New Router Table and Lift

[Brian Livingstone]

Hello All,

I am in the market for a new high end router table.  As I am in Canada, I am somewhat limited to what is available. 

My local Lee Valley has the Sawstop Cast Iron stand alone router table, and the Sawstop router lift.  First option.

Second option is to order a unit from Jessem. I would likely get their deluxe setup. 

Any opinions on what the best option would be ?  I am a typical woodworker/cabinetmaker. 

Thank you.

Brian

 

[woodferret]

Disclaimer - I have neither - just previous research.
But first, throwing another option - Elite tools sporadically carries the Incra clean sweep items if you find yourself doing more dados on the router table.

As for the toss-up between the SS and Jessem, I think it might depend on whether micro adjust is important to you.

 

[Birdhunter]

I would love to have a cast iron router table top as I have number of MagSwitch accessories that would be wonderful on a router table.

 

[jonnyrocket]

I use the sawstop cast iron wing on my table saw and an Incra router lift. I love the combination. As mentioned above, being able to use magswitch accessories is a very nice feature. Add that to the fact that the weight of the cast iron top bolted to the left side of my table saw makes the router table incredibly stable. The incra cleansweep magnetic adapter rings are also a very nice touch.

 

[Steve1]

I built my own router table, but got all the components from Jessem --- table top, lift, fence with micro adjust, casters, stock guides.

I have no complaints.  Not cheap, but when you get it, you will accept you got your money's worth.    I got my components from Toolstore.ca --- prices were good and I am close enough to drive down and pick it up, saving the shipping costs.  They were not showing the metric version of the lift on their web site, but when I contacted them, they said they could order that just as easily.

I am not familiar with the Sawstop cast iron table top, but agree that a perfectly flat cast iron table top would be great to have.

 

[Gene Howerton]

You said high-end, I would take a look at the new Harvey Compass line. 

I like a lot of people who built my own top, Peachtree Fence for around $50 bucks, Kreg Router plate, and Jessem stock guides.  That was good enough for me and it works.  Lots of choices in this area to make, a lot of great products and price points.

 

[TinyShop]

I'd suggest taking a long hard look at Sautershop's new tilting router lift:
https://www.sautershop.com/sauter-router-lifts-for-router-tables/pivoting-router-lift-ofl3.0/

Full unboxing:


...and install video here:

 

[Alanbach]

I have a Jessem Master Lift Excel and I just can’t imagine needing anything better. It is awesome! The excel has a height adjustment wheel on the side just below the router table surface. No handle or extra tool to find in order to adjust the blade height. Just grab the wheel and adjust anytime. They also make a ready to add Wixey digital height device. The fence is super well built and versatile. I also have their coping sled device. It is just a great setup.

 

[rst]

I've been using a Benchdogs cast iron lift with a PC 7518 for more than 20 years.  That lift was originally marketed to small production shops that needed multiple shaping needs economically. It is cast iron with huge brass bushings and an above top screw lift utilizing a 9/16" socket for lift.  My lift lives in a self made 30 x 40" table with an Incra Wonderfence and 17"positioner and the Dust Router dust collection connected to my extractor with a Festool CMS split hose and a 50mm hose.  It has served me well all this time as I often am routing large pieces...mostly plastics but also all the quarter sawn trim in my house.  I have been really tempted to buy the cast iron table as I also use Magswitches, up to the 600 model for jig holders.  I have been able to work around most of the limitations of my 1 1/8" thick top over the years however.  Still resisting the temptation but only one really great job away from purchasing the cast iron top.

 

[flipj]

Is the tilt/pivot on the Sauter lift worthwhile?

I'd suggest taking a long hard look at Sautershop's new tilting router lift:
https://www.sautershop.com/sauter-router-lifts-for-router-tables/pivoting-router-lift-ofl3.0/

Full unboxing:


...and install video here:

 

[Mini Me]

Is the tilt/pivot on the Sauter lift worthwhile?

I think it would effectively give you more router bits without having to buy them if you follow what I mean. I first saw it on a Holzwerken video some years ago and thought what a great idea as it has the potential to add far more profiles to existing bits. I am building a new lift using a CNC water cooled spindle and I might add a tilt function to it if it does not present too much complication.

The Europeans are starting to abandon routers for table use and moving to spindles from what I can see and it is none too soon.

 

[pettyconstruction]

I have been looking hard at the Woodpeckers version .
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Peter Kelly]

I'd consider looking for a single phase spindle shaper. 3/4" tooling really isn't that much more expensive than router bits.

 

[Bryston]

Check out the SOTA Martin shapers, one model is over 90,000 bucks.

 

[Woodbeam]

I have the Festool router table and enjoy using it. Admittedly, it's my first table, so I can't compare to other models. I find it easy to use and set up is fine. I like that the height is standard. Does anyone else enjoy using it?

 

[Mini Me]

I'd consider looking for a single phase spindle shaper. 3/4" tooling really isn't that much more expensive than router bits.

The add on expense of a good power feeder and other safety equipment can add up if a shaper is used. A router table is ideal for a hobbyist who is not into doing bigger work but it can be a toss up deciding which one is more suited to some work. The Sauter lift sort of pushes the router table closer to some of the stuff a shaper can do especially using a more powerful spindle with decent grunt for bigger bits and deeper cuts.

 

[Bob D.]

I have been looking hard at the Woodpeckers version .
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

They have a tilting router lift?

 

[Muttley000]

I use the Jessel lift in my home built table with a Milwaukee spindle and it is awesome.  I dream of cast iron top someday, or better yet a tilting arbor shaper!

 

[pettyconstruction]

I have been looking hard at the Woodpeckers version .
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

They have a tilting router lift?

I don’t think so

I have agree in the shaper idea,way more power and can do a lot more.
But spendy
Charlie

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Peter Kelly]

The add on expense of a good power feeder and other safety equipment can add up if a shaper is used. A router table is ideal for a hobbyist who is not into doing bigger work but it can be a toss up deciding which one is more suited to some work. The Sauter lift sort of pushes the router table closer to some of the stuff a shaper can do especially using a more powerful spindle with decent grunt for bigger bits and deeper cuts.

A stock feeder is a great thing to have but not absolutely necessary for a shaper.

Not silent but I much prefer an induction motor than a router screaming at me.