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Last month, I spent a few days inlaying about 40 pieces of brass hardware that all required recesses of different depths. My small Lie-Nielsen router plane did most of the work, but by the end of the job I was a bit frustrated.
Unlike its bigger brother, the small router plane doesn’t have a depth stop. And when you are inlaying brasses – a lot of them – on a campaign chest, it is helpful to be able to get back to a predetermined depth repeatedly.
I used a small C-clamp as a depth stop during the job, but that was a kludge.
So I sent Thomas Lie-Nielsen an e-mail about it. In a few days he sent me a depth stop for my little router. It works like crazy.
Thomas says he wants to start making the depth stop as an accessory, but it might be a little while to get some time available on the machines. In the meantime, Thomas suggested that if you would like one to let his sales staff know.
— Christopher Schwarz
BTW, if you don’t have one of these small router planes, they are excellent for all manner of installing hardware (unless you are a power tool person who prefers to balance a 3-1/4hp router on an edge….).
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Looks like the Veritas small router has the same lack of a stop, but the miniature looks to have the same system as their large router plane. Blade is half the width of the small model (an eighth versus a quarter of an inch), but otherwise is about the same form factor…but much cuter!
Are there any concerns with the locking mechanism operating on the side of the shaft as oppose to the corner?
Blue tape anyone? The cutter is still held in place by a screw.
I’ve been meaning to order a small router plane, this will probably push me over the edge. My better half won’t be well pleased.
Already heard back from Kirsten. $20 and they’ll have their first batch out in a month.
A small screw type hose clamp would also work for this purpose. Available at auto parts stores.
It’s like you can just summon awesome tools from thin air:
“BY THE POWER OF LIE-NIELSEN!
I HAVE THE ROUTEEEERRRR – plane!”
http://youtu.be/8wl-tQPPm9c
One could think by the same token you’ve used a small router plane instead of its bigger brother perhaps you’d consider a small 1HP router instead of its larger brothers.
Hi guys!
A temporary work around would be a 3/8 inch grounding clamp. (ASA38 3/8 inch Ground Clamp) You can find them at any electrical supply house, and possibly at the local Borg cube. Not very pretty and a touch oversize, but better than a C-clamp. I don’t think they make them down to a 1/4 inch, least ways I couldn’t find one…
Albert A Rasch
That is an elegant solution. Brilliant!
AHH HAHHH!! You DO get special treatment and favors!!
LOL – thanks for helping to bring a very useful sounding accessory to the market, and ignore the naysaying nincompoops. The Pop Wood Blogs are very informative and make all of the staff seem more like regular people.
May your cuts be true.
Yea, good call. I was just getting ready to take my small router plane to a couple of machine shops in town to see if I could have that very piece (depth stop) made. I’ll drop LN sales a note.
Thanks Chris for blazing the trail.