LumberJocks

Useful jigs for your shop #1: A cradle for changing router bits on a Triton router

Blog entry by Bob #2 posted 410 days ago 1219 reads 2 times favorited 18 comments Add to Favorites Watch
no previous part Part 1 of Useful jigs for your shop series Part 2: A landing apron for your miter jig. »

I got tired of chasing my big router around the bench when changing bits or setting depth of cut so today I grabbed a piece of 1×4” and a chunk of 1/4” mdf and made a cradle.
I traced around the router and cut the MDF out in a rough pattern on the bandsaw then tuned it a bit with the spindle sander.

From wood stuff 2009

Next I put a brace inside to support the router top and covered it with a bit of foam to prevent scratching.

Heres the finished cradle held on the bench with a couple of clamps.

From wood stuff 2009

I can reef on the change wrench without having to embrace the tool each time I change the bit.

From wood stuff 2009

Could have been fancier but it works.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner


18 comments so far

View lew's profile

lew

4918 posts in 726 days


posted 410 days ago

Now, That’s Cool!

View Karson's profile

Karson

28894 posts in 1371 days


posted 410 days ago

Neat router holding jig. Great job Bob

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

4062 posts in 933 days


posted 410 days ago

It’s a dandy, Bob.

-- Thos. Angle

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

4021 posts in 659 days


posted 410 days ago

Nice jig but I have to wonder why you need to “reef” on your wrench(s) Doesn’t the collet hold properly without over tightening the nut ? Does that model have a spindle lock or two wrenches ?

-- MILK COWS , NOT TAXPAYERS : ) .......Bumper sticker quote.

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

762 posts in 1058 days


posted 410 days ago

very ingenius

-- DocK, WV

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

3203 posts in 993 days


posted 410 days ago

Dusty,
After scoring a few bits ( particularly the 1/4” and 8mm sizes I take tightening very seriously.
The collet uses a spindle lock on this models which mean I have to use the router body as the other wrench.
I was chasing it around the bench on occasion when there was not enough room.
This gets me back to getting ample torque without the arm wrestle.
p.s. I do keep the collet slots aligned.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

4021 posts in 659 days


posted 409 days ago

I have two routers with spindle locks and honestly I’d rather use two wrenches . I always wonder if the collet is tight enough or if I’m going to break the lock first…..It’s like walking a tightrope ! LOL….I use my Porter Cable routers the most (2 wrenches) I have 3 of those ,1 in a router table and 1 set up for special operations , the 3rd one does everything else . 1 little old Sears R2D2 model 5/8HP, 1 VS Bosch in a router table and the 1hp Bosch Colt EVS and also my son bought me a Dremel tool with all of the attachments and bits. So far I haven’t broken anything or had any bits loosen up on me… just lucky I guess . Is that a homemade wrench in the picture ? I had to “customize” some wrenches back in the day when I used to be a mechanic . Have a great weekend .

-- MILK COWS , NOT TAXPAYERS : ) .......Bumper sticker quote.

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

3203 posts in 993 days


posted 409 days ago

Dusty the wrench was born when I had trouble getting to the collet nut on my Hitachi M12V when mounted in a Lee Valley steel top.

From wood stuff 2009

I can just push the collet detent in with on hand and tighten with the wrench through the top.
It fits under the wings on the 12MV and saved me cutting them off for the table mount.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile (online now)

Todd A. Clippinger

5997 posts in 1070 days


posted 409 days ago

This is a great idea!

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

3203 posts in 993 days


posted 409 days ago

Help yourself Todd.

Cheers
Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

4021 posts in 659 days


posted 409 days ago

Great job , Bob ! I knew it looked familiar ! LOL I just might try to find some of my “creations” but it might be tough as I did them back in the 1980’s : ) Like they say , Necessity is the Mother of Invention !

-- MILK COWS , NOT TAXPAYERS : ) .......Bumper sticker quote.

View Tony's profile

Tony

840 posts in 1001 days


posted 409 days ago

Simple and effictive solution to a problem that most of us have

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

15086 posts in 1132 days


posted 406 days ago

well isn’t that smart.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View pokieone's profile

pokieone

92 posts in 590 days


posted 406 days ago

Excellent work, Bob!

-- I will not preach, nor will I be silent.

View pommy's profile

pommy

1261 posts in 662 days


posted 406 days ago

Hi mate love it
andy

-- cut it saw it scrap it SKPE: ANDREW.CARTER69

View Kent Shepherd's profile

Kent Shepherd

1170 posts in 257 days


posted 210 days ago

Another great idea.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

View patron's profile (online now)

patron

3317 posts in 312 days


posted 210 days ago

keep ‘em coming !
we’ll all be up to speed soon ,
anything to make the work easyer and safer is good !
thanks .

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

View PurpLev's profile

PurpLev

3440 posts in 619 days


posted 59 days ago

very cool! Thanks for the post – this might come in handy

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase