RT Plate Template/Driling

[Canuck]

Hi,

I recently purchased a Dewalt 616 to replace my old Craftsman router in my RT. In the process of switching out the routers in my RT I have found that I need to drill some new holes in the RT plate to mount the 616/618 fixed base. No real surprise there.

My question is ….there are four (outer) tapped holes to hold the Lexan subbase to the fixed base and three (inner) tapped holes in the fixed base that presumably are for attaching the fixed base to the RT plate. Can I use the four outer subbase holes to attach the router to the RT plate? This way, I can just use the Lexan base as a template in order to get the new holes positioned properly in the RT plate.

I could just run out and purchase a RT plate, but my table cutout is a non standard size. (Next time I will build my own RT with a brand name plate.)

If anyone has any better recommendations or feel that this is a bad solution, please let me know.

Thanks a lot for your help,

Wayne

[DaveO]

My Jessem plate suggested I use the sub-base as a template to locate the screw holes. I carefully centered it on the router base, traced the outline, removed it from the router and marked the hole locations. The I drilled through the plate with a 1/6" bit to locate the hole on the other side. Then I drilled my counter bore and then the through hole. My plate is Phenolic and chipping is an issue so I was very carefully to drill from the top down so any chipping would occur on the bottom of the plate. So I say go for it, just take your time and make sure everything is exactly where you want it to be.
Dave

[Canuck]

So if I follow ya. You didn't use the inner three tapped holes in the DW618 fixed base? You went with the outer four using the subbase as your template?

Thanks

Wayne

[DaveO]

Yep that is what Jessem suggested. My router is a DW 618, the hole configuration could be different. Just use the tapped holes that your sub-base attaches with.
Dave

[Canuck]

Gotcha Dave! BTW. I bought the DW616 cheap at Ace HW and as a matter of fact it has a DW618(4) base. Now at least I will have the flexibility to run my DW618VS motor in the RT if I should need a little power.

Thanks so much for your help. I will put the drill to work in the AM!

Wayne