Amazing budget Kobalt router table combo kit
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- When I set out to buy a router table, I was shocked by how expensive they were. First, there was the table. Then the lift to make adjusting the router possible. Then the router itself. You could almost instantly find yourself well above a thousand dollars.
But then I found this budget router table from Kobalt. I've seen in ranging from $129 to about $169, for the table, the lift mechanism, and the router. So I bought one. And it's pretty good. View the video to find out more.
PRODUCT INFO: I bought mine at Lows, but the price does fluctuate
www.lowes.com/...
I really appreciate your review of the router. I think it is a great entry-level router, especially given the price. It will work and has worked for everything I have had to do around the house and I can't wait to do even more with it. If you use a vacuum with it, the sawdust DOES NOT go into the router assembly. That's just common sense if you want to take good care of your equipment. I can't afford to replace this stuff due to improper maintenance so I take care of it from the jump. I've had mine for over a year and I have had ZERO issues. But I couldn't figure out the table attachment until I saw your demo. Guess I'm a visual learner. 🙂 Thanks again for your channel and your help.
I've had mine for a little while, and here are my notes:
The fence is surprisingly good. I say "surprisingly" because it's also more than a little janky. They implemented a lot of features into the fence as cheaply as possible, so it has those front panels that can open and close to accomodate different bits...which are held on by wing nuts in some not great locations. The outfeed half of the fence can float in and out, which means you can use this router table as a makeshift jointer with the addition of a straight bit...but there's no adjustment dial or screw so you have to set it up with gauge blocks for that, and for everything else it can be a slight pain to keep the two tables in line while moving the fence. There's also no mechanism to keep the fence square to the table. which usually doesn't matter unless you're also using the miter gauge.
I've found dust collection to be surprisingly good as well, although if you're using the vacuum adapter that attaches to the router base in the table, it gets in the way of the allen wrench for the lift.
The lift is a little weak; don't fully trust that split-gear thing. When raising the router in the table, I usually support the motor with my other hand. Once it's dialed in, the lock will hold it pretty securely.
The miter gauge is actually handy for some niche things; I've successfully used it for making the tongue cuts on the rails of raised panel doors (the cross-grain cuts). It's got that cheap "flat slot with tabs in it" design because that doesn't require as much machining as a T-slot, which you would expect for this price point. It's not fantastic but it'll do, especially as little as you use a miter gauge on a router.
The inserts that go in the throat hole do sit a little recessed, so treat it a bit like a table saw throat plate: Don't push down on the stock over the throat, only push down over the table itself.
It's shockingly good for the price. I've been consistently surprised at how usable it is.
Good entry level set up, but it does have it's flaws. The inserts that go around the bits are below the surface which allows the workpiece to drop down and change the way the bit cuts.
But ...and there's always a "But"; it's only $134. Yes there are flaws, the rings are crap, although I've never had the issue with material dropping down--but I can see where that could happen with smaller bits of wood, the miter gage is a joke, and it's bright blue. But it's only $134!
After discount I got mine for $ 114 at LOWES
Cool
@@AdvancedGeekery I got mine for around 120.00 and eith tax it came to 130. My life went upside down so I haven't even used it yet. It sits in storage 😮💨with the rest of my barely used tools.
@@jayempress4203 hope things get better for you
thanks for the review but please consider on other videos the music sucks.
can you please tell me the table dimensions thanks
How has the router & table held up?
So far so good. But keep in mind I don't use it a lot.
It’s garbage don’t waste your money. Pinion gear for height adjustment is plastic and can’t handle the weight of the router causing early failure of height adjustment
They're sintered metal on mine.
I bought this, it's a horrible design. Wood dust falls down on the router, and clogs up to where you can't move head up or down.
You know of a router table that doesn't?
This router table is CRAP I am not sure how long you have had it or if you are getting paid but there are some things people should know before they buy it. 1. the adjustment on the router is not tight and will start slipping pretty quickly. When it does the table is junk because it does not use standard screw placement so only a kobalt router with the same issues with height slipping will work. 2. In order to switch from a 1/4 in to 1/2 inch you will need to remove the tiny collet. This is standard and they are often lost. But unfortunately Kobalt does not make a replacement. There are a few off brand ones on Amazon that may work but they are made for other brands and so no one will commit to say they will work. So there is a huge hassle trying to find a replacement. 3.The speed is not adjustable meaning if you try to use 1/2 inch bits that need a slower speed you are SOL. 4 The plastic things meant for turning the adjustment screws for the fence are all plastic with no metal reinforcement So one of mine stripped out a few months in and now I have to use a wrench. (not a game changer but annoying.) This is cheap and really made that way.