Router lifts.... - Page 2

Router lifts.... · 10-08-2009, 07:19 PM

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

scsmith42 · 10-12-2009, 07:31 PM

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 · 10-12-2009, 08:20 PM

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 · 10-12-2009, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by McRabbet

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 · 10-12-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by scsmith42

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 · 10-13-2009, 11:55 AM

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.

woodlaker2 · 10-13-2009, 03:51 PM

Just to complicate matters, I have the Jessem lift , table, and miter fence. Also have the PC 7518 in it. Have been very satisfied with this setup. Good luck.