Finding Dead Center of Router Collet

[George Bokros]

For a jig I am planning to make I need to locate the exact dead center of the collet (actually dead center of the router bit) on the fence. I am thinking if I find the dead center of the collet it would by default be the center of the bit.

How would you go about doing that?

Thanks

[Jason Beam]

stick a v-bit in the collet and it'll point to the middle - the sharper the tip, the closer you'll be.

[Peter Kelly]

http://patwarner.com/precision_subbase_kit.html

[Bill Huber]

I use one of these...
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Horn-19081...+centering+pin

BHC170-2.jpg

[jack forsberg]

if you going from a fence to center than just make a cut with a 1/2 bit and add 1/4. or 3/8 add 3/16 or;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;


if your trying to find the center to a add a base use what the others have or drill a 1/2" hold and use a 1/2 bit to center the base.

[glenn bradley]

I'm not quite getting the relationship you're after between bit and fence. Dead center front to back is easy. As mentioned chuck up a known diameter bit, flush the fence to that and move back by half that amount.

Dead center left to right with a split fence is done the same way; you align the fence first as mentioned and then align each side-face the same way. I don't think this is what you are after as the setting is lost as soon as you readjust the fence but, maybe.

For centering the router in the plate (in the table or hand held) I use a machined pin and PC collar from Whiteside. This is great for things that get a little more critical like finger joints, dovetails and inlay but, I don't think that's what you're asking about either(?).

[George Bokros]

Thanks for all the replys. I am making a sub fence to attach to a miter gauge to make beaded face frames on the router table. In order to set the stop I need to accurately measure from the center of the bit to set a stop to cut the notch in the stiles. Saw this on the Festool owners website.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-...7263/#msg87263

I guess I could use the pointed bit I have and actually cut a notch in the sub fence and use a square to transfer the center to the top of the sub fence to align the tape.

Thanks for all the help.

[Grant Wilkinson]

Chuck up a forstener bit. The point will be in the center.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I would use the shank of the bit, plus 1/2 it's diameter.

[pat warner]

Error in router stuff is usually so coarse that I:
Calculate, measure, then test on scrap.
Nothing in RouterDom works the first time it's tried, nuthin'!