Why should I shell out $300.00 for a router lift?

I don’t know. Maybe you’ve got money to waste? LOL. Why don’t you tell me why you would spend $300.00 on a lift when the router you are looking to buy has above table adjustment. I’m sorry, but it sounds like a loaded question.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Some questions to consider….

How well does the router’s above the table adjustment work?
Can you change bits from above the table?
Can you easily install a guide bushing?
What type of insert rings can be installed? Template guides?

All of these can easily be accomplished with a router table insert and lift.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Ok,I know it’s been a loooooong time since I logged on and included my 2 cents worth but for this topic I just can’t resist, So here it goes, The only problem that I can see with you spending $300.00 on a lift is that you’ve only considered yourself and your needs in the whole situation. I mean,What the heck,When you let some of us, You know, your BUUUUUUDDY’S ” borrow” (eh, hem)(I tried to say “borrow” with a straight face) your new router,we’d like to have all the so called bells and whisles so “come on” buck up ,get off the wallet and cough up the extra $300.00 bucks! Just think how much lets just take wayne for instance would enjoy the lift? Without the lift,It’s just not the same, So come on “pal ” just go for it;go a head;(wink,wink) get the lift. Oh gees, I just can’t hold a straight face and type anymore,lol, Ok I’m done being a selfish jerk, You do what you feel is right for you and your woodworking needs. But remember this;Lets just say for instace if you were ever to get bored with your new router,Wouldn’t it be nice to make it a better gift to say “ME” with the lift? ha,ha,ha (sorry;I fell back into the selfish mode again,I’ll try my darndest to be good from now on. Sincerely, Jim at Clark Customs

-- James Clark

OK, I thought someone might KNOW something I don’t get about lifts, if you READ the post Your answers are what Im asking

Thanks
Mark

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

Actually, I do not think you READ what I asked. How WELL does this work with the router you plan to use. Have you played with one? Other than functionl issues with the specific router I do not think it matters much.

I can remove the router without tools in my Jessem lift without tools if that matters to you… Perhaps OS hit it on the head when he said this was a loaded question.

Perhaps Mot, John Nixon or Karson would care to weigh in on the topic.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Well, I think Wayne hits it right on the head. How easy is it to change bits with that router above the table. If you don’t mind popping the insert out with the router anytime you want to change bits, or popping the motor out and changing bits, the lift would just be a luxury. There are many people that do pretty fine router table work without a lift. Those funny guys on the Router Workshop don’t use lifts.

And, I think Os might be confused with his reply thinking that the plate and the lift are synonymous. Forgive me os, if I misunderstand.

However, for me, I have the Woodpeck PRL for a few reasons. Most of them relate to convenience, one to precision. I have a PC 7518 permanently mounted in my PRL. The PRL and the Jessem lift allow for incremental adjustments to 0.001 of an inch accuracy. They allow for above the table bit changes. With a plate an the router, you have the following steps:

- open the router table door
- unlock the latch
- push the button
- take the motor out
- put it on top of the table
- pop it back in
- drop my eye down to table height
- reach in
- turn the knob
- lock the latch
- close the door

With the lift we have:

- put in handle
- turn handle
- undo collet
- change bit
- tighten collet
- turn handle
- set my bit height
- take out handle

That’s why I have a lift. Personal preferences may dictate other reasons, and the lift is a luxury for many. But, that’s why you’d spend another $300.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

I just lift my tilting table top, & the router is right in front of me. When I adjust the heght I don’t have to hardly bend over, So who needs a lift. Invest that cash for an extra router.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Sorry WayneC that was not pointed at you, thank you ,

mot thanks thats what info I wanted, someone who uses one.
So basically speaking, quick and easy bit change and adjustment, and machine shop accuracy.

Dick Cain, That avenue was my first pick BUT with the Incra System I need at least a 27”x43” table and I was worried with the tilt option the top would not stay true.
Thanks to all
Mark

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

Your welcome Mark.

Also, would you need to modify the WoodPecker insert to be able to access the router’s lift mechanizm? Drill a hole or anything?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Before you lay down you hard earned cash take a peek at the Triton built in lift.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

No problem Tom. You answered my question of why would you spend $300 on a lift.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Thanks for all the help,
I decided on just the Woodpecker Plate and thier 32”X53” table top, It came today and all I can say is #1 top quality products !
The plate was pre drilled for my Milwaulkee router, holes for lift mechanizm were also there.
Now I am building this Aircraft Carrier sized cabinet for the top, I have alot of space for drawers storage ect.
There is some room for a section of about 6 small drawers ,I would like to put in Bit drawers like the Norm type tables and was wondering if anyone has any ideas about the size and design of drawers like this?
When I figure out how to post PIC’s I’ll post some of this journey.
Thanks to all again
Mark

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

Sounds like a great set-up Mark. Looking forward to seeing the end product.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Yea, we can’t wait to see the pictures.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

I am not saying that you should or shouldn’t, but if you are going to put down $300 for a lift, why not put down about $330 for the Smart Lift Digital system from Jointech.

I like the idea of being able to get .001” acuracy and have a digital readout.

BTW, it fits the PC 7518 router (3.5 HP) natively.

I don’t have one, but I am thinking about getting it.

-- JT - "It only costs a nickle more to go first class!"

JTI – looking at that Jointech lift I noticed they don’t mention what material they use in it’s construction.
Have you ever seen one in person? It could be plastic.

I currently have a Jessum MastR-Lift which I thought was very nice, but you have to keep cleaning it to keep it moving good. It gets dirty and the belt drive skips teeth. So I am selling it and I have a woodpecker PRL with it’s chain drive on the way.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Ok , Been a while but I work alot, I decided to go without a lift(maybe a Christmas present later) .
Here is the Super Station I’m starting on, Everything is dadoed, pocketholed and screwed and glued. I’m telling you it’s SOLID, and I cannot believe everthing locked together with just a little persuasion from a dead blow.
I just got the center drawers made(no face fronts) they will store my router bits, Fostenr, spade, ect the bottom will hold my table saw blades and inserts.
I’m new at pics so let me know if this works

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z27/mskiba2/ROUTERSTATION003.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z27/mskiba2/ROUTERSTATION002.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z27/mskiba2/ROUTERSTATION001.jpg
Thanks ALL

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

Ya know, I was faced with this decision once. Lessee: $300 for a router lift. $300 for a 3HP VS Porter Cable router, $250 for the Incra SooperDooperDeluxe fence system. Came out to $850-ish for everything I wanted. I bought a shaper and have never looked back.

-- Eric Olson Springfield, MO Rock Creek Designs

I think being able to change bits above the table like with my Triton is more convenient than a lift.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Eric ,
A shaper is a whole different machine! It cannot do precision intricate jointery like the LS or Jointec, thats why I went for this setup.
Dick,
I looked at the Triton on your advice earlier but wasn’t sure about that brand , I haven’t heard much about them. (but Iv’e been out of the woodworking world for a long time) I can change bits above the table with this Milwaulee and the woopecker aluninium plate using the stock wrenches, thy make offset wrenches that would be easier but I have no trouble with the sock ones.

-- MARK IN BOB, So. CAL

Hi Mski

When you are in your Photobucket album, You will see under each picture 4 options…

Click on the tab to the right of the “HTML Tag” and you will see the word “Copied” on yellow background popping up momentary.

Now, go to your post, select the location that you want the picture, Right click and select “Past” on the drop-down menu.

It looks like it’s going to be very nice router table

niki