Rousseau 3509 9-Inch x 12-Inch x 3/8-Inch Deluxe Router Base Plate:
Product Description
Able to accommodate the heaviest routers, this thermoset 3/8-inch base plate measures 9 by 12 inches with a 1/4-by-1/2-inch lip, and allows mounting in 3/4-inch tops. Two rings snap out to accommodate larger router bits up to 3-3/4 inches with opening sizes of 1-1/4 (designed to fit template guides), 2-5/8, and 3-7/8 inches. The shoulder pin can be used in any of five locations for ease in starting freehand work. Also included are four corner Snuggers to remove excess play if the opening doesn't exactly match the base plate and to securely mount the plate to the top. The base plate is molded with a slight crown to ensure the center is the highest point.
From the Manufacturer
Able to accommodate the heaviest routers, this thermoset 3/8-inch base plate measures 9 by 12-inches with a 1/4-by-1/2-inch lip, and allows mounting in 3/4-inch tops. Two rings snap out to accommodate larger router bits up to 3-3/4-inches with opening sizes of 1-1/4 (designed to fit template guides), 2-5/8, and 3-7/8-inches. The shoulder pin can be used in any of five locations for ease in starting freehand work. Also included are four corner Snuggers to remove excess play if the opening doesn't exactly match the base plate and to securely mount the plate to the top. The base plate is molded with a slight crown to ensure the center is the highest point.
I looked into a lot of router base plates. This one by far gives you the most bang for the buck. Their are cheaper ones out there, and other ones that are much more expensive. The cheapest I found was at Sears, a flat smaller metal plate with a 2 1/2" hole in the middle. Drill your own, won't accommodate a freehand guide pin, or accept 3 1/2" bits, but a great price for a solid metal plate. Then you get into the plates that cost three times as much as the Rousseau, and they are flat, and come with insert rings, and a freehand guide pin as well. Then there is everything in between. Now on to the Rousseau.
The advantage to the Rousseau plate is that it accepts even the larger and more popular 3 1/2" raised panel bit for kitchen cabinets etc. It also has two concentric rings that lessen the size of the opening for smaller work, and the smallest one is the standard in the industry: the porter cable template guide. It is ridged out in the center to accommodate the pc guides.
I must say, much is to do, about the difficulty of removing the Rousseau center rings. They are easy to remove, if you know the secret. All you have to do is take a new pencil, unsharpened, place the rubber end on the ring or rings, and give it an ever so slight tap with a small hammer. They pop right out. Additionally, when seating them, you want to use a rubber mallet to push them snugly into place. They fit perfectly that way, and it is effortless to remove them. You can press against those rings with your thumb, until you are blue in the face, they won't come out. A gentle tap, and they pop. Ever see the commercial with the guy fighting to get the lid off of the jar, and the wife comes over, gives it a light tap, and pry's it right off. This is the same thing, albeit a slightly different principle.
The advantage to the Rousseau plate is that it accepts even the larger and more popular 3 1/2" raised panel bit for kitchen cabinets etc. It also has two concentric rings that lessen the size of the opening for smaller work, and the smallest one is the standard in the industry: the porter cable template guide. It is ridged out in the center to accommodate the pc guides.
I must say, much is to do, about the difficulty of removing the Rousseau center rings. They are easy to remove, if you know the secret. All you have to do is take a new pencil, unsharpened, place the rubber end on the ring or rings, and give it an ever so slight tap with a small hammer. They pop right out. Additionally, when seating them, you want to use a rubber mallet to push them snugly into place. They fit perfectly that way, and it is effortless to remove them. You can press against those rings with your thumb, until you are blue in the face, they won't come out. A gentle tap, and they pop. Ever see the commercial with the guy fighting to get the lid off of the jar, and the wife comes over, gives it a light tap, and pry's it right off. This is the same thing, albeit a slightly different principle.
