Craftsman Router Base Plate Template Guide

Caution: Routers create large amounts of force.  Use carefully and at your own risk.

This is an alternate 6 inch base plate for a Craftsman Router with 3 screw holes. It was designed to replicate the metal guide bushings that can be inserted in the middle of routers.  With the guide in place, the router is run inside of a template (in my case a ½ inch plywood template) to ensure precise and repeatable routing.  

I deliberately over-designed the bushing because of uncertainties about the forces generated and the strength of the plastic.  The plate was printed in PETG at 100% infill.  For how I used it with a smaller bit, it was over-designed and easily handled the forces of routing.  If I were to use it often, I would shrink the size of the collar; however, I don't expect to use it regularly.  The collar is 2 inches in diameter with a 1 inch radius from the center of the bit.  The large size of the collar is cumbersome depending on what type of template you are using.  I used it to notch cabinets for metal support bars and it worked great.

Printed in PETG on a Prusa Mini+ with a .25mm layer height and 100% infill.