Router Template Guides
Router Template Guides and Guide Bushings
A template guide, also called a guide bushing, is a collar that mounts in the router base and rides against a template so the bit follows its shape. Festool makes up most of this collection, with single guides from 8.5 mm to 40 mm outside diameter, imperial 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1-inch guides, a template guide base for the OF 2200, and a guide bushing adapter. Sets include the Porter Cable 9-piece, Milwaukee 49-54-0700 9-piece, and Bosch RA1128 8-piece kits. Bosch, Makita, and Porter Cable add adapters, sub-bases, and single guides.
What to Look For
- Base fit. Guides attach by a threaded ring or a brand-specific mount. Confirm that the guide or an adapter fits your router base.
- Outside diameter. Jigs specify the guide OD they were designed around. Use that size.
- Bit clearance. The inside diameter must clear the bit. Choose a guide whose ID is larger than the bit.
- Set or single. An 8 or 9 piece set covers most template work. Single guides replace a lost size.
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Router Template Guides FAQ
How do I calculate template offset?
Subtract the bit diameter from the guide outside diameter and divide by two. That offset is how far the cut sits from the template edge, so make the template smaller or larger by that amount.
Why does my cut drift from the template?
The guide is probably off center from the bit. Use a centering cone or centering mandrel to align the sub-base before routing.