Replies

1. 
   kellyanderson | Jan 09, 2006 05:13am | #1

   I just got the Jessem Rout-R-Lift for the Makita. I haven't had a chance to use it yet but it is built like a tank.

2. 
   John_D | Jan 09, 2006 10:19am | #2

   I've used only the Woodpecker QuickLift QL350A with my Bosch 1617; this model is also compatible with your PC690.  It's also built very sturdily.  You can speedily, easily and precisely change bit depth from above the table.  You can also very quickly (under five seconds) raise the entire collet above the table, meaning you can use the standard wrenches to change bits.

   I hope you can find someone with wider experience.  For myself, I'm very happy with the QuickLift.

   My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
3. 
   RickL | Jan 09, 2006 05:42pm | #3

   Last year American WoodWorker published a great article on making a router lift with rods and bronze bushings from any decent hardware store. Pretty basic and if someone couldn't make the unit successfully they should consider a new hobby. The article has serious implications on slot mortisers, sliding tables and other possibilities for the shop.

4. 
   forestgirl | Jan 09, 2006 07:10pm | #4

   "I plan to dedicate one on my routers to this lift. "  A PC690 is, relatively speaking, a pretty light-weight router to dedicate to table use.  That's what I had in my table for a couple years, then swapped it out for a 3.25HP Freud.  Huge difference.  Do you have a bigger router you could tap for table use?

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   jz | Jan 12, 2006 07:40pm | #10

   Thanks for your suggestion about putting a bigger router in my router table. I didn't needed a bigger router in my table for the many years I was ran my custom furniture business. Can't think of what I would need it for as I don't do raised panels or cabinet door joinery with my router table. Am I missing something? jz

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 13, 2006 01:24am | #11

   " Am I missing something?"  Nope, not if you're happy with it!  Obviously, it fits your needs.  You must be much kinder to your tools than most men I know (insert grin) to be able to use the 690 for that kind of work, day in and day out. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

5. 
   daleduvall | Jan 11, 2006 06:41am | #5

   I looked at most lifts available and finally bought a Bench Dog.  It's been great.  Construction is heavyweight and very precise.  I highly recommend it.

   Dale

1. 
   ram | Jan 14, 2006 04:11am | #15

   Another thumbs up for Bench Dog Pro lift with PC 7518.  I had a severe case of sticker shock, but it works so well I have no real regrets.

   -robert

6. 
   JerryPacMan | Jan 11, 2006 04:58pm | #6

   I have the Bench Dog Pro Lift and I love it.  The height adjustment is the best feature of the Pro Lift.  The height adjustment scale can be set to zero in a flash.  The height adjustment system is very well designed, fast and accurate.  Also, the lead screw is a 8 TPI Acme thread that will last forever.  The whole lift is very well built and well designed, BUY IT!!!

    

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

1. 
   jz | Jan 11, 2006 05:29pm | #8

   Thanks for your response. This is the one that sounds the best to me so far. I am curious to know, which model do you have? Is it the PL1002 [cast iron] or PL 1001 [aluminum]?

1. 
   JerryPacMan | Jan 11, 2006 11:55pm | #9

   I have the Bench Dog ProLift MAX, stock #40-016.  It has a nickle plated steel top and a cast aluminum finned router housing. 

   Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .

7. 
   Routerman | Jan 11, 2006 05:08pm | #7

   In keeping with the Spartan nature of the 690 and its simplicity, see the lifts option at the depth of cut link. It is the least expensive alternative.

8. 
   JohnWW | Jan 13, 2006 03:29am | #12

   JZ,

   For less money and trouble you could simply go out and buy a new Porter Cable #890 router which can be bolted under a simple table top and you would have both above the table height adjustment, and above the table one wrench bit changing built right into the router itself, with no need to buy a separate lift.  Now that this model is available, I would never go through the added hassle and expense of buying both a router and a separate lift mechanism. 

   I agree with your opinion that a large router isn't needed for most work.

   John W.

1. 
   jz | Jan 13, 2006 06:31am | #13

   Thanks for the tip. I am not familiar with this router and would love to hear if others have had experience with it.

9. 
   badoyn | Jan 13, 2006 06:46pm | #14

   I would recommend the Woodpecker's PRL with a PC 7518. Great setup and the lift is top notch. I believe now they have the QuickLift feature on the PRL now to raise the lift for quicker bit changes.

   Michael