ToolShed Router Table

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cshwone

1070 posts

Uber Geek

#208135 28-Jan-2017 05:26

Hello,

I have been considering building a Router Table to fit an existing router to. However, I have come across this item:

http://www.thetoolshed.co.nz/Products/Workshop/Other/ToolShed-Router-Table

I have not used ToolShed branded products before but this appears to be quite a good deal in comparison to even the cost of a router plus building a table. I can't find any reviews though so I would appreciate some feedback on this item in particular but also any comments on the general reliability and performance of ToolShed branded products.

Many Thanks.

mdf

3513 posts

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Trusted

#1710994 28-Jan-2017 11:52

I only discovered the Tool Shed a few months back. Have only bought a couple of things from them but everything is still working as it should so far. Knowledgeable and friendly bunch of guys in Petone at least. Their MO seems to be to find a factory producing products for a name brand, then getting more reskinned for their own line.

Haven't used that router table though, so would be interested in your views if you do end up getting it.

mcraenz

1140 posts

Uber Geek

#1711212 28-Jan-2017 23:30

What are you mainly going to be routing? I wouldn't expect it to be very rigid.

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cshwone

1070 posts

Uber Geek

#1711226 29-Jan-2017 06:25

mcraenz: What are you mainly going to be routing? I wouldn't expect it to be very rigid.

The primary purpose is for working on joints. I have found I have more control using a table. Had one in the UK. I would make my own (and will long term) but I have a couple of projects I have to get done for SWMBO.

Bung

6485 posts

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Subscriber

#1711230 29-Jan-2017 07:14

cshwone: I can't find any reviews though so I would appreciate some feedback on this item in particular but also any comments on the general reliability and performance of ToolShed branded products.

If you can't find any reviews of it under any other branding but decide to go ahead I'd use it immediately so any problems surface early. My neighbour has just bought a Toolshed post hole borer and hopes to finish his fence before the gearbox fails.

cshwone

1070 posts

Uber Geek

#1714493 2-Feb-2017 14:48

Went ahead and purchased the Toolshed router table. Especially since there was another $20 off today. First impressions are that it is a sturdy beast. For a bench top table it weighs in at 31 kg so fairly hefty. The instruction booklet was appalling. The usual badly photocopied, English is not even a second language type of thing. But got it all together and gave it a test drive. Solid enough and will do the job. Variable speed, plenty of different sized collets will take just about any bit. Raising and lowering the bit height is very simple so it ticks all the boxes I was after.

Cheers,

richms

28177 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1714684 2-Feb-2017 20:26

Good to hear. Will be ages before I have somewhere to put one and use it so will be interested to hear how it holds up long term.

Richard rich.ms

cshwone

1070 posts

Uber Geek

#1722119 18-Feb-2017 08:24

Had this for a couple of weeks now and used it extensively. Usability is good. I have mounted it onto a fold up work bench and that has worked well. The only down side is that you still have to have a hand held router for those awkward jobs, but in my case I had that anyway. (And as far as I am concerned the more power tools the better )

Using a table with a fixed router is certainly a step up though. So far I would recommend. See how the long term reliability goes now.

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jasonh

35 posts

Geek

#1722402 18-Feb-2017 19:16

Late to the party but as you are happy with it, thats the main thing!

For anyone else thinking about something like this that also has their own router I would suggest spending the $$ on a router lift and building their own table. Primarily because it will handle anything you want without any constraints in a factory design.

I use one like this, admittedly it is on the expensive side and there are cheaper ones. This just happens to be one that I can search the link for easily.

http://www.incra.com/router_system_accessories-mast-r-lift-ii.html

I made a router table for a community workshop using another router lift that was about $400. Yes, for that $$ you only get the lift and have to supply your own router but if you have the router you might find that you can build the most versatile and robust router table you would ever want.

Glad you are happy with what you have. Thats the only box that needs to be ticked :)