[Mike]

I would stick with the smooth surface. I have built a couple tables this way and have excellent results. Keep in mind that at times you need to be able to pencil a reference point directly onto the table. A quick wipe with a wet rag and its gone. I can't help but feel that anything textured would accumulate dirt and debris faster thus increasing friction. It makes sense to me that these tiny ridges would wear faster than a smooth surface. Remember that you are concentrating the weight on the ridges, less support. It may not make a practical difference either way. Let us know what you decide and how it turns out.

 

[Mike]

Well Blair, this is an interesting exercise in how opinions vary. In practical application it may not make any difference which laminate you choose. We all seem to have good reasons for the choices we have made, and it's plain to see it's a toss up. My first table I went with plain white laminate because I thought it would look the cleanest. The table I am in the process of building now is going to have "Mauve Nebula" laminate. It's kind of a cross between tan and pink. Why you ask? My logic for this one is simple. CLEARANCE! I bought 4 pieces that measured 24" x 48" for $21. It is going to be trimmed in brazilian cherry, also bought during a sale. Yes, I could use poplar and save even more but I figure the cherry will look nice with the Mauve Nebula. Who knows? Maybe this table will show up on an episode of "Queer eye for the straight guy?"

 

[Mike]

The Rousseau plate is my weapon of choice. Did you get the template and the centering kit for your router?

 

[Mike]

Blair, I am guessing you installed the corner snugger's. There are 4 small holes near the corners of the plate for leveling screws. I can't remember the size off the top of my head but you can take the plate with you to the hardware store. I ran a tap through mine and installed allen screws for a cost of about $1. Since you know you need to lift the plate edge about 1/16" get screws just slightly longer than the edge is thick. You can glue a small piece of metal to the edge where the screws ride if need be. This should have you up and routing in a jiffy.

 

[Mike]

Ed, the Rousseau plate is not flat. It has a very slight curve built into it that flatens out when supporting the weight of the router. The problem Blair has is leveling the plate to the table surface, and that is solved with the allen screws.

 

[Mike]

Ed, once the router is attached to the plate you loosen the screws slightly with the router hanging down. At this point you apply hand pressure to flatten the plate and then tighten the screws. Stu made mention of this in one of his posts and I sent Blair a private message detailing this fine tuning process.

 

[Mike]

Ed, if you look at Stu's table you will see the unique leveling system. Screws through the table, 6 to be exact, and none of the 4 plates I have purchased came with them.
Now isn't THAT unique? You are right, I should do a start to finish installation sticky. I am hoping to glue up a table top tomorrow so this might work out well.