[lrubin28]

I'm sure that anyone who works with routers will consider this one of the most basic questions possible that there is, but....I gotta ask.

I just bought an inexpensive router, and have an idea of a basic table I plan to make. While looking for ideas though, I stumbled on some ads for 'router plates'...buying one, how to install one etc. What I can't seem to find in my searching though is why the heck do I need one (router plate)? What does it do? The only thing I can think of is that it would allow you to lift the plate with the router up and out from the table - beyond that, I can't figure out what they're for...can someone enlighten me - I'm sure it's a pretty short, quick answer. Thanks!

Larry

 

[lrubin28]

I appreciate all of the answers! And Tom, thanks very much for all of the detail! I have a feeling I won't really appreciate some of the advice until I try to do some things and end up with little piles of worthless, ruined scrap. I was mainly interested in doing something simple - making small, wooden rectangles with a routed edge around the outside....I need hundreds. I thought, well, I love wood and the smell of cut wood, and tools, and using my hands...I'd love to have a nice setup - unfortunately I live in a house with no garage, no basement - no shop. And I'm getting close to 60, so I don't see it happening on the horizon. And I don't have a ton of money to spend. So I guess I'm trying to figure out what the best compromise might be. I also live in New England which means although I can work outside for part of the year, there's also a good part where I can't...So....like I said....I need to do some thinking to figure out how to get the biggest bang for the buck, within the (many) limitations I'm going to have....
Thanks again for answering/reading. I'm pretty sure I'll have more questions!

Larry