So I have been wanting to progress this for a while to upgrade our Router capability.
The current Router table whilst serviceable, has significant limitations and is a bit of a pain to use.
Setting it up and getting repeat accurate cuts can be a significant pain. Options
Wanted to add some more information for people reading
Just to expand a bit on the last option, the advantage there is that its extremely repeatable. I believe that package is purely the fence and lift however, so if you wanted to make it a full router table package you would buy these also:
It can be a little hard to adapt Australian routers to router tables because we don’t get them in the same shape as the Americans do.
I think that we should go for a cast iron table surface if possible. Phenolic isn’t necessarily bad but I think in our environment it will wear quicker than we want. The cast iron table linked as option 2 only has a very very basic router plate in it, as opposed to a router lift, just fyi.
It’s also worth noting that while the ready2route system is $1,800, decent router lift platens are up to $1.4k on their own. What you really really want in these things is ability to do everything from above, adjust the cut height, change bits etc. How accurate the lift is, how repeatable, backlash, maintenance etc are all issues.
Whichever way we go, I think its probably a better idea to pick all our individual parts and assemble the router table platform we want rather than purchase a preconfigured kit (unless we ended up matching a kit).
A note on router tables as table saw wings: due to our always limited shop space I’ve thought long and hard about whether it makes sense for us to do this, and my end conclusion is no. Because a router table travels in the opposite direction, it greatly limits our ability to be able to cluster machines effectively in a central island. Its better to have a separate table where you can position the direction of travel as appropriate.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z534iiZ3aC4h7dhmATfI0vCC9qDiJ5cyiUTWzcEfn4w/edit?usp=sharing I put together some costs into a google sheet. Please feel free to commment here or on the sheet directly and I will curate. My personal preference at this point is a cast-iron table with a lift + standard spindle. I think I’d rather put the cost of the ready2route toward the purchase of a CNC sheet router.
I’ve always found Timbecons method of listing multiple options for the same machine a bit confusing.
What’s the difference between a router table with ‘Plunge Router Lift’ and a ‘Lift & Round Body Motor’? Is a Round Body Motor just a standard electric motor deal instead of having a handheld router mounted underneath? I’d probably go more towards the ‘round body motor’ one.
Hi Mac.
You’ve got it -
‘plunge router’ : Your run-of-the-mill handheld plunge router, designed to be operated by humans.
‘round body motor’ : router body designed specifically to fit to some kind of machinery - no plunger mechanism, handles etc.
‘water cooled CNC spindle’ : REALLY FANCY round body motor designed to be run continuously for hours at a time on a CNC router table.
So this stagnated for a little while.
Went through some of the details and came up with a couple of options.
All with a large cast Iron top.
Ready2Rout Solution $3226
Basic Lift, Basic Fence $2142
Better Lift, Basic Fence $2492
Will need some accessories, but can add most of that later.
Note: if you change either of 2 or 3 with a better fence System you can add upwards of $500+ to each
The biggest problem with the better fences is more parts and more things to get lost.
So out of this I think the best thing is to go for Option 1 as whilst it is more expensive, it is a much better capability and should be really easy to use.
Does the Ready2Rout Solution come with a cast iron table? The photo on Timbecon has one of those melamine look tops. Ideally a cast iron top would be good, it should hold up a little better.
Also, fwiw, we feel also that a cast iron top is necessary for our shop. Melamine tops just would not hold up at all, and phenolic tops are not bad, but not as hard wearing (easier to ding with a tool etc).
Cast iron top every time.
I’m undecided on the Ready2Rout. I’ve not seen any youtube reviews from people not sponsored by Rockler, and these are 2013-2015. A look at the NextWave Automation website has the manual (last updated 2017) and no firmware updates, unlike their other equipment. Ready2Lift manual link 404s. Can’t find any ‘apps’. All feels a bit end-of-life/failed to launch. ‘New Videos available’ directs you to a 2015 Stumpy Nubs video.
So don’t expect much support.
That said - at the end of the day it’s stepper motors and software - something we have plenty of experience with. Also - it’s COOL and ‘space-y’ - not something one would have at home.
