Router fence clearance opening

[Jerry Crawford]

This is a mockup/model of a router fence I put together yesterday. I'm going to make several design changes in the final fence. I freehanded the clearance hole and as I did, I wondered just what diameter it SHOULD have. Befor I start laying out the final design today I thought I'd ask is there any "standard" or "best shape/size" for the hole?

[Kent Fitzgerald]

Jerry, I assume you're going to add a dust collection port (I would highly recommend it). I'd say size the fence cutout to match the port, and make provisions to attach an auxiliary face in case you ever need a smaller opening.

[Brian Parker]

When I made mine I belive I made it so that it would accomidate a 3 1/2" raised panel bit. Without measuring it I would say that I proabibly made it 3.75" or 4" in diameter. I don't recall the height that I made the opening but its somewhere around 2.75" or 2.5" to account for those really long bits.

I made mine loosely from Norms design, the back is all once piece and there are two sliding pieces in front (one one each side). Norm said to use laminate for the sliding faces I used UHMW POLYETHYLENE for mine and love it.

[Jerry Crawford]

Correct on the collector. 4" to my vac.

Thank you