rkrueger Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 I'm about to start my plywood entertainment center build and I've found that my 15 year old Ryobi plunge router is missing the depth marker, and there is no center marker on the base. Sounds like a good excuse to purchase a new plunge router. I was looking at some of the Bosch versions, but I couldn't tell if their base has a center markers or not. I have a brand new Milwaukee fixed base router that also does not have this marking. How do I go about lining up the center of the bit for a cut if I don't have this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 I have the 1617 and it has the center mark on the base. Great router BTW. I suppose you could mark your own center. Plunge into a piece of scrap then use a square to locate center and mark it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkrueger Posted November 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 (edited) I'm looking at pictures of the MRP23EVS, but I can't seem to see any center markings. If there are, I'm guessing they are on the flat edge of the base? If so, if I'm using a straight edge as a guide and I'm butting the flat edge up to guide, then that center marking isn't that useful to me in that sense, unless I got this all wrong. Cutting scrap, measuring, and marking my own is an alternative, but I think I would prefer something a little more accurate than what I mark up. Then again, I maybe just too scared. I suppose I could do a couple test cuts to ensure its accuracy. Edited November 17, 2016 by rkrueger Added more thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 17, 2016 Report Share Posted November 17, 2016 I've never played with that router so, don't know. Nothing wrong with marking your own and doing a few test cuts to be sure. On the other hand, it is a nice excuse to add a new tool to your shop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 2 hours ago, TIODS said: I have the 1617 and it has the center mark on the base. Thats interesting, I have the 1617 also and it doesn't have a center mark on the base. I wonder if the center line guy called in sick the day mine was assembled. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Just now, Chet K said: Thats interesting, I have the 1617 also and it doesn't have a center mark on the base. I wonder if the center line guy called in sick the day mine was assembled. Pretty sure mine is a little arrow but, now you've got me wondering... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Mine does have an arrow but it is in reference to the direction the bit rotates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Years ago I learned that Porter Cable routers base was 1/64 larger on one side than the other. Run the larger side first then spin the router 180 and shave 1/64 off to get the cut shaved to perfection ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 OK. I am ignorant. What is a center mark a nd what would I use it for? I have never used or seen one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 2 minutes ago, Ronn W said: OK. I am ignorant. What is a center mark a nd what would I use it for? I have never used or seen one. Center mark on the base of a router to show you center of the cut. Easier to mark center of a dado and use the correct size bit than trying to lay out both sides of a dado. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuxleyWood Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Of all my routers the only one that has centering marks is the OF 1400... but $. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 4 hours ago, rkrueger said: I'm looking at pictures of the MRP23EVS, but I can't seem to see any center markings No it does not, but it is a very nice router. Just checked my Dewalts, the 625 has one, but the 618 does not. The 625 is a monster and is not great for handheld work. I bought the Bosch last month and have used it a couple of times and so far I really like it. I have the Festool OF 1400 and it has the center clearly marked, but in my use it is "just nice to know" and not necessary. For me it is more important to know the distance from the edge of the bit to the outside edge of the base plate. For the most part all of my jigs are based on that distance. How would the knowing the center of the bit location help? I am very curious because I use a router in almost every project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 My Festool 1400 has one, but I just treat it as a rough estimate, and I don't find it all that useful. Any center mark is going to be too fat for precision anyhow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkrueger Posted November 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 2 hours ago, Just Bob said: For the most part all of my jigs are based on that distance. How would the knowing the center of the bit location help? I am very curious because I use a router in almost every project. I'm following the low profile plywood entertainment center build plans by Marc. He talks about how since the plywood is not true 3/4", figuring out the start and stop of 3/64ths or 32nds is more cumbersome than just measuring to the center line of the dado. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Interesting. I have never used this feature and am not sure if any of my routers have it. If this mark is on anything other than the actual center of the router (not really possible) wouldn't there need to be a mark on both sides of a line that intersect the bit position? Does anyone have a picture of what we're talking about? I just measure from the side of the base for edge guides or lower the bit to just above the material for eye balling. I guess I really don't free hand route as much as I thought I did. My point is that the absence of such a mark would not surprise me nor would it make me buy a certain router if a better one did not have it. With guides or a fence you already know where the bit is going to land. If you find a router you like and want a center mark . . . triangle file and a felt pen? ;-). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 My Makita RP2301FC plunge router has center marks on all sides. I highlighted them on this pic: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Ah, thanks Immortan D. Now that I see them I realize I have seen them before (was that the 60's checking in again?). With a mark on opposing sides of the bit position I see the usefulness in some situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 2 minutes ago, gee-dub said: Ah, thanks Immortan D. Now that I see them I realize I have seen them before (was that the 60's checking in again?). With a mark on opposing sides of the bit position I see the usefulness in some situations. You're welcome! Yes, it's very useful. When you have a straight line to follow, makes the alignment very precise when setting up the straight edge or edge guide. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Yeah, my problem with center marks is the line is 1/16-1/8" wide. Why is the OF1400's base center mark equal to a thick sharpie? They need a line like the domino's base plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkrueger Posted November 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 @Immortan D How are you liking that Makita? It's just a tad more expensive than the Bosch, but it has more HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Check Rockler, I think they have the Bosch 1617 for $186 right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 2 minutes ago, rkrueger said: @Immortan D How are you liking that Makita? It's just a tad more expensive than the Bosch, but it has more HP. I like it a lot. I use it mostly on my router table, here's a video I made: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 Hmm never knew that, I always do test cuts and go off the edge of the cutter on the bit for alignment. Learn something new every day. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkrueger Posted November 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 While doing more research, I found Tools Plus has a $25 coupon code (Makita25) for Makita tools over $100. I'm thinking I might pick up that RPC2301FC for $275 after discount, although the Bosch at $90 cheaper is pretty alluring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuxleyWood Posted November 18, 2016 Report Share Posted November 18, 2016 2 hours ago, Pwk5017 said: Yeah, my problem with center marks is the line is 1/16-1/8" wide. Why is the OF1400's base center mark equal to a thick sharpie? They need a line like the domino's base plate. The side of a router is a potential wear surface and a hair thin line has a greater potential to get worn away. Plus if you think about it a reference no wider than these are are easy to visually center on a pencil line or knife mark the average woodworker could probably get within 1/64th fairly easily. The problem with fat reference marks is when they are on a clear cursor that completely covers the reference mark like on many saw fences, in those cases the cursor needs to be equal or thinner than the rule marks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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