Looking for Router Plates of a standard size.
Someday, I hope to have both a router table and a wing on my table saw prepared for use of a router.
When the table wing is not used for routing, it would be nice to fill the opening with a blank plate.
I have read about router lifts. For a 3+hp router, a lift would be nice.
It would also be nice if the router lift fit the table saw wing and the router table. But, if it fit the table saw wing, then I would want a solid plate to fit the opening when the router was not in use. To fill the opening, a solid plate of the same size, length, width and thickness would be needed.
It would be nice to use a lighter router (like my pc 690) on a router plate in both the router table or table saw wing on occasions when two router set-ups are useful. But that would require a router plate of the same dimensions as the plate of a router lift, and the same dimensions as a blank plate.
I have read about the use of router tables for other tools such as the PC portable spindle sander. This would require that the spindle sander plate be the same dimension as the router lift, the router plate, and the blank plate.
My search for router lifts and plates of a standardized dimension has not been successful. I contacted Rockler customer service. I pointed out their catalog offers a ‘MastRLift with an Aluminum plate having dimensions of 9 ¼ x 11 ¾ x 3/8.
The rockler catalog offers an ‘ExtraLarge Aluminum Router plate having dimensions 9 x 13 x ¼
Rockler offers a Rockler Table Plate for the Porter Cable Oscillating Spindle Sander. Dimensions are not stated in the catalog, but according to CS the dimensions are which are 8″x11″ x ¼”.
Rockler offers a RoutRLift Mechanism and Rockler Router Table having a plate dimension of 11 ¾ x 14 ¾ x 3/16
Rockler offers a ¼ inch machined Aluminum router plates for which no length or width dimension is given in the catalog.
The object is not to single out Rockler for criticism. Indeed their product selection is broader than most. Rather these product offerings demonstrate the opportunity for standardization for router plate sizes: length, width and thickness, and to inquire of others who may have addressed utilizing router table openings for a variety of routers (and possibly other hand tools) how have you solved the question?
Is there a source of standardized openings for router lifts, and plates?
If there is no source for standardized router plates, and responses to this post suggest others seek maximize the utility of their floor space in the manner suggested, perhaps manufactures monitoring this web site will identify a product opportunity.
anwalt
Replies
Anwalt, Make your own inserts. I've made several from 1/2"baltic birch.( square with radioused corners.) The bottom rabbeted to drop into matched rabetted hole in table.
To gain maximum cutter height,above the insert's top surface, the circular cut out is rabbited through the bottom to leave 3/16"material left to attach the router with it's base plate removed) This is attached to the router's bace with flat head machine screws to fit the existing threaded holes in the router's bace. After assembled, rud a hex nut on these screws and they won't budge.
On some of these inserts, I rout out rabbeted circles to receive 1/4" 'zero clearance discs which I make from phenolic or fiber glass plastic material.
Your Idea of multible usage works as I also fitted a palm sander and a small saber saw on two of those inserts as well. G,Luck, Stein.
Make your own plates from aluminum or polycarbonate. Get either or both at the local metal worker's supply or the polycarbonate at a plastics house. I used 3/8 aluminum, but 1/4 would work well for a smaller router. You can cut aluminum on the table saw with a carbide blade - don't use your new WW II!
I've never been impressed with all the commercial router tables. While I can't reasonably make a band saw, I can make a router table and the table saw extension is the perfect place. Make your own table and you'll get a router table, save money, and improve your skills all at once!
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