router lifts

[corkage]

Have any of you compared the Mast-r-lift to the PRL V2?
Any info you could provide would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Nick

 

[sw1211]

If you're willing to pay $5, Wood Magazine has a review you can purchase.  It's not V2 of the PRL, but it should be close.

http://www.woodstore.net/routroun.html

 

[PeterK]

Can't help with the comparison. I have the Woodpecker PRL V2 - just got it so have not used it yet. They are also making a version sold directly by Incra from their own website that has a different version of the support rings that use magnets instead of twist lock. Might be a better design.
Pete

 

[woodshopdemos]

Have any of you compared the Mast-r-lift to the PRL V2?
Any info you could provide would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Nick

Both very good and would serve any woodworker well.

story: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/jess-31.htm

I do like the thumbwwheel fine adjust.

story: http://www.woodshopdemos.com/woodpk-rtrtab-1.htm

 

[Greg_R]

For the cost of these high end router lifts I would just get a shaper (that can run router bits).

 

[JayStPeter]

For the cost of these high end router lifts I would just get a shaper (that can run router bits).

There are plusses and minuses to each.  Keep in mind, a shaper can only run around 10K RPM.  That's about half the speed of a router, which makes sense since shaper cutters are by definition larger diameter.  Back when I put together my current router table, I researched this as  an option.  From what I read on the various forums, about half the people who had gone the shaper route said no problem and the other half had added a router table back into their shop in addition to the shaper to use smaller bits.  You may also have to fabricate some sort of rings for various size router bits.
My solution was to use a less expensive lift.  I scored a refurb 3HP Hitachi router for $90 and added a woodpecker plunge lift.  Total cost less than either the lifts or routers discussed above.  Not as nice as these lifts, but pretty darn good for less than half the price.

 

[James Watriss]

I bought the Bench Dog cast iron router table years ago, and installed their (very overbuilt) router lift. Very expensive overall, but I liked it enough to buy a second one. No regrets.

 

[mwhafner]

I have the Bench Dog lift also, and would recommend it also.  I have a BD table, as well as their cast extension wings for my table saw.  Bought the whole setup on CL, including a Trion router with plate, and a PC 7518 for the lift, and got it for a song.

Previously, I had a Jessem RouterliftFX, and it was great.  Not as substantial as the BD, but was a little smoother to operate.  If the plate size had been the same, I would have kept the Jessem

 

[Greg_R]

There are plusses and minuses to each.  Keep in mind, a shaper can only run around 10K RPM.  That's about half the speed of a router, which makes sense since shaper cutters are by definition larger diameter.  Back when I put together my current router table, I researched this as  an option.  From what I read on the various forums, about half the people who had gone the shaper route said no problem and the other half had added a router table back into their shop in addition to the shaper to use smaller bits.  You may also have to fabricate some sort of rings for various size router bits.
My solution was to use a less expensive lift.  I scored a refurb 3HP Hitachi router for $90 and added a woodpecker plunge lift.  Total cost less than either the lifts or routers discussed above.  Not as nice as these lifts, but pretty darn good for less than half the price.

I agree with everything you're saying.  My main issue is the cost of some of these premium lift systems.  I have a hard time seeing what makes them so much better than a basic Route-R-lift or similar product.