


Some exciting news folks!!
I have been struggling to keep a secret for some time but now
The craftsman Gallery have released a
press statement announcing an all new Multi-Purpose Routing Jig for All Types of
Joints. Be one of the first to read it here
Router-Boss-Press-Release.pdf
Overview
I have now had time to investigate the proposed engineering of the Router Boss
and although at first glance it may have some passing resemblance to the
WoodRat, it is in fact different in every way. Only one fence, totally different
I-beam, alloy plate, sliding rules, positive 1/2 degree adjustable stops, larger
T-track and completely different clamping system. Dovetails are cut in a unique
way and even the plunge assist bar is a new concept compared to WoodRat's plunge
bars.
The sliding bar will be available in three set lengths, each with two
T-tracks....... just perfect for us jig designers. Furnished with superb
new linear bearings, and being adjustable, will permit play to removed.
Front and rear dust collection and for those that want digital accuracy then
specially designed electronic scales are being manufactured.
So it seems to me that this is a unique design with operating methods that are
not the same as on a WoodRat. In my view to call it a copy would be inaccurate
and wish Lewis all success.
I have been privileged to allow you to see some superb engineering renderings. These
designs are protected but may vary in some
minor details to the final product.
Specifications
● 32”
USA
made I-beam channel (5.5” square, .25” thickness) with optional choice of 36”,
42” or 47” sliding bar for exceptional work holding capacity
● Stainless steel v-guides riding in Delrin
v-grooves provide low friction glide surface for sliding bar and are adjustable
to remove any play
● 2” by 8” aluminium fixed fence and a moveable
fence with play removal feature to provide rock solid clamping of work pieces
● Cam for
moveable fence has 4 spring loaded pawls to firmly lock into saw tooth rack, but
with easy push button release
● 3.25” crank handle powers wire/pulley drive
system to provide either 28”, 34” or 39” of sliding bar travel with no backlash
● Wire tension adjuster works with manufactured
connectors on ends of wire to tighten wire drive tension without twisting or
fraying the wire
● 5” by 1.25” integrated dust collection chute
behind bit has 2.5” (63mm) standard shop vacuum hose connection
● Available front side dust collection chute
with 2.5” hose connection and magnetic attachment under base plate
● 3 t-tracks in channel plus 2 in sliding bar
accept oval nuts and either 6mm, #10 or ¼” screws for attachment of jigs and
accessories
● Aluminium base plate with wide centre cut-out
provides strong router support and excellent visibility of cut
● Available ¾” MDF riser plate for increased
depth of cut also includes an attachable pair of fences with adjustable opening
that provides router table capability for hand feeding work piece against bit
(profiling)
● Acrylic router plate with built-in dual laser
crosshair, 2 LED lights and battery pack, illuminates work piece and indicates
centre of cut – plate pre-drilled for DeWalt 625 with adjustment to align bit
center with crosshair
● Available plunge assist bars for DeWalt and
other popular routers – bars integrate with router plate and do not occupy
router edge guide holes that are needed for stop rod used with precision stop
and z-axis digital scale
● 3 piece router guide rails with t-tracks for
stops and digital scale also provide a means to guide router at a variable angle
with positive angle stops every 1/2° between 0° and +/- 10° or, with base plate
repositioning, between +/- 30° – mating dovetail pins and sockets are cut
without interchange of guide rails insuring that joints will align correctly
● Built-in rulers (no stickers) for positioning
guide rails for proper dovetail pin thickness – ruler positioning is variable
allowing calibration
● Micro-adjustable stop that rides in guide
rail t-tracks with included 10mm stop rod that fits into router edge guide hole
● 2 12” (300mm) fractional inch and metric
repositionable rulers on upper face of machine plus 2 ruler reading cursors that
can be located any place on sliding bar t-tracks – either the rulers or pencil
lines drawn on machine face with the cursors can be used to position cuts on
boards up to 24” wide
● Available x axis (left/right) electronic
digital scale with separate top mounted LCD display can precisely position cuts
on boards up to 39” wide – large display reads in mm or in both decimal inch and
fractions (32nd, 64th, 128th) with high/low indictor for fractions
● Available z axis (front/rear) and y axis
(vertical) digital scales with mm, decimal inch and fractional inch LCD display
● Available 31” by 7” adjustable height/tilt
mortising platform with 5 t-tracks and 2 vice clamps/stops that mount 2 ways –
4.5” cut-out in fence for crosscut operations and v-slot in fence for round
object clamping
● Available 16” wide work holder for vertical
and horizontal clamping of work piece at single/compound angles with a quick
adjust friction clamp and positive stops on face plate for popular angles –
includes 4 t-tracks for jig mounts such as a wood shop made rail and toggle
clamps
Well done Lewis. Lots of very innovative engineering solutions
and I look forward to testing out this machine.