accipiter
Established Member
Hi everyone. I'm aware that quite a bit of what I'm about to mention/ask about has more than likely been covered some time in the past - and/or in YT vids - so I give apologies now for going over old ground. I'd like to make this a short post for help but can't see that happening because of trying to provide as much information as I can, for you, to cover where I'm at at this moment which has brought me to post. Please bear with me 
I'm about to (have to) make up a *portable* router table top as I have some small (thin) bits to work on and they can't be done either stuck down with double sided tape or held in some type of clamping device - i.e. workmate of similar - I also have a use for the router table for other woodworking so this is not *just* for these items.
Until now I've managed to use a Lidls/Parkside router table by adapting the bases - making an insert - on two old 1/4" routers, namely an old B&D (40-45 years old?) and an Elu 96 (30'ish years old) and a "scissor lift" as a raiser. The Parkside router table is for routers with bases *up to 155mm* - I've put that in bold because of coming across a very old thread re that size of base dating back to 2010 which caused a bit of a stir - and that's 11 years ago and I'm not wanting to create the same again...
Sadly I can no longer use these two old routers because they died on me a few days ago which is why I'm now having to look at making something with the Rockler Phenolic Router Plate for Non-Triton Routers 1-1/2'' x 4'' 910661 I purchased from Yandle's 11 months ago - knowing at some point I'd be making a router table when I got to sort out the workshop. Trying to find a router with a 155mm base is not easy so I'm at something of a loss regarding what to do with the table - although I'm waiting to hear from the manufacturer/supplier re routers/base 155mm...
Because these old two routers died I went looking for replacements and bought a Trend T7 1/2" 2100W variable speed from Toolstation and also a Bosch POF 1200 AE 1/4" from Axminster because of the *acceptable* prices of £149.99 and £66.98... and I couldn't find any mentions of base plate sizes on ANY routers I looked at. Probably wrong in buying these two because of the base sizes being (approx.) 165mm and 171mm but as I'm attempting to fit one/either one to the base plate from Yandle's I wasn't viewing the purchases as such *for the existing table* when buying.
Now I'm preparing the top for inserting the plate I'm not so sure because a/ the Bosch 1200 AE has an auto locking clamp which has to be depressed to 'release' so you can plunge
and b/ the screws that attach the base plates to the routers are not long enough for me to re-use to attach the router/s to the Rockler plate... and I don't know (haven't been able to find out) what the threads are on these. The plate is approx. 3/8" - 9.5mm? - thick. The screws for the router base plates are approx. 1/4"~3/8". Any one know these threads - or where I can get that information from please? I *have* marked out the router base plates shapes and screw positions on the insert but not yet drilled for mounting the router/s OR cut out for inserting the plate in to the selected top: 24mm MRMDF.
I'm tending towards using the Bosch 1200 AE because I've been able to find a "lift retrofit kit for Bosch POF 1400 ACE 1200 AE" for raising/lowering the router - - - but unsure IF I have to remove or somehow disable the "auto locking clamp" and/or remove one or both springs??? The same applies with regards to the Trend T7 regarding the springs but the "clamping trigger" is different as *you* have to apply it to lock depth unlike with the Bosch and I've yet to sort a lift mechanism for it.
So, I guess, basically, the questions/assistance I'm looking for are in respect of;
1/ where can I find longer screws of the correct thread for fixing the base/s to the Rockler plate
2/ can anyone advise if I need to - and how to - disable the "Auto Locking Clamp" on the Bosch and if I remove one or both - if any - plunge springs in the "arms"
3/ IF using the T7 do I remove the springs - one or both? - and ideas for a lift system
4/ Anyone able to tell me of a router WITH a 155mm base plate - so I can still make use of the Parkside router table
And 5/... * for metal workers* mostly - if no 155mm base routers known of "is it possible to alter the base plate insert area of this existing table - - - it's cast steel I think(???) - I wouldn't be attempting this myself but possibly a local metal works place. I've yet to ask them as I've only just thought of this one
Hopefully I've provided ALL information for members to be able to offer assistance - if I haven't put those reading to the end to sleep

Thanks ALL for your time 
I'm about to (have to) make up a *portable* router table top as I have some small (thin) bits to work on and they can't be done either stuck down with double sided tape or held in some type of clamping device - i.e. workmate of similar - I also have a use for the router table for other woodworking so this is not *just* for these items.
Until now I've managed to use a Lidls/Parkside router table by adapting the bases - making an insert - on two old 1/4" routers, namely an old B&D (40-45 years old?) and an Elu 96 (30'ish years old) and a "scissor lift" as a raiser. The Parkside router table is for routers with bases *up to 155mm* - I've put that in bold because of coming across a very old thread re that size of base dating back to 2010 which caused a bit of a stir - and that's 11 years ago and I'm not wanting to create the same again...

Sadly I can no longer use these two old routers because they died on me a few days ago which is why I'm now having to look at making something with the Rockler Phenolic Router Plate for Non-Triton Routers 1-1/2'' x 4'' 910661 I purchased from Yandle's 11 months ago - knowing at some point I'd be making a router table when I got to sort out the workshop. Trying to find a router with a 155mm base is not easy so I'm at something of a loss regarding what to do with the table - although I'm waiting to hear from the manufacturer/supplier re routers/base 155mm...
Because these old two routers died I went looking for replacements and bought a Trend T7 1/2" 2100W variable speed from Toolstation and also a Bosch POF 1200 AE 1/4" from Axminster because of the *acceptable* prices of £149.99 and £66.98... and I couldn't find any mentions of base plate sizes on ANY routers I looked at. Probably wrong in buying these two because of the base sizes being (approx.) 165mm and 171mm but as I'm attempting to fit one/either one to the base plate from Yandle's I wasn't viewing the purchases as such *for the existing table* when buying.
Now I'm preparing the top for inserting the plate I'm not so sure because a/ the Bosch 1200 AE has an auto locking clamp which has to be depressed to 'release' so you can plunge
I'm tending towards using the Bosch 1200 AE because I've been able to find a "lift retrofit kit for Bosch POF 1400 ACE 1200 AE" for raising/lowering the router - - - but unsure IF I have to remove or somehow disable the "auto locking clamp" and/or remove one or both springs??? The same applies with regards to the Trend T7 regarding the springs but the "clamping trigger" is different as *you* have to apply it to lock depth unlike with the Bosch and I've yet to sort a lift mechanism for it.
So, I guess, basically, the questions/assistance I'm looking for are in respect of;
1/ where can I find longer screws of the correct thread for fixing the base/s to the Rockler plate
2/ can anyone advise if I need to - and how to - disable the "Auto Locking Clamp" on the Bosch and if I remove one or both - if any - plunge springs in the "arms"
3/ IF using the T7 do I remove the springs - one or both? - and ideas for a lift system
4/ Anyone able to tell me of a router WITH a 155mm base plate - so I can still make use of the Parkside router table
And 5/... * for metal workers* mostly - if no 155mm base routers known of "is it possible to alter the base plate insert area of this existing table - - - it's cast steel I think(???) - I wouldn't be attempting this myself but possibly a local metal works place. I've yet to ask them as I've only just thought of this one

Hopefully I've provided ALL information for members to be able to offer assistance - if I haven't put those reading to the end to sleep
