85 - Router Table, страница 8
our favorite accessories to do it right. 1 Insert Plate Screwing a router directly to the top of a table is quick and easy. But if you'll be changing bits in and out fairly often, you might want to consider making a change. Insert Plate. What I'm talking about here is upgrading your router table with an insert plate. The idea behind an insert plate is simple. With the router attached to the plate and slipped into an opening in the top of the table, you have a secure system for routing. But here's the really nice part — instead of having to work under the table to make changes and adjustments, you simply "pop" the plate (and router) out and work above the table. The insert plates you'll find most often are made from phenolic and aluminum (photo at left). And depending on the material and thickness, the price can vary from $25 to around $100. Custom Openings. Regardless of how the plate is made, most fea ture plastic reducer rings like the ones you see above. Having a set of reducer rings allows you to install (or customize) a ring to minimize the clearance around the bit. This makes for safer cuts and provides more support for the workpiece. Final Considerations. The one thing you'll need to keep in mind when choosing an insert plate is Custom Fit A blank reducer ring (far left) makes it easy to customize the opening to any size bit. that most plates are sized to fit the router table made by the same manufacturer. So if you already have a router table, you may need to modify the opening to fit the plate. For an easy way to rout an opening for an insert plate (or modify the one you have), check out Shop Short Cuts on page 16. 8 ShopNotes No. 85 |
