Pat Warner Offset Subbase for DW-621 Router

[Frank Hagan]

Pat Warner has a great website for routers at http://www.patwarner.com (no financial reward back to me or messing-about.com on this one ... I just like his site a lot and want to pass it on).

Pat's a trusting soul ... after reading about his offset subbase for the DeWalt 621 router I decided to get one.  I emailed him, asking if the price of $46 included shipping and tax, as I was planning to buy one.  He sent it to me prior to payment, and I guess that's the way he works.  I fear his trusting nature has been violated before and will again, but I made sure I got a check out for the sub base in today's mail.

I'm not a big fan of buying things I can make ... that's what a shop is for, after all.  But the DeWalt 621 is a unique critter ... the cutter hole is offset in a rectangular base.  So having a base pre-made makes sense ... it might take me a while to get the base and cutter configured correctly doing it myself.  The pics below show his site's pictures of the base and the router.

I found I will have to tap out the mounting holes; on my 621 the holes are not tapped for the screws holding the base on. Not a big deal, but I didn't have the tap in my arsenal ... my wife will swear its just another "excuse" to buy tools (as if I needed one!)

I am impressed with the base ... its a heavy duty, well made base that really looks good.  As soon as I get it installed I'll take a test drive and report back here.

[Frank Hagan]

I emailed Pat Warner and let him know the check was in the mail, and that I'd let him know how I like the base once I get the holes tapped.  He was very surprised that the holes weren't tapped already ... and wanted to get the serial number and country of manufacture of the router.  So I sent him that and a few pictures so he could see the holes were simply pilot holes.

I double checked to make sure I didn't buy a reconditioned router; it was brand new from Amazon.com.  This particular router was made in England.  Not sure where else they make them.

It was easy enough to tap the threads with a new 6mm tap I bought from the local "Do It Center", and the base fits perfectly.  I'm in the middle of the boat-cradle project, so I haven't used the router yet.

[P Doug (WA)]

Very interesting Frank.  I had forgotten about that site.  Now that I think back there have been many times I could have use just such a base.  Espically when I was building cabinets for my house.  I am anxious to read how it works for you.

[Dave Fleming]

I know Pat personally and can without hesitation vouch for his honesty and commitment to producing a fine tool or accessory for router use.

To the best of my knowledge the DW 621 has been made in a number of locations, Switzerland, Italy, England,  and lately China.

Under those circumstances it is not too difficult to understand how a base could be off.

[Frank Hagan]

I got some reassurance from the DeWalt web site today ... the manual I have is the current one, and they have an exploded diagram so I can compare what I got to what I was supposed to get!  I still don't know the year of manufacture, but I'm no longer worried about the only date I can find on the instruction manual ... 1996 (the copyright date).  The router seems well made, so I think the only problem was the holes were not tapped in the base.  The router says it was produced in England.