[gdaveg]

Our shop in Arizona is planning to purchase a JessEm brand Mast-R-Lift Excel II Router table system. This shop is in a 55 and older community with various skill levels. There are about 250 members.

I have had exposure to this table in the Portland Oregon shop I belong to. I like its ease of use.

But is it durable enough for a lot of people with various skill levels? What alternates would you recommend.

We would pair the 4.25" diameter 3.25 HP Milwaukee router with the table.

Our current table has an older lift I think it is a Kreig. It is hard to adjust and has needed fixing several times. I would love to have it in my home shop as my RT does not have a lift system.

Thanks for the input.

 

[EarlS]

I have the "JessEm Ultimate Excel II, which is the next step up from the one you mention. The only down side is the lack of anything resembling decent dust collection. However, that can be remedied by building storage and a dust box under the table, a good project for someone. Here is my review

Rather than a Milwaukee, I have the big PC router motor.

 

[DougC]

Have you looked into the Woodpecker's router table system?

 

[gdaveg]

Have not looked into the Woodpeckers RT system. Will do so. The guy promoting this came up with this on his own. I have privy to a gazillion good wood workers with experience here on LJ's so through I would do some research here before the Jan 20 board (bored) meeting.

 

[Jim Jakosh]

Check out the Woodpecker system. I have the old first model and it is bulletproof so far. I put extra holes in it the screw it down. It was meant to set in the recess and just be leveled with the set screws. It had l it lift on me a few times in the beginning, but with the hold down screws is stays put…...........Cheers, Jim

 

[EarlS]

I researched Woodpeckers vs. JessEm. JessEm had more, better features for the money AND their customer service folks were much more responsive to my research questions. Woodpeckers also had some REAL problems with sending me the right stuff I ordered (clamp it rack). It took them 4 tries to get it right and that was well before Covid.