Thread: Router lifts

I f I was to build a router, which I may do if a suitable spindle moulder does not appear in my shed, I would be looking at something like this
Mast-R-Lift II Metric Version woodworksupplies.com.au

Gordon, I upgraded to a lift last year and decided on the Jessem Mast-R-Lift II with an AUKTools fixed base router. I got the Jessem shipped from US through Amazon Australia (free International shipping with a Prime Amazon subscription) and the AUK from Gregory Machinery in Brisbane (they also have the Jessem but its more expensive). From memory the Jessem stacked up very favourably in a Fine Woodworking review a few years ago. I added a Wixey digital readout and a pair Jessem Clear Cut stock guides for the router fence giving me fantastic precision and stabilty - have not looked back. Perhaps a bit expensive but well worth it. Cheers Charlie

As with all router lifts they do need periodic maintenance as the chain drive or the single post do gather dust.
One thing to help this is to use dry lube to help repel some of the dust.
So at least once a month take it out and clean the chain or the post to clear any build up of dust.
Even with dust extraction in the router box there is still a lot of dust getting thrown around down there.

I built this table some years ago and it has been used at Illawarra WW School every day since with no problems. The beauty of it is the lift, no gears, chains etc and absolutely no need to service it. The water cooled spindle has no vents to allow dust entry and is very quite compared to a router and it will cost a lot less if that is a consideration.

A Router Table Using Linear Rails For a Lift (woodworkforums.com)

PS. You will get far better speed control from a VFD and using a spindle allows for using it as a spindle sander and similar tasks.

I have been using a modified scissor car jack for years. Made a cradle for the router and a wooden knob to turn the screw. Works a treat even for fine adjustments.

I had a Jessem for 5 years which i neglected to do any maintenance and it finally gave in with a big heavy router hanging off it the base plate broke.
I have updated to the Kreg 3 poster and motor body fromCarbatec because i have a Kreg table so the fit was perfect. Because the posts are evenly spaced i believe the weight will be evenly displaced i believe with maintenance it would last many years.
The motor body is much lighter than a router and much quieter which is a huge bonus for suburban workshops.

I'm looking to do the same but was just planning on using the Triton router (when I can find one!) which has built-in depth adjustment.

Any reason why this isn't a good idea for a simple lift?

Use bearing rails and there is no maintenance at all and the the most important advantage is the router is not attached to the top. This means the top can be of light construction, it can be lifted off if needed and custom tops for different jobs can be made. A heavy router and lift can do none of those things and is way more expensive by many hundreds of dollars.

Is there any real difference between the Jessem and say the incra router lift? And the router motors for these units do they have variable speed and do you actually use the variable speed? Are there any brands i should be looking at.
I have looked at a couple of units and they seem like your hitting close to 3k by the time you get all the bells and whistles. Cast iron top etc etc..

The good lifts cost a lot, and sometimes there are compatibility issues. I’ve never owned one, so can’t really speak from experience. I decided to build my router table around the Bosch GOF 1600. It’s a powerful variable speed plunge router that also has a fixed base available. The fixed base isn’t sold in AU, but you can bring them in easily enough. I’m really happy with it. The fixed base stays permanently attached to the plate in my table, and it’s a 2 minute job to switch the motor into the plunge base if I want to do hand held routing. I bet a proper router lift would be lovely, but I’ve never felt I need more than the bosh setup offers, and I really like owning just one corded router in my small shop.

If I were gonna own a proper lift, I’d probably go Jessem. They’ve got a good reputation, and make some really clever and well made stuff.

When the Bosch is table mounted, I can change bits without taking the motor out, and I can control the height from above the table too. If I need to change the height by more than about 15mm, then I’ve gotta reach under and release a clip. Not a big deal for me.

I have a Kreg table (no lift, just a phenolic plate) with the older version of the Triton TRA001 router that doesn't have the "through the base" lift mechanism. This has done me good service for years, but recently I've been using it more and my poor old back resents bending down to adjust the bit height. I've also noticed that the Kreg phenolic top plate is no longer flat, which seems to be common with these units. As a result I've started looking at upgrading the table with a "through the top" lift and dedicated router.

My research so far suggests that the Kreg, Incra and Jessem lifts are all very similar, and indeed I have read that they are all made by Jessem. The differences between them appear to be relatively minor, things like the way the insert rings are held in position. The possible exception to this is the adjuster locking mechanism, which Jessem wax lyrical about in their blurb whilst Kreg simply list as a "lock". It may or may not be the same, it's hard to tell from pictures!

The outlier is the Carbatec unit, which is priced higher than the others (Kreg $499, Jessem $595, Carbatec $659). It is a four post unit where all the posts rotate (driven by a chain) to raise the carriage, whilst the Jessem types have two "bearing" posts and a single threaded post to raise and lower the carriage. The Carbatec unit also has a greater range of insert rings available.

My plan is to buy a (Carbatec?) motor unit and release my TRA001 for hand held use. I'm currently favouring the Kreg lift, because it will fit straight in my table whilst both the Carbatec and Jessem unit require other changes (I have read that Jessem supply specific corner brackets to fit their lift in a Kreg table, and Carbatec state "minor modifications required").

I'd love to hear from anyone who knows what real-world differences exist between the Jessem and Kreg lifts, or can confirm any benefit to the four post Carbatec approach...

Hi, I have the big variable speed Makita router in my table, it comes with a bolt for raising and lowering from above the table (no lift required), no regrets except I'd like another for hand held use.

RP2301FC | Makita Australia

Originally Posted by Glawson77

Hi,
Am looking to buy a router lift and am hoping somebody could give me some advice. ...

Before you make any decisions, Gordon, may I suggest that you consider three different strategies as advocated by Forum members Derek Cohen, Chris Parks and myself.


Graeme's Strategy

I simply bolt my hefty Makita 3600B router to an insert plate and drop it into the table top. Have to lift it out to do any adjustments or change bits; a bit cumbersome, but it works and is almost idiot proof. Remember: us idiots are very creative!


Derek's Strategy

There is a tremendous amount of experience and very deep thought behind anything that Derek posts. He discusses and builds a router lift tables on his website, here:
https://www.inthewoodshop.com/Powere...Adventure.html
With a bit of luck Derek might contribute to this thread?


Chris's Strategy

Chris also brings a tremendous amount of deep thought to his posts and his constructions. By using a CNC spindle rather than a router, Chris's solution is much quieter and it does not hang from the insert plate (meaning access is easier).
A Router Table Using Linear Rails For a Lift
Silence is a luxury; noise reduction is on that pathway.


Recommendation

All three strategies work. If I was to upgrade my system, I would very carefully consider the benefits of Chris's system.