Rousseau lift

[poolhound]

Does anybody own this router lift and plate from Rousseau. I am in the process of designing an extension and cabinet for my BT and am looking at options for adding a router to the mix. The rings look a little weak and I can tell if the lock in or just sit there. From what I can see the smallest is still 1 1/3" can you get smaller?

[Uncle Cracker]

Generally speaking, your typical router lift does not come with a full set of rings, but usually a full variety is available (including a blank one to keep shavings out when you're using the TS) for additional money. I'd be a little leery of plastic rings, but in light of the fact that the whole faceplate is plastic (I think), I guess metal rings would be a bit of overkill. The holes in the red ring may be indicative of a turn-and-lock setup, requiring a tool for operation. This is also typical of the high-dollar metal setups. I can tell you that I have been happy with other things I've got from Rousseau...

[Tom Miller]

I have a Rousseau plate (just plate and rings, no lift). I'm not overly thrilled with the plate (well, it's mostly flat, but not dead flat), and I'm under-thrilled with the rings (very difficult to snap in/out, and you have to check closely that they're seated). The two rings came with, and they're NOT turn and lock. If/when I get a lift, I wouldn't go this route (pun not intended).

Regards,
Tom

[BigguyZ]

I got a lift from Woodpeckers. It was their plungelift for my PC 7538. I'd definitely recommend one of their products any day. Very nice.

[poolhound]

I have a Rousseau plate (just plate and rings, no lift). I'm not overly thrilled with the plate (well, it's mostly flat, but not dead flat), and I'm under-thrilled with the rings (very difficult to snap in/out, and you have to check closely that they're seated). The two rings came with, and they're NOT turn and lock. If/when I get a lift, I wouldn't go this route (pun not intended).

Regards,
Tom

Great feedback Tom - Thanks.

I was concerned that the rings werent turn/lock. I am also looking at he Rockler/Jessem lift FX. It is also a phenolic base but as it is 3/4" I would hope it should be and stay flat. Its a little more expensive and you need to pay anothe $30 for a full set of rings but I would hope to only have to buy it once!!

Tom Hintz has a pretty good review of it. Tom - if you are out there would you care to chime in on your longer term experience with this plate and lift, not sure when you did the original review.

[Uncle Cracker]

I got a lift from Woodpeckers. It was their plungelift for my PC 7538. I'd definitely recommend one of their products any day. Very nice.

I have their PL for the Hitachi M12V, and added a full set of rings. Love it, but it sure wasn't cheap...

[pelligrini]

I've got that Jessem FX lift at Woodcraft. The lift hardware looks extremely similar to the Rousseau you have pictured.

I haven't noticed any warping or bending of the plate. Height adjustments are exact and very repeatable. I also picked up the additional ring set. One ring is made to accept standard bushing/guides if you wanted to use them on the table.

The only bad thing I would have to say is the location of the height adjustment keyway. It is in a place where it gets covered by the edge of a featherboard. Someday I will remember to not mount mine over it, hopefully.

I think that lift is one of the best tool purchases I have made. I couldn't imagine going back to adjusting height from below the table.

[LarryG]

I have the all-aluminum JessEm Mast-R-Lift, which uses the same insert rings as the FX. One size came with the lift and I bought the accessory set of four more sizes. They swap in and out instantly using the included tool -- a nice system (and a big improvement from my first plate, on which the rings attached via four tiny flathead screws. Ugh). You're right, the ring set will be a lifetime investment, unless you lose one.

The lift itself is bulletproof, and I'd expect the FX (which wasn't yet available, when I bought mine) to be likewise. From all the favorable comments and magazine reviews I've read about Woodpecker's lifts, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of theirs, either.

Whatever you do, make sure any lift you consider allows for dead-easy above-the-table bit changes. Some don't, and to me that completely defeats one of two main reasons for having a lift (the other being easy, precise, and repeatable above-table bit height adjustment).

[master53yoda]

I Have the Rousseau plate (just plate and rings, no lift). and a Freud router with the above table height adjustment built into the router. I went with this router so as not to need to fight the adjustment. I also have a set of low clearance rings form HF that bring the hole size down to the bit size which puts all dust above the table and provides table surface all the way to the bit. I have had no problems with this insert as it is 1/2 inch thick. With the Freud router the shaft will come above the table top so the thickness doesn't limit the exposed bit area. My original router table had a PC router and I fought the bit changing because of the short shaft and the below table height adjustment. My router is the 2 1/4 hp and the only bit that I use that this HP is a little low on are my raised panel bits, but i don't do that much of those so it isn't a problem for me.

[pelligrini]

I've got that Jessem FX lift at Woodcraft. The lift hardware looks extremely similar to the Rousseau you have pictured.

That lift hardware may be exactly the same as the Jessem FX.

[poolhound]

Did a lot of hunting around yesterday and I think I have decided on the Woodpecker quick lift ($199). Aluminum plate, twist lock rings and the best things which is just awesome is the ability to raise the router above the table with a 1/4 turn of a special wrench.



As an added bonus I just got around to joining the woodpeckers eclub and they sent me a coupon for 10% off my first order

[radhak]

I have this woodpecker lift, on a nice router-table bought in a killer CL steal last year, with the PC 7518 installed.

I have mostly good things to say about it. It's rock solid, and the lift works with precision and the rings are solid aluminum (I think). The only issue is that I find the lift is very stiff and takes a lot of strength to turn. So much so that I have to leverage it with a hand-clamp. I read the manual online and it says I'm supposed to press it down to while turning, but it never works for me; maybe I have an earlier model, and you should do better seeing you are buying new.

Best of luck - you are in for a treat.

[Kristofor]

Jon, I have that lift and I really like it. I use a Bosch 1617 in it and it seems very stable. I'd buy it again. I don't have the issue Radhak mentions, but again much lighter router.

That said, looking at their non-quick models they appear to be beefier and with more stable geometery. I haven't had any issues with my current setup after many hundreds of feet of routing though perhaps with a bigger 3+ HP router it could be an issue? I'm still a newbie really, so perhaps a more advanced user could detect issues that I don't see?

Not trying to scare you away, like I said I like mine, just wanted you to ask yourself why the quick-lift feature wouldn't be on their more expensive models if it didn't have some downside.

[poolhound]

Jon, I have that lift and I really like it. I use a Bosch 1617 in it and it seems very stable. I'd buy it again. I don't have the issue Radhak mentions, but again much lighter router.

That said, looking at their non-quick models they appear to be beefier and with more stable geometery. I haven't had any issues with my current setup after many hundreds of feet of routing though perhaps with a bigger 3+ HP router it could be an issue? I'm still a newbie really, so perhaps a more advanced user could detect issues that I don't see?

Not trying to scare you away, like I said I like mine, just wanted you to ask yourself why the quick-lift feature wouldn't be on their more expensive models if it didn't have some downside.

I also have a 1617 in my current table so that is what I intend to use with this lift. As it happens WP have introduced the QL feature to their new high end lift the PRL V2 although it is $100 more.