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 The ProTop Contractor Benchtop Table adds versatility and precision to your router setup. View larger. |
Whether you're a professional craftsperson or a serious do-it-yourselfer, a router table like the ProTop Contractor lets you tackle jobs that would be difficult or impossible to complete precisely with a handheld router.
A top-quality fence is critical to the performance of any router table system, and this system relies on the feature-loaded ProFence. Its heavy-duty, one-piece aluminum frame is fully machined on the front and bottom surfaces to ensure it's flat, true, and square. Easy-adjust sub-fences and bit guard are also included.
The ProTop Contractor provides a flexible setup that can be adjusted to project-specific needs, with an aluminum miter accessory track that is adjustable to fit all standard miter gauges, plus accessory T-slots on both the table and fence that are perfect for mounting featherboards, stops, fence risers, and switches. This allows you to accommodate the full range of router applications, from cutting dadoes and slots to crafting precise joints. For work with large panels, this table also offers dual fence slots, so you can flip the fence around quickly and easily.
An integrated 2-1/2-inch dust port fits standard shop vac hoses to help keep your work area clear of debris for safety, visibility, and operator comfort.
Dependable Construction for Tough Jobs
The non-marring laminate top is built using stress-skin construction for strength and flatness, and it measures 24 x 16 inches to provide a large work area. Exclusive twin steel rails support your router, while the enclosed birch plywood cabinet reduces dust and noise, and its solid panel construction makes it stronger than cheap plastic or stamped steel stands. The cabinet's rubber feet prevent table slippage and double as isolation mounts for dramatically reduced vibration.
This table's setup will accept any router, and the included router plate is predrilled to make installation extra-easy for most popular routers from leading brands like Craftsman, DeWalt, Fein, Hitachi, Makita, Ryobi, and Skil. The 15-inch inside-cabinet height provides plenty of space for whatever router you use, plus room for Bench Dog's ProLift and other accessories (not included).
This portable router table weighs just 40 pounds, and it requires assembly. It is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
About Bench Dog
Bench Dog offers a growing line of router tables, safety accessories, and tools for everyone from building and woodworking professionals to schools and serious beginners.
The company began in 1995 with Norston Fontaine, Karen Slatter, and the simple idea that great tools are the result of great design and solid engineering. Since then, Bench Dog tools have received an enthusiastic response from customers, trade publications, and the woodworking community at large.
What's in the Box
Table top, fence, dust port, bit guard, miter track, pre-drilled router insert plate, mounting screws, and cabinet.
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Customer Reviews
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.
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.
The table arrived and packaging was adequate. Comes in the Benchdog manufacturer's box, not packaged by amazon. Read more
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