Talk to me about budget (but not too budget) router tables

[skotl]

Think I mentioned on another thread that my most disappointing tool is my horrible made-from-tinfoil router table that never ceases to make an awkward job downright difficult.
It's been under my bench for years but I bit the bullet the other day and dragged it out, having forgotten how terrible every aspect of it is. From the seven hands needed to change a bit, to the horrid feather boards trying to mate with the base making fine adjustment impossible, to router slowly dropping 1/4" on every pass. Oh, and why does it have a 30cm (not kidding) power lead?

Anyways - is there a router table that I can buy without ruing me? Thinking a couple hundred quid. Or is it just a case of keeping an eye on Facebook Marketplace?

I have had this in my Amazon list for ages - love the idea of the rotary handle to raise and lower the spindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZOYF7RS

I see it has currently dropped to less than £200 so would be good to know if anyone on here has any experience of it



I do have a decent spare router so if it makes sense to splurge the dosh on a bare table and fit that router to it, then that's an option...

 

[skotl]

Just had a look on FB Marketplace and someone else is advertising the same horrid table that I've got - apparently it's a "Power Craft"...

 

[Robotstar5]

Triton used to do some decent middle budget stuff when I was looking a few years ago.

 

[seriesonewelder]

Rutlands have one reduced today, out of budget unfortunately.

Daily Price Drop

Design, development and direct sales of premium woodworking tools. Delivering throughout the UK and Worldwide. Shop router bits, routing, workholding, measuring, woodturning, jointing and much more.

www.rutlands.com

 

[davemill]

Really like the front hand crank on that Lumber Jack table!

About 7 years ago, I bought this Ryobi 1/4" router plus table on Craigslist for US$100:

It doesn't look all that different from your PowerCraft, but it worked fine and both sides of the fence clamp tight and hold position. Unfortunately it doesn't handle large stock well. So I have it listed for sale on Craigslist and Marketplace right now because last week I scored this Bosch 1181 for US$80:

Just the table, but its a great match for my Bosch 1617 1/2" router. A friend has the same model (bought new for US$225!). I've used his and it works well. Bosch also makes a similar white cabinet table that may captures the dust better, but it has a melamine table instead of aluminum.

 

[frank horton]

mine is just like that Ryobi above but with longer tables..., it's done miles of shop fitting router work....for that kinda work it was def better than free-hand routering...
bought at a time when there were no fancy router lifts for under £800, plus it was light enough for me to chuck it the van...it was less than £100 at the time...
yes it's not so good at setting the bit at the right hight but u get used to it...Biggest prob was the router that I first used.....2HP...
It's now got a very heavy 4HP Hitachi attached to it perm...plus removed the router return springs, that helped a lot on setting up....
If u want a table with a router lift-micro adjustment u'll be spending a lot and it still wont support long work...
Have to say it mine works 50x50 with my spindle moulder now (which wont go in the van)....just depends on trim size and weight of the wood...
if ur doing small wok they r OK...anything like skirting boards u need to upgrade to a spindle moulder...

 

[oldbikedavey]

My one is a Bosch ( thanks, Rob.....), and is just for odd-bod bits of sporadic patternmaking.
As my moulding boxes will only go up to about 250 x 250 mm, its plenty big enough....
Works on tree-wood, ply-wood, and Tufnol.
Suits me .....