Lift For Router Table

[Ed Gibbons]

Built Norm's router table about 12 years ago. Looking to purchase a lift. It's a pain in the butt changing bits.

Recommendations appreciated.

[Stew Hagerty]

Hands down, the Woodpeckers PRL-V2 lift. I've had mine for 8 years now and absolutely love it! It's super precise, very smooth, and rock solid.


http://www.woodpeck.com/prlv2.html

354134

[Malcolm McLeod]

I like the General International version. It is the only 4-post design on the market (I think). For the big PC router, it gives me some confidence that things aren't 'swinging' to and fro under the table...

http://www.general.ca/accessories/acc_shaper/a_40-125.html

[Scott Brader]

My budget was a bit tighter and I bought the JessEm Rout-R Lift. I have been very happy with it. The only downside is that it won't hold a 3 HP router. That isn't really a problem for me because I don't have one that big, anyway.

Scott

[George Bokros]

Hands down, the Woodpeckers PRL-V2 lift. I've had mine for 8 years now and absolutely love it! It's super precise, very smooth, and rock solid.


http://www.woodpeck.com/prlv2.html

354134

Make that two. I have their discontinued Sidewinder version and love it. Same lift but with a cable crank instead of the wheel on the surface. They discontinued because of problems with the cable.

[Marty Schlosser]

Make it three!


Make that two. I have their discontinued Sidewinder version and love it. Same lift but with a cable crank instead of the wheel on the surface. They discontinued because of problems with the cable.

[Brett Luna]

I just ordered the JessEm Mast-R-Lift II based on a lot of favorable reviews including a fairly recent "best of" article in one of the woodworking magazines...the name of which escapes me at the moment. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on it.

[Frank Pratt]

Same here. Pricey, but extremely solid. The 4 threaded posts ist what sold me on it. But the Woodpecker & Mast-R-Lift also get good reviews.


I like the General International version. It is the only 4-post design on the market (I think). For the big PC router, it gives me some confidence that things aren't 'swinging' to and fro under the table...

http://www.general.ca/accessories/acc_shaper/a_40-125.html

[Nick Decker]

I have the Incra version of the Jessem Master Lift II. Only got it up and running about a week ago, but I have only good things to say about it. I wavered back and forth between it and the Woodpecker lift, and see them on pretty equal terms. Both excellent choices, IMO.

I will say that they're both heavy, so don't think about putting them in a table that's prone to sag.

[James Zhu]

After getting the router lift, if you hate the wrench, take a look at muscle chuck :)

http://www.rockler.com/quick-change-musclechucktrade-musclechuck
http://www.musclechuck.com/

[Ben Rivel]

IMO its hands down the Incra with the CleanSweep magnetic inserts.

[Brian W Evans]

I'll add a vote for the Woodpecker. Had it for several years and love it every time I use it.

[Nick Decker]

Has anybody here used both the Woodpecker and the Jessem/Incra? I know what the published specs/differences are on both, just curious about comparing actual usage.

My Incra is mounted in a Woodpecker table with a WP fence. Probably sacrilege. :eek:

[Jim Dwight]

My table is like Norm's but I incorporated a lift based upon a design in an old American Woodworker. It slides on 1 inch diameter steel rods. Very sturdy. The top hinges up for bit changes. I am very happy with it. Most parts came from McMaster Carr. I think I paid about $100 for the parts.

[Bill Adamsen]

I have the Jessem Master Lift Excel and it works fine. Came with the Milwaukee 4"+ motor with the remote speed control and switch. Having a remote on/off is a wonderful feature. I still unplug to change bits.

[Mark Furjanic]

I went back and forth about a year ago between the Woodpecker and Jessem and went with the Incra Jessem because I thought the thumbwheel on the Woodpecker might not be as friendly for me to adjust. The Jessem has been great for me and I have the 3 1/2 horse Milwaukee router in it.
I built my cabinet and added Incra's dust box with the cleansweep rings and get excellent dust collection.

[Mark Blatter]

IMO its hands down the Incra with the CleanSweep magnetic inserts.

+1 on the Incra. I installed one in a modified Norm cabinet I built and it works great. I have the PC 7518 in it and haven't regretted going with the Incra once.

[Mason Truelove]

Its interesting..do you pics of that?


My table is like Norm's but I incorporated a lift based upon a design in an old American Woodworker. It slides on 1 inch diameter steel rods. Very sturdy. The top hinges up for bit changes. I am very happy with it. Most parts came from McMaster Carr. I think I paid about $100 for the parts.

[Jim Dwight]

This doesn't show a lot of detail but it is my router table with home made lift.

[Dan Rude]

Here Link to the AW one mentioned above:http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/aw-extra-8912-shop-made-router-lift I myself scored a Rockler Jessem FX-II during a Rockler Garage Sale for $40. They had marked it wrong, but the manager said it was there mistake and gave me the price. I really like it. Very easy to do bit changes, very easy to change height when sneaking up on a setting. Only issue is now they have changed plate size, so it will not fit the new tables. I previously had bought different plates to hold different routers. I would just pop out the plate drop the other router in with the new bit. Dan

[Steven Hosler]

I am another vote for the Woodpecker. I have the Sidewinder (which is the crank version of the PRL). I have a friend who has the Incra Jessem. I have used it when I am helping him at his shop. It seems just as well built and accurate. I think it will come down to which lift you are the most comfortable with. The Excalibur has received top ratings from several of the publications that review and compare tools. I also like that it has a cast iron top available. Jessem and Woodpecker do not. The only other company that has a cast iron top is Bench Dog, and I wasn't too thrilled with their lift.

[Stew Hagerty]

Make that two. I have their discontinued Sidewinder version and love it. Same lift but with a cable crank instead of the wheel on the surface. They discontinued because of problems with the cable.


I am another vote for the Woodpecker. I have the Sidewinder (which is the crank version of the PRL). I have a friend who has the Incra Jessem. I have used it when I am helping him at his shop. It seems just as well built and accurate. I think it will come down to which lift you are the most comfortable with. The Excalibur has received top ratings from several of the publications that review and compare tools. I also like that it has a cast iron top available. Jessem and Woodpecker do not. The only other company that has a cast iron top is Bench Dog, and I wasn't too thrilled with their lift.

I too have the Sidewinder version. I have never had an issue with the cable. It works perfectly and makes adjustments incredibly easy. Too bad it's discontinued.
I actually have the Incra RT Combo-3 setup which at the time was available with either the Incra plate or a slightly modified Woodpeckers. Instead of the Twist-Lock Rings it uses the magnetic drop in rings from Incra, which I think makes it even better. Then I've got the big old PC 7518 with a remote safety switch mounted to the outside.. The entire thing is all enclosed with storage on the right and dust collection on the left. Here are some photos:

354210 354211 354212 354213

[Sam Murdoch]

Stew - what is your fence system? Is the perpendicular piece part of the fence? Thanks. Sam

[Brian W Evans]

I am another vote for the Woodpecker. I have the Sidewinder (which is the crank version of the PRL). I have a friend who has the Incra Jessem. I have used it when I am helping him at his shop. It seems just as well built and accurate. I think it will come down to which lift you are the most comfortable with. The Excalibur has received top ratings from several of the publications that review and compare tools. I also like that it has a cast iron top available. Jessem and Woodpecker do not. The only other company that has a cast iron top is Bench Dog, and I wasn't too thrilled with their lift.

I have a Woodpecker lift in a Benchdog CI top. I think Woodpecker makes a plate specifically for this top, or else theirs just fits - I bought mine about 6 years ago and don't really remember.

[Myk Rian]

Here's all you need.

354235

[Earl McLain]

Stew - what is your fence system? Is the perpendicular piece part of the fence? Thanks. Sam

Sam--Stew is using an Incra LS-17 with an Incra Wonder Fence. The perpendicular piece is the fence positioner--I usually keep magnetic rule in mine, and then there are 2 or 3 other slots for plastic templates. I keep a movable rule in one slot so I can zero to any bit without adjusting my main rule (set to the center of the router for me), then if applicable the "templates" for what i'm working on at that moment. The cursor is near where the red lever is vertical.

Seems complicated at first--but it's a real easy system to work with. Even for me.
earl

[Sam Murdoch]

Sam--Stew is using an Incra LS-17 with an Incra Wonder Fence. The perpendicular piece is the fence positioner--I usually keep magnetic rule in mine, and then there are 2 or 3 other slots for plastic templates. I keep a movable rule in one slot so I can zero to any bit without adjusting my main rule (set to the center of the router for me), then if applicable the "templates" for what i'm working on at that moment. The cursor is near where the red lever is vertical.

Seems complicated at first--but it's a real easy system to work with. Even for me.
earl

Thanks Earl - need to check this out.

[Raymond Seward]

I just got the JessEm Mast-R-Lift II....I had a Bench Dog and did not like it....The Jessem is one sweet lift.....however....their Customer Service is terrible. I had a couple of questions.....sill waiting for an email response and a phone call....

[Nick Decker]

The Incra version of the Jessem ships with the Jessem manual, which could use some editing. Confusing at times, and the illustrations kind of don't really illustrate what the words are telling you to do. There's an instance of two different steps telling you to do the same thing, while referring to the same part by two different names. Incra responded promptly to my email, though, and admitted they hadn't noticed the error.

[Stew Hagerty]

Thanks Earl - need to check this out.

Here you go Sam:

[URL="http://www.incrementaltools.com/Router_Table_Combos_s/37.htm"[/URL]

[Stanley Powers]

Those magnetic clean sweep inserts are the best system I have seen. And I probably looked at all of them!

[Alan Lightstone]

I have the Woodpeckers PRL and the Jessem Mast-R-Lift II, and now the Ready2Rout.

Between the Woodpeckers and the Jessem, I hands down like the Jessem better. If anyone wants to buy the Woodpeckers lift from me, I'll sell it for a reasonable price. Just PM me. Don't want to hijack the thread, but I have extensive experience with both of those lifts.

[Dan Rude]

Give Jessem some time to respond. They are great to work with. A year or 2 ago I bought their new Dowel Jig and with it order some loose tennons for their defunct slot mortising machine. They took the time to call me and ask if I really wanted dowels. I told them they had the order right and thanked them for their check on me. Dan