Methods and apparatus for adjusting a plunge router

1. An apparatus for adjusting a depth of a table mounted plunge router, comprising:

a longitudinal base;

a first endplate arranged on a first end of said base;

a second endplate arranged on a second end of said base;

a longitudinal groove disposed in said base between said first and second endplates;

a slide disposed in said groove for movement in said groove;

an adjustment mechanism for enabling movement of said slide in said groove;

a cable in a cable housing for connecting said slide to said router;

wherein the adjustment mechanism enables adjustment of a depth of a plunge router bit.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:

a first end of said cable passes through said second endplate and is secured to said slide;

a first end of said cable housing is secured to said second endplate;

a second end of said cable is secured to a base of said router; and

a second end of said cable housing is secured to said router.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 , wherein:

said second end of said cable housing is secured to a motor unit of said router.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 , further comprising:

a bracket secured to said motor unit for securing said second end of said cable housing.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising:

a coupling on said second end of said cable adapted to be secured to a depth stop turret on said router base.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 , wherein:

a depth stop mechanism of said router is removed from a mounting bracket on a motor unit of said router;

said cable and cable housing are inserted into said mounting bracket in place of said depth stop mechanism; and

said second end of said cable housing is secured in said mounting bracket.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 , wherein:

a depth stop screw has been removed from said depth stop turret and replaced with a threaded stud;

said coupling comprises a threaded coupling which is adapted to be secured to said threaded stud.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

a position indicator for indicating depth of said router bit.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 , wherein:

said position indicator comprises a digital readout.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises:

a threaded spindle having a first end and a second end, said threaded spindle passing through said first endplate and through said slide, said second end of said threaded spindle being supported in said second endplate;

adjusting means secured to said first end of said threaded spindle.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 , wherein:

said adjusting means comprises a handwheel secured to said first end of said threaded spindle.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising:

a graduated dial having a pointer associated with said threaded spindle for indicating depth of said router bit.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 , wherein:

said adjusting means comprises an electric motor coupled to said threaded spindle;

a control mechanism coupled to said electric motor for controlling said depth of said router bit; and

a digital readout for indicating said depth.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 , wherein:

said longitudinal base is mounted to said table in a manner such that said adjusting means is visible to an operator from above said table.

15. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

a first clamp secured to the first endplate;

a second clamp secured to the slide;

a digital caliper adapted to indicate router depth having a first caliper jaw secured in said first clamp and a second caliper jaw secured in said second clamp.

16. A method for enabling adjustment of a depth of a table mounted plunge router, comprising:

providing a longitudinal base;

providing a first endplate arranged on a first end of said base;

providing a second endplate arranged on a second end of said base;

providing a longitudinal groove disposed in said base between said first and second endplates;

providing a slide disposed in said groove for movement in said groove;

enabling movement of said slide in said groove via an adjustment mechanism;

connecting said slide to said router via a cable in a cable housing;

wherein the adjustment mechanism enables adjustment of a depth of a plunge router bit.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising:

passing a first end of said cable through said second endplate;

securing said first end of said cable to said slide;

securing a first end of said cable housing to said second endplate;

securing a second end of said cable to a base of said router; and

securing a second end of said cable housing to said router.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising:

providing a position indicator for indicating depth of said router bit.

19. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises:

a threaded spindle having a first end and a second end, said threaded spindle passing through said first endplate and through said slide, said second end of said threaded spindle being supported in said second endplate; and

adjusting means secured to the first end of said threaded spindle.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 , wherein:

said adjusting means comprises a handwheel secured to said first end of said threaded spindle.