I recently bought a Jessem Mast-R-Lift at a great discount. Marc Spagnola's newsletter a few weeks ago mentioned this deal - $125 for the items manufactured in Canada, I think. Anyway, I never owned a lift and was wondering if anyone has recomendations for what kind of router to put in there. I have a portercable kit but did not know if I just mounted the motor in it or do I need to mount the base also.
I guess I could read the directions but that would be too easy.
Any suggestions or thoughts on how yall are using this lift? Maybe this is a good case to get a new router !!!!
You just need a motor and collet. You will find that there are only a few routers that work with a lift. I use a PC 890. It's a very standard router and it is a very good mid-power router. It's all I need.
cool I think mine is an 890 also - So if i keep that motoer in the lift, then all I need to do is get aother motor and then I get to use it in the fixed base or plunge base without having to remove it from the lift.
Good luck! IMO - PC should sell just the motor and collet for people that want to use their router in a lift. The last I checked (a while ago) I could, in theory, buy just a motor and collet, but I would pay more than if I bought a full router with a fixed base.
FYI - The 890 is a good router for a table, but there are 2 issues to be concerned about. Make certain that you can lift your router high enough to easily suppress the spindle lock above the table. Otherwise, it is a real pain to change bits.
Also, IMO, the on/off switch for the 890 is not in the perfect location for table use. This second point is only a minor inconvenience. You can remedy the problem by putting a switch on the side of the table.
I have bought a couple of PC motors off from amazon for way cheaper than at the big box stores. And bought the bases as well as a other order. I have a 890 mounted it the vertical router table and a 690 mounted in the horiz, table. Can't go wrong with the PC's. I have 7 or 8 in the shop now, and they seem to be the standard when it comes to all the accs.
Model # 02101-A International Series. Says on the box it fits PC 7518 and 7519 right out of the box. Can by reducer collars for smaller routers. I'll find out later today if it fits, going to the shop later. Gotta go to work now. Work always seems to get in the way.
Looks like I'm buying a new router. I have a 690. Good excuse to get another router, just gotta find one now. Figures I would buty an accessory for a piece of equiptment I do not own. Got a good deal on it though. I guess I should have not blocked the red flag richgree wote up there about the spindle lock; the 690 does not have one. New router on the horizon, Now I have to build a new router table top becuse the base plate of the lift does not fit my existing insert. Good reason to spend more time in the shop. Hope I get the time to do it soon.
It would be cheaper to buy the reducer insert for the lift. I have three of Jessem's Mast-R-Lifts and have big PC's in all three. They do work great. The insert rings on the table allow you to raise the router up with lots of room to spare to change bits, at least on the PC's.
I have a JessEm lift and I love it. I use it with a Bosch router. I have two of the Bosch sets that come with one motor and two bases, one standard and one plunge. I have the lift mounted in the extension table of my unisaw. that lets me use the unifence with it. All together a sweet setup.
Michael, it is interesting that your model says International, I just heard this morning that Jessem will likely be partnering with General to produce and back their products (they could be green soon), and the new systems are all made in Canada.
The inventor / founder will possibly be doing R&D for them.
They started out all being made in Canada, with high demand moved most production overseas, then with quality control issues went to Tennessee, now back to Canada…
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