[pauljohnstone]

Here's what I have now.

1. router table 2' x 2' table, horizontal/vertical (router can be parallel to floor)

2. large router table, with 40" x 48" table.

3. shaper.. has a router spindle, but it's a huge pain to put in.

I am considering getting a CNC. I would really like to get rid of the large router table (item 2) to free up floor space.. I'm wondering if I would regret it. Can a CNC do everything a router table can do? I don't mind if it takes a little more time, but I don't want something that takes 10 seconds on the router table to take 15 minutes on CNC.

Specifically:
1. Can I put a 1/4" ogee bit with a bearing in the CNC, lay down a raised panel door and put an edge treatment around it?

2. If I glue a piece of hardwood edging 1" thick to a 3/4" thick piece of plywood, can I use the CNC to trim the hardwood flush? That's what I use the horizontal router table for the most.

3. Anything that a router table does easy but is hard on CNC.. I have a shaper for raised panel doors.

Thanks!

[johnmac]

I would keep the traditional tools, if possible.

John

[DIYaholic]

pauljohnstone,

Why not have both a traditional router table & a CNC Router in the same space. That is the beauty of a DIY design. With some creative engineering you could design a DIY machine that combines the two. I read a thread, where someone built their base table with a removable "plate" (alowing them to work posts and tall material). If you keep the X-axis rails below the hieght of the table top (rails won't be in the way), you could then mount your router to the "plate". For that matter, you could attach a fence to the gantry and actually position the fence via the CNC.

It would truely be a router table on steroids. Just me thinking out loud.

So search the forums, surf the net, learn all you can. Design your own machine, satart a "Build Log" and post some pictures & video. BTW, this IS the best place to learn and to ask questions. The folks here are always willing to share there knowledge.

Randy,

[ger21]

1. Can I put a 1/4" ogee bit with a bearing in the CNC, lay down a raised panel door and put an edge treatment around it?

Yes, but I'd take the bearing off of it. It's very likely that the panel won't be both perfectly square and accurate to a few thousandths. In either case, the bearing will hit it and could move the panel.

2. If I glue a piece of hardwood edging 1" thick to a 3/4" thick piece of plywood, can I use the CNC to trim the hardwood flush? That's what I use the horizontal router table for the most.

Can be very tricky to do (at least to do really well, not sure how close you want). You're bed must be perfectly flat, and the panel must be held perfectly flat. If the edge hangs below the panel, it'll throw off the panel. Veneer on plywood is so thin you don't have much margin for error. It can be done, though. I've actually routed a recess in a hardwood edged panel to replace the veneer and keep the edges. Then cut a piece of paper backed veneer to insert.

3. Anything that a router table does easy but is hard on CNC.. I have a shaper for raised panel doors.

I think you'll find that most operations that can be done on a router table can be done faster there than on a CNC. With a router table, you don't have to program the part, or figure out how to hold it down.

[pauljohnstone]

thanks for all the responses guys.

You guys kind of confirmed what I thought.. a CNC can't really replace a router table, no matter how much I wish it would

I am going to do some thinking though. Maybe put the router plate on the same table surface or make the table tall enough to roll the router table under. Something like that. Thanks again.