Guide · Insert plates
Aluminum vs phenolic insert plates: what makers state
The materials and thicknesses INCRA, Woodpeckers, Kreg, POWERTEC, SpeTool and JessEm state for their router plates, and why no flatness figures exist.
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Short answer
Makers sell both aluminum and phenolic plates. What they publish is the material, the outline and the thickness, not a measured stiffness or flatness, and we found no independent measurement comparing them. Choose on fit first: outline, thickness, router pattern and ring system.
Aluminum plates
- INCRA: its Mast-R-Lift II has a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in aircraft aluminum top plate.[1] INCRA describes it as hard-anodized and custom built for INCRA by JessEm in Ontario, Canada.[1]
- Woodpeckers: the AI890 plate is cast aluminum with an anodized coating, 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in.[2] Woodpeckers says it is less prone to warp or flex than other aluminum, polycarbonate or acrylic plates. That is Woodpeckers' claim; it publishes no flatness figure.
- Kreg: the PRS5000 lift has a 3/8 x 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in plate, built from hard-anodized aluminum, steel and plastic polymer.[3]
- POWERTEC: the 71850 plate is precision-stamped aluminum, 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in and 3/8 in thick.[4]
- SpeTool: the P01002 lift has a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in hard-anodized 6061 aluminum plate.[5]
Phenolic plates
Phenolic is a resin-bonded laminate, dense and stiff for a plastic.
- JessEm Rout-R-Plate: a solid phenolic insert plate with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in outline.[6] JessEm states no thickness for it.
- JessEm Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT: a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in phenolic plate.[7]
- JessEm Mast-R-Top: the table top itself is phenolic, cut for a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in insert plate.[8]
| Maker and model | Material | Thickness stated |
|---|---|---|
| INCRA Mast-R-Lift II | Aircraft aluminum, hard-anodized | 3/8 in |
| Woodpeckers AI890 | Cast aluminum, anodized | 3/8 in |
| Kreg PRS5000 | Hard-anodized aluminum, steel, polymer | 3/8 in |
| POWERTEC 71850 | Stamped aluminum | 3/8 in |
| SpeTool P01002 | 6061 aluminum, hard-anodized | 3/8 in |
| JessEm Rout-R-Plate | Solid phenolic | Not stated |
| JessEm Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT | Phenolic | 3/8 in |
Do plates sag?
Any plate carrying a router can deflect, and a heavy motor on a thin plate deflects more. But no maker in our sources publishes a deflection or flatness figure, and we found no independent measurement. Claims like "less prone to flex" are the maker's words. If sag worries you, support matters as much as material: see the levelers guide.
What thickness should a plate be?
Match the thickness your table opening is cut for. Most plates in our sources state 3/8 in, and JessEm's Mast-R-Top is cut for 3/8 in. A plate thinner or thicker than the opening's ledge depth will not sit flush without leveling.
Plates and lifts by material
Picks that fit3 products
For an aluminum plate, choose the Woodpeckers AITRITON variant for a listed Triton router, or the Kreg PRS4036 for a Porter-Cable 690/890 or Bosch 1617 base; both are 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in.
More on choosing
For a phenolic plate on a lift, choose the JessEm Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT for a listed 3.5 in motor. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Drilled for Triton routers
Woodpeckers AITRITON cast aluminum router mounting plate for Triton
Predrilled for Porter-Cable 690/890 and Bosch 1617
Kreg PRS4036 Precision Router Table Insert Plate, predrilled for Porter-Cable and Bosch
For 3.5 in motors
Next
Questions
Is aluminum better than phenolic for a router plate?
No source we found measures one against the other. Makers state material, outline and thickness; Woodpeckers' 'less prone to warp or flex' is its own claim. Choose on fit first.[2]
Do plates sag?
Any plate can deflect under a router, but no maker in our sources publishes a deflection figure and we found no independent measurement. How the plate is supported matters too.