router and lift question

[thestinker]

Hello everyone-
Had a couple of questions for ya'll. I am working on finishing up my work bench for the shop and need some help where I am planning on adding my router. When not in use, the bit can be below the table and not interfere with things that might slide across the top of the work surface. Some info about the bench so as to make helping with my decision easier. The table is 1.5 inches thick MDF, which I could cut the underside of the table down some if I needed to better accommodate the router. The router I have I don’t believe will fit into any of the lifts out there, it’s a 30 yr old 1 ¼ hp B&D. So a newer router would be a good upgrade. I would like to put a lift in for the router and saw this one on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Rousseau-3002-...1485138&sr=1-1
Also one of the listed routers to put in it : Porter cable models 690 or 890, Bosch 1617 or 1618 or the dewalt 610, 616 or 618. I don’t have one of the aluminum or Plexiglas plates that sit on top of the bench, so I will need to get one to go along with the lift….does this lift come with that included. I can see it pictured in the add, does anyone know for sure if that’s included? I am open to all suggestions. I don’t really see myself needing a 3+ HP router. I don’t see myself needing to make raised panel doors or anything like that. I did like the price on this lift, and if I could get the lift and router for around 300, that would be great. Thanks for the help guys!!! Also if any more info from me would help, let me know. I sometimes leave out minor, but important details
Riley

[pelligrini]

From what I can tell you won't need another alum. or plexi. plate. It will come with one. Looking at the photo it is very similar (if not exact) to my Jessem Rout-R-lift FX link. I have a Dewalt 618 in it.

You might check out the one poolhound just got, a woodpecker model. That quick adjust it has looks very handy. Cranking a bit down 1/16" per revolution with my lift can get old. It's really not all that bad though.

I'd say that the Jessem I got was about the best tool purchase I have made. I couldn't imagine trying to set a bit height from below the table again.

[poolhound]

I just finished my router table amd I got a woodpeckers quicklift.



http://www.woodpeck.com/quickliftalum.html

This lift is totally awesome. I did checkout the Rousseau and although some folks have done OK with their plates and lifts I decided that the Woodpeckers aluminium plate was better than phenolic and the quicklift feature sold it for me. its priced at $199.99 and if you signup for the e-club they will send you a 10% off your first order code bringing the price to approx $180. If you are in the market for a great lift, you will only buy one once so the xtra $10 is well worth it IMHO.

BTW I have a 1617 in it. its a great router but so are many of the others you mention. Do get one with variable speed.

[Tom Miller]

I have a Rousseau plate (not the lift), and that one at Amazon looks like the same plate and snap-in rings. The rings are still VERY difficult to remove even after a few years, and they're not very flush with the top. The top itself is a little questionable re:flatness.

I think Jon pointed out a pretty sweet setup, and at nearly the same price....

Personally, I haven't decided which route (ahem) I want to go (plate only, lift, new router & lift), but I'm 90% sure it'll be a Woodpecker solution.

Regards,
Tom

[herb fellows]

That Woodpecker with the aluminum plate included looks like a heck of a deal! The plates alone go for 60 to 100, while phenolic plates are more like $25.

You probably wouldn't have a problem with phenolic flexing as you're not going to put a big router on it, but I would still go with the Woodpecker, looks like the better deal.

As for the router, as stated by others, they're all great choices, you really want to go handle them and see what feels comfortable. While the others are a tad more expensive, I've seen the 690 PC on sale for just around $100, which would bring the whole deal to just about $300 with taxes etc.
A little thing like the positioning of the on/off switch can make all the difference in the world as to whether you ever really feel comfortable with the router, assuming you are also going to use it out of the table.

[poolhound]

Riley,

if you are not sure what the quicklift does check out this video

www.woodpeck.com/media/quickliftdemo.wmv

This was done by Tom Hintz and you can see his full review here.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews...ckliftrvu.html

Its also worth noting that the inserts are precsion ground aluminium and fit like a glove. The std plate comes with a set of three including one that will take standard PC bushings.

[BigguyZ]

I have a huge PC 3-1/4 HP plunge router that I wanted to dedicate to a table. I kinda wish I'd went with the quick lift, but I'm not sure it was available at the time. What I did end up with was the PlungeLift by Woodpecker. As many have said, excellent fit and finish on the product. I would not hesitate to go with another of their products...

[os1kne]

I have a couple of things from Woodpeckers - and every Woodpeckers product that I've ever seen has oozed quality. I'm sure that there are other sources of top quality router plates & lifts, but Woodpeckers has got to be tough to beat. Their products are usually on the more expensive side of the range, but they are very well made and well engineered.

Good luck.

[thestinker]

Looks like the woodpecker lift is the way to go. I see amazon has the 2.25 hp Bosch router with the fixed and plunge base for 213 and some change. I want to go hold one in person, but that might be the setup I go with. It's a little more that I wanted to spend, but it will be the only 1 I buy, and that's worth going a tad bit over on the price. Thanks for all the input everyone.
Riley

[LarryG]

I see amazon has the 2.25 hp Bosch router with the fixed and plunge base for 213 and some change.

If you do choose to buy this model (an excellent router kit; I have one), be sure to get the "Bonus Pack" version, which includes a really nice edge guide, a set of the Bosch-specific template inserts, and some other goodies.

A lot of people aren't aware this version exists. It used to sometimes be priced less than the basic two-base kit, which was rather amazing (and made no sense at all). But even at the exact same price, it's a no-brainer since IIRC the edge guide alone sells for around forty bucks.

[gsmittle]

Looks like the woodpecker lift is the way to go. I see amazon has the 2.25 hp Bosch router with the fixed and plunge base for 213 and some change. I want to go hold one in person, but that might be the setup I go with. It's a little more that I wanted to spend, but it will be the only 1 I buy, and that's worth going a tad bit over on the price. Thanks for all the input everyone.
Riley

I just bought one of those kits (thanks, LOML!) a couple of weeks ago with an MLCS plate. Be sure you get the kit with the edge guide and other goodies for the same price. I LOVE the router, but if I could do it again I'd spend a little more for an aluminum plate. The phenolic MLCS plate is slightly crowned, and the Bosch router isn't heavy enough to flatten it out.

I have the fixed base in the router table, and I really like the above-table adjustment. I only have to reach below for gross height changes (the base has three stops for general ranges). The whole setup is WAY better than my old Ryobi screwed directly to the underside of the table top.

I can't say enough good about this router and the two bases--changing bases takes about ten seconds. My only beef, and it's a small one, is that the springs are pretty strong in the plunge base. That may loosen up once the router is used a few times; if not, I'll take one of the springs off.

My old router is the Ryobi three-base kit. I bought it with the idea of putting one of the fixed bases under the accessory table, but it is a struggle on a good day to change bases, so I leave the router in the plunge base. I imagine the Ryobi will end up as a backup or special-use router. Maybe I can turn the other bases into planters or something…

g.

[herb fellows]

I have one also, it's called the 1617 evspk I believe.