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57K views 18 replies 14 participants last post by  Dinnersnack 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I want a router lift, but lack the technical skill to create one of my own that I feel would be as good as ones that people are selling plans for online. Can anyone give me first hand experiences with making these and their performance as well as benefits and drawbacks? I want one that is easy to build, accurate, and reliable. The ones that I'm checking into are:

woodgears.ca - Tilting router lift - http://woodgears.ca/router_lift/plans_t/index.html
ibuildit.ca - Router lift - http://ibuildit.ca/Sales/sales-4.html
stumpynubs.com - MicroAdjustable router lift - http://www.etsy.com/listing/116511343/micro-adjustable-router-lift-featured-on

Any others out there that you would recommend? I plan to pick one and build it over the next week.

Thanks,
Sam
 
#2 ·
I love the one I made from Shop Notes plans. Every time I use my router table, I wonder how I lived with a fixed-base setup. I think it's most similar to Stumpy Nubs' design.
 
#3 ·
Is there any issue with using one of the ,any routers offered on the ,market that offer above table adjustments included with the bases. We run a friend and a Milwaukee, both have excellent adjustment features for router table use, I believe other router mfg such as Triton include the features with their routers as well. If I am not mistaken, our pc890 has these features as well. With router table adjustment features so readily available for free with many router mfg, I see using an accessory lift option as being unnecessary work and cost.
 
#6 ·
+1 on the shop notes plans. I first saw it on woodworking for mere mortals with Steve Ramsey. I was going to build the woodgears one but I wanted the motor enclosed for dust collection and then the crank wheel would be blocked. I like the simplicity of it and it can be adjusted from atop the table
 
#10 ·
@ Jerry - the problems with most fixed-base-with-through-table-adjustment routers are:
1) You still have to reach underneath to clamp/unclamp the base
2) Setting the clamp usually moves the router some amount, wrecking any precision set-ups

They're better than nothing, but I don't know of any that compare favorably to a lift.

@ MrSam - You might be able to find a back-issue of ShopNotes #121 on eBay.
 
#11 ·
When I designed my router lift I chose ball bearing drawer slides instead of the bronze bushings that others use because they run smoother. In my experience building jigs (which is extensive) I have found that bronze bushings tend to bind when used in a linear application. They are intended to be used with the shaft spinning inside them, not sliding up and down. This problem is greatly increased when you try to run more than one either parallel to each other, like in those photo above, or even on the same shaft. It is EXTREMELY difficult to properly align the two so one doesn't bind the other.

I am not saying my design is best. I am just saying I personally don't like bronze bushings for sliding mechanisms.

Whatever you choose, you're going to love having a lift on your router!
 
#14 ·
I'm just nearing the end of construction of this model from Woodsmith. I do a lot of hobbyist woodworking, and oddly I don't feel like it's terribly "easy." I'm about to mount it to the router plate, and in my pre-assembly testing it seems more solid than I was expecting, though-so that's good.

I can already anticipate the frustration that the 16-per-inch threading is going to cause me when I try to lift the router all the way up to change bits. It's a LOT of spinning-but I do also want that kind of fine-adjustment, so you give and you get….

I'll try to update everyone once it's complete and I can give a full assessment of its functionality.
 
#19 ·
Im sure this is too late, but I cant help gushing about how good this lift is!
This one is AMAZING! - Tilting router lift plans for sale
I built it about 10 yrs ago and love it.
Having the ability to change the angle of your router is like quadrupling the number of router bits you have instantly.

I have made so many new patterns and profiles in pieces by having this ability. In addition to its great features, I also found it to be very accurate and solid. I was careful when i cut the gears and find them to have very little slop. Or at the very least, as much as store bought ones Ive tried.

I mounted this router on a fold down router table with a good fence and it has been a work horse in my shop ever since.
 
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