Thread: Positioning router on insert, installing insert

You can make a little centering tool if you have a holesaw.

Using the holesaw to make a circle with the outside diam. the same as the inside diam of the plate's opening. Glue a small dowell into the centre hole of the circle you have made and then insert this little jig into your router and into the hole of your plate.

You are now ready to mark out your holes from the router base into the plate.

I have one that came with my Triton router table to suit both 1/2" and 1/4 "


It is better to centre it especially if you use larger router bits. The plate just sits into the opening of your table, the magnets are there for if you use a metal router table. I would suggest that you screw a few washers onto your router table ( if it's not a metal table), recessed into the opening that you have made, so that the magnets can be used.


Peter.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

You can make a little centering tool if you have a holesaw.

Using the holesaw to make a circle with the outside diam. the same as the inside diam of the plate's opening. Glue a small dowell into the centre hole of the circle you have made and then insert this little jig into your router and into the hole of your plate.

You are now ready to mark out your holes from the router base into the plate.

I have one that came with my Triton router table to suit both 1/2" and 1/4 "


It is better to centre it especially if you use larger router bits. The plate just sits into the opening of your table, the magnets are there for if you use a metal router table. I would suggest that you screw a few washers onto your router table ( if it's not a metal table), recessed into the opening that you have made, so that the magnets can be used.


Peter.

Thanks Peter

I don't have a holesaw, but it's food for thought. I'm going to woodwork class tonight, I'll take the insert and something to make a circle out of.

Those magnets will hold well enough? There are some more holes near the perimeter, I could make a cleat or bracket to screw into to hold the insert.

--
John

Originally Posted by Johncs

1. How does one centre the router on the insert?

I'd approach it like this:

• place the insert on a 6mm(ish) ply/MDF offcut and trace around it, inside and out.
• remove the insert and put it aside
• using a ruler, mark the diagonals on the ply to find the centre. Or use a compass set to the radius of the hole and scribe a few arcs on the marked circle; the centre will be where the arcs intersect.
• fit a small fluted bit to your router
• using a drill of the same size as the fluted bit, drill the marked centre of the MDF as accurately as possible.
• position the router on the MDF, and lock it in the plunged down position, so that the flute sits neatly inside the hole.
• orient the router the way you want it to sit in the insert, then mark around it on the MDF and also use an awl to scribe the mounting holes as accurately as possible.
• remove the router and carefully cut out & drill the MDF.
• test fit it to the router & in the table.
• redo all the above, along with any desired adjustments, until/unless you have it spot on. Ply/MDF is way cheaper than another insert, and you may wish to alter the way the router sits to make for easier access to adjusters, switch, etc. once inside the cabinet.
• finally, align & clamp the MDF template to the insert and xfer measurements.

1a. Does it matter if it's not centred accurately?

No. But the closer, the better if you'll be using larger sized bits.

2. How does on attach the insert to the table? Does it just sit there, on the levling screws?

Yes.

2a. What role do the four magnets play?

Dunno. I guess you could embed the magnets into the lip that the levelling screws sit on, so that they'll prevent the insert from lifting out if it's a loose fit? Hmmm... that would probably also reduce the need for later adjustments as the screws wouldn't want to "bed in" to the wood.

Edit: just read Sturdee's reply. I think I prefer my idea.

The magnets do go under the leveling screws, the other holes on the outer perimeter are to hold the the insert to the table i.e level then nip tight and again if is settles a bit. I used epoxy ribbon to hold the magnets in mine and nylocks on the screws that hold the insert.