Milwaukee 5625 in table?

[Scoly2803]

Have the 5625 on it's way and am trying to decide if I should just buy a plate and use the 5625 lift adjustment or buy a lift. Going with the woodpecker prl v2 would allow quick lift, thumbwheel fine adj., and above table bit change.

Is the 5625 above table adjustment mechanism precise(with Wixey remote readout) or is there a shift when locked after the adjustment? Others seem to have addressed the quick lift with a drill and are able to raise the 5625 quickly. Does the 5625 raise enough to easily change bits above the table? I would really hate to spend the money for a plate only to find I need a lift. Would appreciate all comments and opinions.

I will be selling an Hitache m12v 3.5 hp and plungelift. Any ideas what the combo is worth?

Thanks
steve

[SARGE..g-47]

I've been running the 5625 for 7 years now mounted to a phenolic plate in a home-made cabinet. I personally see no need for a lift. I personally don't use the above table adjuster on the 5625 either. I find the adjustment can be made easily enough by opening the cabinet.. unlocking the clamp and turning the adjuster on the router base then locking it back.

I did orient the router so the adjuster knob is facing out when I open the cabinet. As far as changing bits above table while the router sits below.. I don't do that either. I simply open the door to the cabinet... place a hand under the router and push up with my other hand on top of the router. I sit it motor down on the router table and make the bit change. Takes no time really IMO.

So.. I may not be of help to you. I am in the shop around 8 hrs. a day 5 days a week but... I mainly do round-overs.. coves.. and a fairly large amount of template cutting using an over-under bearing on a pattern bit. Not a lot of complicated adjustments are required so I fine my method doesn't take much time as I am very familar with the procedure and don't waste time because of familiarity.

Good luck with your decision...

[Tom Miller]

You wouldn't have to buy a plate to try out that approach. Just bolt the thing to a piece of mdf, and add some rib supports if needed. (I think this is what Pat Warner advocates on his site.)

I'm in a similar situation as Sarge -- my setup allows pretty easy adjustment from below, so I really don't have a huge need for a lift. (Doesn't mean I won't get one someday!) I currently have a PC 7529 plunge router on a Rousseau phenolic plate. I adjust height from below easily enough, and I can push the router up high enough from below that I can change bits from above. The router plate leaves a lot to be desired, though. In particular the rings are difficult to pop out and replace, and they don't always snap down in all the way, sometimes leaving a little ledge for work to hang up on.

Regards,
Tom

[LinuxRandal]

I have the Woodpeckers plate for that router. Someone on another board upgraded to a lift and sold their plate for it, so I jumped. My reasoning, is I have a few routers, and if I want to dedicate one to a function, then it would be worth it having separate plates (thought about eventually having a two router table setup).

I have read good things about the lift, and I would like it, but it isn't a big enough bargain for the amount of use it will get.

[Tom Hintz]

I have the Milwaukee 5625 in a Woodpeckers PRL-V2 and am very happy with it. I have used the stock base adjustements in the past and they do work if you are willing. However, I love the fast all-up or all-down Quicklift feature of the PRL-V2 and the thumb wheel for dialing it in exactly where I want.
I have a full review of the PRL-V2 at the link below if that would help.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/wdpkprlv2rvu.html

[Scoly2803]

Thanks for the opinions. After a lot of reading it seems most prefer a lift but there are a lot with the other opinion.
My main concern is bit changes and I guess it is easy enough to pop it out and make the change.
So with that in mind should I drill the plate I already have? At some time I may decide to sell the plungelift so will drilling it be a big hit to resale? Considering a plate will cost at least $50 and the plungelift is only $160 I'm guessing that I would be better off the drill what I have. That is guessing that a used PL will only bring about $80 and assuming I could get at least $50 with it drilled for the 5625.
Does that sound about right?
Tom,
Your article on the prl v2 is wonderful. Very informative and frankly made me want it that much more. Just have to work out the money and give it a try with removing the router to make the changes. Thanks for the link.
Thanks again. Value the opinions.
Steve

[LinuxRandal]

Earlier you said you would be selling the Hitachi and the plungelift. I think, NOW, TOGETHER is the time to do that, then use that dough toward either your plate or lift.

I am assuming your plungelift is a woodpeck? If so, do you have the extra rings?
If not:
If I found one of your old posts, you have/had a phenolic plate that was drilled for the Hitachi, still have it? Same size as your plungelift (get by until)?
Googled some of the groups online to see what a used Hitachi/plungelift verses just the router sells for?
$299 (PRL2)+ $80 (Wixley) buys a LOT of router bits. How often do you change them (your paying for your time here). Even with the Wixley, I would still use templates for common work (rails/styles, etc). What happens when the Wixley's battery starts dying? Does it go funky?

I will get the lift eventually, and Tom's You Tube video's don't help a d@mn bit (want, want, want). But I don't think you will really be happy, going halfway on this.

[Scoly2803]

Been reading a bit about the prl v2 and am really mixed now. Some have found that raising the router pulls the plate and router out of the table. That's the last thing I would want. Is this common?
LinuxRandal
Half way just doesn't seem right but want to make a good purchase and there are no places to get hands on around here. Makes it that much more difficult. Also found that the fine adj on the v2 is only .75". Looks like you have to use the quick lift to get within .75 and adj from there. A bit restrictive. The more I read the more I go back and forth from prl to prl v2.
No extra plate so will continue to use the Hitache till I can make a decision.
All in all not so bad. Kind of enjoy the journey.
Thanks
Steve

[garymuto]

Good one Sarge!

I am in the shop around 8 hrs. a day 5 days a week but...

That has to be the best steath quote that I've ever read. I'm lucky if I get 5 hours TOTAL in 8 days.

[Scoly2803]

Finally made a decision. Ordered the Quick Lift from Woodpecker. After reading everything I could find on the QL, PRL, and the V2 I decided that the Ql would meet my requirements and the quality is backed by Woodpeckers customer service and warranty.
Several things made this so difficult. Liked the design of the prl with the lifting from both sides but wanted the ease of the QL. The thumbwheel and no exposed lifting mechanism of the V2 was attractive but at $80 premium I just couldn't justify the expense for the very limited usage it will get.
Should ship either today or Monday so I will report back on how I feel about it once installed and tested.
Thanks to everyone that responrded. I really appreciated the advice and suggestions.
Steve