Starting/pivot pin for router table attachment

[sailor55330]

When routing while not using the router fence, I was always taught to use a pivot pin to feed the work into the blade. The BT3xx doesn't have that option. Has anyone ever drilled a hole into their table and made one?

Just curious?

[LCHIEN]

An alternative to drilling the hole in the table top is to clamp a pointed stick to the table and use the end of the stick as a pivot point.

[sailor55330]

Do you have any suggestions for getting a solid clamping surface? Seems like everytime I clamp, the clamp doesn't bite square and ends up popping off.

[pelligrini]

The times I've clamped items to surfaces like the Accessory Table is not to clamp it on the edge, but to use the surface on the other side of the lip. This needs clamps with longer jaws and/or a spacer block on the underside. I used to use some 4" Quick Grips http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-59400CD-.../dp/B00005RHP0 on my iron drill press and sometime the accessory table.

[LCHIEN]

Do you have any suggestions for getting a solid clamping surface? Seems like everytime I clamp, the clamp doesn't bite square and ends up popping off.

Yes, the aux/router table has a lip. Take a small block of 1x2 wood about 3-4 inches long, place it under the table and hold in place while setting the clamp so the jaw rests on the wood block. the wood should be thicker than the lip tall so the clamp will rest on the block of wood on the underside of the table thru the table and the other clamp foot on the top or on the stick with the pointer on top. Thus making a stable platform all the way thru at least as wide as the clamp feet.

As for dillling a hole in the Aux table, I think its too thin to support a pin without the pin wobbling. You would have to glue a block (hardwood OK) under the table to extend the hole to at least 1/4" maybe 3/8" to be stable.

[sailor55330]

Thanks for the tips. I'd rather not drill the table if possible.

[dbhost]

When routing while not using the router fence, I was always taught to use a pivot pin to feed the work into the blade. The BT3xx doesn't have that option. Has anyone ever drilled a hole into their table and made one?

Just curious?

The previous owner of my BT3100 did just that. I wasn't 100% happy with what was used for a pivot pin (plastic) so I replaced it with a machine screw and a smallish stainless steel bushing from the hardware store. It works pretty well...

[Rand]

I drilled mine and tapped the hole. For a starting pin I cut the hex head off of a small bolt. It was pretty easy to do and it works.