Replacement fulcrum pin for Jessem plate


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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

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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! 

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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.
 

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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.

 

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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?).

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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.

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