Comments on: Center Mortises With Rockler’s Router Baseplate http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:01:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: l_bilyk http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259602 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:57:20 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259602 It might be a neat idea to use the pins to center the base and then use an edge guide, assuming it clears the pins It might be a neat idea to use the pins to center the base and then use an edge guide, assuming it clears the pins

]]> by: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259519 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:27:59 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259519 Others have it for the same price: http://pricecutter.com/product.asp?pn=400-1292&SID=PC080319&EID=DMI080319P&lm=pcut&bhcd2=1205929579 Others have it for the same price:

http://pricecutter.com/product.asp?pn=400-1292&SID=PC080319&EID=DMI080319P&lm=pcut&bhcd2=1205929579

]]> by: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259134 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:23:29 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259134 Not that I'm against those TV shows - but I gave up on the Router workshop after only a few episodes. The father and son pair are ingenious - but they were pushing their Hitachi routers to do jobs much better suited to other tools. There are times however, when you need to make do in the field to get a job done - or it is easier than bringing everything back to the main shop. On big jobs we set up a shop on the worksite and equip it very well - but don't expect to see the panel saw, big jointer, the Unisaw or the shaper arrive on the truck. Not that I’m against those TV shows - but I gave up on the Router workshop after only a few episodes. The father and son pair are ingenious - but they were pushing their Hitachi routers to do jobs much better suited to other tools.

There are times however, when you need to make do in the field to get a job done - or it is easier than bringing everything back to the main shop. On big jobs we set up a shop on the worksite and equip it very well - but don’t expect to see the panel saw, big jointer, the Unisaw or the shaper arrive on the truck.

]]> by: Benjamen Johnson http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259058 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:03:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259058 Fred, I think this is meant more for people who want to try mortising without dropping $200 or more on a dedicated machine, or even $50 on a drill press mortiser. It is not a replacement for a mortising machine. You could also make something like this yourself pretty easily. You have to be aware of which way the bit rotates. The rotation helps keep the pins against the board. I first saw a router plate like this on the Router Workshop, given the guys are pretty handy with a router, they didn't seem to have any problems. They tend to rely heavily on router jigs to build their projects rather than have a bunch of different shop equipment. The real premise of the show is look what YOU can do with only your router. Jake, yeah, you might be right, but the photo has obviously been doctored so it may not be accurate. The thicker the board the closer you can mortise to the end with a given set of holes. You'd think maybe there should be a 4th set of holes even closer to the bit to handle mortises closer to the edge, but then again what's to prevent you from adding them yourself. Or possibly you could add larger diameter pins, I have seen versions of this baseplate with ball-bearings instead of pins. Fred,
I think this is meant more for people who want to try mortising without dropping $200 or more on a dedicated machine, or even $50 on a drill press mortiser. It is not a replacement for a mortising machine. You could also make something like this yourself pretty easily.

You have to be aware of which way the bit rotates. The rotation helps keep the pins against the board.

I first saw a router plate like this on the Router Workshop, given the guys are pretty handy with a router, they didn’t seem to have any problems. They tend to rely heavily on router jigs to build their projects rather than have a bunch of different shop equipment. The real premise of the show is look what YOU can do with only your router.

Jake,
yeah, you might be right, but the photo has obviously been doctored so it may not be accurate. The thicker the board the closer you can mortise to the end with a given set of holes. You’d think maybe there should be a 4th set of holes even closer to the bit to handle mortises closer to the edge, but then again what’s to prevent you from adding them yourself. Or possibly you could add larger diameter pins, I have seen versions of this baseplate with ball-bearings instead of pins.

]]> by: Jake Strait http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259042 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:32:17 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-259042 What happens when the pin on the left slides off the end of the board? I don't think the mortise shown can be cut with that jig - its too close to the end - where the majority of mortises go. What happens when the pin on the left slides off the end of the board? I don’t think the mortise shown can be cut with that jig - its too close to the end - where the majority of mortises go.

]]> by: Fred http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-258690 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:35:07 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/03/17/center-mortises-with-rocklers-router-baseplate/#comment-258690 We use the late and still lamented (by some and cursed by others) Porter Cable Mor-Ten jig with a plunge router and steel bit for field-made mortises. Might still be able to find one on Ebay. In the shop it is a different story - having a dedicated mortiser. The Rockler jig as pictured would seem to require some care to insure that both pins remain in contact with opposite sides of the work - otherwise it looks like the bit might wander We use the late and still lamented (by some and cursed by others) Porter Cable Mor-Ten jig with a plunge router and steel bit for field-made mortises.
Might still be able to find one on Ebay.

In the shop it is a different story - having a dedicated mortiser.

The Rockler jig as pictured would seem to require some care to insure that both pins remain in contact with opposite sides of the work - otherwise it looks like the bit might wander

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