Layout for Router table top

[Josh Garrisi]

hi,

I'm building a router table, and can't seem to make up my mind about the placement of the bit on the table itself.

The table top is a piece of 27" x 27" counter top material with large roundovers on the front and back sides.

Initially, I thought to just put the router centered on the table top, but then was wondering if that would limit my ability to use either the fence at any distance from the bit. Does one often need to have a large distance between the bit and the fence?

If i mount the router further back from the front, it allows less room to move the fence back from the bit, but does allow for more support for large work pieces on the table itself.

thanks for the input.

-josh

[Scott Seganti]

Josh... I can't think of a reason why the fence would need to be away from the bit other then getting it out of the way when not being used. Setting the router towards the back of the table will give you more support where you need it.

[Beechwood Chip]

The only time I can think of wanting the fence far from the bit would be plowing a groove. I don't think that happens that often. I guess if I ever needed to do that, I could remove the fence entirely and clamp a guide to the side or back of the table.

[duckkisser]

only time you would really need to have far from the router bit is to make a groove in the middle of the board. if that's the case its usually better to just get a plunge router and route it out with a guide on a flat surface. i say set it up so you can have plenty of support for larger pieces.

[tim0625]

Jessem, Incra, and Kreg all make tables - I made one with 3/4" ply and covered it with couter top laminate but before I made it, I looked at what was being sold before I decided where to locate the bit. I don't think this is you but if you're using the router table as a right hand extension wing on the table saw, it needs to be in the center but closer to the LH edge to take advantage of the TS's miter slot. It seems you have a stand alone table. If you can't see yourself doing larger panel work, locate it in the center of the table (side to side) and maybe a little towards the back to give yourself a larger work surface in front and room for a miter slot. Like duckkisser said, if you have something larger, clamp a straight edge and plunge away.

[CessnaPilotBarry]

Remember... For edge routing, the work NEVER goes between the bit and fence. Unless, or course, you're trying to launch materials across the room.

Spinning bit + fulcrum = pitching machine

If I need to put a groove or slot in the middle of a large part, I'll either run it on the table saw with a dado set, especially if it runs all the way from edge to edge, or use a hand held router against a straight edge. As the work piece grows past a certain size, it's much easier to use a hand held router.

[duckkisser]

safety week router missles....still waiting for the video marc

[Beechwood Chip]

That's my secret weapon for the zombie apocalypse - turn my router table into a spear thrower.