Thread: Router Lifts

Here is my bodgee lift, the jack came out of a skip bin so i do not know what vehicle it fits, it is a upright jack which would have been wound up without get under the car.
All i needed to do was shorten it to desired height, weld on a new base then remove the crank handle which had a 90 degree gearbox arrangement,then added a top fixing bracket and the head from a 10mm allen head bolt was welded to the top of the threaded rod.
After a bit of stuffing around extending the foot[the part that would go under the car sill] to reach the other side of the router and then removing the plunge springs from the router it was done, it works a treat and i'm quite happy with it.
I might add that with the plunge springs gone i can change bits from the top, it doesn't protrude a lot [like the Triton] but it's enough.

There are two fundamental issues with mounting a handheld router under the table.

The first is adjusting the height while the second is changing bits. The Triton routers excell at both these tasks as they have a height adjustment that is relatively easily operated with the router inverted. This is quite the opposite with most other routers, which rely on the pressure of plunging the machine. It is awkward to do from underneath.

The Triton method is more akin to the fixed base routers that are so popular in the US. In fact there the unilift was discontinued because there was no real advantage in having it. Not so here as most of our routers sold are the plunge type. PWS, who import the product, have recently commissioned a special run of the unilift, but I believe that has been closed off for further orders. The device is superbly made, a Rolls Royce as I think Superbunny mentioned, but it is expensive: More than the router itself.

The second issue is changing the router bits. Most routers will not give sufficient clearance to perfom this above the table. The Triton does.

Regards
Paul

HI DSELl74
Have a look at this one I made a couple of years ago from a scissors jack works a treat very accurate and can change tools through the table I have an RT660 table its about ten year old and work well
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f171/c...-table-134927/
Colbra

If it helps. Still going strong with no problems.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f20/xt...-lifter-23893/

Originally Posted by DSEL74

Is Triton the one one doing this?? I would think it should be a standard feature and others would be jumping on the bandwagon.

Hi

The Router Raizer may be an alternative it works with most common plunge routers See it HERE

Regards

Grahame

Hi i have been looking around for one of these kits also, a good friend put me onto this that i am considering purchasing

MLCS U-Turn Router Lift

Hope that helps, it is on the more $$$ side of things

Delbs

I haven't seen that one before. It looks OK in principle, but there may be a couple of issues.

It is in the states so you want to check the freight costs carefully. They can be ludicrous or reasonable. There seems to be no ryme nor reason, but the tendency is expensive.

It looks as though it will only suit a round bodied router and particularly suits the router body they sell. They make reference to 3 1/2" and 3 1/4" adaptor kits. Without knowing exactly I would suggest they suit the fixed base routers, which are commonplace in the US.

Regards
Paul

Hey Bushmiller

Yeah thanks for that, i did keep that in mind, i dont intend on buying their included router motor. I was considering this from Sydney tools

SYDNEY TOOLS - DeWalt 1/4' Premium Combination Plunge & Fixed Base Router

My friend was telling me that in the US they have more options when it comes to purchasing routers with or without the router plunge body and that Australia is only just getting these tools. So i am thinking of getting the dewalt in the link with the mlcs body and just make my own top, fence and body for the router table.

Delbs

I don't want you to think I am knocking your ideas, because I'm not. Well actually I am, but not, I hope, maliciously . It is interesting that you have put up the DeWalt as I am almost certain I am going to buy that one myself. However my opinion is that is too small for a table router. To get the best use from a table-mounted device I believe you need a minimum of 2HP. 3HP is better. Also you would need to measure the body diameter of the DeWalt. It is probably too small, but I am only guessing there.

I again say that the DeWalt looks really good and I am hoping to purchase one myself. In fact I recommended this machine to another forum member in a separate thread, but for handheld use.

Regards
Paul

haha no worries at all bring on the constructive critisism this is what this forum is about, sharing ideas and learning from others.

I agree with your points also regarding engine size, the other routers that i have found in Aus that are 3hp roughly dont have a removable body to house in a height adjustment mech such as the MLCS. The dewalt i listed in previous post was the only one i could find with this sort of body but you could be right it might not fit. if there are any router bodies that are sold in AUS that would fit such a housing with height adjustment id be keen to check them out

I am fumbling around trying to find a good combination that isnt a complete manufactured setup like the kreg router table/fence system. im looking at bits and pieces trying to see what fits

sorry OP i just reaised i hijacked your post. Not my intention at all :s