Plunge router bases for dremel or rotozip? (inlay work)

[Josh Reet]

First off, just to be clear, this isn't a question about using my dremel or rotozip as some sort of cheap substitute for a real router. I've got a nice 1.75 HP router that I'm learning to use.

What I am interested in knowing is if there exists a decent plunge base for a dremel or rotozip to allow for some inlay routing.

The key here is "decent". I know that dremel makes this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-335-01-Plunge-Router-Attachment/dp/B0000DEZK4

But reviews on it are mixed at best. Thought it is always hard to try and sift out 'user error' from 'bad design' complaints.

I've seen a few others around, but don't know anything about them.

[Alan Zenreich]

Take a look at

Precision Router Base (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bindings,_trim/Tools_and_supplies_for_binding:_Binding_channel_cu tting/Precision_Router_Bases.html)

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1sm/5260_1sm.jpg

[Jerome Hanby]

Little off subject, but Trend has a pretty sweet "laminate" trimmer that has a plunge base. I think the latest model is 1 HP (like the Bosch Colt). Haven't had a chance to try out the Trend i just purchased, but if it's close to the performance of the Colt, it's going to be one sweet little plunge router.

[Josh Reet]

Take a look at

Precision Router Base (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bindings,_trim/Tools_and_supplies_for_binding:_Binding_channel_cu tting/Precision_Router_Bases.html)

http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1sm/5260_1sm.jpg


Yeah, that was one that I was thinking of when I mentioned that there were "others out there".

The luthiers buying stuff from Stew-Mac are usually pretty serious about their work. So that base is probably a decent deal. Like to hear from someone who had used one though.

[Josh Reet]

Little off subject, but Trend has a pretty sweet "laminate" trimmer that has a plunge base. I think the latest model is 1 HP (like the Bosch Colt). Haven't had a chance to try out the Trend i just purchased, but if it's close to the performance of the Colt, it's going to be one sweet little plunge router.

Would be nice. But given that I've already got a dremel and a rotozip, I'll probably end up trying to stick with one of them. I doubt I'll be doing enough inlay to justify a third rotary tool to the wife.

[Randal Stevenson]

I have the Rotozip one, in fact I gave more for it, then the Rotozip. ($10 garage sale find, for drywall use at brothers)

I don't think it is offered anymore. The one Alan mentioned, looks so much better built. I figured I gave cheap enough for it, one project would pay for it. I don't think it would be worth more then that though.

[Steve Jenkins]

I have the one from Stew-Mac and it works just fine. They have a couple other things that come in handy too.

[Leo Vogel]

I may be wrong, but I don't think the precision router base mentioned above is a plunge base. It is only for fine adjustments. You may want to check it out. Sorry if I'm wrong.

[Doug Shepard]

Not sure if the Allied one is a plunge either but here's a couple more that will take a Dremel
http://www.alliedlutherie.com/cochran_tools.htm
http://microfence.com/portable-threeaxis-mill-p-29.html

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,
I have the Dremel plunge base.
I believe I've only used it one time.
(It's part of my "mini shop" setup that I started putting together a few years ago, but have gottten side tracked w/other things.)
I don't recall it being anything unusually good or bad.
In that respect I'd have to label it as a "decent" value for the ~ $25.00 price.

It is fairly large though - almost the same footprint as the plunge base to my Freud 1700.

[Josh Reet]

Not sure if the Allied one is a plunge either but here's a couple more that will take a Dremel
http://www.alliedlutherie.com/cochran_tools.htm
http://microfence.com/portable-threeaxis-mill-p-29.html

$400 for that microfence one? Woooo! That's a bit above my paygrade.

[lowell holmes]

I've been thinking about making one for my Bosch Colt. I have some 6/4 whiteoak I could make the housing from. A Pat Warner base could be used for the bottom piece. Bushings and bolts are available from the Borg. I need a source of properly sized coil springs for the plunge mechanism.

Any one willing to join me? We might work out a design together. I will prepare a cad drawing in a few days. I will share the drawing with anyone interested. :confused:

[Josh Reet]

I've been thinking about making one for my Bosch Colt. I have some 6/4 whiteoak I could make the housing from. A Pat Warner base could be used for the bottom piece. Bushings and bolts are available from the Borg. I need a source of properly sized coil springs for the plunge mechanism.

Any one willing to join me? We might work out a design together. I will prepare a cad drawing in a few days. I will share the drawing with anyone interested. :confused:

Here's another design to get ideas from:

http://www.frets.com/fretspages/Luthier/Tools/NobleBase/noblebase.html

Despite the note at the bottom, the product doesn't seem to be available anywhere. Then again, the webpage appears to be a decade old.

[Steve Jenkins]

The base from STew Mac is not a plunge base but it's pretty easy to tip it up on its front and lower it down into the work if you will be using it against a straight edge.