Yes, it
does look like Christmas came a month early for me. Actually this is a new product
of sorts. The router table and accessories are not that new but the center box is the
brand new Kreg Beaded Face-Frame System. That new product I saw demonstrated at the Las
Vegas AWFS Show and have been not too patiently waiting for a copy to review. Well it is
here, and I will share my experiences with it.
In the meantime, Elena and I will put together the Kreg Router Table.
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It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to know that the legs of the table get assembled first. (Note that the
"new" shop still has clean, dust free floors.
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I have
put together about 9 router tables in the past few years so I might have gone right by the
instructions. But, this is Elena's first so I will let her follow the instructions and I
will just shoot pictures.
Right off the bat, we could see that Kreg understands that a Product Manual
is essential even for these "easy" projects. And the manual is very clear and
concise.
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She lays
out and inventories all the pieces.
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And following the
step-by-step of the instructions, she starts to assemble the base. She uses a carpenter's
square to check the structure as she goes. Everything is right on. In fact, the frame uses
"square" holes and bolts that fit exactly. What that means is that there is very
little play and the entire bases was checked for square along the way but never needed any
"tweaking." I think that speaks very well for Kreg's design and manufacturing.
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With the table frame assembled she adds leg levelers
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Well, one minor small miss-movement we installed the leg levelers and
then saw the package of castors. So off with the levelers and on with the casters.
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Next comes the table top.
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Elena has carefully removed
the top from its carton and is placing it so that the bottom is up. The instructions
detail a lot of holes that should be in the top -- she checks and sees that they are
there. You wont see them from here but believe me they are there and they make the next
steps so much easier.
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She locates holes to add a
cross brace.
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