Can You Put a Plunge Router in a Router Table?

Router tables are capable of adjusting different types of routers. By using a router table for your router, you will be able to accomplish your work more accurately and more efficiently. Putting a router on a router table is simple, you can do it yourself without any problems.

Can you put a plunge router on a router table?

You can put a plunge router on a router table. Just like any other router, the plunge router is easy to install. While lifting a plunge router might require different safety practices, using a plunge router on a table is just as safe as using a fixed-based router. The installation of a plunge router on a bench or table differs significantly from a fixed base router due to its unique design.

You can use the plunge router to cut material from the top of the middle, making it helpful in doing various wood routing jobs. When using a plunge router in a router table, you get more accurate results when working on wood pieces.

Can You Use a Plunge Router as a Fixed Base Router?

You can use a plunge router as a fixed base router. Locking a plunge base plunge router, it acts as a fixed base router. You can adjust the cutting depth just as you would with a router with a fixed base router. When using a plunge router as a fixed-based router, you need to set the cut’s depth carefully. 

The jack livers allow easy bit adjustment so that you can adjust them. Generally, plunge and fixed base routers have their advantage and exceptional workability. It would be best to use plunge routers for their specific tasks to achieve woodworking accuracy.

What’s the Difference Between a Plunge Router and a Fixed Base Router?

Plunge routers move up and down on the base, which has spring-loaded arms on either side that allow the user to manually plunge the cutting bit down into the material from above. Plunge routers are more necessary when working on the top of a board for applications such as flying, grooves, rebates, dados, mortices, etc.

Pros: 

• Absolute accuracy in cutting depth
• The ability to cut through a piece of wood in the middle is helpful for doors that have raised panels.
• More suitable for experienced woodworkers
• Multiple bit adjustments allow different work options 
• Inlay pattern, mortising, and stopped dados work is more straightforward when using a plunge router
• Plunge routers are more versatile, as they can cut material from both the middle and top
• Plunge router gives more options for work 

Cons:

• As compared to fixed base routers, plunge routers are more expensive
• Plunge routers are heavier and more significant than a fixed base router 

In a fixed base router, the router is locked at a fixed location in the base, and the cutting bit cannot move or plunge from top to bottom. Fixed base routers are great when super precise cuts are needed and mounted to a routing table.

Pros:

• These routers are outstanding for edge work, like the edges of that new dining room table
• Light, portable, and easy to use as compared to plunge router
• Fixed base routers have more depth settings
• More suitable for beginner woodworkers
• Reduce human error risk and give accurate results

Cons:

• The cutting bit is in a fixed position and does not work well when cutting in the middle of a piece of wood
• Fixed base routers don’t give you much creative control for work as compared to plunge router
• Routers with fixed bases have difficulty working in the center of a board

What is the best size router table for plunge routers? 

An ideal wood router table is 36 inches long by 24 inches wide or 22 inches long by 16 inches wide. It is unnecessary to have a particular router table for plunge routers; a standard-size router table that is widely available can accommodate plunge and fixed base routers. 

A table 22 inches to 36 inches long and boards between 6 and 8 feet long are suitable for plunge routers. Also, you can use a universal router table if it is easily adjustable to the size of your plunge router. Mostly different brands of routers have their size. On the other hand, a more comprehensive table is more suitable for wider boards.

Check out our review of the 10 Best Router Tables for our top picks.

Do’s and Don’ts when using a plunge router in a router table

Do’s

If you want to use a plunge router in a table, then attach your plunge router with a router table lift. Your work is more accurate with a proper attachment to the table. Depending on your needs, you can also adjust the bit for the plunge router after installing it on the router table. In addition, make sure to use accessories like dust collection, feather boards, pushed blocks, etc.

Don’ts

Don’t start your work until you have adjusted the plunge router properly in the table. Utilize plunge routers only for tasks where plunge performs best, such as trimming, cutting, and smoothing edges.

Conclusion

Finally, Can i use a plunge router on a router table? Using a plunge router in a router table is a great way to achieve impressive results in woodworking.

You can get more accuracy and handle multiple tasks with a plunge router attached to a table rather than a fixed base router. Plunge routers are more liked because of their manual adjustment.

You can also use a plunge router as a fixed base, but since both routers have their specific capabilities, it’s best to use them for the tasks when they benefit you the most.

So, it’s not a big issue to use plunge routers on the table. I hope this blog post is helpful for you in understanding can you use a plunge router on a router table.

Read Also: Is It Worth Buying A Router Table?