Average Customer Review:
 ( 110 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
215 of 216 found the following review helpful:
 Excellent portable router tableJan 09, 2000
Absolutely no complaints about this table. It arrived in A1 condition, carefully packed. Assembly was simple thanks to both the clear instructions and the quality of the components. I doubt that constructing the table took much more than 15-20 minutes after reading the instructions.The fence is a solid aluminium extrusion. Being a one-piece fence simplifies setting-up when working compared to some 2-piece fences. The sub fences adjust easily making zero clearance work straightforward. The Lexan table insert supplied with the table has to be drilled and countersunk to accept whatever router you are using, which means a bit of care is required when aligning the centre of the router baseplate with the centre of the hole in the insert. Once this is done and the plate marked, the Lexan drills easily. The Lexan plate is fairly solid and shows no flexing when the router is attached (I use an ELU OF97E - now appearing as a European version of the Dewalt 621) and it works well. This router has the on/off trigger on one of the plunge handles on the opposite side of the router from the fine depth adjuster, which means it can be a bit hard to get hold of once the router is inverted in the cabinet. This can be addressed easily by putting a switch on the outside of the cabinet, if it proves a problem. At 35lbs this table is portable enough to move around the shop as and when you need it. If I want to use the table I stand it on a Workmate and secure it with four spring clamps. This has provided plenty of stability and a comfortable working height whilst requiring minimal set-up time. I looked at a lot of tables before reading about this one in a magazine review. I have seen nothing that comes close in terms of solid build and quality/robustness of fence for the price.
129 of 133 found the following review helpful:
Bench Dog's Pro Top Portable Router TableDec 17, 1999
By Leon Berkowitz
The Pro Top arrived in excellent condition. Nothing lose, rubbing or parts missing. Assembly was easy as long as you follow directions. The individual components are of a very good quality. I tested the assembled unit using a Porter Cable model 6931 without any installation problem. I am impressed with the results and look forward to getting a lot of use from this invaluable addition to my growing workshop. Thank you folks at Bench Dog for a great design with exceptional features.
69 of 72 found the following review helpful:
 Better Than Most, But Still Some IssuesMay 30, 2000
By Matthew Schenker
I recently purchased the RT-100. I have some bad news and some good news. Bad news first. The directions are really frustrating -- mine were photocopies with the left side cut off. Also, steps in the directions contradict each other. I threw the directions against the wall several times in anger. It uses a set of leveling screws that come up through the bottom of the table to balance the acryllic insert, and I find it next to impossible to set them correctly. As I slide wood across, it gets stuck where the acryllic meets the table, or it dips suddenly from the infeed side. So I go back and re-adjust the leveling screws, but then it's too high in the front or the back, etc etc etc. I am using a Bosch 1617EVS router, which is a light machine, and still it causes the acryllic to bend and pull a bit. The table does not come with a miter gauge. The acryllic insert does not seem to be able to accommodate large-diameter bits such as those for raised-panel doors (horizontal bits) because the hole is just not large enough. Now the good news. They have a system of metal dowels that are inserted into the wood pieces, which accept screws to join the sides and back of the table together. This is an excellent, strong system for joining wood. I wouldn't mind incoporating such an idea into my woodworking. I have bought and used a few router tables in the past: Craftsman, Porter+Cable, etc., and none of them is as solid as this one. Definitely, the aluminum parts are very nicely made, and the table top is also very solid. When it's clamped to a table top, it doesn't move at all, even when routing long boards. Also, the adjustable, independent fences are very nice for setting a zero-clearance cut (but be careful, you can actually set the fence to hit the router blade!). All in all, I would say that the company is honestly trying to make a good product. With a couple of improvements, I would say this would be top of the line.
43 of 43 found the following review helpful:
The FINEST Benchtop router table at ANY price!Nov 20, 2005
By D. B. SLAGTER
I just bought the ProTop Contractor Router Table as a second table that I could set atop one of my workbenches in my woodshop at home. I figured "Hey, for a quick round over, or a second set-up in multi-step operation this would be great. I'm happy to say this has far exceeded my expectations. Allow me to brag-on for just a "bit" (no pun intended).
Why a small quality table even if you're NOT a contractor?
First
The price point of this unit is so attractive that I thought I'd be nuts to not have a second table. The only thing a serious home woodworker lacks is "multiple" machine setups like an industrial shop. I invested almost $1,700 in my first table with a sophisticated permanent lift, a sleek table with just the holes drilled for my router, and of course extremely well machined parts for accuracy with an awesome fence. All this is great, but it still needs to be setup for each and every operation, this takes time.
Second
For many of us we have multiple routers, generally sitting in their cases until used. I thought this was just the reason to put one of them to better use.
Third
A small table is more useful than I would have thought. I mean most of the time you're only routing smaller boards, rails, stiles, etc. These sizes are quite manageable on a small table, and I find myself using this little table more and more.
Forth
Fast, easy and accurate use. Let's be honest. It's nice to have the micro-fine adjustments of the higher end tables with a great lift. But, a good router today sells with an above-the-table adjustment tool. So it's entirely possible to get 1/64th adjustments with the turn of a $20 accessory!
So what impressed me the most about the ProTop unit?
1. Everything, and I mean everything fit perfectly the first time
2. The instructions - if followed, are accurate and well done.
3. There are extra parts in case you loose one - hurray! (I must admit though, I called tech support wondering why I was left with 4 lock washers, my answer was "we threw them in with the previous version, so don't worry about it you won't need them".
4. The price! Who cares if it took me a few hours to put together this little wonder, I didn't want to spend another $1,700 like I did on the last table. The most time consuming element is getting the router plate "just right".
5. It looks great when assembled, and the finish is really first class for any shop.
6. Even the doggone decals look great. (I normally would never put these things on)
7. This is even more embarrassing, I bought two "orange" feather-locs" by Benchdog since they match so nicely! (They also work great, too)
8. The "Lighted" Power Switch (option) also matches nicely and is SO practical and safe by being able to put it ON top of the fence.
9. This thing is quiet.
10. The table is flat.
11. The engineering is an elegant use of simple concepts to achieve the fit, the flatness, and it's square, true fence.
10. The fence is smooth AND SIMPLE TO USE
11.It works with lots of options. I simply got a different plate, drilled it out and viola! I had my above the table micro-fine adjustment tool put to work - I HAD NEVER USED THAT THING UNTIL NOW!! I wonder if I'm the only woodworker who buys these gadgets but doesn't actually use them for months?
12. The aluminum extrusions are true and flat, and really are the finishing touch for making a great table and fence at any price.
This thing will do you proud. If you're a woodworker, you'll wish you had developed this thing. It's a beautiful piece to just look at, not to mention a joy to use.
37 of 37 found the following review helpful:
Perfect router table for a weekend warriorNov 27, 2001
By Matthew Spady
"800rsd"
As an amateur woodworker, restoring a 1911 New York apartment and an 1890's farmhouse, I find this router table to be a perfect fit for my present skill and routing requirements. It is sturdy and heavy so that I don't have to clamp it to my table (but could if necessary), and light enough to store out of the way when I'm not using it and to transport back and forth between my two project areas. A further plus is the connection for a shop-vac which works very well and eliminates a lot of the clean-up necessary with my plunge-router. Following the concise instructions, I assembled the table easily and quickly; it was probably a little over an hour, though I wasn't timing myself. The instruction booklet also contains some basic router tips as well as important safety information. Suggestion: order the pre-drilled insert when ordering the table. I didn't and, lacking the proper tools (and patience) to drill the generic insert had to chomp at the bit until the pre-drilled insert arrived. Three drawbacks, all minor and fixable (but the reason I give this table a 4 and not a 5):
1) To change a bit with my particular router (Porter-Cable 7518), I must remove the router and plate, from the top of the table (rather than the router from the base via the bottom). It's a little awkward and requires removing the two plate screws, but, on the plus side, it forces me to slow down and concentrate on changing the bit properly.
2) It is necessary to open the table door to turn the router on and off. This could be a safety problem, so it is probably a good idea to connect the router to a power strip so that the on/off button is close at hand.
3) The fancy European-style hinges that connect the door to the table are a royal pain. To be blunt, mine just don't work. Easy remedy: replace them with a simpler pair. On balance, however, this table is exactly right for my needs-a very satisfactory purchase.
See all 110 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 110 reviews
