Is this a common sized router base?

[S.JB.89]

I'm looking for a router table for some small pattern cutting I plan to do soon and have a relatively small workspace that I don't want to clog up any more than I have to. The work I'll be doing doesn't require a large powerful router so I wondered if routers with a 155mm diameter base were very common or not, as the table I'm looking at only accepts routers with a base up to 155mm. The reason I'm asking if its a common size is that on most websites I've looked at routers, the size of the base isn't specified. I'll go into B&Q or screwfix at the next chance I get and break out my tape measure but thought I'd ask here and introduce myself first as I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to pop into either of the aforementioned!

My name's Jamie and I just joined around 2 minutes ago I noticed some very helpful users in another topic somebody else posted and couldn't resist joining!

 

[blackrodd]

Hello s.jb.89 and welcome.
I was having this discussion just a couple of days ago.
I have recently bought a cheapie router table mainly for the dust extraction as well as a bit of safety.
And I will be looking out for a 155mm based router, as the three i have are too big.
I will try and get a Bosch as they are a reasonable quality for the money and in this case, I'm hoping, small enough.
Please keep posting, It will be interested in how and what you end up with.
Regards Rodders

 

[jumps]

a 155 limit for a 1/4" shank router shouldn't represent any problems.

as an example the very common Bosch POF500 had a base with a 140mm diameter

 

[blackrodd]

a 155 limit for a 1/4" shank router shouldn't represent any problems.

as an example the very common Bosch POF500 had a base with a 140mm diameter

Excellent! Thanks for that, I can get looking!
I had a pof 50 years ago with a round over bit fitted (well, several) very handy and one handed tool.
One day it just went missing, dunno what I did with it, replaced with an Elu.
Regards Rodders

 

[jumps]

a 155 limit for a 1/4" shank router shouldn't represent any problems.

as an example the very common Bosch POF500 had a base with a 140mm diameter

I had a pof 50 years ago with a round over bit fitted (well, several) very handy and one handed tool.
One day it just went missing,
Regards Rodders

It's probably one of the ones in my drawer - the one with the round over bit almost permanently fitted!

As you say, they are a handy size (relative to a T5 or equivalent!)

 

[blackrodd]

a 155 limit for a 1/4" shank router shouldn't represent any problems.

as an example the very common Bosch POF500 had a base with a 140mm diameter

I had a pof 50 years ago with a round over bit fitted (well, several) very handy and one handed tool.
One day it just went missing,
Regards Rodders

It's probably one of the ones in my drawer - the one with the round over bit almost permanently fitted!

As you say, they are a handy size (relative to a T5 or equivalent!)

Is that T5, as in Trend? I'll have a look about.
Rodders

 

[jumps]

I had a pof 50 years ago with a round over bit fitted (well, several) very handy and one handed tool.
One day it just went missing,
Regards Rodders

It's probably one of the ones in my drawer - the one with the round over bit almost permanently fitted!

As you say, they are a handy size (relative to a T5 or equivalent!)[/quote]


Is that T5, as in Trend? I'll have a look about.
Rodders[/quote]

I was citing the T5 or equivalent as opposite to the handy POF500 - not an alternative! I'm not small (or weak) but I couldn't use one single handed (hammer)

There are obviously times the additional power and weight make it the better tool for the job - but handy they are not.

 

[Eric The Viking]

The POF 500/600 come up on eBay. I got a 600 recently, which is better as it's variable speed. And yes, my 500 usually has a bevel or roundover fitted

Many spares, incl. collets, from Miles Tools in Yeovil. They take up to 8mm shank, which is handy, although wasn't supplied with the router in the UK (Miles keep the collet). The direct "equivalent" is the Trend T4. I've no experience of it, but it's not very popular.

Simple router tables are very easy to make. Just get a slab of melamine-faced chipboard, fit a 1/2" cutter (or bigger), bolt the router to the middle, and gently plunge it through. Fence: a bit of 2x4 and two G-clamps.

I had my POF500 mounted like that for years, on a reject Ikea wardrobe shelf, bolted to the frame of a cheap workmate in place of the vice jaws. Folded up, took up very little space, worked really well. I then bought a "cheap" (it wasn't) B+Q router table. Total waste of money - the Ikea shelf was better in every way.

Don't waste your money - make a table. You could even make it a drop-down flap on the side of the workbench.

 

[S.JB.89]

The POF 500/600 come up on eBay. I got a 600 recently, which is better as it's variable speed. And yes, my 500 usually has a bevel or roundover fitted

Many spares, incl. collets, from Miles Tools in Yeovil. They take up to 8mm shank, which is handy, although wasn't supplied with the router in the UK (Miles keep the collet). The direct "equivalent" is the Trend T4. I've no experience of it, but it's not very popular.

Simple router tables are very easy to make. Just get a slab of melamine-faced chipboard, fit a 1/2" cutter (or bigger), bolt the router to the middle, and gently plunge it through. Fence: a bit of 2x4 and two G-clamps.

I had my POF500 mounted like that for years, on a reject Ikea wardrobe shelf, bolted to the frame of a cheap workmate in place of the vice jaws. Folded up, took up very little space, worked really well. I then bought a "cheap" (it wasn't) B+Q router table. Total waste of money - the Ikea shelf was better in every way.

Don't waste your money - make a table. You could even make it a drop-down flap on the side of the workbench.

I think by the third paragraph I'd decided to have a crack at building one! I can make it however big or small I need which is perfect considering my circumstances. Besides, after missing out on an absolute steal (£80 for a big fancy Makita router table and router which I have no room for, but when's that ever stopped anyone?) I'm feeling bitter and thus determined to make my own! Thanks for your input, I'm feeling inspired :wink:

 

[Eric The Viking]

... I'd decided to have a crack at building one! I can make it however big or small I need which is perfect considering my circumstances.

Good for you, sir! Besides, it's actually a lot of fun, and you get a big smiile out of "I've just made that moulding, on a machine made of stuff from Ikea's rubbish bin!"

Have lots of fun...

E.

PS: There is one tiny snag with 'zero-clearance' DIY router tables, but it's the same with all router tables: They're great for cutting neat slots and housings - you slide the workpiece across the cutter. The problem is that there's nowhere for the chips to go. If you're doing an open-ended slot of some sort, it's not too bad - stuff gets blown out of the end, but if you're 'dropping-on', making closed-ended slots by gently lowering the work onto the cutter (several passes to final depth, usually), they can clog.

Steve Maskery has an elegant, simple and very good solution to this - just make a 1" hole ahead of the cutter in the table top, and fix the Hoover to it. You can get by with just a hole (can be a bit smaller). just make it in-line with the slot you're cutting, clear of the router base uderneath, so there's somewhere for the chips to escape. I'll mention this to him and see if he can 'chip in' with a link to the video he made about it (see what I did there?), as I can't immediately find it on YouTube.

 

[Steve Maskery]

is this what you are looking for?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrDO6CipASE

 

[Eric The Viking]

is this what you are looking for?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrDO6CipASE

Yup, That's the badger!

Thank you sir.

E.