Best Router Tables for DIYs and Craftsmen

Let's take a look at the Kreg PRS1045, one of the best and most versatile router tables available on the market. Made of wear-resistant and heavy-duty MDF the table is strong enough to hold different materials of various thicknesses. It doesn't seem to vibrate at all; the construction is sturdy and heavy. The laminate surface of the worktop is very capacious and allows you to easily move across quite big and long workpieces. Usually, you'd have to use a handheld router for this. The availability of 3 mounting plate insert rings in the table makes it compatible with different routers. 

The Kreg PRS1045 comes with an adjustable fence; however, if necessary, you could also mount a shaft lock and use it as a guide fence. 

The fencing of this router table is made of aluminum and comes fitted with two MDF inserts. At 36-inch length and with 2 sliding parts, the fence makes ample room for long workpieces. However, the best part about the fence is that it can be fixed on either side. Also, the set includes two ribbed featherboards which allow more consistent and accurate cuts. The caster wheels installed at the bottom make it easy to roll the table around the workshop.

Summing up, we'd say that the Kreg PRS1045 will be best suitable for those users who're in the market for a versatile tool to be used with finished workpieces. It will allow you to cut all sorts of grooves, dados, and chamfers with maximum precision and accuracy.

When we came across the ProMax table by Bench Dog Tools, we were instantly attracted by its unusual construction. It isn't a full-sized wood router table but an adjustable extension to be used with a table saw. That's why we decided that the owners of tables saw who strive to expand the capabilities of their tools will be delighted to have this type of table in their workshops. It is fair to say the ProMax table, however, can be installed only in expandable sections of such table saws as, for example, Ridgid or Delta, so, keep this in mind. Anyway, let's take a closer look at the construction of the table. It has a capacious table with the width of 27 inches and the depth of 16 inches and is made of durable cast iron so it could be used for processing not only wood but also metal workpieces. The adjustable fence, which is 28 inches long, is made of cast iron too, with the two sliding parts made of MDF. On the top of the fence, you'll find a heavy-duty guard designed for protecting hands of the operator from touching the router attachment. When the bit is set, the fence can be locked with two clamps on either side of the fence. It is nice that the ProMax table also has a dust collection port. By connecting the vac to the tool through this port you'll keep your working surface clean from wood chips and shavings. In addition, the table comes with 2 hooks which you can use for the fence when it is not in use. Please note the table is shipped without a base plate, so you will need to purchase it separately, choosing the best suitable dimensions for your specific jobs within the range of sizes up to 8-1/4" x 11-3/4". 

In closing, we can only say, that those handymen who own a table saw or who're about to buy one will appreciate this nice, robust, and functional router table extension. 

Let's take a look at the RA1181 benchtop table produced by the world-famous Bosch. The first thing you'll notice about this benchtop table is that it features a lightweight plastic base plate, which, by lightening the whole construction, allows users to roll it smoothly from place to place. On the other hand, it is fair to say that plastic is not as sturdy and reliable as aluminum or cast iron, which means, it might not be the best fit for processing workpieces which are too long or made of metal. The tabletop of the RA1181, however, is made of aluminum and reaches 27" х 18" in size. The plate on the top is also aluminum and features multiple openings for mounting different routers. With regards to the fence of the table, which, in our opinion, is the most important part of any table for routing, its length here makes 25 -1/8" and it also features an additional T-shaped slot for using featherboards and a bit guard.  The featherboards can be fixed not only to the fence; a similar slot on the surface of the table allows you to fix them to the tabletop either. This way, moving workpieces along the surface will be smoother and more convenient. The safety guard, included with the table, is made of plastic and adjustable, so you can set it at a different height, varying the width of the pass for the workpieces. You will also notice a small dust collection port for removing wood shaving. Finally, we'd like to bring to your attention the arrangement of the ON/OFF switch and power outlets. For your and your family's safety, they are placed at the rear of the table, with the switch being triggered when you lift it. You will not need to worry that your curious son or daughter may accidentally press it. Superb.

Considering the above-mentioned features, we can recommend this Bosch table to all handymen who work in confined workshops and have little space for bulky routing machines. A simple combination of lightweight design and small overall dimensions make this router table very easy to move and transport when it's required.

The Craftsman table is an unusual router table designed for installation either on a benchtop or some other support, that comes equipped with a router. Let's say a few words about the router. The tool houses in a 1-3/4 HP motor that can spin the chunk at 27, 000 RPM. This is the only speed it can work. Naturally, this router fits the router's plate like a feather. As for the tabletop, it has average dimensions, making 23-5/8" in width, 14-1/8" in depth, and 5/8" in thickness, and a wear-resistant quality laminate finish. Now, let's take a closer look at the fence and the miter gauge that come in the package. The fence, making 23-5/8" in length, features two infeed and outfeed MDF parts by using which you can adjust the space needed for the cutter. There on the parts, you will find several slots for mounting featherboards that come included with the table. It's remarkable that the bit guard must be fixed not on the fence, like in other router tables, but to the dust port, and is to be set just slightly above the workpiece that you need to process. This small peculiarity adds to the safety of use, making it more secure for users to operate the tool. Another thing we think you will be pleased with is a special lock in the switch which you can remove to block the access to the tool for other users, like, for example, your children. 

To summarize, we can assume this Craftsman combo router table can become a good starting point for all novice users who've just got into routing. 

The Bosch RA1171 is a benchtop table for processing different articles of wood, plastics or plexiglass. Casting a quick look at the table, you will notice its discrete construction. The manufacturer concealed all wires and accessories inside the table. You will also find a special cabinet for storing away your other tools, bits, and parts. Speaking of the tabletop, it's made of MDF and has a laminated surface of 25" х 15-1/2" in size. On top of the table, there is a special mounting plate with multiple perforations that allow mounting many different routers. Like in other router tables that we've already reviewed, the fence in the Bosch RA1171 features two MDF parts and has an individual slot for a bit guard.  Also, this slot can be used for mounting featherboards that come in the kit. As of the other features, the table has two ports for collection of chips and a miter gauge for angled routing. One of the ports is placed behind the fence, which is typical of the tables; the other one is placed beneath the tabletop. This way, it's possible to connect and run two vacuum cleaners, collecting wooden shavings in half the time. However, the accessories that you will find especially useful are the jointing shims that will let you fill the space between the fence and MDF part for making more accurate cuts.  

For those consumers who're in the market for a functional table, the Bosch RA1171 benchtop can become the right solution. It will not only allow you to keep all your accessories within easy reach but also will not take a lot of usable space in your workshop or garage.