Router lifts....

[scsmith42]

I will soon be in the market for a router lift, to use in building a router workstation (to replace a router table that got BBQ'd last June...)

In searching through the archives, it appears that some of the best choices are lifts made by Woodpecker, Jessem, Bench Dog, and Jointech.

I have read a lot of on-line reviews (most of which were 2 - 3 years old), and basically there are several great quality lifts available.

What I'm wondering is if there are any NC woodshop equipment dealers that may have examples set up in their showrooms of all four of these brands, so that I can compare them in one setting?

Alternatively, I wonder if there will be examples of all at the upcoming Klingspor's show, or another event?

Can anybody advise? Thanks.

Scott

 

[Vetteman9956]

Both Woodcraft and Klingspor have some on display. I have been using a Bench dog lift for a few years and am very happy. No one place I know has all of them. They seem to split up the brands between them.

 

[McRabbet]

Scott,

After doing some serious looking for some time and reading reviews, I recently purchased the Woodpeckers Precision Router Lift V2 when it was on sale at $279.99 for my Milwaukee 5625-20 3-1/2 HP variable speed router. I'd recommend you look at Tom Hintz's site for his review of it (he also reviews several others). It has some incredible features and is built for long-term use.

 

[SteveColes]

I'm pretty sure that jointech only sells online.

 

[scsmith42]

All - thanks for the info thus far.

Rob - I looked at the Pinacle version of the PRL 2 yesterday at Woodcraft, and liked several features about it. I had two concerns though.

First, there was a bit of backlash in the adjustment. Second, it was a little bit difficult to turn the adjustment knob (however, it may have been adjusted a bit tight on the store demo unit), and I'm concerned regarding how easy it would operate over time (with sawdust, etc building up on the mechanism.

Overall it was a nice lift and the quick lift feature is fantastic.

Vetterman - I'll plan on stopping by Klingspor and checking out their selection. I'm wondering if there will be many on display at the Extravaganza in Hickory later this month too.

 

[bobby g]

Scott... I recently settled on the Bench Dog and am pretty happy with it. You're welcome to stop by and check it out at my shop which is off the Mt. Gilead church road (west of Pittsboro).

 

[WoodWrangler]

I would HIGHLY recommend looking at the Woodpeckers offerings. Most of their lifts are second to none, and all are quality. I have the Unilift and it's been a great lift. I opted for the 32 pitch, but if I did it again I'd do the 16 pitch (just so it could move faster up and down)

The Unilift has the advantage of just about any modern router can be mounted in it. However, if I did it again I'd buy a 3 1/4 HP PC router motor only and just mount that in the other style lifts that Woodpeckers offers (just seems a little nicer than having to have the entire router under the table, but then again the functional different is nothing as far as I know). I currently use a 3 1/4 HP Hitachi router on my lift.

As for Jointech ... blah. Maybe a decent company, but my few run ins with them at the shows over the past 5 years tells me they are not the company I'd want to deal with. I could be reading it wrong, but just based on the crappy attitude I've received with them they would NEVER get MY business.

Woodpeckers on the other hand has done me right recently, and they've probably made a customer for life. Before that I already liked the product, and the service was great ... but a recent no questions asked lift replacement sealed the deal.

Note: Check out the Jess'em lifts at WC too. They have some nice models for sure!

 

[redhawknc1]

I have the Benchdog Pro-Lift with the cast iron Benchdog Extension . Have a PC7518 motor mounted under it. Have been very pleased with it. As a second setup I have the Benchdog Contractor Router Table with a Hitachi MV12? under it. Nice to have the 2 when I am in the shop. If I were in the market for another, I would definitely give the Woodpecker a good look...I do like their stuff!

 

[gdoebs]

I have the Jointech lift with the built-in Wixey digital height scale. I have the PC7518 mounted in it and it's rock solid. The digital scale is nice for making repeated setups. For example; if I'm making molding for a project I can setup the bit to get the proper cut, then write down the final height. Then later, when I realize that I'm out of molding, I can put the bit back in, zero it out, then raise it to the correct height. Works every time. The manual says it's a sealed mechanism so you don't have any issues with dust. Nor do you have any issues with the bit moving slightly when raising and lowering the bit.

 

[toolferone]

I have and REALLY like the Jess'em. One feature I really like is being able to reset zero on the dial right where you need it.

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

Scott, was the brake too tight on the PRL V2? I like the INCRA/WoodPeckers version of the PRL V2- it has drop-in magnetic inserts. I have a WP Plungelift and the one thing I don't like is the twist inserts.

 

[scsmith42]

This is really a tough decision, and I appreciate the feedback from everybody.

It looks like the PC 7518 is THE router to use, but choosing between the different lifts is not as clear cut.

Bench Dog has the reputation of having the strongest, and most stable lift. Their cast iron table is really sweet too. They also seem to have the greatest amout of travel of any of the lifts, as well as the greatest distance above the table for ease of bit changes. The screw adjustment system is nice.

The "quick lift" feature of the PRLV2 is unbeatable though. Also, I can see the benefits of the hand wheel, versus having to use a tool to adjust height every time. The chains are a drawback in my mind though.

I like the digital concept of the Jointech, and the fact that it's built into the table. However, more than one person has made negative comments about Jointech's customer service, and that is a concern.

I haven't looked that closely at the Jessem's yet, but they too have a great reputation.

Definitely not an easy choice...

 

[WoodWrangler]

FYI - WC now sells under "Pinnacle" lifts that I believe are Woodpeckers re-branded. They have the "quick" height change, I believe.

In the end, I think they are all pretty darn good lifts (even the Jointech, haha). A lift isn't too complicated really. The fine pitch screws do get a little jammed with saw dust, but a regular (and recommended) blast with air and a drip of lube and it's all gone and a none issue (same goes for the chain on mine) ... so I wouldn't overthink that.

In the end it will come to which one do you like (look & feel), supports the router you want to use (PC), is in your price range (unlimited), durability (some are metal, some are not) and meets your long-term product support needs (varies for every item in the shop).

Good luck picking ... just get one of each and it's a lot easier!

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

I'm waiting for WP or someone to design (or buy my design :wwink: ) for a lift similar to the WP PRL V2 that doesn't require a separate lever or crank to raise the router for bit changes. I motorized my lift, but I think it can be done some other way with counter balance springs, or a precharged lift cylinder, etc.

 

[Travis Porter]

I have the Jess'em Master Lift with a PC 7518. I do recommend using the 7518 with a lift. It works well. It is a very precise and accurate lift. I like the fact that I can get the lift to raise up high enough to do bit changes above the table. The inserts are nice, but over priced......

Lets see.... It has a scale on it so you can tell your increments of adjustment up to 1/64th of an inch.

For negatives, none really, but two "irks". The thing is expensive. Secondly, it takes a lot of rotations to raised and lower it a lot, but with precision to 1/64th of an inch I could say it is expected.

 

[scsmith42]

UPDATE:

I've looked at the Woodpecker offering (Pinacle), the Jessem, the Kreg, the Benchdog, the Rousseau, and a couple of others that I don't recall!

Of them all, the Benchdog strikes me as the heaviest duty and the most precise. The cast iron top is really nice too.

I think that I'll need to make a trip up to Hickory in a couple of weeks to compare more, but right now I'm leaning just a teensy bit towards the Benchdog. I would probably add a Wixey DRO to it as well.

Thanks for all of the feedback - please keep it coming!

 

[McRabbet]

Scott,

You might want to consider one of these in lieu of a Wixey since it is significantly more robust and USA made. I just got one for my new Woodpecker PRL-V2 but have not installed it (I need to make a new top for my router table because my old Rousseau plate is larger than the solid aluminum plate on the PRL-V2). The owner of this company (Accurate Technologies, Inc.) is a member of our Western NC Woodworkers Association. Most of their products are for the industrial market (see his main website at http://www.proscale.com/)

 

[scsmith42]

Scott,

You might want to consider one of these in lieu of a Wixey since it is significantly more robust and USA made.

Rob, thanks much for the recommendation - I'll check that out.

Scott

 

[merrill77]

It looks like the PC 7518 is THE router to use, but choosing between the different lifts is not as clear cut.

Well, if you haven't already bought the router, then I'll throw the Triton into the ring. I love mine - and since the lift is built in, it is downright affordable by comparison.

 

[Travis Porter]

When I was looking, I had pretty much decided on the Bench Dog cast iron one myself. I had it on my Christmas list and my wife ended up buying the Jessem Master Lift instead. She went to Woodcraft and Tom Ferrone convinced her that the Jessem was superior/top of the line. I will defer to him as to his basis for that recommendation.

I haven't owned the Bench Dog, but I have been happy with the Jessem.

Overall, I don't think you can go wrong.