Would I be better off with a router table?

Question

I am a novice at woodworking and have about 3-4 projects that I want to do around the house. I want a router so I can do some curved edging on a cabinet top and to cut out rabbets for cabinets. I have a router that I can borrow but I was told that a router table would be a better way to go. I dont really want to spend the money on a table because it wont get much use once these projects are done. Is there a huge advantage for using a table on the things I want to do or would doing it by hand with a guide be enough? Looking for some suggestions on which way to go.

Answer 1

If your not going to use it a lot, I would say free hand is the way to go.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Some woodworking magazines show how to make your own router table. I have a full workshop of tools with too little space and a family with 'breathing issues' and I would just love to have a router table. Maybe your question has given me an idea about designing something portable so I can take it all outside. Lee Valley has kits but also books on homemade tools and accessories. There is also a television program on PBS (sporadic timing, I think) with a father and son working with routers who use homemade tables.



(We had to move to a smaller home than the one where I had all the space I needed.)

Answer 4

For what you are doing, an edge guide and a steady hand are all you need. There's no reason to purchase a table. If at some point you buy your own router, then a table would be a great investment. Rockler carries excellent tables. You buy the standard table, then the insert that fits your router. I use mine all the time. Stick with it, woodworking is a great hobby. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

As long as you are working with pieces wide and flat enough to support the hand-held router, then it will work just fine. If the only bits you need are the ones that ride along the edge of the board and follow it's contour (or follow a pattern) then a hand-held is still good. A table router does have it's advantages, such as having an adjustable fence for long, straight cut and custom rabbets and dados, and it has a large, flat work surface that makes it easier to work with small or narrow parts like table legs. If you can do what you need to do with a borrowed router, then go for it. If you really find yourself needing a router table for couple of parts, perhaps you could find a local cabinet shop that would cut them for you.

Answer 6

In my opinion router tables are a complete waste of money. You're looking at buying a router so assume you are somewhat handy, I made my own quite easily and you should be able to do the same.



Just did a quick google search and got you a walk through for the first one that seemed somewhat useful, good luck!



http://www.woodshopdemos.com/smr-rob-.htm

Answer 7

Buy the time your done with your projects You will be hooked on what you can do with a router, the table is a great piece of equipent to have around.

look into bulding your own



Good luck

Answer 8

The router table won't help you on your counter tops. If you don't plan to use it much I wouldn't spend the money. When needed you can use a straight edge and clamps as a guide.