Wooden Router Lift?

[junquecol]

When we think of router lift's, we see lots of closely machined metal. But the ShopNotes (issue 122,) / Woodsmith router lift is mostly made from wood. Steve Ramsey has an excellent video of his build, plus Woodsmith also has a video. Just about got mine completed. Working on mounting to router table insert. Main deviation from plans was to tap end of threaded rod for a 3/8-16 bolt, turn hex coupler round, and use "V" groove bit on Sears molding head to cut the track parts. Also bought a couple of regular nuts,( to make a jam nut assembly,) from Fastenal to make adding stop nut to threaded rod easier. You have to thread a stop nut down almost the entire length (12" - 3/4-16 ) threaded rod. About two hundred revolutions. An impact gun makes quick work of this

 

[tvrgeek]

One can make a lot of things from wood, least we forget apple wood bearing blocks. But wood is not dimensionally stable. It does have a very low Q, so that is good for vibration. A bit if all-thread does not a Acme drive make.

But, some are insanely over-engineered.

 

[JimD]

Bruce, my router lift is also home made but I followed plans loosely from American Woodworker and used 2 machined steel rods sliding on oilite bearings + wooden parts. The router motor is in a carriage of wood. It moves up and down when I turn a nut on the end of a piece of 5/16 all thread. The steel rods support the carriage. Anyway, my combination of wood and metal works very well. I like my home made router table a lot and have no desire for a commercially made table or lift.

 

[junquecol]

Jim, I've had all the parts on hand to make the AWW router lift for years. Even have the blocks glued up. Just couldn't get motivated to proceed. If I built the AWW router lift, I would make one revision. That's to rotate it 180 degrees, so lifting screw is at the front, instead of the rear, and add a vacuum port to router clamp. Currently those plans are available for FREE from Popular Woodworking's web site. Exact same as when it appeared in AWW.