Customer Reviews

Bench Dog 40-026 ProPlate, Phenolic Predrilled 2-Inch Bit Opening

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I use this ProPlate in my Bench Dog cast iron router table wing. So far the only router I have mounted to it is the DeWalt DW618 fixed base model.

Though it took some head scratching and studying of the paper template provided, I eventually figured out which holes to use to mount the plate to my router. My belief is that if Bench Dog says this plate will fit your router (with the predrilled holes), then it will fit. My main confusion was that my router's clear base mounts with four screws but the ProPlate only uses three screws to mount to my router. Once I realized this, putting this plate into use was a snap!

I highly recommend this product for its quality, performance, and decent price.

I bought this plate along with a Bench Dog cast iron router table wing. I had to shim the plate upwards to get it even with the table. That should not be necessary seeing how both are offered by the same company.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this plate to anyone. It is a solid, well-made unit that is dead flat. I've used it for several years with both my PC690 and Makita 1101 routers. If fits both bases well and shows no signs of sag. If you're using a 2 1/4 HP router or less, there really is no need to buy an expensive aluminum plate. The directions are also well written if you're cutting a table opening.

One caveat depending on your intended application: this plate is sized 8 1/4" x 11 3/4". Many of the router tables accommodate a more "standard" 9 1/4" x 11 3/4". However, this isn't an issue if you are using it in a Bench Dog table or a shop-made table.

I purchased the Bosch 1617EVSPK router kit and the Bench Dog P-PC200 phenolic plate at the same time. I need the plate for a special jig. Bench Dog claims the P-PC200 plate is predrilled to fit all Bosch 1617/18 routers. I spent at least 1 hour trying to fit the plate onto the plunge base and was unsuccessful. The hole pattern on the plunge base matched a set of holes on the paper template included with the plate, but the plate was not predrilled with those holes. I called Bench Dog twice, and they kept telling me it should fit. Fortunately, Tool Crib was kind enough to let me ship the plate back at their expense.

The quality of the plate appears fine, but I am rating the plate only 3 stars because of Bench Dog's package claims and the technical support I received from them.

My title pretty much says it all. Not particularly bad, not particularly good.