After reviewing a variety of router table designs, I noticed that the
position in which the router plate goes varies greatly. Some people
place it fairly close to the front, whereas others place it back quite a
ways.

I presume that positioning the router "back" a ways allows for more room
in front for the object being routed. Putting the router more up front
makes is easier to work with but takes away from the front space.

However, I've even seen it with the router WAY up front and a LONG fence
reach capability - here I assume that the person intends to feed the
wood Left-to-Right "behind" the router. Can't think of any other reason
to have the table that deep.

Anyway - is there some optimal distance that people use for positioning
the router? I am assuming for my purposes that the back of the router
table will normally be butted up against the wall. And so of course,
you can assume that the router table is stand-alone (ie, not an
extension of a saw table).

Thanks!

Jack