Hi,
I'm getting ready -- finally -- to mount my router in the end of my table
saw extension. I'm planning to use an auxillary router fence mounted to the
TS fence, and stand facing down the length of the extension. Two questions:
First, how far back from the front end of the table (in my case, the end of
the TS extension table) should the router be? The extension table is close
to 60", so space behind the bit is no problem. What is a good way to decide
how much table should be in front of the bit? 18" seems to be a comfortable
reach, but that seems to be a little further back than most tables I've
seen. Pat Warner's, for example, appears to be 13-14 inches
(http://patwarner.com/router_table.html). Is that a function of the overall
size of the table? If so, that's not a factor in my setup. Or is there some
reason to keep the bit closer to the front?
Second, I have a piece of 3/8" aluminum approximately 9X12" for the mounting
base. I'm thinking of cutting it down to 9X9, so it's a little lighter
weight, and so I can put a smaller hole in the extension table. What are the
advantages and disadvantages to a big plate vs. a small plate? A 9X9 plate
should be big enough to mount any router, right? I'm planning on using my
DW618, leaving the fixed base more-or-less permanently attached, and I'll
use the D-handle base Santa is bringing for hand-held routering. Even if I
get a bigger router in the future, I would think 9X9 would be plenty big --
unless there's a reason I'm missing for a bigger base?
Thanks, and Happy (US) Thanksgiving!
Lewis