Title says it all I need a new router and table combo as mine is outdated and doesn’t hold 1/2in tooling which I need for my next project. (Cedar strip canoe). What do yall recommend?
I built one 20ish years ago based on the plans from New Yankee Workshop and still use it. I added a Jessem Rout-R-Lift which I highly recommend and I redid the plans for the vacuum a bit.
The router is a 3HP (I think) Porter Cable which has lived in that table ever since. I would not want to have to use a single one and juggle between hand held and table use.
Being able to adjust the height from the top of the table is super nice. If I could afford it I would love to have one of the fancier ones that is electronically adjusted instead of a hand crank but it sure beats getting under the table.
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I have one from Woodpeckers with their lift. This was bought when they were much more affordable than they seem to be now. Get the largest table you can, a decent fence that is adjustable and a router lift. I have 3.25 hp router motors in my tables for style an rail bit sets. The hp is nice when pushing hardwoods thru them. Plenty of choices out there these days.
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If $$$ were not a concern, we have two router tables at my work, and they both have the JessEm Mast-R-Lift system. One table and lift is at least 15 years old, and still runs up and down like butter. The other is only a year or so old, but runs the same. When I get my shop built, I will be buying (at a minimum) the table top, but may buy their router and dust collection setup as well.
I duplicated their ring inserts that fit their plates and then at the request of someone who reached out to me, made a perforated set for down draft dust collection. So, I will be set with the rings when the time comes.
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About 4 years ago I purchased the complete JessEm router table with the Master r lift system and all the accessories and a porter cable 75182 router. The JessEm setup was around $2700 and the router was $264. The JessEm items were purchased at a discount and this allowed me to get nearly all the accessories for the system and some of these items took a long time to arrive due to import and COVID restrictions in Canada. This setup is a great system and the only complaint I have is the o-rings on the stock guides will breakdown every few years.
Another system I like is the Incra system
I used this system and it gives you lots of workable area to do large projects and it can be customized in endless ways for tool and accessory storage. The system allows for repeatable cuts and really good accurate results.
The porter cable router is not available but there are other good choices out there.
I would agree with this but it would be If I had the extra room in my shop I would have both the JessEm and the Incra setup.
I use the JessEm setup as my go to one. The Incra system Is my brothers main setup.
Suggestions:
Think of how you will be using the tool and where you will be keeping it when not in use.
Do you want to keep all the bits and accessories with the tool in router cabinet. If so you can design a really great custom cabinet.
Dust collection both under the router and for the fence system. With a router that is in its own cabinet you will want a good dust extraction and ventilation system this will help reduce heat buildup in the cabinet and to assist with keeping the router cool.
Accessories
I would get everything the brand has to offer, which is what I did with the JessEm brand.
What ever way/brand you choose it can be very costly. After I retired I sold woodworking tools for a while. The JessEm brand is what I recommended to my customers and several school districts in my area also purchased the JessEm system for their woodworking classrooms.
Hope this helps
Anthony
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Thank you all for all the suggestions I knew I could ask my fellow community members and get led down the path that one educates me further and 2 ensures I make the best decision! Yall are awesome!
I’ve got a fairly cheap Bosch table from Menards. The router was the cost. Milwaukee thing that comes with a wrench to adjust height when it’s mounted in a table.
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If budget is a concern, I’ve been thinking about trying a lift system from USSA: https://www.ussadesign.com
The YouTube channel is 
too:
I picked up the pioneer router jig awhile ago and I just love it. Great design and consideration coupled with exceptional quality. I’ve got no reason to believe their router lift systems would be any different 
( Also check out their 3d printed diy plans if you are on a shoestring budget. The digital products are as polished as the physical in my experience so far! # notsponsoredIPromise 
)
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Thank you I will check then out i decided to go with a 2.5hp bosch plunge router and Bosch table so far i am pleased with it.