router lifts

[semenza]

I'm probably in the minority; but I view the lifts as a solution to a nonexistent problem.  I've used a PC 7518 for years in a standard insert plate.  Changing bits couldn't be easier or quicker; lift the plate, unscrew the motor; use the two wrenches to loosen the collet; takes all of 30 seconds if that.  IMHO, two wrenches are easier to use than trying to hold a lock with one hand and use the wrench with the other hand.  I have a 1400 for non-table use and like the ratcheting collar but it's still not as convenient as the two wrenches on the 7518.

Changing heights with the big PC is trivial; loosen the locking lever and rotate the motor.  The 7518's depth ring is graduated in 64ths; easy to eyeball to ~ 1/256.  I played with the Woodpeck 7518 lift at a Woodcraft; nicely made and worked as advertised; just didn't didn't add any utility in my opinion.  Perhaps other routers benefit more from the lifts.

Zaphod

Hi,

      I use two wrenches with the  7518 in the PRL in the table.  The lift makes the height adjustment more convenient and dead on precise. No pulling the router and plate out of the table or going underneath loosening motor, adjusting, tightening motor. I find this especially useful when having to make several small height changes in a row gettiing something to be just right.  If you need  to move the bit up or down just insert crank , turn, remove crank. Repeat as needed. Quite literally five seconds,  perfectly precise amount, and easier.
      My feeling is that once you try a lift in the shop you would never want to go back. Not knocking your method , I am just saying why I like the lift better.

Seth

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Matthew,

What conveniences does the lift afford you?  Are you using a PC 7518 with your lift?  I'll concede that very small height adjustments may be quicker via the lift; otherwise, I can't fathom any benefit.  Please illuminate me if I'm overlooking any lift advantages.

Sorry I didn't respond sooner!

First, yes, I am using the PC 7518.  At the time I bought my lift, that was the "Natural" fit.

There are a few major benefits to having a lift.  Here are my top three (follow up with other questions if you want to know more):

• I can adjust bit height from above the table
• I can zero in on a cut with more precision
• I can repeat heights for different cuts using the scales (count rotations)

Matthew

 

[pmkierst]

   Wow, not a Jesum in the bunch. 

I have a Jessem Mast(R)Lift Excel with their fence system as well, with a 7518 in it. It is a really great set-up that has made using the router table a helluva lot more pleasant for me.

 

[Zaphod]

The 7518 has soft start and different speeds,with power, not bad but still a plunge router. This locks you in with your choice of lifts. You live and you learn. Just a reminder if you are buying a router for a table do not get a plunge router.

I assume that's a typo; the 7518 is a fixed base router.

I'm not knocking the lifts; they do indeed work as advertised; I guess I don't value their benefits as much.  I don't consider changing the height from under the table any less efficient. 
I think bit changes are actually quicker without having to crank the lift 16 or 32 revolutions/inch to get the collet accessible from above the table.
I often use a set of the brass bars and my fingertip for setting the bit height; very fast and extremely accurate.

Using the lift's scale could be useful in certain situations assuming you haven't changed the bit.

Zaphod

 

[nclemmons]

I also have a Jessem Mast(R) Lift Excel.  I'm using a PC 890 router in it.  The precision and repeatability is excellent.  Easy to change bits above the table.  Easy to dial in micro-adjustments.  Very good dust collection with above and below the table connections to a "Y" adapter.

I installed it a shop-made cabinet.  They offer a table, but I wanted to minimize noise and maximize storage with the enclosure.

neil

 

[hissatsu]

I'm not knocking the lifts; they do indeed work as advertised; I guess I don't value their benefits as much.  I don't consider changing the height from under the table any less efficient. 
I think bit changes are actually quicker without having to crank the lift 16 or 32 revolutions/inch to get the collet accessible from above the table.

If you're using one of Woodpecker's Quicklifts, that's untrue. It has 1/32" per revolution fine adjustment and a lift wrench that lets you change height immediately as far up or down as it can go. Definitely better than banging my hands around with the wrenches under the table top while changing bits. I'd never even consider going back to not having a lift.

Pedro

 

[Dave Rudy]

I also use Jessem master lift, in a Jessem table (not the excel).  It is a sturdy and precise lift.  One of those accessories I asked myself for years ":What do I need that for" and now that I have it, wouldn't give it up for "all the tea in China".

 

[tvgordon]

Thanks Corwin and Seth, I joined the Woodpecker's club at your recommendations.  I saw a coupon or two this week and will wait for the lift coupon.

I wouldn't buy a plunge router for table use, but I already have the router and it would be difficult to use without a lift.

Zaphod,
I agree that using a fixed base router in a table does not require a lift.  With the PC 690 it wasn't that hard to set the bit height or remove the motor to change bits.  Like other have said, lifts just make adjustments easier and more precise.

Tom.

 

[douglas2cats]

I've had a PRL with a PC7518 for maybe a year and a half now and I like everything about it except one thing. The scale marks on the plate are extremely hard to see (at least for my boogered up vision). White printing on a gold plate makes for very poor contrast. I actually emailed them about it and apparently mine wasn't the first complaint about it that they'd had. I thought they mentioned plans to change the plate color but it's still gold. I think if I were doing it over again I'd get one of the black plate QuickLift models just for that reason. Other than that it's a super lift.

Doug

 

[JayStPeter]

A little late to the party, but another thumbs up here for the PlungeLift.  I have a M12V in mine.  The nice thing about the Woodpeck plates is that they're all the same size.  So, if my M12V goes south eventually I can always get a PRL/Quicklift or other fixed plate.  I do have a fixed base plate for my Bosch 1617.  I have had two setups going and just swapped plates, but I haven't done that in a while.  I don't think any of the other brands offer the upgrade path without having to either modify or replace your top.

 

[wnagle]

I use a jointec digital lift with a PC 7518.  The digital lift makes repeat setiings easy, has no backlash and no need to lock from under the table.  Just crank to your desired setting and it locks when you remove the crank.  I also have an eliminator chuck that makes bit changes simple from above the table with a ball end allen T wrench usually without moving the bit up.  Works nice with sommerfelds matched bits for rail and stile or tongue and groove sets.  You can zero a bit at table height then raise to your desired setting and write the digital reading down and return to that setting anytime without any fuss.  you can even write the digital setting on the shaft for roundover bits and such where the settings are mostly the same.

wayne

 

[tvgordon]

Well it seems like I can't go wrong with one of the PlungeLifts.  Thanks for your help.

Wayne,
Welcome to the forum.  Digital lift and a PC router is a good set up.  I didn't want to spend that much right now and I wanted to use my PC plunge router.  I've got to save up to buy more Festools  (you've got quite an impressive amount yourself)!

Tom.

 

[rmh]

Router Lift Question
Hopefully this question won't offend anyone. In the interestest of full disclosure, my name is Rich Hummel, I own Woodpeckers. That being said, I'm wondering if any of you feel there is a want for a plunge lift for any of the Festool routers? We're considering one for the new 2200 watt model. Not sure if there would be sufficient demand.

Again, not trying to sell anything, just want to learn.

Thanks.

 

[tvgordon]

Hi Rich,

Welcome to the forum.  I don't currently own a Festool router (soon ), but I know there have been many discussions about how the Festool routers don't perform well in a table.  My guess is the OF 2200 would be a great choice for table use, especially if it could be removed easily for handheld use also.  That's all I need is another reason to buy a $800 router. :-\

Rich, you would probably be better off starting a new topic to ask your question.  Maybe also go to the dealer section and introduce yourself to those who aren't following this thread.  Many members list your products as their second favorite woodworking tools and I'm sure they would be happy to see you are a member.

Tom.

 

[wnagle]

Thanks Tom,

I am new to the forum and farily new to the festool line as well.  Still have a long wish list!  I did save some money by building my router table but all said it cost more than my shaper.  I wish jointec made there lift for the milwalkee 3.5 hp router that has the external switch and speed control.  I think that would be a little nicer than the PC but I have never used the milwalkee personally.  The jointec is on sale now at rockler for 250.00... Im tempted to start building another setup.

wayne

 

[Dan Lyke]

That being said, I'm wondering if any of you feel there is a want for a plunge lift for any of the Festool routers?

Hi, Rich! My sweety and I are just about to spring for a new router and lift, so this is an apropos question. We're hobbyists, the task for which we need the new in-table router is cutting raised panels and rounding the frames for our new kitchen cabinets (I've currently got an ancient small Craftsman in the table). We've looked at the various Triton models, aren't averse to going Festool, but I think we'll be going with the Porter Cable 7518. The Festool 2200 sounds totally awesome, but nobody's made a good case to me that for in-table use it's worth the premium over the Porter Cable.

Just a data point of one, and worth what you paid for it 

 

[jpb]

I use the Bench Dog cast iron table saw extension with the Bench Dog router lift with the Porter Cable 7518, great setup, extra mass of the cast iron negates vibration. Also comes with a decent fence.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Router Lift Question
Hopefully this question won't offend anyone. In the interestest of full disclosure, my name is Rich Hummel, I own Woodpeckers. That being said, I'm wondering if any of you feel there is a want for a plunge lift for any of the Festool routers? We're considering one for the new 2200 watt model. Not sure if there would be sufficient demand.

Again, not trying to sell anything, just want to learn.

Rich,
Welcome to the Festool Owners Group!  I've said many times that, after Festool, Incra products have the most prominent place in my workshop.  So it's great to have you here in the forum, and it would be especially interesting if there could be a direct connection between the Incra and Festool offerings.

Let's see how this develops.

I'm also interested in ways to combine Incra products with the MFT.  We could get a whole other discussion going on that, of course.

Welcome,
Matthew

 

[hissatsu]

I recalled this thread when I received an email today from Woodpeckers with coupons ($30 off) for all their router lifts. If anyone hasn't signed up for the e-club emails yet and is interested, I'd do so. They usually send one more email about their sales before the offer ends (July 4th this time).

Pedro

 

[tvgordon]

Pedro,

I received the email too (thanks to all who suggested I join their club).  The plunge lift I want is $30 off.  Now I just have to look at my checkbook and see if I have that much left after paying my property taxes.

Tom.