Re: 18 ft. router

Doug:
Well, I vote steel too. But in the spirit of trying to help anyway.

I'd drop the reference wire idea and get centered on making it
consistent structurally in the first place. I do this to myself all
the time. I get these great ideas and they turn into a big mess that
costs more.

OK, so you got Oak. I'd be thinking in terms of glued up parts with
the grain oriented so as to keep each other in check. Odd numbers of
laminations with the core as straight as possible. Through bolts and
epoxy. Maybe even a couple of wraps with fiberglass, but then your $$
is starting to go. I would say at least five laminations. One core
and two on each side. Each is 90 degrees to the other in terms of
grain. If you are working with S4S 1x which 0.75 nominal that gives
you about 3.75" net. OK, OK we all can add, I know. Maybe go to 7
laminations? What's the span? Not the 18 feet I hope.

BTW - Epoxy ain't cheap.

I guess as a final thought I'd price out all your alternatives. It
might be less just to burn the wood and buy steel......???

Best,
-jd