router table plate levelers

[mark-yo]

hi. does anyone have any experience w/ woodhaven's 'stay-tru' plate levelers that are supposed to keep a router plate level w/ the router table (http://www.woodhaven.com/detail.aspx?ID=1627)? the idea seems sound (using individually adjustable screws rather than a rabbet in the table to support the plate), but w/ up to 8 adjustments to coordinate, maybe it's more frustration than it's worth. any alternatives to consider? thx. m.

[Tom Hintz]

Most good router plaes use the leveling screws. The rabbet is cut a tad deeper than the palte thickness and then the leveling screws are used to bring it up flush.
I level the plate using the corner screws adn then adjust the remaining screws so they just support the rest of the plate. I use the Multi-Gauge from Oneway for this which makes it very simple.
Another thing I have learned to do is apply a drop or two of thin CA to the rabbet where the screws make contact. It stiffens the wood a little so the screws don't "settle" in with use.

[Tequila]

The benchdog router table uses a screw leveling system like you describe. It does take a little time to tune, as does any precision tool, but it's much better than running stock through the table and having it catch on a lip every time.

[LCHIEN]

they're not that hard to set, if you do it systematically, not randomly.

You need a dial gauge and a stand like the Oneway Multi-gauge
Set them all low.
Raise two corners up so that the corners are level with the main table.
Raise the other two corners (applying slight pressure nearby to hold the corner down) until they're level.
Then do the in between screws... put the gauge just over them, raise until the gauge starts to go up from 0 and then back off, now the in-between screws are just touching and will support any tendency to sag.

[RodKirby]

What Loring said!

[MBG]

Mine has 8-set screws. I put a drop of green Loctite on them and did the alignment with a block of wood - pushing it in both directions across the joint.

[Bollox]

they're not that hard to set, if you do it systematically, not randomly.

Raise two corners up so that the corners are level with the main table.
Raise the other two corners (applying slight pressure nearby to hold the corner down) until they're level.

Thats how I do it too, but I initially set it level using just 3 screws - 2 on on side 1 on the other. That way there is always weight on the 3 screws, which isnt necessarily the case if you use 4. Once the plate is level on 3 you can wind down the rest of the screws to fully support the plate.

My table is a Tooldock router station that came with a 3/8 acrylic plate sitting on top of woodscrews driven into the rabbet itself. I drilled and tapped my plate for 8-32 setscrews which makes adjustment a lot easier.

Mike

[mark-yo]

everyone: thx for your helpful comments and advice. m.