James Malcolm
05-21-2010, 5:10 PM
Sorry for the newbie questions, but I truely am one.
There seems to be 3 or so main sizes of router / lift plates. 12" x 9", 8.5 x 11.75" and 9.25" x 11.75", or whatever they may be. My question is about the thickness of the plate. Is there some sort of standard? I've seen both 1/4" aluminum plates and 3/8" phenolic offered by a table top manufacturer for use in the same table. I assume that the leveling screws on the aluminum stick out an extra 1/8" in that particular instance, but if you were to order a different manufacturer's table with the same size cutout, would the depth be the same? I've also heard mention of corner radii being different, but that doesn't worry me as much.
The selection of CI extensions is very limited. I have access to a mill and have done this type of work before, so I can upsize a cutout as needed, but I'm concerned about making the cutout deeper for fear of weaking it. Been leaning towards a Jointech SmartLift Digital but just today thought that maybe I'd be better off with something like a Woodpeck PRL-V2 and a Wixey digital readout. Wanted a shaper but I'm think I'm going to wait a few years. 1-1/4" spindle tilting shapers aren't cheap, or light. Next step is to start emailing/calling companies.
There seems to be 3 or so main sizes of router / lift plates. 12" x 9", 8.5 x 11.75" and 9.25" x 11.75", or whatever they may be. My question is about the thickness of the plate. Is there some sort of standard? I've seen both 1/4" aluminum plates and 3/8" phenolic offered by a table top manufacturer for use in the same table. I assume that the leveling screws on the aluminum stick out an extra 1/8" in that particular instance, but if you were to order a different manufacturer's table with the same size cutout, would the depth be the same? I've also heard mention of corner radii being different, but that doesn't worry me as much.
The selection of CI extensions is very limited. I have access to a mill and have done this type of work before, so I can upsize a cutout as needed, but I'm concerned about making the cutout deeper for fear of weaking it. Been leaning towards a Jointech SmartLift Digital but just today thought that maybe I'd be better off with something like a Woodpeck PRL-V2 and a Wixey digital readout. Wanted a shaper but I'm think I'm going to wait a few years. 1-1/4" spindle tilting shapers aren't cheap, or light. Next step is to start emailing/calling companies.