FAQ's - Questions

Listed below are the most Frequently Asked Questions that we receive. If your question is not listed here, you can e-mail us at Customer Service.

Installation

How do I install Casement Trim Using Trim-Loc? Installation guide

How do I install a ProLift or a ProPlate in my own shop-made router top? Installation guide

Routers

Should I use a fixed base or a plunge router in my router table? >>>

I don't even own a router yet but I want to get into woodworking. What routers are out there? Router Chart

ProTop

I've seen tables that look like yours. Do you make them for another company? >>>

My miter gauge bar is about .730". Your miter gauge slot is .750". Will the gibs adjust to accomodate my narrower bar? >>>

What is accomplished by the offset design of the ProTop Standard router table? >>>

What routers will fit the ProTop Complete? >>>

What routers will fit the ProTop Portable? >>>

Will a Rousseau plate fit a Bench Dog router table? >>>

ProPlate

I just bought a table and now I have to spend more money on a predrilled plate. Why couldn't I just buy the predrilled plate to begin with? >>>

Do you have an insert with rings that I can interchange to modify the bit hole opening? >>>

What determines whether I should choose phenolic or acrylic? >>>

My Bosch ProPlate won't fit my router. >>>

I can't find #10-24 x 5/8 machine screws (or other screws) for my ProPlate. >>>

ProFence

How big is the dust collection port on your fence? How do I reduce my hose to fit your port? >>>

Is it possible to mount the ProFence on a larger table (e.g., 36")? >>>

Hardware

I think I am missing hardware. >>>

Buying Direct and Returns

Can I buy from you directly? >>>

What is your return policy? >>>

Accessories & Add-Ons

I'd like an external switch. Any ideas where to get one? >>>

FAQ's - Answers

Routers

Should I use a fixed base or a plunge router in my router table?

You can use either. However, a fixed base will be easier to adjust bit height. Also, the motor can be dropped out of the bottom for fast and easy bit changes. Note that ProLift works only with fixed base routers, as well.

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ProTop

I've seen tables that look like yours. Do you make them for another company?

Our router tables are from our own design, our standards, and our performance guarantees. We do not make products for any company but Bench Dog. Some companies think that making their router table look like ours is a good way to win customers. We think they're wrong. We hope you do, too. Any other router table is just a copy cat.

My miter gauge bar is about .730". Your miter gauge slot is .750". Will the gibs adjust to accommodate my narrower bar?

No. The gibs on our miter track adjust enough to remove the slop caused by wear, changes in temperature, and years of service. Your miter gauge bar is probably from a portable table saw. The miter gauges that come from contractor and cabinet maker table saws are for 3/4" x 3/8" track.

What is accomplished by the offset design of the ProTop Standard router table?

We mount our track on the leading edge of the table and offset our insert for two good reasons. First, it puts the fence, router and track closer to your body, resulting in better ergonomics for using, adjusting, and changing the bits.

Second, you will find that for much of your router work, you need very little table depth. When you do need more table depth, you simply move around to the back of the table. The offset design now affords you much more table depth than if it were mounted in the center of the top. This is useful if you do pattern routing.

NOTE The only router that will not fit the ProTop Portable is Porter Cable's 7539 (plunge).

The Bosch 1615 will fit the ProTop Portable but, like other large 3 hp plunge routers, it may not retract all of the way down, because the inside of the ProTop Portable cabinet is about 15". In fact, you will have a bigger problem getting the router up high enough for some of your short-shanked router bits. For all but the lowest settings, it will be very easy to adjust your router in the ProTop Portable.

If you have a model that is more than 3 years old and isn't listed, please call us at 1-800-786-8902 or email us. It is likely that the router will fit, but may not fit a predrilled acrylic or amber insert plate.

Will a Rousseau insert fit a Bench Dog Router Table?

No. If you want an insert with insertable rings, however, email us about ProPlate Aluminum, or see ProLift Al and ProLift Ni.

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ProPlate

I just bought a table and now I find I need to spend more money on a predrilled or aluminum plate. Why couldn't I just buy the predrilled plate to begin with?

Many people like the convenience of an out-of-the-box solution. The plate we provide may be the only plate they need. For the person who prefers predrilled, you have not wasted money buying a plate in the box. We did not add $30 to the price of the table. The phenolic plate that comes with the table may be a spare for you, or you may dedicate it to freehand routing.

Do you have an insert with rings that I can interchange to modify the bit hole opening?

Yes, ProPlate Aluminum and the ProLift have insertable rings.

What determines whether I should choose phenolic or acrylic for my additional router table insert?

There are two issues to consider, transparency and resistance to flexing over time.

If you like to be able to see through your plate, you'll need the acrylic, even if you have a 3-1/2 hp router. In that situation, we recommend you remove the router from the table when not in use (at the end of the day, if you're done with your project for the weekend, etc.) to reduce the downward pull on the acrylic. However, since you have the transparent plate that came with the table, you may prefer to have a phenolic for its superior resistance to flex, and use your acrylic when free hand routing or when transparency is required.

If you are in an environment where the router will rarely be removed from the table, you are better off with a phenolic or ProPlate Aluminum. Use the acrylic for free hand routing as a baseplate enlarger.

My Bosch ProPlate won't fit my router.

We get an occasional call from customers claiming the Bosch plate just doesn't fit their model 1613. But, in the end it always does! The "trick" is that the router fits to the plate at an angle, not straight on. Keep rotating the plate and it will line up.

I can't find #10-24 x 5/8" screws for my ProPlate.

We have been able to locate these screws in hardware stores in and around Minneapolis. If you can't find screws, let us know and we'll mail you what you need. Also, the predrilled ProPlates come with the screws you need.

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ProFence

How big is the dust collection port on your fence? How do I reduce my hose to fit your port?

The opening is 2-1/4", which accommodates 2-1/2" hoses, such as on a Shop-Vac. How can a 2-1/2" hose fit in a 2-1/4" aperature? The hose is not really 2-1/2"-- that is the nominal measurement. If you have a 3" hose, you will need to purchase a reducer to get down to 2-1/2" as well as length of 2-1/2" hose. The dust port is the same on the RT100 portable unit as on the AF400 ProFence.

Is it possible to mount the ProFence on a larger table (e.g., 36")?

Yes. You could use slots routed through the table top, as was done on the ProTop Portable. The slot races in the fence are 24" apart, and are 5" long. Therefore your slots could be up to 29" apart. You will need to find hardware, however, as we do not provide it.

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Hardware

I think I may be missing some hardware from my Bench Dog product.

If you are missing hardware or parts, please call 1.800.786.8902 or e-mail us. We will be happy to mail you the parts and apologize for the inconvenience.

If you think you are missing small knobs for your fence, ensure that you aren't forgetting to count the two that were preinstalled.

Note that if you are attaching a predrilled 2" hole ProPlate to a Bench Dog router table, the screws you need came with the router table. If you are attaching one of these ProPlates to a homemade router table, we have no information about how thick your table is. Therefore, you will need to provide your own hardware.

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Buying Direct and Returns

Can I buy directly from Bench Dog?

Yes, we will sell to customers directly however, if there is a Bench Dog dealer in your area, you are most likely to the find the price is the same, if not lower at one of our retailers and we urge you to go there first. We are manufacturers first and thus are not set up to efficiently drop ship to customers.

We offer this option only because there are still a few locations where Bench Dog Tools are not widely available. So, if you are in one of those places and prefer to buy from us directly, please call 1-800-786-8902. We will take your credit card and shipping information and get your purchase to you as soon as possible. You can click HERE to print and fax or mail an order form to us.

What is your return policy?

We make every effort to assure that our products meet quality and durability standards, and warrant to the original retail purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years. Remedy shall be limited to Bench Dog’s choice of repair, replacement or refund. This warranty does not provide remedy for consequential economic loss.
This is a limited two year warranty. It requires the purchaser to contact Bench Dog in writing within 30 days of discovering the defect. Warranty does not apply to defects due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations, or due to lack of maintenance. It excludes components and parts not manufactured by Bench Dog, defects caused by failure to provide a suitable installation environment, and damage caused by use for purposes other than those for which the product was designed. Bench Dog, Inc. reserves the right to make product changes without notice and without obligation to make these changes on products previously sold. It excludes warranties of fitness for a particular purpose.
If the product is defective, we reserve the right to fix it, replace it, or refund the cost of the product to you. Typically, this results in a refund. All claims are limited to the two-year claims period. We must receive the product before a credit or refund will be issued. The warranty language on the product or in the product’s manual may contain additional limitations, which govern.
If you wish to return something, call the dealer where you purchased the product. If you wish to return something purchased from Bench Dog directly, call 1-800-786-8902 to receive an RMA number. Upon receipt and inspection of the goods, a credit or replacement will be issued for defective products. Return of nondefective items to Bench Dog are subject to a 7% restocking charge. This is necessary due to the cost of checking, repackaging, and inventorying the stock.

Things to remember:

1) Keep your receipt. You may not get credit if you do not have proof of purchase.

2) This policy does not apply to freight, shipping charges, or insurance.

3) Because life does not always fit neatly into policies and procedures, reasonable requests beyond this policy will be considered on a case by case basis, in order that we may find a solution that accomodates both parties. (How often do you see this in writing?)

Accessories & Add-Ons

I'd like an external switch to mount to the router table. Any ideas where to get one?

We now have a switch that fits perfectly with the Bench Dog line. Our Power-Loc (PWR400) is a remote power switch that can be mounted almost anywhere.

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