Router table

[unclebadger]

Hey guys wondering what I should do....looking at getting a new bench top router table...wanna keep it under 300 bucks. My wife gave me a gift card from home depot to buy one but it's only $150. If I buy through them I'd still need to add money on top.
I would like a nice one so I'm considering mlcs, kreg and jessem. The Bosch ra1171 looks nice but gets some bad reviews...anybody got any advice? My current one is a crappy old craftsman so pretty much any would be an upgrade!

 

[Two Door]

Use your router to build the new table.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have the bigger ryobi table. I can't get a pic right now since its buried due to the move. I can dig it out later if needed. I use it more than you think. It's very handy making cabinets and display cases for offices or man caves.

 

[Frank Dukes]

i literally just bought a ra1171. put it together last night with no problem. going to use it today after work and i forsee no issues with it. paired it with a 1617 router and it seemed nice enough for me. i needed something that didnt have a full size footprint for my small shop and i anticipate it working very well..

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4499863&postcount=20365

 

[woody 73]

Don't mind the sawdust the man cave is so cold that the pictures are a little blurry; but this little sucker helped build the complete mouldings for a neighbors bathroom. Expensive at the time to buy the complete unit; I am sure the prices have come down some: I put the whole unit on a HF movers dolly and it works great moving it all over my small shop.

 

[signcrafter]

Personally I would build one. Use the HD gift card to buy the lumber. You will be able to build a really nice one for less then you can buy one. And you will get some woodworking fun and can make it how ever you want. The fence is one thing I might buy. I started with a simple home built one but upgraded when I found a good fence on sale.

 

[Frank Dukes]

i looked at building one but my problem was i wanted to start with a good top (fence, tracks, router plate, etc) and those are at least $200 just for that..to build one right would take too long for me. for 179 i got the bosch, put it together and let er rip.

 

[Jbizzle]

I got a Bench Dog from Amazon. It was easy to assemble and works well.

 

[unclebadger]

Thanks guys!

Frank dukes:
Do you foresee the fence adjustments wearing out over time?

 

[Frank Dukes]

well, the table is MDF and the fence is adjusted by two slots - bolts and thumb screws. only downside i can see on first glance to that is that you have make sure fence is parallel. there are rulers on both sides to help adjust it though.

they had one put together at my local Lowes if you want to look in person.