Help with trim flush bits for plunge router.

[OggyOi]

Hi all,

Forgive me if this is a silly question- I am new to routers.

I have gifted a Bosch 1/4 inch 1,200w plunge router.

One of the things I'd like to use it for is to rout cavities using templates, mainly for amatuer guitar building.

I have been told to use flush trim bits for this.

However, when the router is fully plunged, the collet is level with the top of the base. The base is 20mm thick.

If 20mm of the bit's shank needs to be in the collet, that's a total of 40mm shank length needed before the bearing, if the bearing is going to get clear of the base.

That's before considering the thickness of a template.

From what I can see, there are no/very few bits with that sort of shank length before the bearing.

Am I missing something here, or are flush trim bits not compatible with my router?

Thanks.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Most routers can have the baseplate swapped, typically a few screws attach it. swap the 20mm thick one for something like a 6mm thick one, perhaps. Clear plastic is a common choice.

Some routers can use different bases, but I know some plunge routers are not built that way and can only be plunge routers due to the way they are built. My router is one where the same motor and collet can be in a plunge base, a standard base, or a D-handle base.

 

[Beej]

Yeah, if you have a fixed base for it, swap it over. A fixed base makes it much easier to use for cavity routing purposes.

 

[Beej]

I was reading this back and I think pics and a model number of your Bosch would help.

I have several fixed and plunge routers and my plunge bodies all drop the collet to the bottom of the base rather than the top. Also, my thickest base is 13mm. I don't have any Boschs though, except a trim router.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Yes, pictures could help. I have a Bosch router with plunge and fixed bases and no issues with pattern bits.

 

[Max Bogosity]

Being new to routers, your router might have more capacity than is initially obvious. A plunge router usually has one or more adjustable stops to deliberately limit the plunge depth. Investigate how the stop works and if it is just stopping the travel before it's fully plunged.