Russ Ambrose
10-29-2008, 10:47 AM
I have a question re: router tables and the mounting of routers and would appreciate any wisdom and insight y’all can offer. I’m going to be building a router table and mounting a Milwaukee 5625-20 router to it. this router is going to be dedicated to router table use. my question is this - should I use a mounting plate or not.
seems like I’ve got two (or at least two) choices. (1) construct the table with a cutout in which to place the mounting plate or (2) simply mount the router to the underside of the table itself. I’m leaning towards option (2). I’m planning on making the top out of MDF (2 pieces of 3/4 inch MDF glued together, covered top/bottom with laminate and trimmed with maple).
my concern with a mounting plate (aside from spending the $$$ to buy one) is that if I don’t get the cutout on the top of the table just right, the plate won’t fit properly and the table as a whole may not be flat. also, cutting a big hole in the table may weaken the table in the very spot where it needs to be the strongest. on the other hand, if I mount the router directly to the underside of the table I don’t have this concern. I understand that I’ll need to cut a recess on the underside of the table in which to mount the router, but that opening doesn’t have to be "just right" - it just needs to be the appropriate size and a consistent depth.
I figure that I can build two or three MDF table tops like this, each with different size openings for use with router bits of varying size. simply move the router from the underside of one table top to another when necessary. I think I like this idea better than using a mounting plate with inserts. however, I’d like to hear other folks’ insight or experience. thanks.
seems like I’ve got two (or at least two) choices. (1) construct the table with a cutout in which to place the mounting plate or (2) simply mount the router to the underside of the table itself. I’m leaning towards option (2). I’m planning on making the top out of MDF (2 pieces of 3/4 inch MDF glued together, covered top/bottom with laminate and trimmed with maple).
my concern with a mounting plate (aside from spending the $$$ to buy one) is that if I don’t get the cutout on the top of the table just right, the plate won’t fit properly and the table as a whole may not be flat. also, cutting a big hole in the table may weaken the table in the very spot where it needs to be the strongest. on the other hand, if I mount the router directly to the underside of the table I don’t have this concern. I understand that I’ll need to cut a recess on the underside of the table in which to mount the router, but that opening doesn’t have to be "just right" - it just needs to be the appropriate size and a consistent depth.
I figure that I can build two or three MDF table tops like this, each with different size openings for use with router bits of varying size. simply move the router from the underside of one table top to another when necessary. I think I like this idea better than using a mounting plate with inserts. however, I’d like to hear other folks’ insight or experience. thanks.