Customer Reviews

Bench Dog 40-001 ProTop Contractor Benchtop Router Table

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After using this table for several months, I have to say that I agree
with the others that this is a well-made table, especially the fence.
But the table top is difficult to smooth out for detailed work, as it
is hard to get the acrylic insert to lay flat. Also, I am using a
Hitachi router, which is a heavy machine, and the acrylic does start
to bend....

The directions for this table are definitely sub-par. I
discarded them after a few minutes and just put the table together by
myself.

If you are doing relatively small projects, this is a decent
table. The built-in cabinet underneath is a nice convenience, but it
fills up with sawdust real fast, so you won't want to keep small items
in there.

The company definitely went out of their way to provide
quality parts -- the table pieces are solid, and they give you a nice
European-style hinge for the door.

But my final conclusion is, I
would agree that this table is better than most that are out there.
It probably should be about $50 cheaper, but it is fine for a lot of
jobs.

As other reviews have said, this table has sturdy components, easy to assemble and even easier to set up and use. There may be similar tables that are a little cheaper, but the quality and performance is more than worth the additional money. Note that most of its competitors don't have miter gauge tracks. Bench dog does and it's adjustable.

I did not intend to use it for jointing, but thought I would test it. It comes with edge jointing components. I was able to produce tight joints suitable for edge gluing, not just with the grain, but also against the grain, on the ends! You can only joint boards no larger than 1".

Buy it.

This is an excellent router table. It was a very good buy for me. I
put a lot of research into picking this table and I was very happy
with the results.

...It took less than a half hour to put together and the
levelling system is easy and straight forward, and very
accurate.

The table is smallish, but what would you expect from a
PORTABLE router table? The fence is top notch, solid and easily
adjustable. To save me some hassle I bought the predrilled base for
my Dewalt 621 and have had no problems. This is a fine table. It
seems costly until you start comparing it to what else is out
there.

Do not even compare this to a junk Craftsman or Vermont
American. This is a tool for a serious woodworker.

This is my first router table and I don't think I'll ever have to buy another one. This thing is really nice. I am very impressed. I shopped around and looked at the Porter Cable (which got so-so reviews) and Craftsman (seem cheezy) but didn't want to spend an arm an a leg on some of the larger tables. Yet I still wanted quality. This has it. At a very reasonable ptice too!
It's heavy enough to keep it from sliding around, but has a lip on the bottom to clamp it to the work surface if you need to. It also has a lip on the table top for clamping feather boards etc.
The fence is solid, straight, and easily adjustable. It can even be shimmed(shims included) to be used as a joiner. Mine came with an upgrade from the acrylic plate to the phenolic plate. Nice suprise. It comes with a drilling template for mounting many popular routers to the blank plate. The instructions for assembly are straight-foward and easy to follow. It probably took me a half hour to 45 minutes to assemble taking my time.
The only drawback I have found is that you need to open the door to get to the power switch on the router. It would be nice if it had a switch built in to control the router and vacume, but then I guess it would cost more. I'll just add my own I guess. Benchdog does sell the switch if your intrested.
Because of that it really should get 4.5 stars.

First, bravo to Amazon for these reviews. Because of being able to read other customer reviews i have been able to buy the right tools.

---Summary---
Quality product. Table is level. Assembly is straighforward, though takes some time. Very impressive. After months of research before buying it is clear to me Bench Dog makes the best router tables on the market. Also is capable of acting as a jointer if you do not have one. i am thrilled with this purchase.

---Continue reading for details---

As you are shopping for a router table i will start with some choices. For router tables there seems to be two catagories. The really cheapo stuff, and the high quality items. i narrowed my choice down to tables made by Bench Dog, Rockler, and model G0528 by Grizzley.

Since this review is for the Protop Contractor i will begin:

Delivery:
The box/packing of this product is excellent and capable of surviving shipping intact. It is well packed and insulated (where needed). Mine came in perfect working order.

Assembly:
Claims of any less than an hour are hard to believe. It took me a few hours to assemble. i am not that mechnically inclined, but found assembly very straight forward. The instructions are excellent, the pictures clear. There was a earlier customer review that said the pictures were hard to see. The company monitors this site, because a rep from the company posted here saying they had corrected that problem. How is that for customer service!

The claim of extra assembly parts was true in my instance (i really did assemble everything 100%). i mounted a Porter Cable 690LRVS. My Bench Dog came with a set of 3 longer screws to mount this router (690 series). i assume many of the extra screws in that bag were for mounting the other routers this product supports.

QA after the installation:
Table is flat, flat, flat. Fence to table alignment is true. Router to miter track alignment is true. My Grizzly miter gauge works like a champ. As a related sidenote, Rockler sells a miter gauge bar for about 13$ that fits as well and can be used to make jigs.

Misc. Stuff:
* It is a pain to open the door to turn on and off the router so you will want to buy an after market power switch. Rockler makes one (63026) for 24$ that is very nice and easily mounts to the table and cheaper than the one sold by Bench Dog.

* i was confused by a number of reviews for various router products that suugested that it was necessary to buy a router lift to use to set bit height and change bits. While these products are nice they are not essential.

It is very easy to remove the motor of my 690 from the table to change the bits. Also it is easy to raise and lower the bit and measure height using a router measuring gauge or other measuring tool.

* Table top offers plenty of work area.

* Table is relatively light, making it very portable if this is a desired feature.

* This product comes with two shims. The fence can be used to do jointing! i have a jointer so it is not a big deal for me, but may be for you.

One minor suggestion to enhance. The plate opening size is fixed. It would be nice to insert fittings more formed to the actual size of the router bit. Similar to what Craftsman does. Do not view this as a big deal as you should not be routing pieces that small where the opening would be an issue.

Closing:
Thanks to Amazon for this site. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to thoughtfully post their experience with this and other products. They are invaluable to me in making buying decisions.