Cheap Router plates

[tommyt654]

For some odd reason the thought of a million chinese guys running around with these in there hands just popped into my head

[chopnhack]

LOL, its probably the yellow and red insert rings.. HAPPY NEW YEAR

[dbaudo1]

I'm in the market for a router plate and ran across this thread. Is this router plate comparable to the $50-$70 alternatives out there? Do you guys see any issues with flexing? I know its an old thread but was hoping someone has feedback because $13 is a great deal!

[Black wallnut]

I'd be surprised if that pricing has remained since this thread was started.

[greenacres2]

Was still $13 a few weeks ago. (Edit...just looked, $13.00 tonight)
Earl

[LCHIEN]

Router plate sizes

Keep in mind, not all router plates are the same size.
Not only that, the corner radii may not be the same, it appears they are the same but no one specs it. Corner radius = 3/4"?
Thickness seems to be std at 3/8"

The Grizzly appears to be 9"x12" - that's what their table takes.
Hartville, Rousseau, Peachtree, Freud, Bosch, MLCS, Yonico, Grizzly - 9"x12"
Jessem, Kreg, Incra and Woodpecker takes 9.25 x 11.75"
Bench Dog and Rockler tables take 8.25 x 11.75
Rockler used to have a bigger router 9x13 plate


Why are they close yet different? My guesses:
1. Manufacturers' misguided attempts to lock you into their table or plate if you have one or the other.
2. Some routers are bigger than others esp. the handle spread but also the router baseplate footprint for the 3+ hp routers so they have crept the sizes up as larger routers were made.

[greenacres2]

That's a handy reference sheet Loring!! Both my tops are 8.25 x11.75, but I've considered buying a few of the Grizzly plates and using one of my current plates as a template to adjust the Grizzly to the size of my opening. I've got a few projects coming up that would be easier to accomplish by setting up two routers and just popping the plates in and out of the table.

Also, at $13 each, those plates are a good start to making square or rectangular sub bases to use with various jigs.

earl

[Waddles]

Keep in mind, not all router plates are the same size.
Not only that, the corner radii may not be the same, it appears they are the same but no one specs it. Corner radius = 3/4"?
Thickness seems to be std at 3/8"

The Grizzly appears to be 9"x12" - that's what their table takes.
Hartville, Rousseau, Peachtree (same as Grizzly) - 9"x12"
Jessem, Kreg, Incra and Woodpecker takes 9.25 x 11.75"
Bench Dog and Rockler tables take 8.25 x 11.75
Rockler used to have a bigger router 9x13 plate
Bosch not specified

Why are they close yet different? My guesses:
1. Manufacturers' misguided attempts to lock you into their table or plate if you have one or the other.
2. Some routers are bigger than others esp. the handle spread but also the router baseplate footprint for the 3+ hp routers so they have crept the sizes up as larger routers were made.

Freud is also 9" X 12" as is the Bosch RA1200 Table (made by Rousseau for Bosch). I think MLCS and Yonico are 9" X 12" also....

[dbaudo1]

That really is a great reference sheet Loren! I will definatelybe sure to save that in my reference materials.

But to my original question, are they decent plates? I mean saving a buck is great but if installing this one is a waste of time then I'll look to go with the kreg phenolic plate. 13 bucks is cheap and based on Loren's info I could easily switch it out provided the radii match, but I like to do work once as much as possible and spend the saved money from not redoing it at HF. .

[JR]

dbaudo1, this is a sort of religious discussion (I doubt it will get banned, though!). Passions run high on the topic of router inserts, and you're unlikely to come away from the discussion having sensed any sort of consensus.

Here are a couple of illuminating threads. I'm sure there are more, if want to do a search.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=26379&highlight=router+table

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=22452&highlight=triton

Black wallnut's sag test, shown in the first thread, is a thing of beauty. FWIW, I'll also note that I don't recall him calling out another member so forcefully before or since.

[LCHIEN]

40-50 pounds on a router table to cause .005" sag is pretty much an extreme condition. Unless of course you are using a 20-HP router perhaps...

A Bosch 1617evs plus fixed base weighs 7.7 lbs I just read. Call it less than 8 lbs with the biggest baddest bit you can fit to it. That's 1/5th of 40 lbs, the corresponding sag would be .001"

I have a woodpecker phenolic plate under my 1617evs. I level the insert plate as well as the router plate. I don't think I'd notice 1 mil of sag.

[chopnhack]

I read the entire linked thread. I still do not understand what all the hubbub is about. If the sag or crown is consistent and stays consistent, then who cares? It will be and produce a uniform product. I doubt most woodworkers would exert 50lbs of downward pressure while running stock through their router table anyways.

Now, if the plate flexes with just a little bit of force, then yes, the profile will alter, but that is not case with the rousseau which as was mentioned maintained its crown all the way up to 50lbs? or the 1/4" aluminum plate models.

I have not used my Grizzly plate yet, but it seems to be stiff enough to hold my hitachi beast. Time will tell...