Bench Dog ProMax cast iron router table

[GaryA]

What do you guys think of this? Anybody have one? It's got great reviews, and seems like a good addition to my Jet cabinet saw. http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00005R...pf_rd_i=507846

I have the Xacta (Jess-em Rout-R-Lift rebadged) lift which came with my Jet, built into the extension table. So far I dont like it much. On some bits, it wont raise it enough for the Hitachi M12V2 I have in it. The fence is also pretty cheesy. Also this weekend, when trying to squeeze a little more height out of it, I turned too far, and the cheap plastic gear that turns the belt shattered.

So, for the $275....wondering if I should get a different lift and keep it mounted in my extension table, or get this one, and attach it to my left wing. Thoughts?

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I have one on my Unisaw which is only a couple weeks old. I have a Bench Dog lift ordered for the unit. I know a few folks that have this set up and love it. It is flat as all get out and the fence is awesome. Easy on and easy off.

$275 is not going to get you anywhere though. You will still be looking for a lift and a router. Quite frankly the M12 may be your biggest problem here ( or any router that you can not remove the router from the base). If I were trying to get out cheaply I'd sell the Jet lift and the M12 on ebay. Then buy Jessem lift (will fit the hole you already have in the extension table) that holds router motor then find a good deal on a router motor. That was what I was going to do when I was going to get the Jet TS (which I have found out that Amazon would have never gotten as they are no longer carrying that model).

If you get the Bench Dog CI table you are still going to be looking at a lift (caught it on sale with the 20% off for $200) and a router (either $100 for a 2.25 HP unit or > $250 for a 3.5 HP PC or Milwaukee). $250 wing, $200 lift + new router = a lot of $.

I would probably repair and sell the current lift and router and buy a replacement. The Jessem that holds the router motor can actually lift the entire motor, let alone the collet, through the top of the plate by about 1". This is awesome for bit change, bit adjustment, etc. I think you could get enough from the Jet/Jessum sell to cover the cost of the new one from Amazon (assuming you get a nice price) and you'll likely only have a few bucks difference in the M12 and new router.

Edit: Think about room considerations as well. Adding that CI wing to the left takes up a lot of room when you already have 50" rails to the right. My saw spans 2/3 the width of my shop!

[GaryA]

I have one on my Unisaw which is only a couple weeks old. I have a Bench Dog lift ordered for the unit. I know a few folks that have this set up and love it. It is flat as all get out and the fence is awesome. Easy on and easy off.

$275 is not going to get you anywhere though. You will still be looking for a lift and a router. Quite frankly the M12 may be your biggest problem here ( or any router that you can not remove the router from the base). If I were trying to get out cheaply I'd sell the Jet lift and the M12 on ebay. Then buy Jessem lift (will fit the hole you already have in the extension table) that holds router motor then find a good deal on a router motor. That was what I was going to do when I was going to get the Jet TS (which I have found out that Amazon would have never gotten as they are no longer carrying that model).

If you get the Bench Dog CI table you are still going to be looking at a lift (caught it on sale with the 20% off for $200) and a router (either $100 for a 2.25 HP unit or > $250 for a 3.5 HP PC or Milwaukee). $250 wing, $200 lift + new router = a lot of $.

I would probably repair and sell the current lift and router and buy a replacement. The Jessem that holds the router motor can actually lift the entire motor, let alone the collet, through the top of the plate by about 1". This is awesome for bit change, bit adjustment, etc. I think you could get enough from the Jet/Jessum sell to cover the cost of the new one from Amazon (assuming you get a nice price) and you'll likely only have a few bucks difference in the M12 and new router.

Edit: Think about room considerations as well. Adding that CI wing to the left takes up a lot of room when you already have 50" rails to the right. My saw spans 2/3 the width of my shop!

Thanks Jeff....yeah, it is already a little tight in there now, and I was going to change a few things arounf to accomodate the additional extension. I'll have to think that one out a little more. I really like the idea of having a rock solid table with the cast iron. Also, my setup now is a little awkward too, since the right side of the TS is against the wall - I mounted the extension table with the lift closer to the blade. I think having the table to the far left would give me a lot more flexibility too. See pic - am i understandin this correctly - basically the left wing comes off and the table goes in its place and it 16" deep, right?...So, it'll hang about another 6" off the left (which does make a difference in my space...i'll have to see if I can live with it.

I remember you telling me about the M12 issue....I thought it was specific to that lift....but not so, eh? I do also have the DeWalt 618 combo set....which I use for hand routing. I guess I could throw that in there, until i get enough saved up or catch a great deal on a different 3 1/2 hp (looks like the Milwaukee is not a good fit for the Bench Dog extension from the notes - maybe the PC?).

So, being the Amazon deal king - how often do they run those deals like we just saw with the 20% off on access? I should have jumped on it then.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I didn't remove my left wing. I added the BD CI wing to the left wing. Easy way to add rock solid working surface. When I rout panels I like to route them with the panel laying on the TS working basically the opposite way.

The Miwaukee will fit in the BD and is probably the preferred big router right now. Having said that I plan to run a Bosch 1617 or Hitchi or DeWalt 618 in there unit I catch a killer deal on a bigger machine. Having a more powerful router is great, but it depends on the material you play with. If you are primarliy oak person then keep the lower power since you are going to be making multiple passes anyway.

Deals on Bench Dog all the time. Dont ever pay anywhere near retail.