Many older routers, including the popular Porter-Cable 690, use thumbscrews to lock the base after the depth has been set. If you don’t tighten the thumbscrew sufficiently, it can loosen, change the bit depth, and ruin your project. I know by experience.

By substituting a cam-action clamp—the kind sold to lock a bicycle seat post—you can provide quick, accurate, and secure clamping for the router base. The seat-post clamp works just like the clamps that are standard on new routers, and can be purchased for about $10 at most bike shops.

You won’t need the ring that goes around the seat post, but you probably will need some spacers to make things work right. I used hex nuts a size larger than the threaded shank for spacers. The nut on the end of the clamp adjusts the clamping force.

Jim Richey

Jim Wylie, Glendora, CA

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Sawstop Miter Gauge

It has a toothed angle-setting rack that is extremely solid, accurate, and easy to use, and it offers all of the features I love in a miter gauge, including the ability to add an auxiliary wood fence, and a flip-stop that will accommodate it.

Buy at Amazon

Bessey EKH Trigger Clamps

Bessey EKH series quick-release trigger-style clamps are simple to use and maintain consistent pressure. Trigger clamps that perform the way you've always wished they would!

Buy at Amazon

Tite-Mark Marking Gauge

These gauges can be easily and precisely adjusted with one hand, which allows you to set the tool while holding a ruler or workpiece in the other. The quality is exceptional, and all have sharp cutters that offer great visibility.

Buy at Lie-Nielsen Toolworks