To get the most out of your trim router, a new base plate that's larger is an excellent location to start. It's also very handy to make it so that it's focused completely on the bit, and I show how to do that quickly in this video.
I'm using 1/4" thick clear plastic, but you could also make it from plywood or even metal. You might wish to discover a various (much safer) technique to cut the outer size if you are making it from metal, though.
This base replaces the other base plate I made in 2015 that was rectangular. Overall, a completely round and focused base plate is the most versatile.
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To get the most out of your trim router, a new base plate that’s bigger is a great place to start. It’s also very handy to make it so that it’s centered perfectly on the bit, and I show how to do that easily in this video.
I’m using 1/4″ thick clear plastic, but you could also make it from plywood or even metal. You might want to find a different (safer) method to cut the outer diameter if you are making it from metal, though.
This base replaces the other base plate I made last year that was rectangular. Overall, a perfectly round and centered base plate is the most versatile.
That’s a nice trick using the right size drill bit as the centre pin on the circle cut sled.
Very nice work
Well done! Brilliant
Thanks for sharing those tips and the make!
I wondered how you got such a perfect circle… That table saw trick is genius. Thanks for sharing!
Nice work. My Milwaukee M18 router came with an oversized base, I would have assumed all brands did also
Thank you for this. Was wondering if 1/4 acrylic was good enough. I’m going to leave mine rectangular as a drop in.
It always makes me giggle when I see someone snapping off a tool like that! I like the method for re-centering. I have a feeling that will come in handy at some point in the future.
Well done John! Knowing how to do that will come in handy at some point. Thanks! 👍👍
At 1:06 John you show the value of a spotting drill. Even with a brad point, the bit can walk.
That was great! I’ve seen others stay with the squared base plate. Does the round version allow for more options?
As I find, some times I have to turn the router slightly to keep all the chips form flying into my face or getting on my arm as I route. SOme of it gets hot.
I always save broken router bits for this purpose. They make great alignment pins for various tasks. Great thinking with using the bit installed for making the plate perfectly centered.
As always thanks for sharing the process AND the revisions.
Helpful? It was absolutely wonderful, so informative – Thanks so much 👏👏👏
Was gonna say when you first drilled center hole with router and not having router base clamp engaged, that it would introduce a small error. But second attempt was great idea.
Very timely … I have to do just that for a project in progress where I need a larger plate for the bottom of my hand held router. You might also consider that the size of the larger hole in that base that surrounds the bit needs to be a certain size if you are planning on using a router but collar that fastens to the plate itself with a threaded ring…like the collar kit from Rockler….
He does mention that you should make the hole as large as the hole in the original base or larger.
It isn’t just the projects in your videos but the tips you often find in them too that makes your videos so interesting to watch. Thank you.
Nice and simple to follow instructions … and great to see you come up with a better method of making this later on in the video 👍
Great tips, John. And who among us doesn’t have a 1/4″ drill bit that is too dull or damaged to resharpen. I have a few, now I know why I kept them.😉