Thread: Routers for Unilift or Precision Router Lift

Buy the Triton (see FWW mag - best value, best overall) and you won't need one. I'm going to!

I wouldn't bother mounting a Triton on one - defeats the purpose of getting one (or getting the Triton).

To change bits on the Triton, you have to raise it up through the table to lock the shaft - can't do that above the table with the router lifter. So to change bits, you have to go below the table And I really dislike the whole concept of the router bit extensions on all sorts of levels, which are sometimes pushed to get past that issue. I can go on about all the aspects of these things that I strongly dislike!

If you don't have a Triton, then yeah - a router lift looks great. They allow you have the plunge lock....well.....locked, and do all the work above-table.

But for the cost get a simple phenolic plate (or anodised aluminium), and a Triton router, and you will still have plenty of change left over.

Right TassieKiwi - gotcha,

Looked up http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki...fw_189_054.asp, basically the current issue of FWW (#189) says new generation routers don't need a router lift:

"Contributing editor Roland Johnson tested a new generation of routers with a specialized base that promise the convenient above-the-table bit adjustment of a router lift without the expense."

Ok, so the Triton MOF001KC that won best place is the 1400W 1/2" Plunge Router (http://www.triton.com.au/product.php?id=28).

Looks good, called Bunnings who quoted $288 for the router, and the through-table winder kit (part TGA150) seems to be about another $60 or less (??). I'm not clear if you have to get the table insert itself separately or not?

Yep, maybe it wipes out the older set-up, at considerable cost savings. What do the skeptics have to say?

I have the bullet-proof Makita 3612C, and have half-heartedly been looking for a 'cheap' alternative that will go under the table. IU had a play with the Triton at the WWW Hobart - first impression was 'a woodie hass designed this' as the features on it were very impressive, and adressed the annoying things about having the Makita under the table. Goood 5hit. I think that the price is excellent - seems to be a quality product indeed.

If it going to be primarily table mounted, forgo the through table winder, and get the 2400W Triton - the power surpasses the benefit of through-table adjustment. The baby (1400W) is in many ways just a scaled down 2400W (excluding that table winding thingie).

Gunadoit

Which direction have you gone, I'm looking at the same issueand was looking at a lifter, but having read this thread I'm back to square one now?

Hoppoz

If you have a good router already, and you can afford it, the Unilift is a beautiful piece of engineering


However.

At $585, it is more expensive than buying a phenolic plate


for about $100, and a 2400W Triton Router

for about $350.

Decisions decisions

Keep going Stuart, you've almost convinced me .

I have been thinking of a router table and the annoying fact of having to get under the table to change bits and adjust heights.

Adjusting heights......well yeah, I do reach under the table, particularly for fine tuning with the microadjuster.
Changing bits - Triton above-table bit changing is second to none

Where in Melbourne are you? One of us may be able to give you an 'in-shop' demo, and you can suck it and see.

Originally Posted by Stuart.

Adjusting heights......well yeah, I do reach under the table, particularly for fine tuning with the microadjuster.
Changing bits - Triton above-table bit changing is second to none

Where in Melbourne are you? One of us may be able to give you an 'in-shop' demo, and you can suck it and see.

Thanks for the offer. At the moment I've got a bit on my plate and will look into it after that. I'm in Eltham.
You're down Frankston way aren't you? Have been looking into moving down that way, whats the neighbourhood like?

As for the Triton, I think I might have it mixed up with something else. I thought I saw it somewhere mounted in a table, and you were able to adjust the height of the cutter through the top of the table with something like a Hex key?

The new 'baby' (1400W) router has a through-table height winder (optional extra). The 2400W doesn't, but if you have a look at my recent posts on the subject, I am not overly keen on the whole idea, for various reasons.

As to Frankston.......the best coastline in Melbourne..... They have done significant improvements to the shopping centre I should say. Now the police need to do something about the 'local element'. Like my Mum used to say" If you can't say something nice, don't say any......." well, I'm sure you know the rest.

Alright now Stuart mate you need to clear this up for me...
1) the triton wont fit/work with a router lifter?
2) You actually enjoy bending down and reaching under the damned table to adjust the hieght? man your knees must be way bedderer than mine!
3) Whats your recommondation?

I have one of the big tritons (am yet to see one of the smaller ones other than on their site) and intend to build a table shortly... although the top of the table Ive got is a bloody ripper I know it wont fit the router lifter that carbetex has so Im gonna have to build a table for it...and from what woodpecker told me awhile back the ripsnorter one wont fit the triton

Is it worth geting the router lifter for the triton or not?

See I sorta got confused reading all that

Yes the triton does fit the Unilift.
It has mounting screws for the following Oz routers:<o></o>
Hitachi M12V (pretty sure the new M12 fits)<o></o><o></o><o></o><o></o>
DeWalt 621, 625, (so most elu style routers will fit)<o></o><o></o>
Triton TRC-001 (TRA001 here)<o></o>
<st1:city w:st="on"></st1:city>Makita 3612C

Here fella's I have too have a little gloat!

See http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=42766

As far as it can fit it, I don't see the benefit, as you loose the ability to do through table bit changing (or you have to reach under the table to unlock the plunge on the Triton, then wind it up to lock the shaft to change bits. Insert bit, then head under the table to reverse the process. While under there, why not set the bit height.....) Unless of course, you have to buy (for another $100 or so) the xtreme xtension, which is a concept I really don't like from an engineering point-of-view.

Why don't I like the xtreme xtension?
1. It uses a cam to secure the bit. In all likelyhood it will hold a bit tightly enough, but it is still a cam mechanism, using an allen (hex) key to tighten and loosen. I don't think it can be tightened enough to my liking, especially with the big bits I use (panel raising bits for example) A cam provides pressure at a single point (2 round surfaces meeting), whereas a collet grips all around the circumference, and along the length of the bit.

2. The cam by it's very nature is securing the bit by pushing it off-centre. Again, probably not enough to make any real difference, but we are talking about a machine that is then going to spin the bit up to 20000RPM. It just seems a bad idea.

3. If you use a 1/4" sleeve (and it does come with one), all these issues are exasperated. You have to tighten the cam against the sleeve, and still have enough movement left to tighten the sleeve against the 1/4" bit.

4. And this is my main issue - it makes the bit very long. With the forces being placed on the bit, this is multiplied by the length of the shaft, and ends up placing a lot of undue load on the router collet and bearings. It is like pushing the router twice as fast through the work. More length to bend and flex, more load on the router.

Apologies to those who use and love the extension, but I won't touch one for day to day work. I can see a benefit for the occasional job where you'd take extreme care given the above points, but the rest of the time, I'll use my Triton router as designed.

BTW - My opinions about the xtreme xtension are my own. My opinions about through-table height adjustment (in the other thread) actually originally came from one of Triton's main engineers, and I have come to totally agree with his point-of-view.

I am not saying the Unilift is not good, or that through-table height adjustment doesn't have a benefit, and if you own a router other than a Triton, the Unilift looks an awesome (although expensive) solution. If you do own a Triton, (unless your knees are like Dingo's), I don't see the benefit.