Anniversary present -- what would you pick?

My anniversary is coming up in a few weeks and my wife says she wants to buy something for my workshop.

I'm not a big "tool guy", but I get by. I have a full complement of hand and small power tools. I also have ready access to a large drill press, band saw, table saw, etc. at my father-in-law's house a few miles away. First thing that came to mind was a metal lathe to turn graphite nozzles and research motor closures, but at $1000 - $2000 for a decent one, this is probably excessive. After thinking a bit, I am considering this Bench Dog router table. I use a router and Jasper jigs to cut centering rings, but thought a router table would open up other options like accurately cutting large fins, airframe fin slots, beveling, etc. One note, although I have a dedicated rocket workshop, I want to be space efficient with any choice (leaving more room for monster airframes ). So, before a final decision is made, I wanted to get any suggestions from those that are more "tool savvy." Suggestions?

Pretty sure that's the table my dad had. If so, it's a really nice setup

Is your shop air conditioned? If not, you should consider adding a fan to that table to keep the router cool on summer days

Kevin, thanks for the feedback. Yes, my workshop is air conditioned / heated.

troj said:

Pretty sure that's the table my dad had. If so, it's a really nice setup

Is your shop air conditioned? If not, you should consider adding a fan to that table to keep the router cool on summer days

Click to expand...

Finally got this assembled and set up. Fits better on a lower table (at least compared to the tallish benches I have in my workshop) so I purchased a stand on sale at Harbor Freight and did some mods to my liking.



Ended up getting a Hitachi variable speed router and adjustable lift for good measure. Now I just have to learn how to use it all.

OK, I'm jealous, nice set up there.

If you're using the router in the garage, and it gets warm there, I'd suggest installing a vent fan -- when we were doing the Delta III fins, it was pretty darned warm out, and the router got very toasty inside that closed cabinet!

-Kevin

Sweet. Routers are my favorite. So much can be done with such a versatile tool. You will want to hook up a shop vac behind the bit and fence and then take a look at this switch to control both the router and shopvac https://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17401&site=ROCKLER

I hope that Hitachi also accepts 1/2" bits. You can really push some lumber on a router table and the 1/2" bits are better than 1/4".

What are you looking to do with this for your hobbies?