networkspeedy Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 K. I've got a two foot wide table (easily expanded to a different width if this is bad), completely level and very sturdy with an MDF top (that hasn't been cut yet because of the real question I've got here). So I've got a sort-of table. I've got a skil router. And I've got... no clue what to do from here. I think I need a plate of some kind to sink into the table surface, but I can't find one that fits my router and I have little idea of how to mount the router to the plate once I've purchased it. Anyone out there wanna help a poor beginner who's trying to go semi-pro? I need advice on where to go from here, what to buy, etc. I don't need to be spoon fed. Just a blueprint to finish this project would be fantastic. Then I could start using the router the way I want. Freehand routing pieces of wood clamped to my workbench can only get me so far. Thanks folks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 You need a router raiser like the woodpeckers one http://www.woodpeck.com/prlv2.html I'm not sure if your router will fit that maybe you could make enquiries with Woodpecker themselves. There are many other router lifts on the market too that may have an adapter for your model router. Some plunge routers like the Trend T11 have their own adjusting mechanism that can be adjusted from above the table so in that case you can use just a phenolic or aluminium table insert. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 You can go as fancy or as plain as you want. You can easily just bore a hole and screw it to a table, remember routers have been used long before all the fancy gizmos. You can get just a plate and raise it from under the table. You can get a lift and raise from above the table. Hell you can get a motorized lift and raise it with a pedal. The choice is your. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Do you think this would work with a standard size blank? http://www.rockler.com/rockler-router-table-plates?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=dyn&utm_campaign=PL&sid=V9146&gclid=CL6i8_6Ut8ICFUpp7Aod-DcAPA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Yes that would do but bear in mind if the router is a plunge router you will be able to adjust it but it would be more difficult than a screw mechanism. Drill some holes in the aluminium to suit any mounting holes you can find on the router base. You will also have to countersink the holes to suit suitable countersunk head screws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 Go to Jessem web site and look at the instructions for their plate. Check to see if one of the plates in the manual are drilled the same as yours. Skill is Bosch so they may be the same, worth a shot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 When I get back to the workshop tonight I'll take a photo of the bottom of my router. It's not a plunge router. It's really a good little performer, unlike the skil table saw I bought years back. Now that's a piece of garbage. From now on I make it a point to only buy good tools. If I can't afford a tool, I wait until I can. So yeah, pictures tonight. Maybe that will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 As promised I took pictures of the router base. The pictures are apparently too big to attach to the post, so please view them here: http://goo.gl/7H8bgx The three pictures show the skil router product number, the base, and the rest of the specifications on the sticker. Thanks for any insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 hmmm. forum went down/offline. *bump* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Go to jessem site and check your screw patter against others like the Bosch. If it doesn't match then you will have to drill your own blank plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 I love your user name, Particle Board How does one go about finding Jesse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 It Jessem. Sorry spell check changed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 It Jessem. Sorry spell check changed it. Muchas gracias! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Looks like I'm going to have to go with a plate blank and drill it myself. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't just by a better router (taking suggestions). I've heard nightmares of people buying the rockler plates and using the screws that come with it only to have them break off in the router base. That kind of silly move would fall under the category of mistakes I'd be likely to make without guidance, and skil support offers none. Should I put a new router under my Christmas tree? Thanks for all your help everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Your current router is a fixed base router. This means you either need an expensive router lift or you need to buy a new router if you wantvto control the router depth from above the table. You can certainly use your router on your table and simply control depth under the table, but this can be a pain. Some Bosch plunge routers have a screw mechanism built in that allows the router depth to be controlled from above the table. Additionally you are not going to want to install and uninstall your router every time you want to use it hand held. So you probably need two routers anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networkspeedy Posted December 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Apple Wood, I see your point. A Bosch router would be a real nice addition to the lineup in my workshop. Would you be kind enough to recommend a certain model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 The Bosch 1617 is the one you want to look at. With the plunge. Rockler currently has them for 229 but, you could probably find them a little cheaper if you look. http://www.rockler.com/bosch-1617evspk-router-combo-package Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.