StewMac Precision Router Base, Handheld Router Attachment

This is the perfect holder for a Dremel or similar rotary tool. I unscrewed the base and replaced it with a larger aluminum base plate (8"x12" - designed for trim routers), turning my motor into a fixed router/sander that is perpendicular to the table. Just like a normal router table.

Not a single complaint here. I've used this on 2 acoustic rosettes, and 3 fingerboards now. It's dead simple to set up, very high quality, and no excess features. I use a dremel with a battery pack, which is not listed as a compatible model, but it works. The threading is the same, but it ends up with the power switch blocked by one of the brass thumbscrews. I fixed this by just adding a washer so that the dremel doesn't thread into the base quite as far, leaving the power switch facing straight forward.

I have used this to aid in excavating for for inlay work in my guitar building hobby. The base provides a nice solid platform and can fairly accurately gauge depth of cut. Accuracy requires patience and diligence in first lining up the left and right sides and then keeping things tight while you are working. Naturally practice over time makes a difference in end results, but so far I have impressed myself for my first forays into doing inlays.

I was going to make my own out of Aluminum - this one is Stainless Steel and Brass - Very high quality and well worth the money - with the two holes for attachments I was able to mount it on me 6x12 clear full router base plate in no time - even the screws for the full size router fit this base - this is so solid and strong it does no budge when depth is set - very precise adjustments can be made -

Qualify the 5 stars and headline: Just received this router base in good condition, and on time. Mechanism very well packed as one would expect of a precision instrument. I intend to use free hand to inlay various designs with various materials. The steel base is smartly design for maximum visibility over the cutting area. Fit and finish appears to be top shelf. My only two concerns: 1. Would I have better off with the plunge base also made by StewMac? 2. Am I going to have trouble with the router "carriage" skewing when I adjust depth of cut, and will the base lay flat on the substrate being cut? The first part can be fixed by machining a quality gauge block, or using one commercially available. Bottom line: If this thing can cut precision inlays on high quality string instruments, it's bound to be good enough for the wood butcher in me!

This router base works great with a dremel tool for cutting guitar binding channels, etc. Works perfectly with the adjustable guide (not included but also available. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for.

Dremel fits very well and this will certainly make doing smaller, detailed work a lot easier and with more control. It is pricey but considering the quality of the product well worth it.

The only thing you have to watch for is the two adjustment on each side can be slightly off from each other. Which can make the bit slightly angled. You have to measure each side from the base to be sure it is the same. I use a machinists ruler. I'm sure calipers would work too. You also have to measure the depth of the bit. BTW, I use a Craftsman rotary tool and it fits just fine. As far as I know this is the only metal, precision router base made for rotary tools. StewMac is a luthier (stringed instrument makers) supply company. I congratulate them on making this available. There is a round, black, plastic "thing" here on Amazon and on the Dremel website. It's some kind of rough cut tool for construction work for use on easily cut materials like drywall. It cannot be used in any way, shape or form as a traditional router base. I know. I tried. Then, fortunately, I found this tool buried way down in an Amazon search. Even though my keywords fit it almost exactly. What's up with that Amazon? Are you trying to influence what I buy with a biased search engine? Naw, ol' Jeffy boy would never do that, ha! There is also one of these available directly from China. It's $20 cheaper but you would have to wait weeks for delivery. Reviews were lower for the China tool than the StewMac, which is also made in China. Perhaps StewMac exerts some sort of quality control?

Very nice and accurately crafted micro-router-base for inlay work in wood. Worth the money you pay for it.