Router Base for Dremel Tool – Any of You Tried One?
joeleonetti
| Posted in Jigs, Fixtures, Tips & Tricks on
Rather recently I received an email from StewMac (cool luthier tool website) advertising a “router” base they make for a Dremel tool. Have any of you used one? I’ve had a Dremel tool but don’t have a machine router (and really don’t want to buy one). I could envision using it to route out the back of a groove for small cabinets or stopped grooves for boxes. I do this all by hand now (my preference). Just curious at how underpowered a Dremel may or may not be. Thanks.
Replies
I spent about an hour and built one. Light on bells & whistles but it works.
I took an inlay class and while there I was able to try a bunch. The Stew Mac fixed base does exactly what it should do. The Lee Valley and and Stew Mac plunge bases were great.
None of them made me reach for my wallet though and I made one that works just fine.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2020/08/06/d-i-y-precision-router-base-for-rotary-tools
As for using one to do grooves... the only time I reach for a dremel is when only a dremel will do the job. They're not fun tools. Noisy and not the most accurate thing due to the length of the bit and small collet normally. I have a Proxxon which is nicer, but still not a go to tool for me.
I have the Stewmac and use it for inlay. It works great for the width and depth of inlay. But use it in place of a router? No no no no no. Totally inappropriate for the much deeper and wider grooves you mention. You are going to end up spending more on busted bits and disintegrating Dremels.
You can get basic 1/4" routers very cheap. Or, if you plan on doing woodworking over the long term, you'll spend much less overall if you just get a decent router with 1/4 and 1/2 collets now.
A little off topic, but I would like to pick the brains of folks like you and Ben Strano who have experience with inlays. I am working to inlay ceramic tiles into box lids using a Dremel. Slow going. I am having trouble getting a finished look on the border around the inlay. I know it is not the Dremel. It must be the operator.
This may have been asked and answered already, but I am going to start a new thread to see if I can figure out what I am missing.
Thanks All. What I'm hearing is for doing inlay where thin shallow grooves are needed it would be ok. For more serious work, a machine router would be more suitable. That's helpful info.
For not much more than the Stew Mac base you could get an actual router.
Mike
https://www.acmetools.com/reconditioned-225-hp-plunge-fixed-base-router-kit-1617evspk-rt/000346322644.html?msclkid=9ad8cc1982ed1e061020aeb0ab696c90&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-National-Search%20Only-Profit%20Margin%20Target-16-18&utm_term=4579191056848194&utm_content=Profit%20Margin%2016%25%20-%2018%25
Veritas has a plunge base that is pretty well engineered. The plunge works smoothly and has a variety of base configurations. This tool was invaluable when doing stringing on Federal pieces. I had been using the Stew-Mac plunge base but it was very finicky to adjust. The difference between the two is night and day. I can’t remember the price offhand but it is worth every penny. I hope this was helpful
As usual I am slow to respond to posts! I have a dremel and the router base and it works fine, but as I have aged I hate the loud wine of the Motor, same for full size routers. So for fine work I use a Lie-Nielson 66 Bronze Beading tool. I purchased the uncut tooling set so I could make groves for small string bandings- 1/16". The precut tools are great for just about all uses for inlay banding. Just my 2 cents worth. Having crafting. MIke.
I recently purchased a Dremel router base. From Amazon, so it wasn't overly pricey. However, it will not work with the dremel I currently use, The Dremel 4300 comes with a chuck and won't fit into the router base. Fortunately, I also have a WEN rotary tool and it works quite well in the router base. I've found that if I work a little slower and keep the speed up on the rotary tool, that it works just fine.
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