Which table insert?

1732 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by sailer5373, 3 mo ago

deck99

Discussion Starter · 9 mo ago

Hi folks,
just getting back into my woodworking hobby. Time to build another router table. This time I’m going to bust out my oakpark plans again and build one of the original yellow top tables. However I want to buy a predrilled aluminum insert. I recently bought a metabo m12ve. Can anyone recommend a predrilled insert for this router? I like the rockler Pro plates. Plate A shows it will fit a hitachi m12vc. can anyone confirm if the vc and the ve have the same base screw dimensions Or pattern?
Thanks,
deck99

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

jw2170

· #2 · 9 mo ago

Hi Deck...
Search the forum.
Some members recently hav had Oak Park 11x11 base plates foe sale....

PS, I saw you want aluminium, but I have found the original OP plates very good for my Triton TRA002 and Makita 3612C, so weight is no problem.

deck99

Discussion Starter · #3 · 9 mo ago

Thanks James.
I would certainly use plates made from other materials as well. Last table I made my own out of 1/2 clear acrylic.

deck99

DesertRatTom

· #4 · 9 mo ago

Most of the new ones have twist lock inserts. So much easier than fiddling with tiny screws. This is Kreg's.

Font Automotive tire Circle Auto part Tool

See less See more

Reactions: 1

richs11

· #5 · 9 mo ago

I recently rebuilt my router table top (about which I will post the details on this forum soon) and wound up using the Rockler mounting plate. Its phenolic, not Al, but none of the reviews seem to think that was a problem (e.g. sagging over time, etc.). I originally had planned to get the Kreg table top, which Rockler lists on their website - and the top includes the mounting plate shown above. Unfortunately, my local Rockler store didn't have the Rockler top, nor just the Kreg plate, so I opted to get the Rockler plate as I was anxious to get the top made and up and running for several projects I have in mind. While I agree that the twist lock inserts look like they would be easier to use, I realized that I really don't change the insert all that often, so I figured I could put up with messing with the three small screws ocassionally (a magnetic phillips screwdriver helps). Getting the leveling screws set up was a bit of a PITA, but hopefully that won't change in going from insert to insert or over time...

See less See more

richs11

· #6 · 9 mo ago

I had meant to also say in my reply that if you go to the Rockler website, under technical documents for their router plates, they have pdfs of the plates and hole patterns. You should be able to see if those patterns match what you have. They also have blank (undrilled) plates, which is what I bought (matching the hole pattern was a real PITA).

Reactions: 1

snorthener

· #7 · 9 mo ago

Incra with the mag plates.

deck99

Discussion Starter · #8 · 9 mo ago

Thanks for your replies guys. After a lot of research I’ll be drilling my own again. I‘m kinda liking the Jessem phenolic plate. It comes with the insert parts to easily align.
deck99

richs11

· #9 · 9 mo ago

Deck - let us know how it all works out. As I noted, I had some trouble getting my three mounting holes lined up - so I wound up having to make the clearance holes for the mounting bolts slightly larger in diameter. What I should have done, in the cold light of hindsight, was to create the hole pattern using a sheet of paper on top of the router base and 'poking small holes' in the paper at the mounting hole locations. then the only trick is to align that with the center of the plate.

biotec

· #10 · 9 mo ago

2

@deck99
i was going to buy the jessem insert plate for $63. and looked at the lift it was $ 161. jan 17, 2021
now it is $221
i got the lift i do like it. the dw 618 does not always live there
I have three other router table tops.they go in BD workmate 550
one for the old craftsman 1/4 router black plastic insert. next made was one with metal insert.
that gets a DW 618. this over time and different projects.
the other got the Jessem lift shown below

Tire Wheel Outdoor bench Plant Motor vehicle

Road surface Wood Asphalt Outdoor furniture Gas

the reason for this they hang up when not in use. garage is too small to have a dedicate space for any of the tools.
well almost the CM RAS and CM lathe CM drill press have a place but are on wheels so they can shifted as needed.

See less See more

Alphonse53

· #11 · 9 mo ago

deck99 said:
Hi folks,
just getting back into my woodworking hobby. Time to build another router table. This time I’m going to bust out my oakpark plans again and build one of the original yellow top tables. However I want to buy a predrilled aluminum insert. I recently bought a metabo m12ve. Can anyone recommend a predrilled insert for this router? I like the rockler Pro plates. Plate A shows it will fit a hitachi m12vc. can anyone confirm if the vc and the ve have the same base screw dimensions Or pattern?
Thanks,
deck99

Just throwing out there the most durable router table I've owned is a converted cast iron top table saw that has an oval blade insert. I mounted my Triton directly underneath, used the table extensions, ready made stand, detachable fence, and base as a dust collection box after hanging a door. I sold the motor and saw blade works to pay myself back about half the total, so It's a LOT cheaper. The router inserts are easy to make using the blade insert as a pattern and detailing the holes on center to accept drop-in inserts of your choice. It's plenty heavy, won't warp, has a 27" deep surface, and right side extension is a great place to mount a Incra Ultra or LS.

biotec

· #12 · 8 mo ago

here some links to what you had you did.or similar. good use old good cast iron.

Anyone converted a table saw to router table? from 2014

Converting A Old Table Saw Into A Router Table not really a how to

Reactions: 1

Alphonse53

· #13 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

biotec said:
here some links to what you had you did.or similar. good use old good cast iron.

Anyone converted a table saw to router table? from 2014

Converting A Old Table Saw Into A Router Table

jw2170

· #14 · 8 mo ago

Hi @biotec , I have a similar setup...

Table Gas Folding table Outdoor table Machine

See less See more

bfblack

· #15 · 8 mo ago

I upgraded from a Rockler to an Incra (made by Jessem to Incra's specifications) and am very happy with it. As someone else mentioned, the magnetic throat plates work really well.

sailer5373

· #16 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

deck99 said:
Hi folks,
just getting back into my woodworking hobby. Time to build another router table. This time I’m going to bust out my oakpark plans again and build one of the original yellow top tables. However I want to buy a predrilled aluminum insert. I recently bought a metabo m12ve. Can anyone recommend a predrilled insert for this router? I like the rockler Pro plates. Plate A shows it will fit a hitachi m12vc. can anyone confirm if the vc and the ve have the same base screw dimensions Or pattern?
Thanks,
deck99

sailer5373

· #17 · 3 mo ago

I have the Rockler Pro Plate and I hate it. Changing the inner plate sizes requires three tiny screws each time, and you will have to buy the inner plates separately. Also their router insert and many of their accessories are primarily their own designs and highly proprietary. My 2cents.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts