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electric router lifts

1K views 19 replies 15 participants last post by  zzzzdoc 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I see a lot of discussions about manual router lifts but was wondering what the scoop is on electric. I know of two the MLCS Pro lift and one that Grizzly now has.

Are they worth the extra $$?
Any other brands out there?
Is the Android tablet the only choice you have for the MLCS? We like to put everything on a big screen TV for easy viewing.
Has anyone built one from scratch using similar mechanics as a CNC?

Partner currently has the Jessum and it works well enough but the idea of being able to drop the router under the table raal quick and then bring it back up to the exact same spot with the push of a button does have a lot of appeal. Particularly if we put routers into work tables….
 
#3 ·
They re cool. But a JessEm Mast-R-Lift with a Wixey height gauge will offer the same level of precision for a much lower cost.

- Rich
+1. You don't even need the Wixey. Oftentimes you can eyeball the height if you have a well placed pencil mark.
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
I don't see the point of the extra cost. Honestly I have not ever looked at one to know how much extra. I have the original Woodpecker lift. so no quick raise and lower. I think I would like a new one that I can quick raise for bit changes. But then I tell myself, Really. A new Woodpecker lift is up to $450. and it takes me seconds to raise and lower.
I have not needed things like the Wixey gauge either. To each there own there. Personally I already have too many gadgets. lol
For the most part, eye ball is good. And I have set up blocks if I need to get within a 32nd. Which I have done maybe twice on my router table. I set precision height on a table saw blade way more often, and still only use my set up blocks.
Ok, I just took the time to glance at the MLCS lift options. And nope, lol. Computer controlled, bluetooth router lift.
You know this is all just my opinion. To each there own, and if anyone has this set up and likes it. Good for you. I'm not free from un necessary gadgets. Although none are $600 gadgets.
 
#5 ·
Next Wave Automation who is the maker of the CNC Shark machines used to have an automated router system called Ready2Route and Ready2Lift but I do not see them on their website anymore. Stumpy Nubs did a review of it several years ago and there are probably other videos as well. It used a touch plate similar to a CNC machine to zero the height and then you could tell it what height you wanted, among other features IIRC.

I do not remember who it was but someone here on LJ made their own automated router lift using either an Arduino or Raspberry Pi I think. If I can find it, I will post a link later.
 
#7 ·
Wow that is a LOT of detail on the Ardulift! Thanks for the link!

While the MLCS is around twice as expensive as a Jessum it is still well under $1000 and as such a small investment compared to other machines we may add to the shop. I guess the real question is will it add enough convivence and machine accuracy to our work to be worth the trouble. I never understood why people would bauk at a couple hundred dollars on a tool when they spend thousands on others with no hesitation. My favorite analogy is the guy in the bait shop trying to determine if he wanted to buy a can of $5 bait scent when he had a brand new $90K boat pulled by a $60K truck sitting outside…... Don't get the wrong impression, I am NOT rich but I will spend money on what brings me joy. And nice tools bring me much joy!

We currently have two DIY CNC setups my partner in the woodshop built. We will be converting the older smaller one to a larger version capable of taking a full 4×8 sheet. Idea of course being to be able to simply lay a panel on the machine and cut the entire thing at once.

Since we have some inhouse experience at CNC sounds reasonable for us to look at the router lift build. But at present I am more inclined to buy an MLCS if it is worthwhile to get us moving on projects more quickly.
 
#8 ·
I got tired of cranking up the Jessum lift to change bits. So use a Ryobi battery screw driver to raise and lower the router in the table. The screw driver and the lift both have the same hex drive. Makes it faster and less work for this old man. Submitted it to Woodcraft Mag. and it was published, they sent me a check for the idea.
Cheap easy.
 
#9 ·
im also in the dont need it camp.ive got the jessem lift and a wixey gauge on mine.i mean im not changing the height every few minutes so turning the crank is really no big deal.rons got a good idea if you want speed and ease. id rather spend the money on quality router bits.
 
#13 ·
I definitely agree you don't need one but for $425, might be enticing, especially if I was looking at my first lift. I say this without having looked at one closely but considering Jessem master R lifts are
Code:
 $360 and Woodpecker PRL V2
$449…

As mentioned above, I would worry about accuracy of adjustment….too much, too little and back and forth. One thing I would make sure before purchasing one is that I will be able to make adjustments even after the electronics have failed
 
#14 ·
No one seems to be questioning the accuracy of CNC's that move the router up and down the exact same way these electric lifts do, with stepper motors.

I wouldn't get one just because I am a cheap SOB. But the Ardulift is interesting. And I do like to tinker for tinkering's sake.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Pushing a button with your finger and something controlled by a computer are 2 totally different things aren't they?

I'm not a against them even if the time saved is extremely minimal. There is more wasteful things out there.

I guess my real question is can you move it extremely small amounts like you can a manual?

Edit-just watched a video on them. Seems pretty accurate and slower than just using a manual.

But if you like gadgets, your probably like it.
 
#16 ·
I am sort of with the last two posters that the MLCS is computer controlled and should be just as accurate as a CNC which no one seems to dispute the extreme accuracy of.

Thanks for introducing me to the Wixley devices. I am a big fan of digital machine accuracy! There is a difference between an artist and a craftsman. I am not an artist that can make an intricate carving with just a pocketknife (and have no interest in becoming one). I am very comfortable around complex machinery though and love high quality tools. The more I can get the tool to do for me the more I like it.
 
#17 · (Edited by Moderator)
I may be missing something….my Triton router has two modes for setting height: "Fast plunge depth adjustment with winder handle and fine depth adjustment with micro winder."

And in practice is works as advertised: quick and accurate. Turn the large knob to get the router bit above the table (for changing) or about where you want it. Then use the micro winder crank to adjust to the exact height.

Not sure why I would need a lift for a router, since the Triton already includes that capability as part of the router.
As far as computer controlled height adjustment, I'd need to use the router 1000x more than I do now to make that worthwhile.
 
#18 ·
I may be missing something….my Triton router has two modes for setting height: "Fast plunge depth adjustment with winder handle and fine depth adjustment with micro winder."

And in practice is works as advertised: quick and accurate. Turn the large knob to get the router bit above the table (for changing) or about where you want it. Then use the micro winder crank to adjust to the exact height.

Not sure why I would need a lift for a router, since the Triton already includes that capability as part of the router.
As far as computer controlled height adjustment, I'd need to use the router 1000x more than I do now to make that worthwhile.

- Sark
I have this one too but just can't seem to find enough time to build the table for it. Glad to hear that it is working for you.
 
#19 ·
The other argument for the MLSC is that you can have multiple setpoints programmed in and use the foot peddle to toggle up and down. So if you have an operation that requires multiple passes at gradually increasing heights you can do it with both hands free and repeatedly.

But I haven't used a router enough to know if that is actually a useful function…...

My main argument is that I trust a machine to be more accurate than I could be manually. After all isn't that part of the argument for a CNC? In essence this is a single function CNC. No one seems to argue with paying high $$ for a CNC…...
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
I do have a Ready-2-Rout and Ready-2-Lift setup. It is nice, but expensive. Tech support was beyond horrible, and they have discontinued it.

Never used the MLCS system, but it is nice to have these for certain operations. And yes, they are expensive.
 
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