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Milwaukee depth adj not accurate to plunge base

3K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  gregW 
#1 ·
The depth adjustment knob on the 5615-20 Milwaukee "body grip" router is accurate (6/32 = 6/32 actual depth) on the fixed base, but shows 6/32 = 1/8 inch actual depth when the router is in the plunge base (part no. 48-10-5600).

Does anyone have the plunge base for the Milwaukee "body grip" router? Have you checked the accuracy of the depth adjustment knob when it is used with the plunge base? What do you think?
 
#2 ·
I want to expand on what I said above, because my comment may be interpreted as a parts tolerance issue. It is not. It is a GEAR RATIO issue. The gear ratio from the knob to the plunge stop rod is incorrect.

Why not have the correct ratio on the adjustment gearing if the gears are there anyway. This is not a case of tolerances; it is a case of choosing the right gear ratio. It appears that the designer intended to use the knob only as a means to move the depth rod and not use the scale on the knob as it is used in the fixed base. For the life of me, I don't know why that decision was made. If the scale is there and used in the fixed base, why not use it in the plunge base also?
On the other hand, this router and the bases are just about the best I have used. The body grip fixed base is the most pleasant router I use (I have a second in a fixed base only that I bought when these first came out). The plunge base is a great addition and I bought the 2 base kit for about 60% of what the fixed base router cost alone. Additionally, the case (although it is huge) is a great addition. It opens like a clamshell with the router in its nest ready to go. You can put the router in either base and not be too particular about where things are when you close it (you don't have to be a packaging engineer to put it back into its case).
 
#4 ·
Hi eganders,
I have that plunge base and I haven’t noticed that error with mine, but I do have to admit that I have never really used the scale on the depth adjustment knob to set the plunge stop rod...I usually use a spacer between the turret and the stop rod to set the plunge depth, so I guess in that respect I'm using the knob as the designer intended ( just for moving the rod up and down ).

who knows..maybe the designer felt that if he made it a 1 to 1 gear ratio the depth rod adjustment travel would be to slow?

I have used the micro adjustment feature when using the router in the fixed base and like you noted the accuracy of the depth adjustment knob seems to work as expected and the fixed base body grip feature makes the router a real pleasure to use :)
 
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