Router Base Plate

[Ed Gibbons]

Just received the Bosch Colt router. I would like to purchase an aftermarket baseplate which is larger. Goal is to add stability. Suggestions appreciated.

[Dan Rude]

Check out 3x3 custom router Jig https://www.3x3custom.com/store/6-in-1-universal-trim-router-jig, I bought it a while back and have not used it yet due to some Medical stuff. It seams like a s. olid system

[Jim Becker]

What Dan said...I was going to refer you to Tamara, too. If I ever buy a small trim router, I'll be buying her base, too. It's amazingly versatile and I believe it was physically manufactured by Katz-Moses.

[Michael Burnside]

+3 what the guys above said.

I bought one to support Tamar, but I haven't actually used it yet. I donated a few tools to a local shop that helps out folks in the business and if I didn't donate it, you can have it no charge. I'll PM you tonight if I still have it.

I actually like what I currently have on my Dewalt and Milwaukee palm routers the best: https://www.woodpeck.com/stabilmax-trim-router-base.html

Cheers,

[Rich Engelhardt]

Let's make it a clean sweep.
I bought the one from Tamar too and have used it a couple times.
It's predrilled for a number of routers so it fits me Makita and DeWalt.

Tamar has a YouTube on using it for various different things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAVT65WeCBE

[Kent A Bathurst]

I'm in the "roll your own" tribe.

One additional never seems to do it for me. So I add to the herd as needed for specific tasks.

If I'm sure it is a one-off, then BORG 3/8 ply or BB, depending on how important.

Otherwise, this stuff. I use 1/4" but that may be overkill. Cuts, routes, drills, chamfers, countersinks like a dream.

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/129/4047/8574K819

[jack duren]

Is there anyone out there making plates like Routerman did?

[Patty Hann]

CLean sweep +1 ... I also just bought Tamar's router base plate jig (3x3 Custom)

[mike stenson]

Is there anyone out there making plates like Routerman did?

If you find any, let me know. I have a couple for my old colt, and would love similar for the new model.

Maybe I should just order some polycarbonate sheet.

[jack duren]

If you find any, let me know. I have a couple for my old colt, and would love similar for the new model.

Maybe I should just order some polycarbonate sheet.

I don’t think there is. Nobody has ever said and I’ve asked asked at different times…

[Richard Coers]

I'm a member of the DIY group. I've made around 25-30 different bases over the years, always use the factory base as the template for the mounting holes.

[jack duren]

The Bosch template was the problem for mine. It had a factory tolerance which made it off center., it was okay for general routing, but no good for dovetailing. Routerman sent me a clear Bosch plate tat had a perfect center and now my router works for dovetailing no matter how it is turned..

[Ed Gibbons]

I ended up buying a piece of 1/4” plexiglass and plan to make my own. The Woodpecker plate looks awesome but the cost plus shipping in almost as much as what I paid for the router. The 6-1 jig looks great but most of the functions I will never use.

I paid $27 for a 12” by 24” 1/4” thick plexiglass from Amazon and the shipping is free. Hopefully I won’t regret my decision.

[Tom M King]

I've made a bunch of custom router bases over the years for different purposes. I don't think I ever made one where all the holes lined up perfectly first try. I believe every one of them had to have one hole finessed with a file and countersink, but they all never moved only having two perfect holes.

[Warren Lake]

left over plexi glass from past jobs using the stock base to transfer holes.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Over the years, I have made dozens of custom base plates, depending upon the need at the time. Most were made from 1/4" polycarbonate (Lexan) of which I have a bunch of scraps, plus a 4X8 sheet left over from a job. My custom, micro adjustable circle jig is made from 3/4" plywood. To locate holes for mounting, first I drill a 1/4" hole, and mount a 1/4" rod in router, and insert into drilled hole. Then using pointed set screws in mounting holes mark hole location on base plates. Drill holes and counter sink for screw heads. I made a jig that allows me to trim base plates within a couple thousandths of square, or turn it almost perfectly round. One base plate was made from 1/2" BB, and it's long enough to span opening opening in cabinets to allow for trimming of edge banding. I have some custom circles that allow me to make various sized corner radius corners. A set of transfer punches from HF allow for transferring factory base plate holes to custom base plates. Bill Hylton's book, ROUTER MAGIC has a several chapters devoted to making custom base plates.

[Johnnie Russell]

I was browsing recently and found these: https://makeawoodsign.com/collections/acrylic-base-plates

[George Yetka]

Tamars is well though out and useful. But a few different bases may be the ticket. I got the milwaukee cordless palm a little back. Its got a pretty good base about 6" diameter. The colt I had originally seamed to have too small a base as did the dewalt i recently sold. A 6" or 7" round base would be my most used.

[Dan Barber]

I was browsing recently and found these: https://makeawoodsign.com/collections/acrylic-base-plates

Those bases would be much more useful if they were round in my opinion. Being oval, they would not be practical to use with an edge guide.

[glenn bradley]

I ended up buying a piece of 1/4” plexiglass and plan to make my own. The Woodpecker plate looks awesome but the cost plus shipping in almost as much as what I paid for the router. The 6-1 jig looks great but most of the functions I will never use.

I paid $27 for a 12” by 24” 1/4” thick plexiglass from Amazon and the shipping is free. Hopefully I won’t regret my decision.

In case this helps . . .

Use your original base as a template for hole layout.

513847

I did a stepped hole to accept collars.
513848

The plunge base really makes the Colt what it was destined to be IMHO ;-)
513849

This no longer available one was made by Pat Warner but could give you ideas if you want more stability along with a compact footprint.
513850

[Sanford Imhoff]

Woodhaven sells several types of phenolic compact base plates for a decent price. Free shipping.

https://woodhaven.com/collections/trim-router-plates

[Michael Burnside]

Yep, personally I’m a big fan of phenolic.