SHOP-TESTED

TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Quick-Release, Oversize Base for your Router

I build a lot of drawers in my shop and I like to soften the edges
of the assembled drawer box with a small roundover. But trying to
hold a router stable on the thin edge of the drawer side is tricky.

I figured out that this operation would be safer and the results more
consistent if I had a large base for my router. My first idea was to
remove the original baseplate of my router and replace it with
a wider one. Then I realized that fussing with removing and
replacing the screws to change bases would be a hassle.

My solution was to build this simple auxiliary base

you see here. It only takes a few seconds to mount
it to the router. It’s wide enough to span at least
two drawer sides while routing. This means the
router remains stable with less of a tendency to tip.

The secret is in the two hardwood “pinch blocks” and a toggle clamp
(more information on this toggle clamp). The pinch blocks are rab-
beted on the end for a snug fit over the router’s base. And the toggle
clamp is positioned to make it easy to remove and install the router
yet clamp it securely when in use.

END VIEW Size rabbet to #8 x !/2" Rh #8 x 1" Fh

fit snugly over woodscrew woodscrew
router base
!/8" round-
over
#/4 !/2

TOP VIEW

De-Sta-Co
clamp no.
202-U-52026
Sources:

120° Da-Sta-Co toggle clamp

Locate pinch
blocks and No. 202-U-52026
toggle clamp 2
to fit
router base
1!/2

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