Harvey router table fence RF-36-I

[Warped Woodwerks]

I am currently in the (slow) process of designing and building my 1st router table.

My Harvey Woodworking router table fence arrived, earlier yesterday, and all I can say is... "Wow!!" Oh and... "This thing is HEAVY!!" This feels a lot heavier than 21-22 lbs.
I hope the "hype" is real.

 

[cyclopentadiene]

Looks really complex for a “first” router table.
I am scared or routers so the only thing I use mine to do is add an edge

 

[Henry W]

I hope the "hype" is real.

I am not in the market for this product, though I certainly would not turn one down if I won it in a raffle. So I can't speak to the hype. Clearly Harvey is out to have an impact on the ww-ing market. Just the fences and router plates look great on their website. I believe others here on NCWW have purchased larger tools and Harvey and been pleased.

Looks well designed and implemented; a tool for a lifetime I think.
Let us know how you like it after some usage - a user review if you like. Pros & Cons, up to expectations, etc?

A very minor side note - there is some slightly awkward word choice and phrasing used in the descriptions. I couldn't cut and paste the web text because these are images on the site, but for example one sentence leading a paragraph reads:
"Especially, the Harvey router table fence is dedicatedly designed to solve the most popular issues with existing fences in the market."
Nothing technically wrong (except maybe the word 'dedicatedly'), but an editor would have made a few subtle changes here that would have made a big difference.

 

[golfdad]

Nice fence......looks a bit like Jessum

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

Looks really complex for a “first” router table.
I am scared or routers so the only thing I use mine to do is add an edge

Yes, it definitely does look complex, but I am hoping I will never have to upgrade this thing. If I do, maybe it'll be for their metric version?

As far as my first router table goes, I am hoping it'll be my last. As they say.. "buy once, cry once."

I hear ya, regarding router tables. I've seen some crazy videos where the wood goes flying, due to improper usage of the table, or just some freakish event. Would be great if these things had some sort of SawStop technology.


@Henry W If you won it at a raffle, that would be great! And I agree. It appears Harvey is stepping it up, with the woodworking products. I'd like to see them come out with a 3hp+ planer, jointer, and maybe another tool choice. Not sure.
I am hoping it is a tool for my lifetime. If this thing ever fails me, I am not sure I'd buy another one. Too costly, imo, but one never knows.

Once I start on my router table project, you better believe I'll do my best with a review...pros\cons...etc. I haven't seen any, or many, videos on this fence. Well, except the Harvey videos, and we all know how marketing videos go.

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

Update ..

I'll post build photos, later.. but first...


I have the cast iron top on, and the router lift in, but what's the deal??

This is the Jess'Em\Incra router lift. Shouldn't I be able to put a screw in here, to hold the lift in?

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

Harvey's manual states that I need to affix the lift to the table, via the supplied screws, and that their table is also suitable for most main brands of router lifts.

I'd think JessEm\Incra would fall into that category.

Extremely P'd off!

Emailed Harvey, but they aren't working until next week, so who knows

I asked them what their opinion is of main brand router lifts, so I know what other options I might have, since it doesn't look like this lift will work.

Any ideas?

I'm extremely ticked off...! I can't believe this. I definitely can't return this lift, unless Incra feels for me.

I might email Incra and see what their thoughts are, too.

Thanks

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

I emailed Incra, but I really am not sure what they can do, or suggest. The only thing I can think of is.. find someone to machine the holes this plate needs, so I can secure it to the table.

Other than that.. sell this lift and see what my options are?

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

The Incra is the same lift as the JessEm. The only thing different was supposed to be the logo and the addition of the ability to put the Incra clean sweep router rings.

 

[Wilsoncb]

So, is that single hole they only thing that holds it down? Can you drill a hole in the router plate to match the table?

Also, just an FYI. Clean all the oil off of the height adjustment set screws in the table, then apply some locktite to keep them from moving.

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

Yeah, that single hole is, apparently, the only hole that secures the lift to the table.

I emailed Incra, sent them pics, so hoping they can help me. From the other pics, it does look like the JessEm version does have the 4 holes, so not sure why the Incra version of the JessEm lift only has that one.

The height adj screws do have locktite on them. It came that way from Incra.

Also, I'll wait until I hear back from Harvey, or Incra, before I manhandle the lift. I don't really want to drill.

 

[Wilsoncb]

The height adj screws do have locktite on them. It came that way from Incra.

Also, I'll wait until I hear back from Harvey, or Incra, before I manhandle the lift. I don't really want to drill.

Ok, I used the set screws in the Harvey table cause my plate didn’t have them. Having them in the plate makes it easier.

Yeah, I hate to start putting holes in new stuff if you don’t have to. But I also hate waiting for answers. I really like the magnetic adapter plates on the Incra (don’t have one, but it’s on the list), so hopefully they can help.

 

[mdbuntyn]

Even though JessEm makes the Incra lift, the plates have different mounting holes, which would explain why Harvey doesn't have Incra in their list of compatible router lift manufacturers.

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

I'm not sure of all of the lifts that are compatible with the Harvey router table, but it would be nice to have that list.

From a quick image search, I see that Kreg and JessEm work.

I am hoping Incra can either take this lift back, (doubtful, since its been 4+ months since I purchased it) machine me a plate to fit this table, or I'll probably have to sell this lift and buy something else.

 

[demondeacon]

For what it's worth, I have the Kreg router lift and like it. It was easy to install and works well. But I feel your pain as I spent most of yesterday installing an Infinity Dust bucket onto my Kreg router table, which required lots of extra effort since they did not match well. I took a risk buying it because Kreg does not sell a dust bucket.

 

[mdbuntyn]

I'm not sure of all of the lifts that are compatible with the Harvey router table, but it would be nice to have that list.

Taken directly from the Harvey site: "It is compatible with router lifts installation of the brand including: JessEm, Grizzly, Kreg, SawStop, Woodpeckers."

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

Thanks.

Not sure why the JessEm has the 4 holes, but the Incra doesn't, even though the Incra is made by JessEm.

Hoping Incra has some good news for me, tomorrow. If not, I'll probably end up selling this lift and buying the JessEm.

 

[mdbuntyn]

I think I figured it out: Did your router lift come with a cam-like machine screw? If so, insert it into that threaded hole in the corner, and the cam action of the screw against the corner of the cutout will hold the lift in place.

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

This is what the corner looks like when the lift\plate is out\in the router table hole.

The lift did come with the 1 screw for this corner, but not sure it is a fancy cam screw. I will have to check.

 

[Warped Woodwerks]

I saw a YT video that had the same loft and router table. The person messaged me and stated the concentric screw will fix the problem. I rummaged through the shipping box and thankfully I was able to find the screw. It was wrapped in bubble wrap. I thought the bubble wrap was for the shipping materials, not for a screw and Allen wrench.

I tried the screw and holy guacamole!! It fixed my issue.. well, my router table and plate issue. My brain issue is another story.

Wow, do I feel stupid!!