Shop Made Template Collar Router Base Plates

[glenn bradley]

I was surprised that with all the router stuff I have around that I did not have a pair of medium sized router base plates with template profiles in them.


I mostly do template routing with my plunge bases which I prefer teardrop bases on. I didn't realize that when it came to plain round bases with step openings I had . . . none!?!
Pull some plexiglass out of the bin and cut off a piece. Then cut that piece in half because I need two bases.


This bandsaw template jig was made for different saw so the clamping is a little kludgy; still works.




Leave the commercial base taped on and flush trim the bandsawn blank.


Use the commercial plates holes as a guide for the through holes for the screws. These holes are a bit oversized to allow precision centering (later) of the template collar.


For the counter-bores, the screw head thickness is the depth guide. That is, I drill the counter-bore deep enough so that the screw head is recessed.


Nearly there.


I attach each plate to the base it will be used with. I use a router and a 1/4" bit to mark the approximate center.


Now using this hole at the drill press as an alignment aid I can drill the stepped hole for the collar.




That's just what I needed.

 

[Toni Ciuraneta]

Your template jig caught my attention Glenn. I guess that the sides of the groove are flush with the saw blade and the template or original piece one wants to copy stops against them, is that so or I am not getting how it works?

 

[glenn bradley]

Your template jig caught my attention Glenn. I guess that the sides of the groove are flush with the saw blade and the template or original piece one wants to copy stops against them, is that so or I am not getting how it works?

You've got it Toni. The blade rides a mm or two inside the groove (back from the edge the template rides on) so it doesn't damage the template. It is great for roughing out multiple copies of things rather quickly. Normally I don't bother for just one of two of something but I keep my jig hanging on the bandsaw so it is very quick for me to set it up.