Replies

1. 
   DougF | Nov 22, 2004 07:21pm | #1

   Rebergie,

   I installed the Woodpecker lift and PC 7518 about a year ago and have been extremely pleased with both.

   Doug

2. 
   Yotie | Nov 24, 2004 07:41pm | #2

   Hello....

   I installed the JessEm Mast-r-lift and really like it.  I put it in the side extension table of my table saw and it works great.....

   Don

3. 
   DRinTN | Nov 24, 2004 11:04pm | #3

   I have a Woodpeckers lift and really do believe they are superior to the rest.  But, it is a bit of a matter of taste as well.  I personally like the micro adjust from the surface of the table versus the side or from below.

4. 
   alanplanesaw | Nov 25, 2004 05:54am | #4

   I agree with dkf.  I bought a Jessem and built Norm's deluxe router station.  Fantastic combination.

   Alan - planesaw

5. 
   DJK | Nov 26, 2004 10:53pm | #5

   How does a lift provide more accuracy, it's just a conveinence. With the router out of the table and used handheld, does the accuracy dissapear?

   DJK

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Nov 28, 2004 05:15am | #6

   The lift is a major convenience, but it also provides accuracy in that you are raising and lowering the router/bit with much more control and accuracy then you could by just raising or lowering the router in its own handle/base.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   bauhaus | Dec 30, 2004 12:24pm | #21

   Hey all.

   Call me a crazy guys, but I have found that my trusty PC 8529 plunge mounted to a cheap ($40) off-the-shelf plate set in a home built rig gives me perfomance second only to my 5hp Delta shaper, with bit storage and dust collection to boot.

   I get above table adjustments, above table bit replacement, etc. I'm not shure that anyone short of nuclear/rocket techs need +/- .00001" tolerance.

   Take some sage advice: Buy a decent plunge router with the through table lift accessory, build yourself a nice table and take the pile of cash you saved in lieu of buying a lift to buy yourself a tidy pile of wood to use these toys!

   Happy woodchippin' to all! 

6. 
   MikeR1150RT | Nov 28, 2004 05:33am | #7

   I have th JessEm Mast-R-Lift with a 7518 and it is a great tool....

   very easy to fine tune your cut, hold the position ....beautifully crafted...

   a great tool....

   expensive but worth it IMHO,

    

   Good luck

   Mike

1. 
   rebergie | Nov 28, 2004 07:29am | #8

   I truly appreciate all of your replies. It looks like it's going to be a toss-up between the Jessem and the Woodpecker. Does anyone have any comments about maintenance for each? I'm especially interested to hear if anyone has had any difficulties because of sawdust getting into the cranking mechanism and maintenance becoming a major issue to the opeeration of each lift.thanks again - Richard

1. 
   jc21 | Nov 28, 2004 09:54am | #9

   I've been researching ideas, equipment, and prices for a router table for my PC 7518. I've looked at the Mast-R-Lift and it seems to be a great piece of equipment with a price to match. There's lots of nice equipment available for router tables and if you don't watch the bottom line, what you've spent could have gotten you a full fledged shaper.

2. 
   MikeR1150RT | Nov 28, 2004 03:04pm | #10

   Hi,

   nope, no problem what so ever...

   the mecanism is pretty well done, don't see how it can be affeted by dust....and if so, just an easy cleaning will do the job.

   Just a comment, the Porter-Cable template bushing adapter was not included in mine (2 years ago), so if you plan to use them maybe you should buy it at the same time....(not expensive, I think it was around $6)

    

   Good luck

   Mike

3. 
   DRinTN | Dec 01, 2004 01:08am | #13

   I have the Woodpeckers lift and the biggest Bosch EVS plunge router made mounted to it in a base that duplicates the Norm Abrahams upgraded router table.  I use both a home made fence as well as a Incra Ultra.  I have had this set up for over a year and use it heavily and have never needed to clean the mechanism.  But, then again I have a 1200 cfm DC connected to it as well.

7. 
   badoyn | Nov 28, 2004 08:48pm | #11

   Has anyone had any experience with the router lift with digital readout that I saw in the Rockler catalog?

   Thanks,
   Michael

8. 
   macalex | Nov 29, 2004 11:34am | #12

   I've got a Woodpeckers Unilift raising a top of the line variable-speed soft-start Makita and just love the setup. Its in a shop-built router table that comprises a recycled chest of drawers (for tools etc) and a piece of reject kitchen counter top fixed into a 1 inch ply outer case with 2 by 4 framing. I use a rotating fence (fixed at one end, rotating through a slot at the other) which in combination with the very precise lift gives easily adjusted cutter positioning. A joy to use!

   New Zealand | New Thinking
9. 
   bigrob | Dec 04, 2004 08:57am | #14

   I got the Woodpecker PRL with the PC router, added the Incra fence and built a home design cabinet/table for the sustem and it works great!!!
   Very precise. Highly Recomend it!

1. 
   greendrake | Dec 23, 2004 03:30am | #18

   who sells the woodpecker lift I am in the process of building a router table now Thanks

1. 
   bigrob | Dec 23, 2004 07:33am | #19

   I bought my PRL router lift directly from Woodpecker and built my own cabinet and table top. P.S. They have great customer support.
   P.S.S. Let them know which router you want yo use.
   they also have a great web site. http://www.woodpecker.com

1. 
   greendrake | Dec 23, 2004 03:43pm | #20

   Thanks for the info

10. 
    user-5880422 | Dec 09, 2004 03:21pm | #15

    fyi on the Woodpecker PRL, they now offer 2 versions, one with a 16tpi and the original 32tpi adjustor. It was my experience that the 32tpi would get jammed up over time and lock up the adjustor mechanism, which is why you should clean the threads off occasionally. Not to worry though because they offer the 16tpi that does away with the maintenance, and more importantly for me, is just easier to use (16 turns to move the lift 1" versus the 32 turns on the original).

    At any rate, Woodpeckers is an awesome company to deal with. When my first (and second) PRL froze up they replaced it sight unseen no questions asked. They really are a pleasure to deal with, and their router lifts are best-in-class in my opinion.

1. 
   DougF | Dec 10, 2004 05:03pm | #16

   Jeff,

   I have the PRL 32 tpi model and have run many thousands of feet through with no problems with the lifting mechanism due to dust/chips.  I have an Oneida DC with 2 - 3" ports, one to the fence and one to lower router housing chamber, and I am sure that is a significant factor in reducing build-up on the lifting screw shafts.  The PRL is a well-design piece of equipment but like any mechanical devise, its need periodic attention and preventive maintenance.

   Doug 

1. 
   user-5880422 | Dec 11, 2004 05:14am | #17

   I think that the type of wood you predominately use is a factor, and the Woodpeckers people confirmed that. I also have sufficient DC and was cleaning the threads... but it was still getting jammed up. By the way, DON'T put any lubricants on the shaft, not only does it not need it but the lubes will be a problem in terms of keeping the shaft clean.

   Also, don't misunderstand me, I think the PRL is the best lift on the market. If I didn't think that I wouldn't be on my 3rd one.