Free Plans:Homemade Overarm Pin Router Plans

Credit: Chasson Guitars

What Is an overarm router?

An over arm router consists of a router mounted above the work piece, and a guide pin protruding from the machine table. A template is made that the work piece is mounted on and that rides on the guide pin.

Inverted pin routers are another form of pin router. The router is mounted under the table and the guide pin is mounted on the overarm portion of the machine.

What is a pin router or overarm router used for?

An over arm router is intended for template routing of wood. Making multiple identical cuts or pieces quickly and accurately. It is also very well suited to making stopped dados, rabbets and through dados as well. It can perform many wood routing operations that are difficult or time consuming to perform with a standard handheld wood router.

Pin routers are often overlooked tools for the home shop or small production shop. Use and benefits of the pin router are often misunderstood. To further compound the problem many of the overarm routers on the market are to large and expensive for the small shop owner.

We have found a solution to those problems for you. We have several examples of homemade overarm pin routers as well as two low cost options for purchasing a light duty bench top overarm router. And of course in true ArmChairDIY style we also are providing a set of free plans to make your own homemade bench top overarm router. As you know we are big fans of shop built and homemade tools.

Kent Chasson of Chasson Gutiars has designed and built a very nice homemade pin router for making his beautiful custom made guitars.

Kent says “Here’s my homemade pin router. There’s a pin in the table directly under the bit that rides on a pattern. The unique idea I incorporated in this tool is that the pin is held in a drill chuck. This allows the use of any size pin, which enables me to adjust a cut by as little as .0005″! The use of precision bearings makes this tool extremely accurate and I get results that are repeatable to .001″. I use this for cutting bridge slots, cutting out tops and backs, cutting rosette channels, headstock overlays and inlays, and many other operations.”

Credit: Chasson Guitars

Here is a video of a very nice heavy duty homemade over arm pin router in action. You can really see the advantages of using an overarm router for repetitive routing operations.

Homemade overarm router in action

MLCS Daisy Pin Router

MLCS Says this about their Daisy Pin Router:

“Make exact copies of ANY shape! The NEW Daisy Pin Router easily attaches to any router table, and performs operations similar to machines costing hundreds of dollars more. Make unlimited, exact copies of shapes from either inside or outside patterns. Repetitive cuts are easy and error free. The large, 8″ arm, reaches to the center of a 16″ wide piece. Includes four steel pin sizes (1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″ and 1/2″) and instructions.”

ArmChairDIY has not used the MLCS Daisy Pin Router yet, so we are not able to write a full blown tool review.

My first impression is for the money this is a very viable option for small overarm routing and pattern cutting projects.

Paul says,”This looked like the answer to a routing problem I was having. I was 100% correct. This setup works great and was easy to install. There was one drawback…be it very small. The unit could be a bit taller giving more table clearance. I accomplished this need with a piece of 3/4″ stock for a spacer between the table and mounting flange.

In operation, it is GREAT!!”

Shop Fox Overarm Pin Router

“Take advantage of production routing without dedicating lots of space in your shop. This Bench Top Overarm Router bolts or clamps to the top of your workbench and features pneumatic foot control to lower the router into the workpiece, letting your hands control the movement of the workpiece over the pin insert. If you already have a portable router, router bits and air compressor and do or plan on doing any type of production routing, this Overarm Router and your shop made patterns are all you need. Features: 4 plastic router collars fit most router bodies on the market Three reversible pins Spindle travels on double cylindrical ways Foot control allows hands free operation Pneumatic driven head Precision milled cast aluminum table Clear plastic safety guard Adjustable depth stop Specifications: Maximum head stroke: 5-1/2″ Maximum distance spindle to table: 6-1/2″ Maximum distance housing to table: 8-3/4″ Throat capacity: 18″ Router collar sizes: 4-1/4″, 3-21/64″, 3-1/4″ and 3-1/2″ x 2-5/8″ high Router housing diameter: 4-1/2″ Air pressure required: 60 PSI Table pins: 3/16″ x 1/4″, 5/16″ x 3/8″, 7/16″ x 1/2″ Table size: 19-3/4″ W x 14″ D x 1-3/8″ H Overall size: 21-3/4″ W x 28-1/4″ D x~31-3/8″ H Approximate shipping weight: 55 lbs.”

The Shop Fox overarm pin router would make a fantastic addition to the serious home shop woodworker or light production runs for the professional.

Now The Big Dogs

Here are a couple example of industrial quality pin routers. The C.R. Onsrud is an inverted pin router with the motor mounted under the work table. While the Woodtek is an over arm pin router with the power head mounted above the work table.

C.R. Onsrud Inverted Pin Router

C.R. Onsurd 10 H.P. 3 Phase Inverted Pin Router