router & lift & table advice

[Alaska Ranger]

Router lifts are a new development since I last left fine woodbutchery a dozen years ago - as some of you may have read, I have been more of a general handyman in the intervening years as I have dealt with the joys of being a builder, plumber, electrician, heavy equipment operator and general fix-all on my little empire here in the middle of nowhere.

But as I once again turn my efforts to smaller-scale creations - like furniture - and an indoor shop, I am bedazzled by the development of these lifts and what they do for table routing.

So (and keeping the Festool 1400 as the handheld) -

who has input wrt such lifts as the SmartLift Digital, or the Incra/Jessem set-up, or Rockler's or Woodpecker's versions, and so on? 

As  I have looked into this, when one adds the cost of a PC7518 or 7519, or the Milwaukee 3-1/2, AND the router lift, AND a good table.....gee why not go for broke and get a shaper instead?  On Craigslist in Anchorage right now there is a  Delta 43-455  1-1/4-inch spindle 5-hp shaper w/their Micro Adjust Fence for $900.00... very close to the same price.  At least, until I start to add up the cost of bits, which either route gets very scary very quickly....

 

[Guy Ashley]

It really depends on the variety of the work, (moulding/shaping you are doing)

I have both a spindle moulder (Sorry, shaper! [big grin]) and a router table and its a case of the correct application. I have used the shaper to remove 20mm x 20mm rebate from a set of door frames in one pass without burning, screaming motors, etc but the tickness of the door frames is a substantial size so no danger of your hand becoming entangled in a 40mm cutter revolving at 28,000 rpm.

Later I will be putting an ogee mould on some panel trim that is about 18mm x 25mm and I will happily slide that along the fence of the router table without fear of becoming an amputee because if you stuck that near a spindle moulder you would be crazy!

My advice would be consider what you are more likely to work on and buy accordingly.

Guy 

 

[Alaska Ranger]

Right, of course: no sense in using a shaper for small-work.  But then, that is when the rail-guided 1400 presumably would take over, in my opinion.  ???????

 

[DavidCBaker]

I just purchased (month or so ago) the PC7518, Woodpecker lift, and BenchDog Pro table. I'm very happy with the combo. I've used it a ton, and it does well. Small nit: it's hard to see what speed you're selecting on the router.

I can take pictures for you if that would help. Like guy said, there's a lot of freedom and relaxation in using a router table just because it's exactly the right tool for the job sometimes.

 

[DavidCBaker]

Right, of course: no sense in using a shaper for small-work.  But then, that is when the rail-guided 1400 presumably would take over, in my opinion.  ???????

There are many things that a rail-guided 1400 will simply be a very poor fit, like small pieces.

 

[GPowers]

As  I have looked into this, when one adds the cost of a PC7518 or 7519, or the Milwaukee 3-1/2, AND the router lift, AND a good table.....gee why not go for broke and get a shaper instead?  On Craigslist in Anchorage right now there is a  Delta 43-455  1-1/4-inch spindle 5-hp shaper w/their Micro Adjust Fence for $900.00... very close to the same price.  At least, until I start to add up the cost of bits, which either route gets very scary very quickly....

I chose to go the Kreg route with the PC7518. The Kreg table  has a self squaring fence (kind of like a table saw fence). Plus the Kreg lift is a re-branded woodpecker lift. But you right about the cost, I have about $900 tied up in the router table when you add in all the options like the casters, switch, feather boards  and micro-adjuster.

Another option besides BenchDog is Sommerfeld. Sommerfeld offers an Aluminium router table kit.

 

[irvin00]

Making your own table, coupled with the 3.5HP Triton and a Woodpeckers' Aluminum plate will save you a few hundred without sacrificing the advantages of a commercial lift (above-the-table adjustments). Total cost: about $500 plus 6 hours of fun work. Router: 270, Plate: 100, Table materials: 60, Fence (core plus dust port): 50. Extras: $20 (screws, whatever).

good luck!

 

[DavidCBaker]

I chose to go the Kreg route with the PC7518. The Kreg table  has a self squaring fence (kind of like a table saw fence). Plus the Kreg lift is a re-branded woodpecker lift. But you right about the cost, I have about $900 tied up in the router table when you add in all the options like the casters, switch, feather boards  and micro-adjuster.

The one I used like that in a woodworking class was great...except for the dust collection, which was very lame. Maybe it wasn't set up properly.

 

[Alaska Ranger]

Making your own table, coupled with the 3.5HP Triton

About the Triton:  how effectively does it "lock out" its plunge, as in my opinion the slop that can result is something to avoid in a table-mounted router?  Also, what is your experience so far in the Triton's plastic gears?  Are those not an issue if you've got it more-or-less permanently locked into a table? Has the Triton a soft start?

 

[GPowers]

About the Triton:  how effectively does it "lock out" its plunge, as in my opinion the slop that can result is something to avoid in a table-mounted router?  Also, what is your experience so far in the Triton's plastic gears?  Are those not an issue if you've got it more-or-less permanently locked into a table? Has the Triton a soft start?

Using the Kreg lift and the PC 7518 there is NO slop or plastic gears to worry about.

 

[jujigatame]

I have a PC 890 in a woodpecker table (on my table saw) with a simple plate. and an Incra wonder fence that attaches to my tablesaw fence.  I can't reccomend the Incra jig fence highly enough.

It works very well, coupled with a switch, I almost never have to go below the table for anything, except to lock the base, which is easy.  I change bits with one wrench above the table and adjust the height above the table also.

It is very stable and accurate.

 

[Corwin]

Woodpeckers is phasing out their PRL lift, since they have a newer model.  Join their e-club for an additional savings. E-club savings good thru 8/20/2010.

 

[zapdafish]

http://www.jessemdirect.com/category_s/45.htm

they have great deals on their international version

 

[irvin00]

Making your own table, coupled with the 3.5HP Triton

About the Triton:  how effectively does it "lock out" its plunge, as in my opinion the slop that can result is something to avoid in a table-mounted router?  Also, what is your experience so far in the Triton's plastic gears?  Are those not an issue if you've got it more-or-less permanently locked into a table? Has the Triton a soft start?

The Triton works perfectly well under the table. I have not experienced any issues in about 1 year of light use (I'm a hobbyst, so my use is not one of several hours at a time - your mileage might vary). That's my experience, for whatever it's worth. I don't get any measurable 'slop' when setting bit height. Be aware that many of the reviews available on the web are for previous versions. For example, the new version includes the above-the-table height adjustment tool, which was not included with previous units.