Tables

Bench Dog 40-011 Feather-Loc Double Featherboard for Table Saws & Router Tables

A featherboard is undoubtedly the most underrated router-table accessory of all time. When properly installed, its flexible fingers keep the workpiece pressed tightly against the router tabletop or router fence throughout the routing operation. The result is a dramatic increase in the accuracy, quality and safety of the cuts.

Now many woodworkers make their own featherboards from scrap lumber, but here's a better, safer option: the Bench Dog 40-011 Feather-Loc Double Featherboard. This popular router-table accessory consists of not one, but two industrial-quality featherboards. The featherboards are made from a high-tech polymer and each one has 13 angled fingers that apply steady pressure that consistently produces cleaner cuts with less chance of kickback, chattering or lifting.

The featherboards slide into miter-gauge slots in the router table or fence, and are locked in place by tightening a pair of knobs. Note that Feather-Loc Featherboards can also be used on a table saw, shaper, bandsaw or any other woodworking machine with a miter gauge slot. -- Joseph Truini

Kreg PRS3020 True-FLEX Featherboard - Twin Pack

BOSCH RA1181 Benchtop Router Table

A benchtop router offers significant advantages over a handheld machine. It's safer, because you're moving the wood over the bit instead of the other way around. It's also versatile, allowing you to do a number of cuts that aren't possible with a handheld. And because it has a fence, it gives you a degree of control and precision that is simply impossible with freehand routing.

Because you're sliding the wood across the surface of a bench router, it's important that the surface be as frictionless as possible. The RA1181 features a generous 27-inch long by 18-inch wide table that's made out of slick but durable cast aluminum. In addition, he surface near the fence is rough-ground to minimize surface contact, which further reduces friction.

Though the caveat "some assembly required" applies here, the manual is clearly written, and I found the setup process to be straightforward. Once fully assembled, the RA1181 attaches to just about any workbench via the leg assemblies, which have flat "feet" that you can clamp to the table. You can also use the pre-drilled holes to screw it to your work surface if you don't need it to be portable. (Note that most benchtop routers need to be mounted on a smaller table-using a standard worktable may leave it uncomfortably high.)

Once secured to the table, the RA1181 is very stable, and can handle high-horsepower routers and larger work pieces without bucking. The cast aluminum mounting plate accepts a variety of routers-and not just those made by Bosch. The fence is good and rigid, and is adjustable from 0 to 3-3/4-inches wide.

This is a great little machine, and its portability and capacity for bigger jobs makes it as good a fit on the job site as it is in the home workshop.--Josh Dettweiler

What's in the Box
Two adjustable featherboards, three mounting plate insert rings, one adjustable clear guard, one starter pin and guard, two outfeed fence shims (1/16-inch thick), appropriate router mounting hardware

Bench Dog 40-031 ProMax Cast Iron Router Table Extension for a Table Saw includes fence and Insert Plate

Thanks to the clever folks at Bench Dog Tools, woodworkers everywhere can now enjoy the speed and precision of stationary routing without having to buy or build a router table. The 40-031 ProMax Router Table Extension bolts directly to the edge of most 10-inch table saws, thus providing a flat, rock-solid platform for mounting a router.

The roomy cast-iron extension measures 16 inches wide by 27 inches long, and comes with a durable phenolic insert plate for mounting the router, and a smooth-sliding fence. The table has an adjustable miter gauge T-slot and an accessory slot that accepts featherboards and other accessories. The fence has adjustable sub-fences, a dust-collection port for attaching a vacuum hose, and two integral jointer settings (1/32 inch and 1/16 inch) for jointing board edges perfectly straight. When not in use, the fence can be removed and hung on two hooks beneath the extension table, or left in place and used when cutting on the table saw. -- Joseph Truini

What's in the Box
The 40-031 router table extension comes with a full-feature fence, pre-drilled insert plate, and all necessary mounting hardware.

Bench Dog 40-001 ProTop Contractor Benchtop Router Table

The router is arguably the workshop's most versatile portable power tool. And you can further enhance its versatility with the Bench Dog 40-001 Benchtop Router Table, which converts a portable router into a stationary, mini-shaper. The benchtop table allows you to perform a wide variety of routing operations that would be imprecise or dangerous to do with a handheld router, including routing dadoes, rabbets, grooves, slots, mortise-and-tenon joints, and raised panels.

The Bench Dog 40-001 Benchtop Router Table has an ample 16-by-22-inch top that's covered with smooth, hardwearing plastic laminate. It's outfitted with an adjustable, precision-extruded aluminum fence that has T-slots for accepting various add-on accessories. Other features include a melamine cabinet, dust-extraction port, miter gauge, and a clear acrylic insert that has 12 leveling screws for quick, accurate attachment and adjustment of the router base.

Weighing approximately 35 pounds, the router table can easily be moved around the workshop and stored away when not needed. There's some assembly required, but clear directions and all necessary hardware are provided, so putting together the router table doesn't take more than about 20 minutes. --Joseph Truini

What's in the Box: Bench Dog 40-001 Benchtop Router Table, aluminum fence, miter gauge, all necessary hardware, assembly instructions

Rousseau 3002 Router Lift LS

Fits Porter Cable 690, 890 series, Bosch 1617, 1618 series, DeWalt 610, 616, 618 series For Routers 1 3/4 HP to 2 /12 HP. 9"x12"x3/4" Solid Phenolic Base Plate. Removable rings create openings from 1 1/3" to 3 7/8" Easy router exchange with our solid lock / rapid release cam lock design. Accurate above table height adjustment and bit change with no lock / stay put thread tension design Includes: Rousseau exclusive Corner Snuggers (tm) Two removable glass reinforced polycarbonate rings Unique leveling system Shoulder pin Adjustment wrench

Rousseau 3509 9-Inch x 12-Inch x 3/8-Inch Deluxe Router Base Plate

mfr: ROUSSEAU COMPANY DELUXE ROUTER BASE PLATE Thermoset phenolic plate 9 x 12 x 3/8" thick Fits router bits up to 3-7/8" Small opening accepts standard template guides Removable rings create 2-5/8" & 3-7/8" openings Molded w/ slight crown for distortion free cuts Removable glass-reinforced polycarbonate rings 3509 DELUXE ROUTER BASEPLATE

Rousseau 3301-10 Dual Pressure Featherboards (Dual Pack)

Twin Pack Dual Pressure Featherboards

Bench Dog 40-022 Proguard Freehand Accessory

Grizzly G0528 Router Table

If you've already invested in a big router and lots of router bits, but want the benefits of a solid stationary shaper, then this Sliding Table Router Table is for you. The sliding table makes material processing much easier and safer, particularly when making raised panels. The split fence is easy to adjust and provides full support along both sides of the workpiece. Other features include: steel stand with shelf; convenient front-mounted switch; 4" table insert diameter; 34" table height; two fences, each measuring 10-5/8" x 2"; built-in 2 1/2" dust port; sliding table has a hold down clamp; large safety paddle switch; approximate shipping weight of 124 lbs. Router and Router Bit not included.