Thread: Alternative to more expensive router lifts?

Originally Posted by Bumper

After wrestling with a donated 5.3kg hitachi table mounted router yesterday trying to get a precise mm adjustment, I am looking to sort out a router lift for it. It is mounted to an old triton router table. Having spent a bit over the last few months on bits and pieces, I really don't want to be stumping up another $400 plus just to be able to control the router bit height easily. That said, I need to be able to control the height!

I found these scientific scissor jacks that range from a 4" table with 10kg weight limit for $60 delivered, to 8" and 50kg (pictured) for $130 delivered. I can quickly make a sturdy little table for it to sit on with off cuts. It will allow fine adjustments to height with the raising/lowering nob pictured. Has anyone else had a crack at this sort of approach to resolving the problem and found it works, or have other ideas?

Attachment 475515

Or try some linear rails and a lead screw and add a DRO. This one has been in everyday use at Illawarra Wood School and it has proven to be bullet proof A Router Table Using Linear Rails For a Lift

Originally Posted by aldav

And if you're going to do that make sure that it's the spring that's furthest from the lifting screw that is removed. It will help reduce any binding that you might get in the plunge posts.

That is my reasoning as well

Regards from Perth

Derek

What I would suggest - what I plan to do - is remove one spring, test that, then the other spring, and test this. It may turn out that removal of a single spring offers the best compromise.

Tried that, admittedly NOT with a quality Elu router, but I found the router bound up with pressure on one post and not the other.
Essentially it was "tilting" and then getting stuck.
Keen to get your experience.

I purchased a Triton for my table. Not a fan boy but gave me both variable speed and winder adjustment...from on top.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by rev

Derek, is your router in a 'wing' on the Felder?

Rev, it is a Hammer K3 slider, and came like this ...



I have just rebuilt (update on the earlier photos) the outfeed to look like this ...



... and completed building a new fence ...



Regards from Perth

Derek

Triton recommends removing both springs when inverted in a table to assist in winding up the router, either by the handle on early models or the insert winder handle through the table top on later models. I removed both and bloody glad I did, makes life so much easier and less pressure to wind up. The springs are only there for plunging cuts.

Originally Posted by Fumbler

Triton recommends removing both springs when inverted in a table to assist in winding up the router, either by the handle on early models or the insert winder handle through the table top on later models. I removed both and bloody glad I did, makes life so much easier and less pressure to wind up. The springs are only there for plunging cuts.

Rev has a Dewalt 625, not sure that Triton's recommendations would apply to his router. Makita describe their springs as not removable so there's a fair variation in what manufacturers advise and recommend.

My Triton only has one spring.

Originally Posted by rev

Great Derek! I'll look forward to hearing how it went. I wont get to mine for another week or so. Good tip from Aldav too.

Plunge routers in a table have to fight their springs. I considered removing both springs, tried this, however it felt too loose - the router has to rely on its weight and gravity to open. One spring adds a little tension, and is a decent compromise.

The spring which remained is the one alongside the Router Raizer ...



Up-and-down travel is now smoother and less effort.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for posting back about this Derek. I would have just removed both springs and probably have to re-do it all adding one spring back. So you have saved me some time for taking this path first. Thanks!
By the way, how much time did you put into this?

I tried as you suggested Derek and it was a significant improvement but not 'silky' smooth so I removed the second spring and preferred that. Perhaps the DeWalt springs are a little stronger than the Elu you have. Anyway, I'm happy with the result and I'm glad I saved the excess parts from the installation years ago for the sake of the spare retaining washers among them; I had to cut the originally installed ones off with side cutters.

Thanks for the feedback.

Perhaps the DeWalt springs are stiffer. Perhaps not. I did find that the no-springs set up was too floppy for me, and I preferred a little resistance that one spring gives. We may just differ on our preferences. Neither right nor wrong. I am pleased that you found your preferred set up. The bottom line is that it shows that it is important to test our the options.

Regards from Perth

Derek