Practical Application: Matching Hardware Thickness

What happens here

For tasks requiring an exact match to the thickness of a piece of hardware, such as routing for a hinge or a gate latch, you can directly use the hardware to set the depth. First, place the hinge (or hardware) flat on your workpiece at the intended location. Then, lower the entire router until its base plate rests directly on top of the hinge. With the router in this position, adjust the main depth stop rod downwards until it makes firm contact with the appropriate step on the turret (or the base of the depth stop if not using the turret). Lock the depth stop securely. When you remove the hinge and plunge the router, it will cut precisely to the thickness of the hardware, ensuring a perfectly flush inlay.

Goal: Set plunge depth precisely to match the thickness of hardware like hinges or latches