instructables

Acrylic Router Base Plate

by CatLighting

It is a very fast and simple project. If you need a base work easier by increasing the precision and
plate tailored to your needs, I will show you how to do convenience of the router.
it! This type of base plate is most often used for
wooden signs, inscriptions and decorative motifs. To view the process of making my base plate in
Depending on your needs and available tools, you motion, watch the video above, and if you like it, you
can make a base plate in any size and with any can subscribe to my YouTube channel.
handles. Such custom-made modifications make

[Link]

Step 1: Materials & Tools

Materials:

8 - 10 mm (5/16 - 3/8 in) cast acrylic scheet (cast acrylic is more durable than extruded acrylic and
better in processing),
Scrap pieces plywood or wood for handles,
Bolts, nuts and washers.

Tools:

Jigsaw or bandsaw,
Drill press or hand power drill,
Belt sander or sandpaper,
Mini drill/grinder.

Acrylic Router Base Plate: Page 1

The size of my baseboard was dictated by the size of traced the plate around, the hole inside and the holes
the scrap of acrylic I had. Its width was perfect for screws (here you should especially make sure that
matched to the bottom of the router base, and the nothing moves).
length was just right for comfortable placement of the
handles. That's all I needed. Rounding on the sides I traced using insulating tape
(because I had it with me, you can use anything that
If you have an acrylic sheet covered with foil, you can suits you). Using a ruler and a pencil, I joined the
use a marker for design or, like me, peel off the foil on edges of everything I drew earlier, thus creating the
one side, cover it with masking tape and use a pencil shape of the future base plate.
to draw. If you have acrylic coated with paper, you
have it easier. At the end I measured and marked the place where
there will be holes to attach the handles.
I unscrewed the original plate from the router base
and placed it in the center of the acrylic sheet. Then I

Acrylic Router Base Plate: Page 2

When the layout is ready, I cut out with the jigsaw (ora bandsaw) everything behind the outside lines.

Then I drill the holes for the fixing screws to the base and the handles. From the bottom of the base plate, I
countersunk with a larger bit so that the heads of the screws are flush with the surface.

The largest hole in the middle of the plate is drilled with a hole saw.

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I made the handles from the round pieces of plywood a larger drill bit. In the enlarged holes I hammer in the
I have left after another project. Of course, they do nuts, thus creating large nuts from the handles.
not have to be round and it does not have to be
plywood, you have to use the shape and material that I screw the handles onto a piece of threaded rod and
will be more comfortable for you. fasten with nuts. This handles can now be attached to
the drill and rounded with sandpaper.
First, I drilled holes for screws, then countersunk with

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I used a mini drill/grinder to shape the indentation in At this step, you can end finishing and go to mount
the central hole. the plate to the router base. I decided to polish all the
edges with a felt disc on my mini drill/grinder and
I used a belt sander with a P60 abrasive belt to get rid polishing compound. This is just an aesthetic
of the saw cut marks and the coarse shape of the procedure and takes some time, especially using
sides. such a small tool.

For smoothing the sides and rounding off the edges, I

Acrylic Router Base Plate: Page 6

Now is the time to screw our new plate to the base, and the handles with washers.
you do it in the same way as mant the original one,
but you will probably need longer screws. And that's all! Make sure that everything is properly
screwed before work. To make it easier to work and
To fix the handles, select the screws of the not to scratch the base, you can cover it with wax
appropriate length so that you can hold the router from time to time.
conveniently, fill the entire space between the base

Acrylic Router Base Plate: Page 7

Where you can find me:

YouTube: [Link]

Instagram: [Link]

Facebook: [Link]

Acrylic Router Base Plate: Page 8

Realy nice project my friend! :) Hope to see next projects soon!

Thanks slowikp! If you come and help in translating the description it will be faster ;)

How many TPI (teeth per inch) is the jigsaw blade? Is it a metal or wood blade?

I have used metal blades - 20 TPI. You have to pay attention to the material, extruded acrylic melts
at this blade.

Very nicely done. Professional look to the end product !! I must make one of these for mine.

Thank you Edcobratwo!

This is great. I need to make a base like this for my small palm router. Great instructions!

Thank you seamster!

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