Router Base Plate - Laser vs 3D Printing (Demonstrating Countersink)

[Stroonzo (Jeff)]

We had a router in need of a replacement base plate. After searching for some, I was inspired to draw up my own after seeing some examples of other self-created plates.

I made the first design in TinkerCAD, and off to the 3D printer to produce a PETG plate. Creating different elevations throughout the plate is relatively novice / beginner 3D drawing when building an STL for 3D printing.

So I thought I would use this as an example to demonstrate how, with a little bit of ingenuity, the same layering effect and countersink of the screw holes is accomplished on a laser machine using LightBurn.

This is just one approach. I am sure there are other ways.

Illustrated here, is the project file in its entirety:

Zooming in on the mounting screw holes, the countersink is accomplished through reduced concentric fill layers:

Comparing the results of these “bands of resolution” produced by my concentric rings on white 6mm acrylic to a .2mm 3D printed plate on PETG:

And a very important point I should mention:

3D print time = 5½ HOURS.
Laser time = Less than 10 minutes.

Project file attached

RouterBasePlate.lbrn2 (251.1 KB)

[Hank (Hank Morgan)]

That looks like it came out really nice. Do you think the countersink could be accomplished using the “ramp” feature instead of concentric rings?

[Stroonzo (Jeff)]

I’m not sure if I (personally) know how to use the ramp effect well enough. I feel like I have complete control to finely adjust the angle through the concentric rings.

Here is another picture of the alternative design on Acrylic compared to PLA:

And with it installed on a router in my dad’s shop:

[wayne1 (wayne hall)]

Nice job. I wish i had a big enough laser to do that it would give me a lot of options for my router.