Help mounting Craftsman 315 router to a table

[air8]

So in my limited research I am not understanding how this router mounts AND still has a reasonable depth of cut. Looked for pics and watched other router vids but it seems some routers have collets that will go beyond the router base plate.

I did a little mock up trying to design an insert and build a small table but everything seems to result in losing most of the depth of cut.

Are the metal table inserts really thin and then recessed a bit more to get that extra depth? I hope i'm missing something. But maybe this older router never had the ability to cut deep in the first place. I just don't know.

Anyway, thanx for any tips or ideas you might have.

 

[ez-duzit]

Remove the plastic base plate and screw the base, instead, to a piece of 3/8" aluminum plate with a hole the same size as the one in the original plastic.

 

[air8]

So 3/8" is the important dimension right? Aluminum is not an option since I would have to pay for a full sheet of 6061. Or get that cruddy, craft aluminum that Lowes and Home Depot sell.

So I have plenty of steel I could use to make an insert. Yea, it's heavy but it's already here not being used.

 

[ez-duzit]

Steel is fine. Nothing magic about the 3/8" dimension; just don't make it so thin that it deflects in use, or so thick that it takes up the adjustment.

My own router table I built from a re-purposed, cast iron, table saw top that I Siamesed onto my Unisaw. It is shown, centered, on the far side of the off-cut table, framed by 1" aluminum square bar.

 

[Toolfool]

That old router's capabilities are limited. I had one like it and gave it away. All my routers are now Porter Cable or older Milwaukee. You can find PC 690 kit that comes with fixed base and plunge base for very reasonable price.

 

[air8]

Ez-duzit, that is a nice setup you have. How did you cut the dado slots for your cross cut sled on your outfeed side?

ToolFool, i've taken a look at newer routers. Aaaaaand i'm thinking I might go that route. This Craftsman cuts like a champ but like you said it's limited. I only paid $10 for it this past summer to use with my daughter's closet project. So.....yea, time to get a newer design.

 

[customtronic]

Here's my router table. Rockler makes a great router lift.

http://www.rockler.com/power-tool-accessories/router-tables/router-plates

 

[air8]

That's cool. I haven't seen a side by side setup yet. But that's a good idea to make quick transitions.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Don't throw that router away! That CMan router is a good router. Just not good for use in a table.
Get a good plunge router (1/2" collet and 3 HP is best) for the table then use that fixed base for a dovetail jig, or edge routing or... Hell, you just need a bunch of routers. Can't have too many.

 

[AZ Pete]

Had that same router, it did a good job for about twenty years, then the bearings gave out..I mounted mine to 1/4" steel plate as a router insert.. It's replacement is a Porter Cable plunge router

 

[tarbellb]

How do you set your fence with this setup? Or are you running bearing guides on everything?

Personally, I put my router in the wooden wing of my table saw. Lets you make use of the TS fence which is really nice.

Here's my router table. Rockler makes a great router lift.

http://www.rockler.com/power-tool-accessories/router-tables/router-plates