A few years ago I built a router "table" out of a melamine shelf. I drilled a hole near the center big enough for the largest bits, drilled some countersunk machine screw holes to attach the router to the underside of it, and made a fence from another piece of melamine shelf. The whole rig sits on top of a portable WorkMate bench, and at 4 feet long, has more infeed and outfeed support than most of the cheap router tables I've seen. I did all my bead & cove routing on it and it worked fine. Best thing about it, when I'm not using it, its only 3/4" thick & can be stored just about anywhere. The downside is its awkward to reach under for the power switch, & to change bits.

I'm not sure what you mean by router/shaper, so can't comment on that.

: I'm gearing up to build my first stripper. I need a way to rout the beads and
: coves on the strips. I don't have a router table. I have a Craftsman
: router. Should I buy a cheap Sears router table? What about those
: Router/Shapers that already have the motor built in. They seem like good
: values. Is there something I need to know about them? Please advise.
: Thanks!