Taurus Router Table (Aldi's)
Hi All,
I might have to make the Taurus Brand my specialty :D.
I have had my heart set on buying a router table for quite some time now. For my money it is the next best tool to have after a table saw! Funnily enough, this time it was my wife who showed me the catalogue. I am still trying to figure out what happened to my real wife:?. The catalogue has a reasonable picture of the table but not a lot of information. I have noticed that some of the items they advertise can look like they are all singing and dancing, but when looked at up close they are only the singing OR dancing version. In this instance, the photo clearly shows a stop/start button set on the front of the machine. The way the photo is angled you are unable to tell it there is a router attached or not. I will save you going and looking your self by telling you now that there is NO router attached to the table. Given that the cost of the table is only $79.00 (that is what I got it for) it is not really a big surprise.
The table itself is quite sturdy once assembled. I used a straight edge to make sure that the end extensions were dead level with the main table. The feather boards are cast plastic but seem to be very effective, strong and well designed. There is a sliding gaurd around the tool bit that retracts easily but can get stuck by chips and shavings. There is an option to attach a dust extractor which may reduce this happening. I have not yet tried this but will add notes to this posting when I do (or if someone else has feel free to put your bit in some where).
There is a number of red plastic tool surounds that can be interchanged depending on the type of bit being used. If memory serves me right there is in fact 6 of them. The varied sizes seem that they will cover most regular bits. The machine can be opperated without the suround in place.
The underside of the table has an opening to accept a router with a base of no more than 6 inches or 150mm. Take your pick :D. There are 4 clamps supplied with bolts and nuts to fix the router in place. The clamp pieces have a 90 degree type hook on the end to help hold the router in place. It seems to work quite well. I have a fairly large oldish Ryobi router that is too big to fit flush with the table. Basicly it sits on the raised portion of the underside of the table. I will take some pictures tonight and load them up so you can see what I am on about. Even though it is not fitted as is meant to be, the only dissadvantage is that I don't get as much length as possible. This has not yet proved to be an issue as the tools have been long enough for me to get the cut depth I desired.
The table is set up so that you plug your routers plug into the bottom of the start/stop switch assembley. You then plug the table's power cord into the power supply. There is a clamp provided so that you can depress the routers switch to the on position. This enables you to use the start/stop switch of the table. This is a very good set up and works very well.
The overall package is very good for the cost, in my humble opinion. The feather boards work well and there is also and adjustable portion on the out feed side of the fence for full depth cuts i.e. if you are taking a full cut across the whole face of the work piece thus making the piece thiner on the outward side than it was going in (I hope that makes sense. I will post pictures of that as well).
Obiously the power of your router will depend on the overall performance of the router table. I am very happy with the purchase and for a handy man level tool it is well worth the money. I hope you find this review informative. I am more than happy to answer any question if you have them.
I have so far made a fairly large frame for a tappestry my Mother made for me about 5 years ago. I could never afford to get it framed. The frame (will post picture as well) I made from a piece of 150x75 pine I had used for a carport/pergola. Stained it with some black stain I had used on a job ages ago and estapoled it with some left over estapol. Outlay to build frame.....nothing (supplies wise anyhow:2tsup:)!.
Cheers,
Grim:)
