POWERTEC 71869 Router Bits Solid Brass Inlay Kit w/Butterfly Template 7 in 1 Decorative Bowtie

I thought I'd try the centering cone here from Powertec instead of buying another Bosch after mine went missing. This one is a little different in that the cone is solid ABS plastic rather than a hollow/ribbed injection molded softer plastic. It's a good 1-3/4" diameter as well. I liked the idea of the solid cone but realized that it would depend on accuracy in manufacturing a little more than the other old standard design. Pleased to say that the pin and the cone are well made and accurate. The 1/4" end of the pin is just a smidge undersized but all of my 1/4" collets grab it just fine. The 1/2" end is a surprising (intentional) taper...undersized at the transition and oversized at the end. This means the cone slides onto the 1/2" transition area, snugs up nicely, and won't ever slide off unless you mean to move it. The pin only engages a little over half of the cone depth and the hole in the cone is straight, not tapered...might suspect that it would wiggle and be inaccurate because of that, but it isn't the case, works well.The down side of this is that it's a little fiddly to snug the collet with the cone under/outside the sub base - prefer to do it in that orientation but of course it's possible to have the cone engage from the inside of the base and just lower it carefully against the sub base. Anymore I am mostly using the little pony trim routers so it's all 1/4" and I'll live with the fiddle factor. I do like this more than the Bosch, etc.I've always thought that a bearing detent or spring clip would be a good way to make one of these but maybe that's too much trouble to manufacture for such a (currently) inexpensive utility jig. These are vital if you make your own bases or use guide bushings (and very helpful if you switch bases and happen to own one with a flat edge that has an easy accurate distance from center).

If you are like me and have different router bases for specific jobs, then this tool is a must. It will help you center your jigs every time for a perfect cut.

I would have given it 5 stars but it arrived cracked in the middle. As long as I'm careful when using it should be OK. The template works great and makes the process much easier and quicker. I always tried to justify not adding bowties, I look for reasons to use them.

It came with no directions but once I figured it out - it was great!

I regret buying this tool because I could have just as easily measured one of these out and made better template myself. I feel like an idiot buying one of these now.

Worked great!

Probably a decent idea, if it worked properly. The cone is off center when assembled to the metal post and doesn't provide a lot of confidence that it could be used to center a router plate... after all it's not even centered to itself. Not thrilled about using it, so returned it.

The kit arrived too late to use during the weekend. When I tested it on soft pine it broke on the second cut.

So sad, need to return it

Its a great jig but beware that you have the correct router bushes. The instructions are poor finding a video on you tube was very difficult try looking for the rockler

Not sure I got the idea here