I am trying to make my first router table for my new PC 7518 router. Several
books suggested "plastic laminate" on top of the plywood (I useed 3 sheets
of 1/2' birch plywood). The closest I could come was some formica from
Lowes.

The lamination seemed to go well but I edged the table with 1/4" birch
strips. I made a "Flush-Trimming Baseplate" as described in Hylton's Router
Magic book. Either I set the tolerance to close or the table was not quite
flat ... when I tried to level the edging I took off some of the color layer
of the formica. AARRGGH!

I tried touching it up with some enamel touch up paint and it doesn't look
TOO terrible ...

I think I might have been better off to just varnish the surface of the
birch plywood. Then at least I would be able to repair the surface. Would
this work as well? Or is there a better surface material which is not so
thin?

Is it possible to remove the formica? Its bonded to the plywood with
Weldwood contact cement.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Wayne