Benchdog makes a cast iron full size router table top. They offer a stand I think, but you can also build your own. The 100 lbs of cast iron does wonders for soaking up vibrations, and it will never warp. Shop online at Rockler.com They have it all.

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Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
For a router table, just go big, no reason not to (aside from the cost... but router motors aren't that expensive).

The Porter Cable 7518 is the router table standard. If you already have a lift, you can buy just the motor without the base.

https://www.portercable.com/pr...ter-model-7518/75182

With what you're planning right now, a less powerful router might be fine, but you never know when you next project might benefit from more oomph.

Thanks. It's a bit spendy but I'll make good use of it.

I do not have a lift. What do I need to mount it under a table? Should I just get one with a base? It's $25 more for the one with the base.

Several years ago, I was into making various stuff that required a decent router, and required the ability to work when hung in a table.

I simply bought a piece of aluminum plate about 1/4 thick and 12x12 square. Drilled the hole for the router bit, etc, drilled holes around the perimeter for mounting to the table.

Back then, the aluminum plate cost me about two bucks. Discovered after I had used it a while that it didn't actually need to be screwed down the table as the weight of the router was enough to hold it.

Given the lumber I needed to make the table and other stuff, I probably spent less than 20 bucks.

If you want to spend money I can help. I built my cabinet and put an Incra top on with the Ince version of a JessEm lift and used the Superfence. A big Milwaukee router lives in it, Porter Cable was having issues with their big one when I built it all up.

If you don't want to drop a small fortune the Bosch 1617 has sort of a built in lift and offers some adjustment from above the table and I think Triton does as well.

I ended up ordering one of these:
Bosch 1617EVSTB 2-1/4 HP Router and Table Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007..._api_i_t3nECb5JADXA1

and while I was there I got one of these:
INCRA I-BOX Jig for Box Joints
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008...t_dp_U_dSuKCb6428BZ6
because the one I built just wasn't accurate enough.

You'll love it, Mark. I had the same router and only sold it when I got into Festool.

I built a Custom Router table years ago. Have a Porter Cable 7518 in a Jessem lift. Don't even need a shaper anymore. Lifetime build for me.