planning to build a router table. I want to use acrylic or plexi base plate (because of price. just a hobbist here). I understand there’s the possibility of flex due to weight of the router. But with the right thickness is this still a concern. Looking for opinions as well as suggestions for thickness measurement with regard to weight load. What worked (or didn’t) for everyone out there.
Also, is it ok to use the in line speed controls to make the router a variable speed
Thanx in advance for any input
Replies
af,
My router caused the plastic (Benchdog) to deflect after about 1.5 years....and my router is fairly light (Dewalt 621). I recently bought the Rockler metal base plate..about $50 bucks..we'll see how well that works.
Google Oak Park Enterprises Ltd. for router bases and supplies or try http://www.oak-park/index.html - - they may have what you need for a reasonable price. That's where I got my router bases years ago.
The problem with increasing the thickness is you lose some of the height your bits will be above table. Your router already has a base on it and to put too thick a plate on your table can lead to problems.
I should talk. Mine is plastic and probably sags!
I've used a 1/4" sheet of impact resistant acrylic for my shop made router table insert. The plate is circular 7" diameter for my 6" diameter PC693 router. The original plastic base was removed from the router along with the handles. I can pull the router up through the table to change bits and so far sag hasn't been an issue since the base plate has been kept as small as possible.
Don't know how much the plates you're looking at cost, but the Veritas steel plate is $119 is something to consider. It's will never, ever sag. And, it has a universal mounting system, so you'll be able to mount any router you buy to it, without modifying the plate. It has level screws to set it perfectly flush to your table. Click here for more info.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
You might look in your yellow pages for a local plastics supply place and ask for a small piece of phenolic resin 3/8" thick in whatever size your design calls for. I guarantee you that won't sag!
What kind of router do you have, and do you really need an insert plate? Mounting the router directly to the table eliminates a lot of issues, and on some routers it's easy enough to remove the router motor from its base for bit changes.
The accessory speed controls should not be used with routers that already have built-in variable speed or soft start, but otherwise they're fine.
Personally, I use a Porter Cable 690 router, mounted directly to an MDF table, with an in-line speed control, and I'm happy.
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