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Routers

1K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  alittleoff 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I think I figured out which way to go with a router, decided to put it on the left side of the T.S. Now I'm torn between the MLCS New PowerLift or the Incra plr-v2. Both seem like good lifts and the power lift really looks good.
 
#4 ·
You do realise you need to feed into the left side of the router? Mounted in the left wing you need more space to the left. Mounted right the router cutter is on your right and rotating the right way.

Don t spend $100 on a lift, spend $50 on a digital height gauge :
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- Madmark2
I just cut a few strips of scrap aluminum at handful of heights that I regularly use; 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 1 inch and use those to measure the blade height. They come in handy in other jobs too, like tenoning. It's pretty low tech, but it works. Even if they aren't dead on accurate, it doesn't really matter if I'm using them as a gauge elsewhere in the project. Everything seems to come out just fine.
 

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#6 ·
I have a bosch router now with a lift and bosch table. I hate the table so bad I don't even use it. I really like the Mlcs power lift because of being able to do passes in steps without having to stop and adjust the height each pass. The only thing I don't know, does it have some kind of bypass in case the lift moter went out.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
You do realise you need to feed into the left side of the router? Mounted in the left wing you need more space to the left. Mounted right the router cutter is on your right and rotating the right way.

- Madmark2
I'm not sure what you mean by feeding into the left side. You want to feed into the rotation of the bit, and for a router mounted under a table, that means moving the piece from the right to the left. I also have no idea where the height gauge fits in as a replacement for a lift. A lift costs a tad more than $100, and being able to adjust the height and change the bit from the top is infinitely better than trying to adjust a plunge router mounted under the table. I did that for years, and springing for the MasterLift was worth every penny compared to it.

I have the same sort of setup I think alittleoff is talking about. It's a BenchDog ProMax cast iron table that mounts on the left of my table saw, where the extension used to be. It bolts on solidly. I installed a JessEm MasterLift II, which is rock solid and precise. The big advantage of having the table on my table saw is that it gives me a huge surface for wide pieces. I routinely do panel raising on interior and exterior door panels, that are as large as 25×36 inches and up to 1-1/2 inch thick, and having the extra surface the table saw provides means the board is completely supported. I turn the fence around and feed from the back of the saw, so that I am feeding into the rotation of the bit. It's a 3-1/2 inch diameter bit, so you sure don't want to do any climb-cutting :)

You can get an idea in this photo, if you can see through the clutter. I was obviously not doing panels there, but the fence is still set up from either that, or stick cuts on stiles, which I do from the back too, so I can set up feather boards on the wide surface.. That out feed extension in the photo comes off, and its support is on slides, so I can push it in under the saw, and work from that side of the saw.

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#8 ·
I have my router table mounted on the left side of my Grizzly1023SL. It works just as well as if it were mounted on the right side. Why would it work any different; since the material is still fed right to left on either setup? I have a Woodpeckers PRL-V2 which is essentially what the Incra is; and I have been very pleased with both of those lifts that I own. I have another mounted in a freestanding router table; with both utilizing a PC 7518 motor. I have seen the MCLS lift but I have had no experience with them. The PRL V2 is comparably priced with the Jessum Mast R Lift in the $250 -$300 range. Woodpeckers is a family owned, American company that makes excellent tools and equipment . The also brand the PRL V2 under different manufacturers brands too. Good Luck, Work Safely and Have Fun!
 
#9 ·
I went ahead and bought the incra prl-v2 and the MDF left table saw wing from incra. I figured I would try the left mount and if I liked it I would buy the cast iron wing later. I'm afraid the MDF want last long, not sure though. I really wanted the MLCS power lift. I emailed them asking a few questions and only got one answer. I figured if they couldn't or wouldn't answer the questions I asked they might not be very good on customer service either. Anyway I use a incra fence and decided to go with the incra, I know they give great service and their products are top notch. Now if it will only get here. I ordered it Thursday and it hasn't shipped yet. Hope it's not to long I need it on a project I'm doing..
Gerald
 
#10 ·
Gerald! I'll remember that. Referring to someone as "alittleoff" makes me think I'm talking about my ex-wife :)

That Incra looks like a real quality item. I do like that it has a quick up and down adjustment in addition to the micro wheel. It can get pretty mind-numbing cranking the JessEm up and down for bit changes.
 
#11 ·
With my plunge router (Milwaukee 3.5hp) to change bits I lift it up and out, release the lock and lift the plate up & off leaving just the motor and bit. Takes about 5S. Drop it back in and set the readout with the adjust knob - no long cranking needed. My router plate has the option of top side adjustment but I don't bother with it.

M
 
#12 ·
Gerald! I ll remember that. Referring to someone as "alittleoff" makes me think I m talking about my ex-wife :)

That Incra looks like a real quality item. I do like that it has a quick up and down adjustment in addition to the micro wheel. It can get pretty mind-numbing cranking the JessEm up and down for bit changes.

- RichTaylor
My wife always said I was a little off when I mess with her. About the router the quick bit change is one of the things I like about it. Incra really makes some nice tools. I called them today, they said it should be here friday. I was hoping it would get here sooner, I could use it now but I'll have to wait. New toys makes a person anxious.
Gerald
 
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