Quick Comparison Table
Rousseau 3509 |
Bench Dog 40-140 |
Woodpeckers |
MLCS 9334 |
Woodhaven 147K | |
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| Price | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
| Weight | 1 lbs | 2.3 lbs | 4.4 lbs | 2.95 lbs | 5 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12 x 9 x 1 in | 11.8 x 0.2 x 8.2 in | 12.4 x 9.9 x 1.4 in | 9 x 12 x 0.2 in | 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty | n/a | 3 Year Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
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How to Select the Best Wood Router Table Insert Plate Table?
When you first purchase a wood router, it can be a time of excitement. You can now carry out all those projects that have been taking up space in your garage. However, a router is just the first purchase of many you need to make.
Of course, the cost is a significant player in any decision-making process, but you should also buy everything you need to use your router in the safest manner possible. Therefore, it’s a good idea to invest in a router table, and of course, router table insert plates.
In this buying guide, we review five top-rated wood router insert plates, or mounting plates, to give you a good idea of what is the best wood router table insert for the money.
By looking at different models and brands from various manufacturers, you’re able to get a good idea of what represents decent value for money, enabling you to get the best deal. When you buy online on buying platforms such as Amazon.com, there’s every opportunity to save more money than you would in-store.
Work Type
Both novices and professionals use wood router base plates to maintain more control and additional levels of safety with router use. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a lift to ensure your workpiece is flush with the table, the insert plate slots right in, enabling you to create works of art with ease. Insert plates come in a range of sizes, and are suitable for a variety of workpieces.
Safety
Wood router table insert plates help make routing a safer experience. While the table insert itself is not a safety concern, the router is. We’ve outlined some helpful safety advice below:
- Never put your router against the workpiece before turning it on.
- Ensure the router is in good working condition before use.
- Ensure the router bits are in excellent condition and are safely installed.
- Keep your fingers away from the workpiece, and the bit.
- Always wear ear and eye protection.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry.
- Never leave the router on when it’s unattended.
- Always unplug the router when you’re changing bits, or making any modifications.
Efficiency
Using a router plate insert enables woodworkers to carry out woodworking with far more accuracy, precision, and ease. They not only help to keep your workpiece flush, but they remove the need for an expensive lift device and help make installation and removal of the router far easier as well.
Without a plate, it can be challenging to put your handheld router into place, and keep it steady in use as well.
Features
The features for each router insert can vary greatly. Some inserts are made out of aluminum, while others are made from high-pressure plastic. The best router insert is one that can accommodate heavy routers and has snap-out rings for different sized openings.
It’s also helpful if your insert plate has a shoulder pin to allow for easier handwork such as miters, styles, and molding. Most importantly, your table insert should be flush with your table, so workpieces don’t dip down, and it should be able to lock into place with an allen wrench.
Maintenance
Wood router insert plates require minimal maintenance. However, as a whole, your entire router system should be in premium condition.
You should:
- Keep the router, table, and table insert free of dust, dirt, and grime.
- Use a shop vac to clear up any sawdust.
- Remove any obstacles around the table.
- Ensure all components are in good working condition.
- Replace inserts if they are chipped, broken, or warped.
Budget
When you’re looking for the best wood router table insert plate for the money, it’s helpful to have a fair idea of the features you require. You could choose the most expensive plate, believing it’s going to be the best, only to find the material it’s made of doesn’t suit your application.
Read all online listings thoroughly, make comparisons, and pay between $25 and $105 for a top-rated wood router table insert.
Top 10 Wood Router Table Insert Plate Reviews
1
Rousseau 3509
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It offers a ¼ x ½-inch lip.
- The rings snap out to accommodate larger router bits.
- The snuggers remove excess play.
- You can use the shoulder pin for easier freehand work.
- It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
- It’s very versatile, with three different openings.
- It’s well made.
- It can handle large bits and heavy routers.
Cons:
- It’s not as affordable as other options for sale.
- There is a noticeable bulge in the middle, so it won’t lie flat.
- The top is slippery.
- The top scratches easily.
What’s included
- Rousseau Wood Router Table Insert Plate.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs
- Weight: 1 pound.
- Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 1 inches.
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty.
FAQ
QWhat is the largest router bit it will accommodate? A3 ¾-inches.
QWhat opening sizes does it offer? A1 ¼-inches, 2 ⅝-inches, and 3 ⅞-inches.
Overview
For many professional and novice woodworkers, this Rousseau wood router table insert plate ticks all the boxes. While it’s a little on the pricey side, it’s reliable, well made, and can be used for a range of routing applications.
It even comes with different snap out rings to accommodate larger or smaller bits. While there are minor issues with the integrity of the top, and there’s a noticeable bulge in the middle to accommodate heavyweight routers, it’s still easily one of the best wood router table inserts for the money.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Rousseau 3509 wood router table insert plate reviews.
2
Bench Dog 40-140
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It’s well priced on the market.
- With this plate, lifting out the router is easy.
- It’s made of thick aluminum for durability and longevity.
- It suits many different routers.
- It comes with a lifetime warranty.
- It’s versatile to be used in a range of routing tasks.
- All mounting hardware and plate locking bolts are included.
Cons:
- Making the insert level with the table can be difficult.
- There are opposite screws in the plate which is a safety hazard.
What’s included
- Bench Dog Wood Router Table Insert Plate.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
Specs
- Weight: 2.3 pounds.
- Dimensions: 11.8 x 0.2 x 8.2 inches.
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty.
FAQ
QWhat tables will this insert fit? ABench Dog and Rockler router tables.
QWhat router brands can be used with this insert? AMakita 1100, Milwaukee 5615-5624, DeWalt 616-618, Bosch MRC23 series and 1617-1618, Ridgid 2930, Hitachi M12VC, and Porter-Cable 690, 890, 7529, 97529, 8529.
Overview
This Bench Dog insert plate is an excellent example of what a quality insert should be. It’s built to last, is universal to suit a range of routers and tables, and is well priced as well. The best part is, it even comes with a lifetime warranty for your peace of mind. It does have minor flaws, however.
You need to have patience, and plenty of it, to install it flush with the table, and screws in the top are a safety hazard. All in all, it does represent good buying, and you’re able to get the best deal when you buy it online.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Bench Dog 40-140 wood router table insert plate reviews.
3
Woodpeckers
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It’s pre-drilled for your convenience.
- It’s made out of durable cast aluminum.
- The surface is nice, flat, and smooth.
- It has eight fine-pitch screws for leveling with ease.
- There’s no slop between the router and plate with the edge plungers on offer.
- There are multiple starting pin locations, and three twist-lock rings to make woodworking so much easier.
- It’s well made.
Cons:
- It’s not very affordable.
- Some fine-tuning is required to get it level with the table.
What’s included
- Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Tools Wood Router Table Insert Plate.
Specs
- Weight: 4.4 pounds.
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches.
FAQ
QHow thick is the plate? A⅜-inch thick.
QWhat insert rings come with it? A2 ⅝-inches, 1-inch, and 1 3/16-inches.
Overview
Even though this insert plate is a little overpriced, it does still meet the mark as a well made and durable plate that suits a range of users. It comes with three insert rings, is suitable for a variety of routers, and is made out of cast aluminum for less flex and ‘give’ during important projects.
There is also no movement between the router and plate, and the surface is nice, flat, and smooth. In essence, it’s everything a woodworker needs to complete their project with minimal problems.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Tools wood router table insert plate reviews.
4
MLCS 9334
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It supports heavy routers without sag.
- There are three removable rings and four opening sizes.
- The leveling screws and magnets come with the insert plate.
- There are marks as guidelines for mounting popular routers.
- It comes with a blank insert ring for you to create your own custom size.
- It comes with a steel starter pin for routing curved pieces.
- It’s solid and flat.
Cons:
- It’s quite costly to buy online.
- It requires a lot of setup.
- It flexes a lot.
- There are no pre-drilled holes for popular routers, just marks.
What’s included
- MLCS Wood Router Table Insert Plate.
Specs
- Weight: 2.95 pounds.
- Dimensions: 9 x 12 x 0.2 inches.
FAQ
QWhat are the opening sizes? A3 ¼-inches, 1 7/16-inches, 1 3/16-inches.
QDoes it come pre-drilled? ANo.
Overview
If you don’t mind spending a lot of time setting up the insert on the table to be flat and suitable for your router, then the MLCS insert is a good option for you. While it doesn’t come pre-drilled, it does have marks for the most popular routers, as well as offering three template rings and one blank one for your convenience.
There are issues with flexing, and it can take some time to drill holes, but it’s a decent option for woodworkers looking for a solid aluminum insert to help with their projects.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read MLCS 9334 wood router table insert plate reviews.
5
Woodhaven 147K
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- It’s very affordable.
- It comes with three inserts and plate levelers.
- It’s a popular insert.
- It comes with a lifetime guarantee.
- It’s made in the USA – an important consideration for some people.
- It’s well made.
- It’s easy to install.
Cons:
- The plastic screws are very tight.
- It’s vastly different from the old Woodhaven insert model.
What’s included
- Woodhaven Wood Router Table Insert Plate.
Specs
- Weight: 5 pounds.
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty.
FAQ
QHow thick is the insert? A⅜-inch thick.
QWhat inserts are included? AA blank, 1 3/16-inches bushing/bit hole, and a 2-inch bit hole.
Overview
This Woodhaven insert plate is the epitome of quality. It comes with a blank, and two other inserts, and is made of durable ⅜-inch phenolic material. It’s durable, built to last, easy to make level with the Stay-Tru plate levelers, and even comes with extensive instructions. It’s costly, but it’s worth its weight in gold. It’s one of the best wood router table inserts for the money.
Reviews
Check out what other people who purchased this product think about it. Read Woodhaven 147K wood router table insert plate reviews.
Where to Buy Wood Router Table Insert Plate?
If you’re tired of not having control of your router, it might be time to invest in a mounting plate, or base plate, for your router table. Both novices and professionals can benefit from insert plates, and they’re available both online and instore.
However, if you’re looking to save money, but still receive a quality product, Amazon is an excellent place to shop. You’re able to review several products, all before having your item of choice delivered directly to your door.
Leading Wood Router Table Insert Plate Brands and Manufacturers
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- Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Tools
- Rousseau
- Woodhaven
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