Bench Top Router Table Comparison

By Ken Schulte

Bench top Features

Go to any woodworking site and you will be hard pressed to find more than one type of bench top router table.  Why I am not sure, so having more than one gives you some features to think about and helps you do some long term planning.

Inserts

I am sure you have noticed there are all types of router table inserts out there.  You have different sizes and different materials.  The differences in sizes are mostly a marketing move to ensure brand loyalty.  In other words, a brand name insert, such as Bench Dog, only fits in a Bench Dog table.  So if you buy that particular brand, you are more or less married to the matching product.  Now the only thing you have to determine is whether you want an aluminum insert or one of Phenolic or acrylic.  Price is usually the factor here, but it is recommended that if you insist on using a behemoth 3HP router in your router table, that you upgrade to an aluminum insert.  Gravity and weight do have their effects over time.

Lifts

Another good discussion is the one of router table lifts.  Going with the same theme of insert compatibility is router table lift sizes.  Again, you have to match brand to brand.  You cannot put a Woodpecker lift into a Bench Dog table, it will not work.  If you do not plan on using a lift with your router table now, its always a good idea to ask yourself if the possibility exists later on down the road.  If it does, you will want to make sure the router table does allow you to use a lift. (some don’t) 

At a Glance

RTD  Deluxe Router Table

The RTD Deluxe is a full featured bench top router table that uses an RTD brand acrylic insert.  It will only accept the acrylic insert or you can upgrade to the RTD brand aluminum insert.  It will not hold a lift, however some interesting features are present such as jointing capabilities with the fence.  It is a very solid table and you can tackle just about any project with it.

RTD 1200 Mini Cabinet

The mini cabinet is a full featured route table.  It gives you the best of both worlds by being a bench top sized table and having a cabinet.  This table can easily be mounted on a stand as well.  The table features the RTD acrylic insert and can be later upgraded to the aluminum insert by RTD as well.  It will not hold a lift.  It also has the jointer feature on the fence and is a solid performing table.  The large cabinet will hold any router and gives you ample room for storing accessories all in one place.

Bench Dog 40-001

The Bench Dog table is also a full featured mini cabinet table system.  We often get asked what is the main difference between this table and the RTD 1200?   The main difference is in the brand name and the insert size.  Again only bench dog inserts fit in a bench dog table.  Bench Dog router lifts (40-150) will also work in this table which makes it a great table if you think you may upgrade later on.  The table does not have jointing capabilities.  If the Bench Dog brand name is important to you, it may warrant the extra cash for being a solid performer.

The Super Bench

The Super Bench has been newly redesigned table that has some great features.  It features Woodpecker router table inserts, and will hold a woodpecker router lift.  You can order it with either the Phenolic or aluminum insert (you order separately) and has the thickest top (1 ½”) of all.  The fence also features 6” high extensions verses three inches on the other bench top tables.  The plywood legs allow you some versatility if you ever want to mount it to a stand or directly to your bench.

Bottom line

1. Inserts are proprietary; make sure you match the brand to the table.
2. RTD Tables come with acrylic inserts, but you can buy an aluminum insert at any time and it will fit.
3. Bench Dog 40-001 and The Super Bench are the only two tables that accept a lift.
4. RTD Deluxe and RTD Mini Cabinet both have jointing capabilities.
5. RTD Deluxe and RTD Mini Cabinet both include stop block and feather board.
6. Super Bench insert is ordered separately off the site and can take a Phenolic insert or an aluminum insert.  All woodpecker inserts are pre drilled for your router, so make sure you order the right one.
7. RTD Acrylic inserts are NOT pre drilled, you need to use your routers base plate as a template.  Directions for doing this are on the site (directions tab) and it is much easier than you think.  This also makes the insert much more affordable.