Dremel 231 Shaper/Router Table

by Dremel

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Gain the flexibility and precision you need to shape, detail, and sand a variety of soft and hard woods with the Dremel 231 Shaper/Router Table. Ideal for those who use their Dremel corded rotary tool to help complete crafts, hobbies, and light-duty renovation projects, the 231 features an adjustable fence to tackle everything from making notches and grooves in a wooden frame to constructing an architectural model. For added convenience, it fits Dremel rotary tool models 400, 398, 395, 300, 285, 275, 200, and 100 (tool not included).

The 231 holds your rotary tool in place under the table for easy slotting, trimming, grooving, and sanding. View larger.

Slot, Groove, Sand, and Trim
The 231 Shaper/Router table extends and enhances the versatility of your Dremel rotary tool, so it can help you take on any project you dream up. Building furniture for a dollhouse? Restoring vintage wooden frames? Engraving letters or designs in soft wood? The 231 lets you tackle this kind of detailed work with ease. It's also excellent for architectural models and scale model making because it's designed to keep pieces and materials organized as you work. Additionally, the 231 gives you the flexibility to handle every step of the construction process in one place, minimizing clutter and lost parts.

Smooth Tabletop Surface for a Variety of Jobs
The 231 has a smooth tabletop surface for easy slotting, edge trimming, grooving, and sanding of both common and less traditional shapes, making it a great choice for model making, decorative trim work, or detailed edging projects. And because it gives you a dedicated and steady place to work, this table is also a must-have for anyone who uses their Dremel rotary tool for routing applications.

Straightforward Operation
Operation is simple: the 231 holds your rotary tool securely in place under the table so you can mount whichever shaping bit you're using directly in it. Routing is fast and easy, even for small dado grooves with a straight bit. Sanding is equally effortless -- simply put in a sanding drum and position your materials directly against it. Convenient plastic knobs lend durability and ensure a comfortable grip, and a screwdriver slot makes for efficient tool assembly and depth adjustment, so you're able to complete your project in one place. For added peace of mind, the adjustable fence ensures proper wood placement as it passes through the bit.

Compact, Portable, and Easy to Store
Measuring 8 x 6 inches, the worktable gives you ample space and yet is compact enough to fit in a small or over-crowded workspace or shop. Its small size allows it to be stored in a corner or cabinet, and it's compact enough for easy portability. Finally, the 231 is much more affordable than a complete router table, making it an economical choice.

What's in the Box
Shaper/router table and instruction sheet

The smooth table and adjustable fence help ensure accuracy and ease of use. View larger.

Product Description

We will admit that we think these rotary tools are some of the coolest things around; you can do so many things with them. But once we saw this attachment, we were blown away. If you don't have the money or the space (or the inclination) to set up a whole router table assembly in your home or shop, but you still want to put decorative edges on wood projects, this is absolutely the ticket. It holds the tool under the table, and you mount your shaping bit in it. Turn it on, run your piece against the stationary tool, and your edge is routed. It also works great for small dado grooves with a straight bit. The new table surface is even smoother than before, and it's plenty big enough for small craft projects. It's also a great setup for sanding: Just chuck in a sanding drum and move your workpiece against it. If you've got a rotary tool, get this.

Product Details

Product Manual [301kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000302Y9
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 231
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,229 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #14 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tool Accessories > Rotary Tool Accessories

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

125 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice accessory-- with limitations, February 6, 2007

By 

L. F. Smith (E. Wenatchee, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dremel 231 Shaper/Router Table (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is a valuable accessory for your Dremel tool, but it does have some limitations you need to recognize and live within.

It's good at cutting dadoes and doing edging, but not in hard woods. Rotary tools work at high speed, but with low torque. They just cannot churn their way through something like oak. Even with soft woods, it's best to make deep cuts in several shallow passes.

Deep cuts will generate considerable sawdust, which falls down into the tool. I can see that this could damage the tool over time. I deal with this issue by using my regular router for extensive dust-generating work. Again, you need to live within the limitations of your tool.

As with all rotary tool operations, sharp bits are essential. The high-speed, low-torque operation means that they, in effect, shave material away, much like a dentist's drill. If you try to just grind away, the tool will bog down and/or the bits will dull quickly. Unfortunately, the best Dremel brand router bits are VERY expensive. Cheap Brand-X bits work OK, but they wear out quickly. Dremel-brand bits last longer, but they're much more expensive. There's a line somewhere, and you'll have to judge for yourself where it is.

The router table itself is solid, well-designed, and easy to use. It seems to work best if you screw it to a piece of wood or MDF, then clamp that to your workbench or sawhorse.

To me, this accessory is worth the cost, but it does have limitations that you need to consider. I'm glad I bought it, and I'd do it again.

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dremel Mini router table acessory, December 16, 2000

By 

James Wills (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dremel 231 Shaper/Router Table (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have been using this for quite a while, and at times, it is a lot easier to use this, to dadoes for small items on soft wood like boxes. I used it to make some boxes out of pire and I used it to do edge work and make dadoes. This is my coolest acessory for the dremel with my wood bit set.

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this. It is not up to the usual Dremel tool quality, December 3, 2006

By 

Jack (NMI) Stecker - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dremel 231 Shaper/Router Table (Tools & Home Improvement)

It's good for edging and such. But it is no good for cutting groves or if you want to square up a piece to trim an edge. The dremel tool mount flexes too much and you end up with a really sloppy cut. Use the router attachment and make your own table. Do not buy this. Shame on you Dremel. I've seen better tools from Playschool.