Beechwood Chip Posted May 22 Report Share Posted May 22 I've lost the fulcrum pin (starter pin) for my Jessem router lift. Rockler/Amazon sells one that's tapped 1/4-20, but that won't fit my plate. Jessem sells replacements, but shipping is $18.42, and that just rubs me the wrong way. The holes in my plate seem to be smaller than 1/4", so I suppose I could drill them out and tap them to 1/4-20. Any ideas? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted May 22 Report Share Posted May 22 And if you drilled and tapped it, what would you use that would give you a smooth surface like the original pin or is that a problem? I think I would bite the bullet and pay the $5 and the extra for the shipping. I agree, that much for shipping sounds ridiculous! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted May 22 Report Share Posted May 22 Have you tried a 1/4-20 bolt in the hole? You say it “seems to be” smaller than 1/4” but everything I have seen online does suggest that it should be 1/4-20 thread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted May 22 Author Report Share Posted May 22 On 5/22/2024 at 6:36 AM, JohnG said: Have you tried a 1/4-20 bolt in the hole? You say it “seems to be” smaller than 1/4” but everything I have seen online does suggest that it should be 1/4-20 thread. Yes, I tried two different 1/4-20 bolts. It didn't screw in easily, and I didn't want to force it and screw up the threads. Aluminum is a lot softer than a bolt. My guess is that it's a metric size that's slightly smaller than 1/4". One of the reviews of the Rockler 1/4-20 pin said that it didn't fit their plate which had a metric threaded hole. I bought this router lift almost 20 years ago. It was being discontinued so I got it on sale. I'm not 100% certain that the Jessem pin will fit, if Jessem pins are 1/4-20. The lift is Jessem branded but there was a reason it was being discontinued, something about two companies merging. I'll probably tap out the hole if 1/4-20 is standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted May 22 Author Report Share Posted May 22 On 5/22/2024 at 12:21 AM, Coop said: And if you drilled and tapped it, what would you use that would give you a smooth surface like the original pin or is that a problem? I'd just buy the Rockler fulcrum pin for $5 and free shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted May 22 Report Share Posted May 22 42 minutes ago, Beechwood Chip said: My guess is that it's a metric size that's slightly smaller than 1/4". I strongly suspect it's a metric thread. Where I used to work had a couple of router tables, and one starter pin was metric and the other imperial. You could buy a metric bolt and test the theory. If true you could see if a metric fulcrum pin could be purchased elsewhere (McMaster Carr?). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted May 22 Report Share Posted May 22 Just thinking out loud here--and I've never used a fulcrum/starter pin. I'm wondering if one could replicate the function using a tall bolt and a stack of washers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted May 22 Author Report Share Posted May 22 On 5/22/2024 at 9:03 AM, Mark J said: Just thinking out loud here--and I've never used a fulcrum/starter pin. I'm wondering if one could replicate the function using a tall bolt and a stack of washers? I think the one I lost was a bolt with a knurled head and a plastic sleeve. If I knew the thread, that would work. I'm going to try all the random bolts I've saved to see if one fits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JohnG Posted May 22 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 22 Try a M6 bolt 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Beechwood Chip Posted June 2 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 2 On 5/22/2024 at 8:55 AM, Mark J said: I strongly suspect it's a metric thread. Where I used to work had a couple of router tables, and one starter pin was metric and the other imperial. You could buy a metric bolt and test the theory. If true you could see if a metric fulcrum pin could be purchased elsewhere (McMaster Carr?). I assumed that McMaster-Carr shipping would be ridiculous, based on the one time I ordered from them last century. I took a look just to see how bad it would be, and one delivery option was "ground (overnight)". Wait, where are they located? And another option is "pick up"!?! It turns out that they are about an hour away from me! I bought two M6 pins with overnight shipping. Now I know that if my local hardware store doesn't have it, I can just run out to McMaster-Carr. My mind is blown! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted June 2 Report Share Posted June 2 I have a McMaster Carr near me, too. I didn't realize they have more than one location--I thought I was just super lucky. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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