Deflected / Sagging router lift

[Kurt Cady]

I need some advise. I bought a Mast-r-lift back in August 2010. Never took it out of the box until last weekend. I finally finished the table and dropped it in. Couldn't for the life of me get it level so I checked the lift. Out of flat close to 0.01 at the middle.

I know it doesn't seem like much, but there is certainly a pronounced lip at the centers of the long edge of the plate.

I called Jessem Friday and they promised to call back after lunch. Didn't get a call.

So my question to you all is what would you guy do? Any suggestions? Anyone have a plate that is out that much? Do you ever notice?

One last note is that I mounted an Incra system? Those with the incra system think this will be an issue?

[Mark Carlson]

Hopefully Jessem will replace it even after so long because 10 thousands is way to much on a router plate in my opinion.

~mark

[Myk Rian]

Don't be surprised if they don't call back. If it doesn't work out, you may be buying a new one.
Too bad HF doesn't still sell their plate. It was a good one for only $15.

[Sam Stephens]

if anything, it should be slightly crowned, not the opposite. 0.01" deflection is NOT acceptable!

[Kurt Cady]

Don't be surprised if they don't call back. If it doesn't work out, you may be buying a new one.
Too bad HF doesn't still sell their plate. It was a good one for only $15.

I better not buy another one. It's a $300 lift not a $30 plate.

[Phil Thien]

So you say it is .01" out of flat, and then you say you know it doesn't sound like much.

Well, .01" is a ton. That is 1/100th of an inch.

Did you try calling them again? I tell people I'll call them back and sometimes forget. I always appreciate it when they call me again and let me know I've forgotten.

[Kurt Cady]

So you say it is .01" out of flat, and then you say you know it doesn't sound like much.

Well, .01" is a ton. That is 1/100th of an inch.

That's part of my question. When you think about it, it doesn't seem like that much. Like a penny to dollar. I think it is way too much, but wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy.


I checked it with a dial today and am confident that it is atleast 0.008.


I called again today and was told they were super busy on Friday but that it was on her list and I wouldn't be forgotten. For whatever that's worth

[Myk Rian]

You called today, and they thought it was Friday?

[Kurt Cady]

You called today, and they thought it was Friday?

no, I called on Monday and they said they were super busy Friday and that's why they didn't get back to me as promised.

It is Wednesday and I still haven't heard back

Im beginning to think Jessem's customer service is highly OVERRATED

[Richard Coers]

no, I called on Monday and they said they were super busy Friday and that's why they didn't get back to me as promised.

It is Wednesday and I still haven't heard back

Im beginning to think Jessem's customer service is highly OVERRATED

Patience now Kurt, you left it in the box for over 2 years. A few days waiting for a response isn't that much. I would think you could set up a piece of sandpaper on a flat surface and take off .008" very quickly. Won't look so pretty, but it saves the situation if they don't make good on a purchase made over 2 years ago.

[Kurt Cady]

Patience now Kurt, you left it in the box for over 2 years. A few days waiting for a response isn't that much.

Fair enough. I just hate when someone says they'll call back and don't. Twice now

[Anthony Diodati]

yeah, HF don't make a lot of good stuff they used to have.

Don't be surprised if they don't call back. If it doesn't work out, you may be buying a new one.
Too bad HF doesn't still sell their plate. It was a good one for only $15.

[Carl Beckett]

Before I tried sandpaper, I would try shimming the ends and clamping across the middle to 'deflect' it back.

(that is, if customer service completely fails)

Sandpaper would take off the anodized finish? (which you want to save, it's a harder wear surface)

[Andrew Pitonyak]

no, I called on Monday and they said they were super busy Friday and that's why they didn't get back to me as promised.

It is Wednesday and I still haven't heard back

Im beginning to think Jessem's customer service is highly OVERRATED

I would have to check the turn-around time when I had a problem, but it was not over a day or two. When my lift arrived, I could not fit my router into it. They provided a good solution that took no more than 30 seconds time to fix the problem. Doubt they can do the same for an out-of-flat top. I only mentioned it because they did get back to me rather quickly.

[Chip Lindley]

Since the plate is aluminum, you can re-flex it back to flat by applying pressure at the ends with a fulcrum in the center. Trial and error prevails. But it will work in time. Phenolic could not be fixed like this.

JessEm is a fine lift! Worth fixing, even if customer service is no help!!

~~Chip~~

[Kurt Cady]

As an update because this post can be found at a later date by people searching for router lifts, and in fairness to Jessem, I called CS this week and they are sending a new lift. Because they don't have parts anymore for the previous version that I have they have upgraded me to the Mart-R-Lift II. I paid $55 for the upgrade. I also had the option of a full refund, but because I have already cut the opening I wanted a new lift.

$55 seemed fair and likely close to the difference in cost between what I paid on clearance for the previous version and the wholesale cost of the new lift - a solution that I was prepared to offer them up anyway given the timeline of events.

[Phil Thien]

Sounds great, Kurt. Sounds like it will work out.