I'm ready to build a router table to replace my piece-of-plywood-with-mounting-holes-drilled style of "table". However, I'm planning to deviate from the Norm-style table that is so popular, and want to run my unconventional ideas past this group. I'd rather hear "that's stupid" (and why) here than discover it after the fact!
First, I'm planning to build the top like a workbench, of glued-up on-edge tubafors. That is mainly because I don't like working with sheet goods, but also because I like the mass and rigidity and being able to fine-tune the flatness with planes.
Second, I plan to make my own router mounting plates, and leave a hole in the top just large enough to insert my router (and routers I may consider upgrading to)
Third, Norm's table has a HUGE compartment for the router, with a door. It seems to me that dust evacuation and cooling airflow over the router would be better if the compartment more tightly "shrouded" the router. And if it is easy to remove the router from the top, for instance to change speeds, is there any need for a door? (My router has through the table height adjustment.) I think I will need a supplemental source of cooling air for when I make buried cuts, but shouldn't that come in near the top of the compartment, to be drawn down over the router on its way to the exhaust?
Reactions, ideas, suggestions welcome!