How to Make a Base for a Compact Router

Making a Wider Base Adds Stability to a Trim Router

I love using my trim router but sometimes find it difficult to balance it on a workpiece with that tiny base! A larger base solves the problem so that the routed edges on my projects are neater and look more professional. In this tutorial on how to make a base for a compact router, I’ll share how I quickly and easily made a larger base to solve the “balancing” problem!

Materials:

• 1 – 4×6 piece of 1/4″ thick Plexiglas (<– affiliate link!)
• 1 – 3/8″ drill bit
• 1 – 3/16″ drill bit (or a size slightly larger than the screws on your router)
• 1 – 1-1/2″ paddle (or spade) bit

Notes About the Project:

• I used a drill press to drill the holes for the screws but a drill alignment guide (<– affiliate link!) can also be used
• Also, instead of using two drill bits to drill the holes for the screws, a countersink bit can be used

Step One

Remove the existing base plate from your router and measure it.

Step Two

The piece of Plexiglas should have a paper coating on each side to keep it from getting scratched. Draw lines to represent the size of the existing base plate. For example, my existing base plate measured 3-1/2″ square so I drew lines on the Plexiglas at 1/4″ down from each longer edge, and 1-1/4″ from each shorter edge.

Step Three

Place the existing base plate on the Plexiglass and mark the position of the screw holes with a marker. Then, mark the center by placing a straight edge diagonally from corner to corner and drawing a line.

Step Four

Drill the holes in the Plexiglas for the screws. I started by drilling holes approximately 3/16″ deep with the 3/8″ bit, then finished drilling the holes all the way through with the 3/16″ bit. The trick is to make sure the screw heads will sit below the surface of the Plexiglas without drilling all the way through with the larger drill bit.

If you’re using a countersink bit, the same rule will apply: make sure the wider portion of the bit is deep enough to keep the screw heads below the surface of the Plexiglas.

Step Five

Using the 1-1/2″ paddle bit, drill a hole all the way through the center of the Plexiglas. For a clean hole, start drilling the hole on one side, then flip the piece over and continue drilling.

Now, check the fit of the new baseplate on the router, and adjust the screw holes as necessary. I had to make a few adjustments because I didn’t drill the holes in the exact places – they were just slightly off. This is the reason the holes are slightly larger than the screws!

That’s it – easy peasy and more stability when routing edges! Have questions about how to make a base for a compact router? Leave a comment below!