Best router lift

[Mike Cruz]

Funny, just as I was about to start this thread (which I had been contemplating for some time), I noticed another lift thread... :)

So, which lift have you used, and which do you feel is the best. Feel free to say why.

[Bruce Page]

It's hard to say which is best unless you have owned or used them all. That said, I have been very happy with my Bench Dog setup. It's very solid.
I also have a Router Raizer in my crosscut table that works fine.

[Mike Harrison]

Sacrilege, how could one overlook the original and best of the lot, PRL.

[Don Morris]

I've used the Jessum and Bench Dog Pro Lift. The Pro Lift is the better of the two by far.

[Jim McFarland]

I've used the Jessum and Bench Dog Pro Lift. The Pro Lift is the better of the two by far.

Router Raizer & Pro Lift for me and no comparison -- Pro Lift is all I will ever need.

[Mike Cruz]

The reason for my question is that I don't have nor do I have space for a shaper. The best I can do is put a router lift system in my TS extension table. I've been thinking of this for some time and considered the three that I listed in the poll. Glad I did this. Seems the Bench Dog Pro Lift is winning this contest. Is that the same as the PRL that Mike referenced?

[Cyrus Brewster 7]

Mike,

The PRL refers to Woodpeckers Precision Router Lift. However, it has just been discontinued. I was lucky enough for it to still be produced when I was in the market last fall.

Take a look at the new version - PRL v2. The PRL v2 can also be had with with a side crank attached. It is called the Sidewinder 420.

When you check Woodpeckers lift, the decision making will become harder. Sorry.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I was under the impression that Woodpecker made the Kreg lift....

[Erik France]

I use a Jessem, but I think the Woodpeckers Lifts are some of the best out now. I really wish my Jessem had a Quick Lift feature.

[Joe Leigh]

There is no best list, there's Woodpeckers and there's everything else.

[Ray DuBose]

Actually Woodpeckers makes Both the Kreg and The Incra. Funny that they would list both of then and not the PRL for voting on.

[Bob Vallaster]

Looks like "Other" is a runaway favorite.
How 'bout a moderator expanding the menu of brands/models to be more reflective of the choices mentioned by respondents?

BobV

[dan sherman]

I have used PRL and the Pro Lift. In my opinion the Pro Lift is better, It's beefier, and can be screwed down to the table. some people being able to screw it down isn't that significant, and to that I say run a 3-1/2" diameter raised panel door bit, and get back to me.

The only down side of it, is that it now comes with plastic inserts. I made new ones out of aluminum, but you could make them out of wood as well.

[Bill Trouard]

I posted some of this in the other lift thread

I have a PC7518 with a Kreg (Woodpeckers PRL) lift with a Wixey Remote Digital Readout in a full size kreg table with a kreg fence and a Rockler Dustbucket below. I'm very happy with this setup

[Bill Wyko]

I have a Jessem, an Incra and a Rockler (Jessem) The incra has the quick height adjustment but sticks sometimes. The old Jessem I have has a belt to lift and plastic gears. I've had to replace both on that one. The Rockler has worked flawlessly but takes for ever to move up and down. Out of the three I would say that my Incra stands out in the crowd as the best.

[glenn bradley]

There are many good lifts and a few really good lifts. Most folks who only have experience with one type will likely vote for that one as the significant increase in the pleasure of using your router table with a lift makes that lift seem like "the best". Its a real Eureka kind of moment the first time you can accurately raise your bit by tiny, little, repeatable amounts. Those that have a few different models can provide differences where I cannot. I run PRL's with Milwaukee 5625's and have been quite happy BUT, I've never run anything else.

[Mike Cruz]

Honestly, when I started this thread, I didn't know a whole lot about them. These were the names that seemed to surface the most, so that is why I listed these three and then "other". I don't think I can go back to add more options. So, I'd LOVE it if a mod could add more options (as many as he/she can think of) for the poll and sort out the "other" responses...

[Doug Colombo]

I have the Woodpeckers PLR and love it !!!!

[Alan Lightstone]

I have the Woodpecker's PRL V2 with a Wixey Digital Readout and do like it a lot, but I think I'm lusting for the MLCS Powerlift. The Wixey has too much play in it to be useful.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/orderstatus/html/smarthtml/pages/powerlift.html

It's plate doesn't fit my router table, so I'd have to make a big change, but it looks so sexy...
195039195040

I haven't used it, so I have no personal experience, but the cool factor is certainly there.

[Ruperto Mendiones]

The Bench Dog prolift is THE lift @ Cerritos College. Five of them withstand the assult/ workload of 600 students. My only objection is that the currently supplied phenolic inserts are not as sturdy/durable as the solid steel ones @ school.

Ruperto

[Jim O'Dell]

I've had my PRL original version in use for about 5 years now. I have the PC7518 hanging on it. It is a very stout setup. I have had a problem with it being gummed up. I tried their instructions on cleaning it, but evidently didn't do a good job. Sent it in for repair (Their Lifetime warranty is just that) and it works as well as new again. I do like the PRL V2, and I think the Incra version of it with the pop in inserts would be the way to go now. But that PRL v1 sure looks nice on my table with the Incra LS system!!! :cool: Jim.

[Mike Harrison]

There is no best list, there's Woodpeckers and there's everything else.

LOL

Joe, Nice summation.