Router Table Plate Recommendation for Bosch 1617EVSPK Router Needed

I have been happy with my Bosch attached to the Bench Dog plate in a bench dog cast iron table/extension. These are available through rocker since they bought bench dog. Mine is perfectly flat and works just fine. Good choice of router it is a work horse.

-- You may delay, but time will not. --Ben Franklin

I would go for either the woodpecker aluminum plate or the incra aluminum magnalock plate.
Aluminum for stiffness, durability and longevity.

As for why I recommend those two, they both have bit inserts that don’t use screws. The woodpecker uses a small spanner (a quick turn is all it takes) and with the incra any small straight object like a hex wrench can be used to lift the inserts (they’re held in place with rare earth magnets). I think they demonstrate the hex key used for leveling the insert.

Both are decently expensive (~$80-$100, but shop around for deals. Since it’s a one time purchase a router plate is one area I’d have no issue with splurging on.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

I have this router and use an aluminum router plate from Rockler (this one). I put it in a router table extension on my table saw that is about the same dimensions as you mentioned. I did have to drill one hole for the hex key. Also, you can buy an insert for this plate that fits guide bushings.

So far I like it very well. I also bought the leveling hardware from Rockler for an easier installation. I will post my router table project in a week or two when I finish the fence, if you care to take a look.

-- Rex

So you have a choice – a plate with a dozen holes pre-drilled, or drill your own. I suspect you’ll get a nicer plate by drilling your own. I think the real thing you want in a plate is flatness. What makes a table nice is being able to slide a workpiece around and having it not catch on small edges and always lay perfectly flat. The plate I bought for my table had some uneven-ness caused by paint thickness which I eventually sanded off. That left my plate looking a bit rough. Look for one made of anodized aluminum – no paint. (Oh yes, I have the exact same router)

-- Some problems are best solved with an optimistic approach. Optimism shines a light on alternatives that are otherwise not visible.

With the woodpecker and incra plates, you can select which router the plate is drilled for.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

Lots of good advice. I like the idea of the router mounted on a table saw extension. That would help me with my cramped quarters (single car garage with lots of stuff in it). My table saw was passed down to me when my dad passed away a few years ago. It is a circa 1977 Craftsman 10 inch. The main table is only 20 inches deep (instead of most that are 27”), so I guess I would have to fabricate a new table in order for the router to fit.

All suggestions welcome. Keep them coming.
Thanks
Mike