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Dewalt Router Adapter for Track

30K views 26 replies 11 participants last post by  jlkinsel  
#1 ·
Does anyone have any experience with the router adapter Dewalt makes for their track saw track? The info on every website is limited to just a few routers.
I have two questions:

1) Will the Bosch 1617 mount on it? (They claim a couple of Porter Cable routers do, so if that is true, maybe the three hole bolt pattern would fit my Bosch).

2) Will the adapter fit on a Grizzly track? I guess that is the most important question of all.

I would like to get the adapter if the stars were to align themselves properly. :)

I have attached a picture of my saw sitting on the track.

Note: I read all of the reviews and the ones about the Bosch contradict each other! :-( One says Yay! One says Nay!

I certainly would appreciate any feedback - good or bad.
Thanks
Mike
 

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#5 ·
I have the Scheppach track saw, which is identical to the one Grizzly sells. I have purchased two 55 inch tracks from Grizzly. They are identical in every way to the Scheppach model, just different stickers. :)

That is why I am trying to figure out if the adapter will work with my router and tracks. It appears the Dewalt track is made differently.

The reason I bought the Scheppach saw is WOOT! had it for $119 with $5 shipping a while back. I couldn't pass that up.

I did upgrade the blade to a Freud and recently bought a 24T Festool blade for ripping 4/4 rough hard maple. No problems there.

Hope this helps.
Mike
 

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#11 ·
Well, alrighty then. My pkg was delivered today, so naturally I tore into it to see what the fuss is all about.

I have attached some pics so maybe y'all can get an idea of what is included.

First of all, this adapter is made to fit the Dewalt track which has the raised guide in the center part of the track. My track (Scheppach, which is identical to the Grizzly track) has the guide off center towards the right side.

It appears my track is similar to the Makita and Festool tracks, but don't hold me to that assumption. I don't have any way of testing the compatability of those tracks.

After unpacking the parts, I tried to fit the guide bars into the receivers on my Bosch 1617 plunge base. No can do. The spacing is off just a tad and the guide rails are a smidgeon bigger (thicker in diameter).

After a few more tries and test fits, I figured it out. I removed the guide rails and attached them to the supplied adapter, which bolts perfectly to my plunge base. Thumb screws supplied in the parts bag fit the threads perfectly. This makes it very easy to attach it to the router or remove it.

To make this thing work with my track, I had to remove the micro adjustment screw thingie. I don't need it anyway. Then I turned my track around and used the back side. Perfect fit!

I adjusted the slack tension knobs that are built into the adapter, and I was ready to go. The adapter moves smoothly along my track and the router appears to be stable. I guess time will tell.

I didn't have time to make any test cuts, but for now, I am giving this thing two thumbs up. I may eat those words someday, but if I have trouble, I will report back.

Note: A 3/64 inch allen wrench is all that is required (but not supplied) to take the pieces apart and reassemble to another configuration.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Mike
 

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#13 ·
Dewalt router adapter and Scheppach track

Hi Mike

I joined this forum after viewing your post together and photographs about the DeWalt Router Adapter and your Scheppach track.

I also have a Scheppach track together with a need for some accurate form of guide rail for my router. Therefore, I would be very pleased to hear about any practical experience you have had using this combination since your previous post.

Kind regards

Bob
 
#14 ·
Hi Mike

I joined this forum after viewing your post together and photographs about the DeWalt Router Adapter and your Scheppach track.

I also have a Scheppach track together with a need for some accurate form of guide rail for my router. Therefore, I would be very pleased to hear about any practical experience you have had using this combination since your previous post.

Kind regards

Bob
Bob, I haven't had a chance to use it yet. I have been busy building some cabinets. However the adapter does fit nicely and there is no slop when I slide the router along the track.

Hope this helps.
 
#22 ·
Howdy folks - just wanted to give an update on this, after receiving a pair of Grizzly tracks and a DeWalt router attachment this week (purchased in part after this thread).

As Mike showed, you can tweak the router attachment to sit on the grizzly track. With the adjusters on the DeWalt adapter, you can dial in the fit pretty well. With a bit of wax, I expect it'll slide nicely.

When I connect the router attachment to my DeWalt 618 and place the pair on the track, the setup doesn't set flush with both the workpiece and the track (see photos). Look like there's around 7/16" difference. I'm going to build up a base for the router and see if it's stable enough to use. I'm looking to route a very clean glue line between a pair of walnut slabs, so I'm looking for zero wobble.

Will update after I give it a try!



(Sorry for replying to such an old thread, but this seems relevant so wanted to keep the info together and hopefully help others out)
 

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#26 ·
By inverting the adapter plate (circled) it would seem that you could get the router much closer to the work surface. By making a new adapter plate to replace the one provided could allow the router to sit at any level needed just by changing the hole positions for the router guide rods.

I don't have a track saw of any brand. I'm just looking at the picture that was posted and trying to figure out what I would do to solve this problem. I hope my thoughts are of help to some of you.

Charley
 

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#27 ·
Great eye, Charley! :) Probably my fault when I had things apart and was tinkering around.

Just flipped it - luckily hadn't started on the base yet - it's about 95% better, still not perfect. Usable, but not perfect. still off by about 1/8".

Will tinker today and report in a few hours.

This is why I like forums like this. :)