Router Base for Dremel Rotary Tool

This is a short instructable on how I built a router base for my Dremel rotary tool. The design is based largely on the precision router base offer by StewMac. This router base is to be used with fine carbide router bits for precision routing required in inlays or freehand engraving in wood. It is made using commonly available hardware along with some 3d printed parts.

Materials

1. 6mm Steel plate - will be used for the base plate.
2. M10x1.5 Threaded rods two of 10cm each.
3. M10 nuts six.
4. A M4 hex bolt and nut - for the tool holder.

Tools

1. A hacksaw or an angle grinder.
2. M10x1.5 Thread tap.
3. 5mm, 9mm and 12mm HSS drill bits along with a drill and centre punch.
4. 3d printer.

The base plate is to be made from the 6mm steel plate. I used stainless steel here as that is what I had but steel will work just as well while being a lot easier on your tools. Print out the template included with this step and use this to mark out the holes to be drilled using a centre punch. A 8.5mm hole is required in order to use the M10 tap but I used a 9 so as it makes it a little easier to tap. Then cut out the base along the lines shown on the template. Clean it up with a file if necessary.

The remaining parts are to be 3d printed from the .stl files included in this step. Two copies of the handle and four of the adjustment knob are to be printed. Note that the holes are slightly undersized and some sanding or filing may be required in order to get everything to go together properly. I printed the parts out of white PLA.

Assemble the router base as shown in the images or the drawing included in the pdf below. The baseplate and a nut are tightened against each other with the handle in between. This gets rid of the slight wobble that comes from using a 9mm dill bit instead of an 8.5mm bit with the M10 tap. A M4 hex bolt and nut is to be used in the tool holders tightening ring.

At this point the router base should be functional. If the base does not move smoothly over your work, check the base to see if one of the threaded rods is sticking out. Polishing the base with some wet 600 grit sand paper followed by some wax does make the base track smoother on wood.

Alright, you're all done by now! Now go make something with it!