I am about to build a router table. One thing I struggle with in making a design, is the location of the center of the router. Most tables have it in the center, or even toward the front and only a few a bit back from the center.
My thinking is its best to put it pretty far back, maybe such that there is max 4 inches between the fence when its all the way back. I rarely see any videos where a lot of space is needed between the fence and what is being routed out. On the other hand, the more support you have on the sides, and the front for pieces the better. This is because I think 90% of routing is edge trimming. For the few times I would want to route a dado on the table (I would usually do it on the workbench with a guide – in Europe we can not use dado stacks on tablesaws), I can add a track across the table and use a miter gauge.
Does this make sense, or am I missing something in my logic?
Replies
First I think you need to consider how you will work and what size of work pieces you will be handling. Your logic is fine especially if you think you will be running larger pieces.
Another factor can be how tall a user is. Someone shorter my find it less comfortable and less secure if they must reach too far from the front edge and visibility may be impaired.
The last factor can be your fence. I use a Woodpecker Ultra with the fine adjuster. This fence requires T-tracks behind the fence and a fair amount of real-estate to accommodate them. This means either a oversized table or less table in front of the router bit or combination of both.
Your logic seems sound to me.
I assume the centering is mostly for versatility. They don't know who is buying it or what work they do. Putting in the middle is a perfectly even compromise and gives the most options.
You're making your own, and you know what you do, so build it for your workflow and style.
If you ever want to use it for something in the middle of a piece, you can always make it adjustable and install a nice-looking secured blank.
You can remove the blank when you want and refasten the router further up for more fence room.
Thanks all!
If you already have a table saw, you can use that fence. Replace a wing of the saw to make the router table. I was cutting dados in the middle of a 26" wide panel last week. Having more space allows your workpiece to be more stable and gives you the opportunity to use a wide variety of jigs such as a circle cutting jig. Using a wing also saves shop floor space.
I can't add much to what is said on the actual placement but - tops for router tables are REALLY CHEAP - you want the best chance of success, but if it's not working for you, put a new one on.
If you take the attitude that all you want is a 'reasonable probability' that the way you do something will be perfect, then you can only gain over time. Down any other path lies paralysis by analysis. This has saved me from any amount of pain with the 'boss' picking paint colours - the "If you hate it, I'll paint it over" offer has NEVER been taken up!
If you put it too far back you’ll regret it. I’d guess mine is about 12”.
I suggest that you leave enough room on all sides of your router to install a router lift. You may not want to do that now but you may want to in the future. Leave your options open.