Folks -
Okay, the router wasn't stout enough to draw the plate down flat, so I put a couple of threaded inserts in the table and pulled it down flat... I know, not as clean as I'd like, but I've got some edges to profile tonight.
I got to thinking about chips falling/being sucked into the inverted router motor and got to thinking. Rather than a shield that just clears the arbor nuts and keeps debris out, what about a thin piece of plastic (think milk jug) that pushes onto the shank of the bit, spinning along with it and throwing debris clear of the motor vents? What gave me the idea was the big "washers" for lack of a better term, that you would find behind an oil seal on a crankshaft or pinion shaft... They throw the bulk of the oil away from the seal and seal lip so that it doesn't have as much to contend with...
If I cut the flexible plastic round and had it centered, I don't see that balance could be affected. Whatcha all thimk?
John
PS: I will NOT be mounting a wire wheel on the router, in case any of you smarty-pants type were going to chime in.