Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 08, 2002 06:33am | #1

   The June/July Wood Magazine did a review I think.  Don't remember if it included all of these models.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   DelDollens | Jul 08, 2002 06:56am | #2

   I have been using the Jessem Rout-R-Lift (not the masterlift)for quite some time with no problems.  I eventually modified the design a bit (actually the way the router mouts to moving plate) to somewhat mimic a feature of the woodpecker model.  Although I am satisfied with the quality of the Jessem, I wish I had waited for the Precision lift to be introduced by Woodpeckers.  Things I would consider are: 

   1) After extended use and wear, does the model you plan on purchasing have any mothod of "tighening" the adjustment components, or will you need to replace parts after just a small amount of wear to maintain "like new" accuracy?  The Jessem Rout-R-Lift has a tightening nut that allows for this.  Maybe the Mast-R-Lift does too.

   2)  Will it allow for the bits to be changed without having to remove the plate from the table?  This was MAJOR for me and it was 80% the reason I modified my mounting.  I know the woodpecker model does, but I do not know about the Mast-R-Lift.

   3)  How will the lift effect your bit depth (since the bit is upside down, I should say height)?  This was the other 20% from item 2 (above).  I think both lifts will perform well in this arena.

   4)  I was finding it difficult to find a couple screws that were used on the jessem lift, so I called them up.  They sent me 10 screws under warranty even though I told them the lift was fine and that I needed them for an improvement of my own accord, not something they did.  They sent me some screws from their warehouse in Canada and they were very helpful.  However, I have also talked extensively with the guys at Woodpeckers concerning other products.  They were not as friendly or willing to help.  Maybe I'm still mad at them(Woodpeckers) from the last show I went to.  I saw that they had their 45 degree square at a really good price, so I picked it up and waited in line for 10 minutes.  The cashier lady noticed the price was wrong, so she rang it up for the correct (higher) price without telling me.  I caught it and said, "How can that be?"  She said, "Oh, the price was marked wrong."  I was pissed!  Not that the price was wrong - because she would try to pull one over on me like that.  Not an honest deal in the make!  So as far as honesty and  helpfulness go, a 10 for jessem and a 1 for woodpeckers.

   5)  Micro-adjustment of the bit angle - I know the woodpecker model has this, but don't know about the jessem.

   6)  Warranty length?  The guys at jessem didn't even ask me when I bought it, which was AT LEAST a year prior.  I had JUST purchased my Incra TS-III from woodpecker at a show and the stainless scale was screwed up, the gave a little bit of grief.

   That all from me!

   -Del