Red X Router Question?

General Discussion
1

In the instuctions i got with my Red X jig it says that the router needed must be able to plunge 2.5 inches

The only routers I’ve found that plunge this deep are VERY expensive.

Do I really need a router that goes that deep. I’m not gonna the plugs in a longboard.

The affordable routers I’ve found plunge down to 50-55 millimeters, roughly 2 to 2 1/5 inches is there any way i could get by using one of these??

Suggested routers in the instruction is Makita plunge router 3612 and Porter Cable plunge router 6931.

I checked the Makita 3612 and it plunges to 2 3/8" but is very pricy and I can’t seem to find it here in Sweden

There’s a picture included in this message showing a cheaper router that plunges down to about 2 inches. This router is cheap (china made?) costing about 50 to 60 US$ here in Sweden.

I was thinking maybe I could use one of these, and if the plunge isnt deep enough do the deeper smaller hole in stages and readjusting the router bit to reach all the way through the board to the deck.

Would this be a good idea??

Any other suggestions

Thanks

Erik

2

Compensate for the length by getting a bit thats longer, remember for RED_x you also need to add a 7" diameter baseplate to the router for it to set right in the jig

3

It really only has to plunge the thickness of your board, which is usually thinner than 2.5" where the fins go, unless you have a longboard or unusually thick board.

You really don’t have to use a plunge router. I use a regular router. I just start with a hole going all the way through the middle of the template and then go from there.

4

ErickG,

    Surflab and Kenz have it right. The only reason we recommend the deeper plunge is for thick tail installations. The key is to have the right diameter bit and base plate. We recommend the Makita for three reasons: Range of plunge, auto-break so the bit stops turning when you release the trigger and durability. I know Herb uses two routers and no plunge. We really setup the installation method for larger production runs. But, there are alots of ways to skin a cat.
5

Allright, thanks for the suggestions. Think I’ll buy the cheap plunge router in the pic, I can get one for 40 usd so I’ll try it out.

Tom, Some friendly person at Red X helped me out and I have the Router bit (big and mean looking) and a base plate.

I’ll get back and tell how things are working out when I have some time off to work on my board

/Erik

6

I use a Ofishl jig converted for Red-X use,(the Ofishl jig was built by Dennis, Tom’s partner @ Daum Tooling,back in the days when Daum Tooling was Ofishl) 2 separate non-plunge routers for each stage.No need to change depths.It is a bit unorthodoxed ,but it’s about as fool proof as it can be.I do not suggest anyone following my method,as it took me a few years to figure this one out,and Tom’s set-up is much easier to get a hold of.I just needed to combine and conserve my resources at the time,plus I love a good challenge.Herb