4.5 stars.
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