Great write up Bruce. Gonna be a fine pair of tables.
I like that Bosch base. But I had Bosch Colt routers LONGggggggg before the current crop of kits like the DeWalley came out. Not sure which way I would go if I were a newb, buying new today. I'm so used to the Bosch if I had history I would always stick with what I know.
On the sander and changing grits, this is a very good case for a roll your own kit, and making several double thick 3/4" plywood disc's and just changing out the entire disc, paper and all. Sort of a Worksharp 3000 on steroids.