On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 07:05:16 -0500, "George" George@least wrote:


"Mark & Juanita" wrote in message
.. .
Another approach would be to make a transparent template using the
router
base itself, then attach the transparent template to the base you want to
drill. This was detailed in ShopNotes #85, Jan/Feb 2006 pp 5

How would the transparent base be any better for the purpose than the
router base itself?

I think the idea is that you can paste the tranparency to whatever you
are planning to mill and leave it attached during the milling process --
that way you avoid accidentally milling the real base. Disadvantage: the
real base provides you with a drill guide to assure your holes are
accurately aligned.

Not necessarily advocating so much as pointing out another method.


It's not locating the holes properly for attachment, rather locating them
properly for collet center that counts. Means you begin with collet/bit
center as your prime reference. Unfortunately, that tends to fall in the
middle of a large hole in your new base. You'd have to make an insert and
center properly on the center point to begin.



What I did to make an accurately centered base for my Bosch 1613EVS was:
1. Used the old base as a template to shape a new base from 1/4" melamine
coated MDF,
2. Drilled all the mounting holes as accurately as possible in the newly
shaped base,
3. Attached the new base to the router with a centering bit mounted in the
router.
4. I then plunged the centering bit gently onto the new base, using the
mark left by the centering bit the same way one would use a center punch.
[note, I did say gently plunged in an unplugged router, I did not want to
damage the point of the centering bit].
5. Using the center point, I then used the drill press and a small,
straight drill bit to drill a pilot hole
6. Used the appropriately dimensioned forstner bit to drill a hole for the
top portion of a PC brass template ring using the top of the pilot hole for
the starting point and the drill press depth stop to attain the proper
depth.
7. Used the appropriately dimensioned forstner bit to drill a hole for the
lower portion of the PC brass template using the bottom of the pilot hole
and the drill press depth stop to attain the proper depth.
8. Re-attached to router base and confirmed that my 1/32" plus centering
error had been reduced below my means to measure it.
9. Celebrated with great joy and gusto in preparation for making many
dovetails with leigh jig for Captain's bed drawers




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If you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough

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