Router plate choices

[McRabbet]

I've got the Rousseau 9" x 12" x 3/8" thick Router Plate in my RT -- it has two removable inserts that have a hole for P-C guide bushings, or 2-3/8" or 3-7/8" openings for the biggest bits.

Works the nuts and is only about $40. Rob

 

[DavidF]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

I've got the Rousseau 9" x 12" x 3/8" thick Router Plate in my RT -- it has two removable inserts that have a hole for P-C guide bushings, or 2-3/8" or 3-7/8" openings for the biggest bits.

Works the nuts and is only about $40. Rob

What is the flex like on this Rob? I have the MLCS phenolic one and it sags under the weight of my 2HP Freud. I would like their Ali one, but $70 is out of budget.

 

[McRabbet]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

I have my 3-1/2 HP Milwaukee VS Router hanging under this plate and it doesn't sag at all -- at 3/8" thick, it shouldn't sag at all.

Rob

 

[DavidF]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

I have my 3-1/2 HP Milwaukee VS Router hanging under this plate and it doesn't sag at all -- at 3/8" thick, it shouldn't sag at all.

Rob

Any particular place selling it at a good price at the moment that you know of?

 

[McRabbet]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

Any particular place selling it at a good price at the moment that you know of?

This was the lowest price I could find in two minutes -- from Mikes Tools for $31 plus shipping.

 

[DavidF]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

Thanks Rob, although I just rechecked the MLCS site and the plate I have is also 3/8 thick and definatly sags so maybe I'll try and get hold of a piece of aluminium plate and make one.

 

[Joe Lyddon]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

Any particular place selling it at a good price at the moment that you know of?

I just found out that Oak Parks, of The Router Workshop fame, has an April clearance sale on some of their 11" Router plates... they're 1/4" phenolic...
I know Oak Park sells quality stuff... sale is only on certain brands of routers but one can drill their own holes (yes?) ...
If anyone can use them, now you know... & good luck...
Oak Park Enterprises Ltd.: Catalogue
$29.95

 

[McRabbet]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

Thanks Rob, although I just rechecked the MLCS site and the plate I have is also 3/8 thick and definatly sags so maybe I'll try and get hold of a piece of aluminium plate and make one.

Before you build one, read the info here from Rousseau -- they guarantee that it won't sag -- I can attest that mine doesn't sag and my router is no lightweight! It is made of a very hard phenolic material and now includes a leveling sysem similat to Zero Clearance Inserts (I have two of these plates; my earlier one did not have the levelers built-in). A big plus is the pop out rings, which would be hard to duplicate with an aluminum plate.

HTH -- Rob

 

[DavidF]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

Before you build one, read the info here from Rousseau -- they guarantee that it won't sag -- I can attest that mine doesn't sag and my router is no lightweight! It is made of a very hard phenolic material and now includes a leveling sysem similat to Zero Clearance Inserts (I have two of these plates; my earlier one did not have the levelers built-in). A big plus is the pop out rings, which would be hard to duplicate with an aluminum plate.

HTH -- Rob

They do say it won't sag, but I'm also not sure about a "crown" to ensure that the centre is the highest point - I JUST WANT IT FLAT!!!!

 

[McRabbet]

Re: Router-table sub-plate aids small part shaping

The crown is just a few thousandths -- it does not affect cutting depth that I've ever noticed. Rob

 

[dancam]

David,

I have the WoodHaven 9 1/4 X 11 1/2 large plate (3/8") and it's dead on flat. I'm hanging an old Hitachi TR12 off it and has no deflection.

Dan C.

 

[Nativespec]

Get the metal. I have the Benchdog (Tyler Tool had the best price - around $80). I also have the cast iron wing on the table saw (about $300) this is a great choice in my oppinion. It takes a while to adjust the insert, but everything is perfectly flat and I can run dados against my table saw fence if I need to.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

I use the rousseau as well and have never had any problems with it. I have also found that the slight crown is beneficial to a good cut because it kind of cancels out any issues you may have with small bits of sawdust under the board. But even on the cleanest table, it has never affected the quality of my cuts negatively. just my $.02


p.s.- sometimes amazon does sales on them. I g ot mine from there for $26, so if you don't need it immediately you can wait it out.

 

[Tarhead]

I have this one: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=41776&cat=1,43000,51208&ap=1 ready to install on my ancient Ryobi 3HP and plan to use semi-permanent in my TS extension. Full review to follow.

 

[Big Mike]

I'll second Dan C.'s assessment of the Woodhaven router plate. I have a number of their products and they are second to none as Woodhaven specializes in router accessories and equipment. They offer aluminum plates if you have the cash. I have two phenolic plates from them with a PC 7518 on one and a Freud FT2000E on the other and have no sagging. I particularly like the fact that the Woodhaven plates come with different size inserts to close up around the bits. I also have their fence and it is second to none for straightness and versatility.

Here is the link: http://www.woodhaven.com/