router lift poll?

Jessem – have had 4 of their various models – all worked well, smooth mechanisms, easy to adjust, installation of router bits is simple above the table top, and graduated scale is accurate for adjusting bit height.

I am very pleased with the two I now own.

I have played with a few of the other models, but they dont seem to have the fit and finish that Jessem does.

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

Don’t forget Triton Routers, as they have their own lifting mechanism. And since Triton started using the metal lifting gear early in 2011, it has performed very well for me for more than the past two years. I have both the 3 1/4hp and the 2 1/4hp models and they BOTH are set up for above-the-table adjustments.

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

Add Rockler and Benchdog.

-- jay, www.allaboutastro.com

1+ with Mike’s comment. Triton and Freud have built-in lifts. With those brands, the collet extends fully so bit changes are easy. All adjustments are topside.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

Oh, BTW, many of these lifts are all the same thing, just branded differently.

-- jay, www.allaboutastro.com

My PC 890 also has a built-in lift. It works fairly well provided you don’t depend on the number of turns to set an exact bit height as the mechanism is too coarse.

-- Altruism is, ultimately, self-serving

Incra mast-r-lift II.
Best one on the market, no need for a poll. ;-)

Seriously, it has the best ring system (held in by rare earth magnets and adjustable for level), accommodates 16 or more different models of routers, and even has a pretty cool “snugger” feature in case the plate opening is router a bit too sloppy.

Every other lift has compromises IMHO.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

Ok guys, now that we have a bunch of info together where do I go to start a poll?

-- ***Pat*** Rookie woodworker looking for an education!!!

@HorizontalMike… I was going to post a question about that combination. I’d been looking at a PC7518 + Kreg/Jessem/Woodpecker/Incra/etc lift for a long time, but that’s a $650 combo. Learned about the Triton 3.25hp with the through the table adjustment recently. How are you liking that setup? Does the above the table winder only allow for micro-adjustments? As I understand it, if you want to quickly make large adjustments, it’s easier to do it below the table, is that correct?

I was at a local retailer recently who sells the Triton and the sales guy actually recommended I get the 7518+Woodpecker combo. They don’t sell either one of those so they were actually losing a sale. I’m kind of leaning that way right now, but I was hoping to get more feedback on the Triton setup since it’s about half the price.

@GTbuzz I have the 7518 Woodpecker combo and love it. I purchased the outfit with super fence and micro adjust at Jersey show last year.

@EdwardR – thanks for the feedback. Honestly I’m leaning towards the 7518 + whatever lift combo just because that’s the defacto standard, but if there’s decent feedback on the Triton I think it may be worth a shot.

To touch on something that comicsniper said, many of these seem to be just rebadges of each other. The Woodpecker and Kreg lifts looks nearly identical (the’re both called the Precision Router Lift too). Same thin with the Incra and Jessem “Mast-R-Lift”.

Also, one thing to note about the Rockler lift – it’s only compatible with mid-size routers. PC890 or Dewalt 718 size are okay, but PC7518 is a no go.

Mine is very inexpensive and it works well.
About 1/2 of collet nut comes through the table making easy to loose or to tight it.

-- Bert

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-- Bert

you can add shop-made router lifts to the list. They are a very practical solution, and can be made with simple hardware and better design. Check out this one from woodgears. Tilting router lift

I have two Jessem….they are awesome…I can not think of a complaint..
Mike

-- Mike