Use Netgear AX2700 as a modem/LAN only router and another router for WIFI only

So fun day today (not) but I did uncover a major mistake I made in the initial install and I may be completely OK now.

I wanted to try using the CAX30 in Bridge Mode or the Linksys as an Access Point since devices were losing connectivity and not auto-connecting to the CAX30. So I disabled Router Mode on the CAX30 and connected my old Linksys EA6900 WIFI Router. It auto-connected all devices immediately and there was no random dropping of devices. But it's signal strength is not as good so I decided to re-enable Router Mode on the CAX30. However I couldn't log in to the CAX30 (with either a direct LAN cable to PC, or the wireless app) because the private network the Linksys EA6900 gave me was in the 10.0.0.0 region and the CAX30 login is 192.168.1.1, obviously a different network and unreachable. I was at least able to log back into the Linksys EA6900 and determine that it does not have any settings to make it into an Access Point. 

So then I wanted to re-enable Router Mode on the CAX30 Router and wondered if that is possible without a factory reset - that seems like an extreme measure to reverse a feature choice. So I made a Support case and called tech support. I got very good help from a woman in India who confirmed I would have to do a factory reset to re-enable Router Mode on the CAX30. After getting the CAX30 back into action as the router, I confirmed that it does not offer any Bridge Mode features, so both of the common options (Bridge Mode and Access Point) for using two routers without getting double NAT are not possible. After the CAX30 was again the only router in service, none of my devices would auto-connect. I connected several of them manually, let them run a while and disconnected a few. They did not auto-connect back. Arghh.

While pulling a LAN cable for a TV out of the Linksys EA6900 to put it back into the CAX30 the solution stared me in the face and hit me like a lightning bolt. I had never once during this 3 day evolution removed the power cable from the back of the Linksys AE6900. So all this time its Dual Band WIFI radios were sending out their signals, vying for my devices to connect with it instead of the new CAX30. I pulled the Linksys power cable and several devices immediately auto-connected to the CAX30. Others did so after a power cycle or a WIFI OFF/ON cycle. Since then nothing has dropped its connection. While this glaring oversight on my part is embarrassing to admit, I do so hoping it may help others avoid this mistake, and give the SME's another troubleshooting tip to suggest.

Thanks very much to my responders, it is truly appreciated having a lifeline.