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Thread: Router Table Insert
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4th January 2009, 10:22 PM #1
Router Table Insert
I'm currently in the process of replacing the Triton Router Table with an extended wing on the table saw (thus allowing me to us the TS fence).
See attached picture Attachment 93266
My extension is constructed from a post formed laminated kitchen benchtop and I'm now ready to put in a router plate. The question is which one? I read in AWR that the Carbatec phenolic resin plate ($50)was not flat. Maybe that was just the one that was sent to them for the reveiw - are any current users happy with theirs?
My current thinking is for the Woodpeckers Phenolic plate, but I suppose I might be persuaded to get an aluminium one if there was sufficient advantages to doing so. Any suggestions on which plate to get?
Additionally, any suggestions for a sub-fence to fit to the TS fence? It is a hollow square section with one T-track on each side and two T-tracks on top (all suitable for 1/4" bolts). I was thinking of a simple hollow square section to allow dust extraction and maybe a second higher fence for routing panels on end. This would use the side T-track.
As for the T-track on top of the fence: the "inner" T-track could be for feather boards and the "outer" track for position stops.
The router? Should be a dead-giveaway from the colour of the table top.It's the smaller Triton Router.
Last edited by Dion N; 4th January 2009 at 10:27 PM. Reason: Added t- track options
"If something is really worth doing, it is worth doing badly." - GK Chesterton
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4th January 2009, 10:28 PM #2
The Carbatec plate is not phenolic, it is acrylic, which is a thermoplastic and deforms with temperature.
The Woodpeckers phenolic plate is thermosetting and is very stable with temperature changes. I have one of them and am very happy with it.
The aluminium plates are very nice, although quite a bit dearer. I haven't used one so can't say how much better they would be.
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4th January 2009, 10:36 PM #3
For the small Triton the Woodpecker Plate is more than ample, I have one of these and the Aluminium and they're both very good. I'd only bother with the Aluminium if you're planning to put a heavier, bigger router in further down the track.
Cheers
DJ
ADMIN
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4th January 2009, 10:53 PM #4
I have the Woodpeckers in a WP extension table and have found the combination excellent.
Additionally, any suggestions for a sub-fence to fit to the TS fence? It is a hollow square section with one T-track on each side and two T-tracks on top (all suitable for 1/4" bolts). I was thinking of a simple hollow square section to allow dust extraction and maybe a second higher fence for routing panels on end. This would use the side T-track.
As for the T-track on top of the fence: the "inner" T-track could be for feather boards and the "outer" track for position stops.
I have connected dust extraction via a rotating elbow and a tube to the router I left the other end open as it works better with air volume Added a micro adjuster for fine fence adjusting.
Cheers
Mike
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5th January 2009, 04:46 PM #5
(Big Shed)
John
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7th January 2009, 08:12 AM #6
Mike
where did you get the ally section from?"If something is really worth doing, it is worth doing badly." - GK Chesterton
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7th January 2009, 05:16 PM #7
Capral Smart Aluminium Centre (previously Alcan) I would think there is an outlet near you. Yep just looked it up here
Cheers
Mike
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8th January 2009, 08:46 AM #8
incremental tools in the US have both their plastic and aluminium plates on sale right now. Email tehm and they will ship to aus. The inserts are top quality, so much so I am somewhat sad my cast iron router extension wing doesn't use one
The plastic is $39US PP and the al as I recall is about $75US. AU$ is 70c just now so even if it's $30US shipping it's still cheap. They come with 3 rings and can be ordered pre drilled for a range of routers.
2c
I really should get round to advertising my router fence.I'm just a startled bunny in the headlights of life. L.J. Young.
We live in a free country. We have freedom of choice. You can choose to agree with me, or you can choose to be wrong.
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8th January 2009, 11:54 PM #9
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30th January 2009, 11:03 AM #10
Just a comment and a caution!!
While the Carbatec plate is not the highest accuracy, the above is completely incorrect as regards material, and is a risky statement to make.
I have the CT plate. It is not perfectly straight. It is $50 straight. I have drilled it, and have checked the shavings. Not acrylic, not thermoplastic, don't burn but char. Definitely a phenol-formaldehyde type thermoset, (ie bakelite)
Possibly the spec or thickness is lower than it should be, as there is a (small) degree of sag under a heavy router, which is exacerbated by the absence of a levelling stud on the long sides, (which I have corrected!).
In my case, the cause of a significant distortion I found to be the quality of the router base casting, which relies on the plastic insert to compensate for its "out of true" Once I shimmed up between the base and the plate, the "bow" virtually disappeared. It is worth checking with a straightedge before and after tightening the securing screws, to see if there is a difference.
If you have the $$$$, by all means opt for the more expensive options, as they are no doubt better quality, (and should be given the prices), but IMHO, as with a lot of other lower end tools and accessories, provided you are aware that you are buying economy, this was a purchase I could make at the price, and with some effort, get a good result, wheras I would never have been able to justify the premium required for the name brand.
regardsAlastair
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30th January 2009, 01:07 PM #11
Alastair, always happy to be "corrected", however your "correction" is incorrect.
I was certainly wrong by saying that the Carbatec plate was made from acrylic, Carbatec's own website states that is made from ABS, however I was correct in saying that it was made from a thermoplastic as ABS is
Extract from Wikipedia's entry on ABS:
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) (chemical formula (C<sub>8</sub>H<sub>8</sub>· C<sub>4</sub>H<sub>6</sub>·C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>3</sub>N)<sub>n</sub>) is a common thermoplastic used to make light, rigid, molded products such as piping
Therefore, what I said re deforming stands, as it is not made from a thermosetting material. Whether it burns or doesn't burn is not the determining factor to distuingish a thermoplastic from a thermosetting material. A thermoplastic material can be re-melted a thermosetting material cannot.
I'm glad you're happy with your Carbatec router plate, at the end of the day that is all that matters.
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30th January 2009, 01:55 PM #12
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Some other aspects to consider asa well regarding the CT vis a vis the Woodpeckers plate.
Recently I looked at both and bought the Woodpeckers because the plate came complete with holes drilled and bolts for the big Triton router ( presume the holes are the same as for the baby Triton), the opening rings for router bits are bigger and better, and it comes with instructions for making your own opening in your own table top.
Nearly finished making a template to help making a new router top to replace my Triton top.
Peter.
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30th January 2009, 02:12 PM #13
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30th January 2009, 02:14 PM #14
Let me be more specific:
I am not aware of the statement regarding ABS on the CT website, so cannot comment on the veracity.
I do have a working knowledge of plastics, from years in the food industry, and where ABS is a common packaging material, and indeed a thermoplastic as said.
However, I have tested the drillings from my own plate, and they neither melt nor burn when flame tested, nor show the characteristic smoke or smell. They char and glow under flame, and the smell is the characteristic "burning electric" of phenol formaldehyde.
Bottom line is the plate I bought from CT Sydney in November is NOT ABS.
It does not soften nor melt, so is not thermoplastic.
I cannot comment on other persons experience!
regardsAlastair
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30th January 2009, 02:27 PM #15
Alastair, see attached print out from CT website, if that is not the router plate you have bought than perhaps yours is different? It is however the one my original statement, the one you subsequently "corrected", referred to.
I am only a simple industrial chemist, but I do know the difference between thermosplastic and thermosetting, and even Wikipedia knows that ABS is a thermoplastic.
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