Lumberjack RT1500 router table Review

The Lumberjack RT1500 router table is a new addition to my workshop replacing the older unit that I was using and struggling with. A decent bit of kit its now found a permanent home.

The rise and fall mechanism for adjusting the height is its best feature for quickly setting the right height that you need for cutting as well as a locking feature that locks the bit at exactly the height you need and wont let the router drop of its own accord whilst in use.

Out of the box its very quick and simple to setup. The component plastic pieces seem sturdy enough and the steel back fence is a very solid piece of metal. The surface is solid and the body made from a high impact type of extruded plastic. If you dropped it from height it would probably break but then what wouldnt? The weight of it isnt an issue either and its easily lifted with both hands from floor level to bench top. Just make sure you bend with your knees :)

The 1500w Motor runs well and strong enough that you can actually take too much off the wood in one pass which will lead to the dust extraction area getting full and blocked. This then builds up and starts pressing against the wood and bit requiring you to stop and clean it all out. This wastes time so its much better to take shallower passes in the first place. I tell myself but being a barbarian I rarely do this. It comes with speed control and im usually going flat out but if you do need this its there and it works well going down from 26,000 to 8000rpm according to the manual.

Dust extraction is efficien as long as you dont take off too much wood and clog it up, but this is your fault not the machine so take off shallower cuts and it works a charm getting rid of nearly all of the dust into my vaccum cleaner.

Dont think Ive got many negatives, its a well thought out item and issues are of my own volition. It wont take my large panel bit which used to fit in my Makita/Charnwood router table combo back in the day. However that combination was very heavy duty and 3 times more expensive to put together. If youre wanting heavy duty cutting with big bits then you need to go up another level, even maybe look at spindle moulders.
I found the plastic work holders getting in my way and took them off, theyll go back on if theres work to do that is repetitive. At the moment its just nice and quick to be able to get the wood to the cutter without faffing around with screws and things in the way. Again thats on me for being impatient you just have to temper that with being very careful where you put your fingers of course so stay safe and focused on the job in your hands.

The slot/track for the mitre guide clamp seems a bit loose, its not major, you could probably do something about it by putting teflon tape or paper tape on the guide.

The shaft may be slightly off center to the bed by about a mm or so, not too bothered and it doesnt affect the useage. It is square to the bed though.

Im very happy with the machine and itll come in useful over the next few years for sure. Thanks to all at Lumberjack for sorting this out.

#lumberjack #rt1500 #routertable

[TruthIsLove.]

Probably 95.54321 percent 😁. This is exactly why YouTube is awesome, I wanted to see this in action before buying one, and you've demonstrated a variety of different ways it can be used.

[kelvinprivet]

ha ha, its 4am up here in Yorkshire, up late working out todays jobs. Saw this machine advertised and thought I'd take a peep. I'm pleased I did as you had me laughing out loud, 'FUCK'in, blood on the deck already, ' ha ha, there's more than me dun it then. Cheers Chicken Jack, you made the day. Good luck with the rest of your fingers.

[denzbushpig]

Hey Bongo, glad to see your back posting again..

[boonster]

Been waiting ages for someone to do a good review on this router cheers Bongo respect,

[dawnash]

Thanks for the video, I have just purchased now. Love your cat, very cute.

[tonyfrewin]

The Lumber Jack sign turned out perfect.

[chriswar]

I use 26x1.95 innertube cut up into 6 to 8 inch lengths to hold my dust extraction in place on my power tools. Makes it easier to swap from one to the other.

[_GB]

Nice vid and good to hear an accent from my neck of the woods. Have a sub, lad.

[stefanbadass]

Good to have you back an' Safety??? ... Faking leave it out mate (featuring Butters the 3 legged cat before his visit to the SuperVet for a bionic paw)

[liamhutchinson]

What a legend, I was looking for a review for this router, love the craic... when you cut your finger I was creased, Lol, I’ve just started following you. 👍

[davempearce]

Awesome. My first video of yours that I’ve watched. Will definitely watch more! Nice to hear another UK accent in a sea of American accents. 😊

[davecole]

Just bought one today, you have frightened me to death with it, I don't think the dog will be let on the table, but very informative

[paulmorris]

Great review and nice to see you back bongo

[cheekymonkey]

Great little unit for the router table, thicknesser and tools . . . might nick the design off you!

[rickychatt]

Nice one bongo nice to see you back with something I want lol

[therealchayd]

That's a very brave cat; just switching on any power tool in the vicinity of my cat causes her to vanish at great speed 😂 Also great review, may consider getting one of these to replace my cobbled together router table where it pretty much decides to "self-adjust" mid-cut and totally ruins the workpiece.

[happyads]

Getting one, , thanks for the vid, , just what I need

[kenhart]

Thanks for a good review and demo, after weeks of looking and finding this video - I will go and buy one for my next project.

[AndyMartin]

Fuck me, i thought he was gonna router his cat for a minute then.
Happy with his review, so gonna buy one.
CHEERS.

[tropifiori]

Really large router bits scare me.

That is a nice router table.
Cheers
Frank