Abstract:
A router lift adjustment mechanism for an inverted router ( 50, 52 ) mounted to a router table ( 92 ) comprising an assortment of attachments, FIG.  9  ( 98   a,    98   b,    98   c,    98   d ) that engage the height adjustment mechanism of various types of routers. The routers height adjustment mechanism, the attachment&#39;s ( 98   a,    98   b,    98   c,    98   d ), a flexible attachment holder ( 100 ), a driving shaft ( 104 ), and a rotatable adjustment mechanism, typically a hand wheel ( 122 ) are contiguously coupled respectively. The driving shaft is retained by a rocker drive guide ( 112 ) providing the driving shaft ( 104 ) the ability to rotate and slide to and fro within the bore of a bushing ( 114 ) lined within the rocker drive guide ( 112 ). Additionally, the rocker drive guide ( 112 ) hinges pivotably on the base mount ( 128 ) which is typically mounted to a stable surface. The rotatability, pivotability and slidability of the driving shaft ( 104 ) and rocker drive guide ( 112 ) assembly prevent any binding of the driving shaft ( 104 ) upon movement of the router adjustment mechanism; thus providing a quick, safe and stable method for adjusting the depth of a router bit ( 90 ). The present embodiment can be retrofitted to a wide variety of existing routers and adjustment apparatuses that rotate; including those that rotate and move spirally or provided as a feature of a newly manufactured router.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of pending application Ser. No. 12/509,417, filing date Jul. 24, 2009 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     None. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This application generally relates to rotational adjustments and particularly to a depth adjustment mechanism for a power tool, such as a router, planer, and the like. 
     2. Prior Art 
     This application relates generally to an adjustment mechanism for power tools and, more particularly, to an improved lift mechanism for adjusting the depth of a router mounted under a router table in an inverted position. This improved lift mechanism makes it easier to adjust the position of plunge and standard fixed base routers relative to the work supporting surface commonly known as a router table. 
     It is well known routers are popular power tools used by woodworkers. There are two main varieties of routers, standard routers, often called fixed base routers and plunge routers. The embodiment functions equally and similarly on both types of routers. The functionality will be described on a plunge router. A plunge router primarily consists of a motor mounted in a housing which drives a central shaft that engages a cutting bit. Many different types of cutting bits may be mounted to the central shaft and used for cutting different profiles in wood. A typical plunge router has a base mounted to it and is spaced apart from the router housing by one or more plunge rods fitted within recesses of the router housing. The distance between the housing and base are adjustable as the plunge rods act in a telescoping manner permitting the router housing and its cutting bit to slide along the plunge rods toward the base so that the cutting bit is brought into contact with the wood the base sits on. The base has a hole through which the cutting bit protrudes below the base into the wood being cut. The depth of the cut is set by adjusting the distance between the base and the router housing. Once the depth is set the woodworker drags the router across or into the wood to be cut. 
     To set the desired depth of the cut, a typical plunge router is equipped with a long, threaded adjustment rod which projects from the router base and through a portion of the router housing. To adjust the cutting depth, a woodworker rotates a nut along the threaded stop rod to set the depth of the cut the cutting bit makes. This adjustment is typically done with a wrench or a knob which engages the nut. These adjustments are easily done when the plunge router is used as a handheld tool. 
     Plunge routers have become popular with woodworkers that invert their plunge router, mounting them to the underside of a router table. This eliminates the need for the woodworker to handhold the router. The woodworker then feeds the material to be routed along the router table into the cutting bit. When so mounted it becomes awkward and time consuming to adjust the router bit depth from under the table. 
     One effort to reduce the difficulty of such adjustment contemplates the use of a flexible sleeve enclosing a threaded insert to which different driving socket mechanisms can be engaged, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,989 to Mulvihill (1997) Flexible Router Height-Adjustment Mechanism. Nevertheless, the adjustment mechanism suffers from a number of disadvantages:
         (a) The method is limited to plunge routers.   (b) The threaded sleeve engages the threaded adjustment rod. While this arrangement may decrease the awkwardness and difficulty of adjusting the router bit height relative to the router table, the mechanism does not have a mounting mechanism which can stabilize the adjustment drive method.   (c) Furthermore this method relies on a socket member having a socket opening to provide the driving purpose.   (d) Furthermore the same results can be attained with common mechanic tools, combining a socket with a flexible extension bit holder attached to a socket driver at a much lower cost.   (e) Additionally, the mechanism is structurally complex and expensive to manufacture and still requires additional socket driver attachments to be useful.   (f) The mechanism is limited to only router&#39;s having a threaded shaft adjustment mechanism.   (g) The flexible sleeve encloses a threaded insert which can interfere with the engaging threaded shaft adjustment mechanism when the flexible shaft is bent at an abrupt angle.       

     Another effort to reduce the difficulty of table mounted plunge router adjustment requires a special table plate attached to the top of the router table and a separate hand crank to perform adjustments, U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,892 B2 to Hummel (2005) Lift Mechanism for Plunge Routers. While this method is effective, it too suffers from a number of disadvantages: 
     (a) Installation is not always a simple modification to router tables that have solid surfaces, such as those made out of cast iron. 
     (b) Before the router table can be used, a hand crank has to be removed after each adjustment. 
     (c) The engagement mechanism which receives the hand crank risks being clogged with saw dust between adjustments. 
     (d) A hand crank can be easily misplaced within small wood parts when sawdust is expelled by the router. 
     (e) The mechanism can be dangerous because it requires the woodworker to be relatively close to the cutting bit to perform any adjustments from the top of the router table. 
     Another effort to reduce the difficulty of table mounted plunge router adjustment requires a major retrofit of a plunge router and is limited to only plunge routers, U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,218 to Christopher John Mussel (2006) Methods and apparatus for adjusting a plunge router. Furthermore the adjustment mechanism requires a cable to raise and lower a router which provides less stability and rigidity when adjusting the height of a router. 
     Another effort to reduce the difficulty of adjusting a non plunge router, U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,614 to Randy G. Cooper, Mark A. Etter, Greg K. Griffin, Ginger L. Allen, and Derrick Kilbourne of BLACK &amp; DECKER INC. attempts to use a worm drive to adjust the height of the router. While effective, when mounted inverted to a router table, the design depends on an adjustment using a tool above the router table. Furthermore the router is a candidate for a retrofit for the present embodiment thereby enabling the router to be adjusted below the table, attaching to the routers rotating member. Consequently, as with the previous mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,892 B2 to Hummel (2005) Lift Mechanism for Plunge Routers, the engagement mechanism which receives the tool risks being clogged with saw dust between adjustments. Additionally, a tool required for adjustment can be easily misplaced within small wood parts and sawdust expelled by the router. As previously noted, this mechanism can also be dangerous because it requires the woodworker to be relatively close to the cutting bit to perform any adjustments from the top of the router table. 
     In conclusion, insofar as I am aware, no router adjustment mechanism for a table mounted router formerly developed provides the advantages of retrofitting a router to a router table as this present embodiment. These advantages include but are not limited to:
         (a) Safety, no reaching under router table to make adjustments to power tool;   (b) no special template plate needed for router table;   (c) user can measure height of router bit while adjusting at the same time;   (d) no alteration required to router table top;   (e) works with both plunge and standard fixed base routers;   (f) quick smooth and accurate operation;   (g) no permanent modification to router;   (h) familiar adjustment mechanism for woodworkers, similar to adjusting a woodworkers table saw;   (i) permanent mount, no fumbling for attachment to make an adjustment;   (j) works with less complex and costly standard fixed base routers;   (k) adaptable to rotatable adjustments that move spirally.       

     SUMMARY 
     An adjustment mechanism according to the embodiment comprises a hand wheel attached to one end of a straight shaft, within easy reach of the woodworker. The opposing end of the shaft is inserted through the rocker drive guide. The rocker drive guide is lined with a bushing(s) that allows the shaft to rotate and slide to and fro within the bushing. Additionally the rocker drive guide pivots on a base mount allowing a rocking or “teeter-totter” motion relative to the stationary base mount. The base mount is mounted to a convenient location below the router table. The opposing shaft end is coupled to the lower end of a flexible extension attachment holder. The upper end of the flexible extension attachment holder is coupled to the lower end of an attachment that attaches to and adjusts the depth of the router&#39;s bit relative to the top of the router table. The flexible extension attachment holder allows the base mount to be mounted at various convenient angles relative to the position of the router. This allows the user to safely adjust the depth of a router bit from below the top of a router table by rotating the hand wheel clockwise or counter-clockwise. The rocking action can be controlled for standard fixed base routers that do not require the rocking movement of the rocker drive guide. A variety of attachments are provided to fit the router&#39;s depth adjustment mechanisms of standard fixed base routers and plunge routers. 
     For safety, the shaft&#39;s stop collar attached between the rocker drive guide and the lower end of the flexible extension attachment holder, controls to and fro movement of the driving shaft thereby preventing the user from disengaging the router bit depth adjustment mechanism. Additionally, a stop screw is provided to control the rocking action of the rocker drive guide. 
     Accordingly it will be appreciated that an adjustment mechanism according to the embodiment comprises a minimum number of component parts which are structurally interrelated in a manner that makes the operation thereof and thus the desired adjustment of a router bit relative to the router table extremely efficient and easy to achieve while, at the same time, providing for incremental adjustment and the ability to optimize accuracy with respect to a given adjustment. 
     It is accordingly an outstanding object of the present embodiment to provide an improved adjustment mechanism for adjusting the depth of a router bit relative to a router table beneath which the router is mounted. 
     Another object is the provision of an adjustment mechanism of the foregoing character which is operable from a mounted position from all sides of a router table. 
     A further object is the provision of an adjustment mechanism of the foregoing character which is structurally simple, easy to operate, efficient in operation and incrementally adjustable with accuracy. 
     Yet another object is the provision of an adjustment mechanism of the foregoing character by which the mechanism is easily adaptable to rotatable adjustment mechanisms that move spirally. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
       The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be obvious and in part pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the written description of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plunge router of the character to be provided with a lift mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the side of the present embodiment as it would appear mounted to a router table; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view taken from the front side of the present embodiment of  FIG. 2 , mounted in a router table with the router table quadrant “cut away” to appreciate mounting; and operation of embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present embodiment displaying one of many possible attachments to a plunge router. 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the present embodiment displaying another possible attachment to a plunge router. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present embodiment displaying one of many possible attachments to a standard fixed base router. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged detail of a partial view of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective group view of a variety of interchangeable attachments of the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded, partial cross sectional side view of the flexible extension attachment holder  100  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the present embodiment engaging a valve handle  154 . 
         FIG. 12  is the same perspective embodiment as  FIG. 11  substituting a motor  158  for the hand wheel  122  of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the present embodiment adapted for a fixed base standard router using optional stationary bolt  128   d.    
         FIG. 14  is a schematic view illustrating a motorized rocker slide lift utilized to displace the depth of a router bit. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view illustrating a rocker slide lift for displacing the depth of a router bit and utilizing a moveable pointer pointing to indicia of the driving shaft. 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 20 
                 housing 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 power cord 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 bit chuck 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 base 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 plunge rods 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 adjustment dial  
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 sub-base component 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 threaded fasteners 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 handles 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 threaded stop rod 
               
               
                   
                 36a 
                 upper end threaded stop rod 
               
               
                   
                 36b 
                 lower end threaded stop rod 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 abutment member 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 lock nuts 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 plunge lock lever 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 standard router 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 plunge router 
               
               
                   
                 84 
                 router table top 
               
               
                   
                 86  
                 router table fence 
               
               
                   
                 88  
                 router table opening 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 router bit 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 router table 
               
               
                   
                 97 
                 hose clamp 
               
               
                   
                 98a 
                 hex attachment 
               
               
                   
                 98b 
                 cup attachment 
               
               
                   
                 98c 
                 crimp attachment 
               
               
                   
                 98d 
                 threaded attachment 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 flexible extension attachment holder 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 flexible extension coupler 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 driving shaft 
               
               
                   
                 104b 
                 driving shaft shoulder 
               
               
                   
                 104c 
                 driving shaft hole 
               
               
                   
                 105 
                 spring pin 
               
               
                   
                 105b 
                 spring pin hole 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 stop collar 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 table mounting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 110  
                 attachment coupler 
               
               
                   
                 110a 
                 attachment coupler hole 
               
               
                   
                 110b 
                 crimp 
               
               
                   
                 110c 
                 spiral spring 
               
               
                   
                 112  
                 rocker drive guide 
               
               
                   
                 112a 
                 rocker drive pivot hole 
               
               
                   
                 112b 
                 rocker drive stationary hole 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 bushing 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 pivot retainer pin 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 base mount hole 
               
               
                   
                 120a 
                 mounting screws 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 hand wheel 
               
               
                   
                 122a 
                 hand wheel hole 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 hand wheel handle 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 set screw 
               
               
                   
                 127 
                 stop screw 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 base mount 
               
               
                   
                 128b 
                 base mount pivot hole 
               
               
                   
                 128c 
                 base mount stationary hole 
               
               
                   
                 128d 
                 optional stationary bolt 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 indicia 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 pointer 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 router table shelf 
               
               
                   
                 152 
                 valve 
               
               
                   
                 154 
                 valve handle 
               
               
                   
                 156 
                 toggle switch 
               
               
                   
                 158 
                 motor 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment only, and not for the purpose of limiting the embodiment: 
       FIG. 1  of the drawing illustrates a Hitachi Model M12V plunge router  52  and is shown only to provide an example of the type of router to which the present embodiment is applicable. As is well known, routers of the character shown in  FIG. 1  are electric motor driven and include a housing  20  enclosing the electric motor which has a power cord  21  and an output shaft provided with a router bit chuck  22  for removably mounting a desired router bit on the router for rotation about the router axis A. The router further includes a base  24  mounted on the axially outer ends of a pair of plunge rods  26  which are axially slidably received in bores provided therefore in the housing  20 , whereby the base  24  is axially displaceable toward and away from the housing  20 . While not shown, it is well known that springs are interposed between plunge rods  26  and the bores therefore to bias the base  24  axially outwardly of the housing  20 . The base  24  generally includes a sub-base component  28  in the form of a smooth plastic disk attached to the base  24  by a plurality of threaded fasteners  30 . The sub-base component  28  provides a smooth surface for engaging with a piece of wood to be routed. 
     Generally, routers are hand operated and, for this purpose, the housing  20  is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed handles  32 . It will be appreciated that  FIG. 1  illustrates the router in an inverted position with respect to the position in which it would be during a hand routing operation. As is well known in connection with the latter, the position of the base  24  relative to the housing  20 , and thus the plunge depth of a router bit relative to work being routed, is adapted to be adjusted through the use of a rotatable adjustment mechanism referred to as a threaded stop rod  36 . The rotatable adjustment mechanism, in the router illustrated, further includes a threaded stop rod  36 , an abutment member  38  on the housing  20 , and lock nuts  40  and plunge rods  26 . The threaded stop rod  36  has an upper end threaded stop rod  36   a  interconnected with the base  24  such as by threaded interengagement therewith and a lower end threaded stop rod  36   b  which receives lock nuts  40 . The particular router illustrated in  FIG. 1  further includes a plunge lock lever  42  which, as is well known, is adapted to releasably hold the base  24  in a given position relative to the housing  20  by releasably interengaging the housing  20  and one of the plunge rods  26 . Such locking of the base  24  may be desired when changing a router bit or a plunge depth adjusting operation. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the side of the present embodiment as it would appear mounted to a router table, illustrating the hand wheel handle  124  attached to hand wheel  122 , secured to driving shaft  104  with set screw  126 . The driving shaft  104  axially penetrates a brass bushing  114  which is encircled by rocker drive guide  112  and attached to base mount  128  and mounted to a surface with mounting screws  120   a , not shown. Connection between rocker drive guide  112  and base mount  128  is accomplished with pivot retainer pin  116 . Accordingly stop collar  106  is axially secured to driving shaft  104  with set screw  126 . The driving shaft  104  is then coupled to flexible extension attachment holder  100  with flexible extension coupler  102  and secured with spring pin  105 . The opposing end of the flexible extension attachment holder  100  is then coupled to the attachment coupler  110  and secured to the threaded attachment  98   d  by spring pin  105 . The end of the threaded attachment  98   d  engages the rotatable adjustment mechanism, known as threaded stop rod  36 . Notably the threaded attachment  98   d  is screwed onto the threaded stop rod  36 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view taken from the front side of the present embodiment of  FIG. 2 , mounted in a router table  92  with the router tables&#39; front side quadrant “cut away” to appreciate mounting; and operation of embodiment. In continuation of description  FIG. 2 , base  24  is mounted to underside of router table top  84  and secured with table mounting bracket  108  securing router to underside of router table top  84 . Router table opening  88  allows router bit  90  to protrude through table top. Router table fence  86  are guides for wood stock that make contact with the face of the fence and are common knowledge to the art. Note that router table fence  86  is adjustable and removable. Embodiment is secured to router table  92  on router table shelf  150  with mounting screws  120   a . Notably embodiment is mountable from any side of router table  92  and view gives one example of placement of embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a slightly modified embodiment of the present embodiment substituting a cup attachment  98   b  for routers equipped with a rotatable adjustment mechanism referred to in this view as an adjustment dial  27 . The adjustment dial  27  typically functions similarly to the threaded attachment of  98   d  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . That is, rotation of either result in adjustment of depth of the router bit  90  relative to the base  24 . The router adjustment dial  27  attaches to the cup attachment  98   b  and is secured by set screws  126 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a slightly modified version of the present embodiment substituting a crimp attachment  98   c  for a plunge router  52  equipped with an adjustment dial  27 . Crimp attachment  98   c  couples to adjustment dial  27 , secured by hose clamp  97 . Furthermore illustrating the same functionality of described embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is the similar perspective embodiment as  FIG. 5  operationally connecting to a standard router  50  equipped with a rotatable adjustment mechanism, referred to as adjustment dial  27 . The crimp attachment  98   c  slips over the exposed end of adjustment dial  27  and is secured by tightening the hose clamp  97 . Once secured, grasping hand wheel handle  124 , and thereby rotating hand wheel  122  transfers rotational energy to the driving shaft  104 , flexible extension attachment holder  100 , crimp attachment  98   c  and adjustment dial  27 , respectively. Set screw  126  secures hand wheel  122  to driving shaft  104 . Spring Pin  105  secures driving shaft  104  to flexible extension attachment holder  100 . The flexible extension attachment holder  100  secures to one end of the crimp attachment  98   c  using spring pin  105  and the other end connects to the adjustment dial  27 . Rocker drive guide  112  bore is lined with bushing  114  allowing driving shaft  104  to rotate and slide to and fro within bore of bushings  114  freely. The rocker drive guide  112  attaches to base mount  128  with pivot retainer pin  116  pressed into first side of base mount pivot hole  128   b , through rocker drive pivot hole  112   a , not visible, and flush with opposite end of base mount pivot hole  128   b , not visible. It should be appreciated that press fit of pivot retainer pin  116  is flush with both ends of base mount pivot hole  128   b  and rocker driver guide  112  rocker drive pivot hole  112   a  hinges freely on pivot retainer pin  116 . Base mount  128  is equipped with base mount holes  120  for fastening with common screws or nut and bolt combination to a secure surface. To adjustably limit the to and fro movement of the driving shaft  104  and thereby the possibility of disengagement of the crimp attachment  98   c  from the adjustment dial  27 , a stop collar  106  fastens to the driving shaft  104 , secured with set screw  126 . The stop collar  106  is adjustable to any unoccupied location on the driving shaft  104 . Likewise a stop screw  127  is threaded to the underside of the rocker drive guide  112  to limit its range of pivotal motion. 
     It should be appreciated that most standard routers  50 , due to their lack of plunge rods ( FIG. 5 )  26 , do not always require the embodiment&#39;s driving shaft  104  to move to and fro, nor the rocker drive guide  112  to hingeably move relative to the base mount  128 . Therefore, after the embodiment has been installed, stop collar  106  can be positioned on the driving shaft  104  to abut against its nearest end to the rocker drive guide  112  and stop screw  127  can be adjusted to abut against the base mount  128  thereby eliminating unneeded movements. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged detail of a partial view of  FIG. 6  detailing the crimp attachment  98   c . A hose clamp  97  is provided to enable adjustable gripping of the crimp attachment  98   c  to the adjustment dial  27  of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the present embodiment. Starting at the right most side of the image and working left. The right most end of the threaded attachment  98   d , have threads to couple to a complementary rotatable adjustment mechanism, suchlike the threaded stop rod  36  of  FIG. 3 . The left end of the threaded attachment  98   d  couple to the flexible extension attachment coupler  110  and is secured with spring pin  105  pressed into spring pin hole  105   b  through attachment coupler hole  110   a  until flush with external surface of threaded attachment  98   d . Similarly, the left end of the flexible extension coupler  102  slips over right end of driving shaft  104  abutting against driving shaft shoulder  104   b  and secured with spring pin  105  pressed into spring pin hole  105   b  through driving shaft hole  104   c  until flush with external surface of flexible extension coupler  102 . Stop collar  106  slips over driving shaft  104  and is secured with set screw  126  providing an adjustment to limit to and fro movement of the driving shaft  104 . The bushing  114  presses into right and left end of rocker drive guide  112 . The driving shaft  104  slides through the bore of the bushings  114  and out the left end of rocker drive guide  112  leaving sufficient exposure of left end of driving shaft  104  to slide into hand wheel hole  122   a  and secure assemble with set screw  126 . Rocker drive guide  112  pivotally attaches to base mount  128 . The pivot retainer pin  116  presses into base mount pivot hole  128   b  through rocker drive pivot hole  112   a  until flush with other side of base mount pivot hole  128   b , not visible. Stop screw  127  adjustably threads into bottom end of rocker drive guide  112  adjustably limiting the pivotability of rocker drive guide  112  relative to base mount  128 . The base mount holes  120  provide a fastening point for mounting to a stationary surface. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective group view of a variety of interchangeable attachments of the present embodiment. Furthermore displaying a sampling, but not limited to interchangeable attachments that are substitutable with threaded attachment  98   d  of  FIG. 8 . Different brands and models of routers have various adjusters for adjusting the height of a router bit  90  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9  provides a sampling of attachment couplers. Hex attachment  98   a  provides attachability to height adjustments having a hexagonal connector. Similarly, cup attachment  98   b  provides attachability to height adjustments having a circular connector such as adjustment dial  27  of  FIG. 4 . Further, crimp attachment  98   c  provides attachability to height adjustments having a more undefined geometric shape such as valve handle  154  of  FIG. 12 . Furthermore, threaded attachment  98   d  provides attachability to height adjustments having a threaded connector such that of threaded attachment  98   d  of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded partial cross sectional side view of the flexible extension attachment holder  100  of  FIG. 8 , detailing the outer spiral wound shaft, enclosing succeedingly smaller diameter spiral wound shafts, wound counter directionally to preceding enclosing spiral shaft. Material is of sufficient wire spring quality to allow optimal multidirectional flexibility. This embodiment utilizing a slightly modified flexible extension bit holder commonly used by mechanics to access a fastener in an inconvenient location. Further, flexible extension attachment holder  100  has a crimp  110   b  on each end of flexible extension coupler  102  such that sufficient contact against spiral spring  110   c  forms a unified assembly. Furthermore, flexible extension attachment holder  100  has spring pin holes  105   b  on opposing ends of flexible extension attachment holder  100  to allow penetration of a spring pin  105  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the present embodiment displaying the crimp attachment  98   c  connecting to a valve handle  154  of a valve  152  and having an indicia  130  and a pointer  132  to indicate position valve handle  154  is in relative to being turned on or turned off. It should be appreciated that the valve handle  154  commonly moves spirally up or down depending on the direction of rotation. Rotational movement of the hand wheel  122 , driving shaft  104 , flexible extension attachment holder  100 , and crimp attachment  98   c  assembly engages the valve handle  154  providing the ability to regulate the flow within the valve  152 . The spiraling up or down movement of the valve handle  154  during rotation results in the flexible extension attachment holder  100  bending as it twists accordingly, moving the attached driving shaft  104  sliding and rotating within the bushing  114  of the rocker drive guide  112  changing thereof. The resulting sliding motion of the driving shaft  104  within the rocker drive guide  112  forces the rocker drive guide  112  to pivot on the pivot retainer pin  116  relative to the base mount  128 . The pivoting movement of the rocker drive guide  112  as the driving shaft  104  assembly rotates, results in a spiral movement of the hand wheel  122 , driving shaft  104 , flexible extension attachment holder  100 , and crimp attachment  98   c  assembly moving to and fro within the encompassing rocker drive guide  112  resulting in the change in the position of the pointer  132  relative to the indicia  130 . 
       FIG. 12  is the same perspective embodiment as  FIG. 11  substituting a motor  158  for the hand wheel  122  of  FIG. 11 . The motor  158  would advantageously allow the operator of the embodiment to effortlessly rotate the driving shaft  104  under electrical power. Power may be provided through a standard electrical cord, a rechargeable battery embedded in the motor assembly, and the like without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. A toggle switch  156  is provided to allow reversing the direction of motor  158 . The operator of the embodiment would grasp the motor  158  insuring positive transfer of rotational energy to the driving shaft  104  and subsequent interrelated parts. 
       FIG. 13  is another perspective view similar to  FIG. 6  of the present embodiment as it would appear on a standard router  50  mounted to a router table  92  ( FIG. 3 ). Since many standard routers&#39; adjustment dials  27  rotate without spiral movement, the rocker drive guide  112  and base mount  128  may not require hingeability of the rocker drive guide  112  nor the to and fro movement of the driving shaft  104 . Properly adjusting the stop screw  127  to abut the base mount  128  and adjusting the stop collar  106  to abut the bushing  114  closest to it would prevent any unnecessary movement. However, the embodiment provides another option. The optional stationary bolt  128   d  fastened through base mount stationary hole  128   c , not visible, and into the rocker drive stationary hole  112   b , not visible, effectively makes the rocker drive guide  112  and base mount  128  function as a single unit thereby preventing any unnecessary hinging movement. Furthermore,  FIG. 13  displays how the standard router&#39;s  50  adjustment dial  27  couples to cup attachment  98   b  and secured in place with set screws  126 . 
     OPERATION 
     In operation ( FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ) on most plunge routers, one uses the rocker slide lift adjustment mechanism to raise and lower a router bit  90  relative to a router table top  84  ( FIG. 3 ). The router bit  90  is mounted in a bit chuck  22  of a plunge router  52 , mounted under a router table top  84 . When installing the embodiment, the user mounts the embodiment&#39;s base mount  128  to a surface such as a router table shelf  150  securing the base mount  128  with mounting screws  120   a . Furthermore replacing the lock nuts  40  ( FIG. 1 ) with threaded attachment  98   d  ( FIG. 3 ). The threaded attachment&#39;s  98   d  first end contacts the abutment member  38 . Once mounted, raising the router bit  90  relative to the router table top  84  proceeds as follows:
         1) The woodworker grasps the hand wheel handle  124  and rotates handle clockwise causing the interconnected assembly of components; hand wheel  122 , driving shaft  104 , stop collar  106 , flexible extension coupler  102 , flexible extension attachment holder  100 , threaded attachment  98   d  to rotate clockwise in unison.   2) This rotation causes the threaded attachment  98   d  to engage the threaded stop rod&#39;s  36  threads, pushing against the abutment member  38 . This movement guided by the plunge rods  26  of the router causes the housing  20  to approach the base  24  of the router.   3) Since the sub-base component  28  of the router is secured to the underside of the router table top  84  with the table mounting brackets  108 ; movement upward of the plunge router  52  housing  20  causes the bit chuck  22  which secures the router bit  90  to protrude further upward through the router table opening  88 .   4) Once the proper depth of the router bit  90  exposure is set above the router table top  84 , the user then guides the material; usually wood, across the top of the table top  84  into the router bit  90 ; optionally guided by the router table fence  86 . The router bit  90  cuts the material to the depth of the router bit  90  relative to the router table top  84 .   5) When less protrusion of the router bit  90  is desired relative to the table top  84 , rotating the hand wheel  122  counter-clockwise causes the bit to retract through the table opening  88 .       

     When adjusting the routers&#39; depth, the flexible extension attachment holder  100  will bend to different angles relative to the base  24 . The bending causes the interconnected driving shaft  104  to change its angle too. To adjust for the change in angle, as the interconnected parts are rotated, the rocker drive guide  112  allows the driving shaft  104  to slide to and fro within the bushing  114  while also allowing the driving shaft  104  to rotate within the rocker drive guide  112  bushing  114 . Additionally, the rocker drive guide  112  can pivot on the pivot retainer pin  116  (much like a teeter-totter). The pivot retainer pin  116  couples the base mount  128  and rocker drive guide  112  together. This rotating, pivoting and sliding action prevents any binding of the driving shaft  104  while adjustments are being made. The rocking action of the rocker drive guide  112  can be adjusted with the stop screw  127 . The closer the stop screw  127  is to the base mount  128  the less rocking action will take place or eliminated altogether, as might be needed when using a standard router  50 . In addition to reducing or eliminating the movement of the rocker drive guide  112 , the stop screw  127  serves to help eliminate the chances of the threaded attachment  98   d  from disengaging the threaded stop rod  36  when using the threaded attachment  98   d  by reducing the rocking action of the rocker drive guide  112 . 
     To prevent the threaded attachment  98   d  from disengaging the threaded stop rod  36 , a stop collar  106  is provided. The stop collar  106  is secured to the driving shaft  104  with a set screw  126 . The stop collar  106  is adjusted to contact the nearest end of the rocker drive guide  112 , just before the threaded attachment  98   d  disengages the threaded stop rod  36 . In addition the stop collar  106  adjustably reduces the to and fro movement to the driving shaft  104 . 
     In operation ( FIGS. 6 , and  13 ) of most standard fixed base routers, also known as standard routers  50 . Due to their stationary fixed base design, do not require any to and fro movement of the driving shaft  104 , nor any rocking action of the rocker drive guide  112  once embodiment is installed. Therefore the stop collar  106  is adjusted to abut the nearest bushing  114  and the stop screw  127  is adjusted to abut the base mount  128  thereby eliminating any to and fro movement of the driving shaft  104  and any rocking action of the rocker drive guide  112 . Optionally ( FIG. 13 ), to prevent any hinging movement of the rocker drive guide  112  relative to the base mount  128 , the optional stationary bolt  128   d  fastened through base mount stationary hole  128   c  and into the rocker drive stationary hole  112   b , effectively makes the rocker drive guide  112  and base mount  128  function as a single unit thereby preventing any unnecessary hinging movement. The driving shaft  104  can be in the form of a steel rod. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
     While the embodiment is illustrated and described herein in connection with a Hitachi Model M12V plunge router  52  ( FIG. 1 ), the embodiment is applicable to many other plunge routers and standard routers including, for example, and without excluding others, routers marketed by Porter Cable, Makita, Sears Craftsman, Black &amp; Decker, Ridgid, Freud, and DeWalt. These and other modifications of the embodiment disclosed herein as well as other embodiments will be obvious or suggested to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present embodiment and not as a limitation. 
     Further, it is understood that the specific order of hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order of hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present invention. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order of hierarchy presented. 
     It is believed that the apparatus and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.