WOOD Magazine – October 01, 2019

34 WOOD magazine October 2019

A D-handle base provides trigger control so you don’t have to let go of one

handle to flip the motor switch on or off, ensuring full control throughout the cut.

C

Depth

Front

Motor

use with

D-handle.

The motor raises and
lowers in the base to
adjust cutting depth
in a fixed-base router.
When set, a clamp
on the base locks the
motor in position.

A B

The plunge-router motor slides

up and down on rods with a spring

return so you can start the motor

in the workpiece field without the

bit contacting the work.

Depth-adjustment collar
(vernier-style)

Switch and speed control

Motor

Base

Subbase

Switch

Stop rod lock

Depth-stop

rod

Turret stop

Speed control

Plunge lock

Plunge rods

Subbase

A fixed base [Photo A] works well for edge-

routing and cutting dadoes and grooves that

extend the full length or width of a board. A

plunge base [Photo B] lets you rout stopped

cuts by lowering and raising the bit from the

workpiece without lifting the tool base.

A D-handle fixed base [Photo C], available

for some routers, allows positive one-hand

control. This helps in routing long grooves

or dadoes, forming edges on large work-

pieces, and using some jigs.

To increase versatility, some makers’

cordless routers fit into bases made for their

corded models.

A combination kit [Photo D] that includes a

motor plus interchangeable fixed and plunge

bases often proves a good value for a first-

buy general-purpose router. The motor

easily swaps from one base to the other.

■ Depth adjustment. Look for smooth,

easy-to-lock depth adjustments in a fixed-

base router. A rack-and-pinion mechanism or

vernier collar for fine adjustments makes

precise depth setting easier [Photos A and D].

A plunge base should move down smoothly

and return to raised position positively. A

plunge lock, usually operated by a short-

motion lever, lets you lock the bit depth at any

position within the plunge range. A turret

with multiple stops [Photo B] permits routing

deep grooves or dadoes in steps.

A stopped cut is one

which does not extend

to an edge of the

workpiece.