Hi, I would like some advice please, from all you router table owners with the above unilifts.
I am currently looking into buying a router table. Having done the homework it seems to me that what is a small selection of “decent” tables over here in the UK that the only one that takes either of the unilifts (Woodpecker or Jessem R Lift) is the Jessem table.(apparently both unilifts fit the Jessem table)
Which in your valued opinions is the better one? One of the reasons for asking is that there is one sole importer of these in the UK and they are a warehouse distributor with no showroom so you can’t go there and view them which is a pain. Little short of jumping on a plane to the US I am stuffed as we say over here!!!
Any info will be appreciated.
Regards, Mark.
Replies
I have had a Jessem Master Lift and top on my router table for about 6 months, and it's working great. I made a router table like Norm Abrams and simply used the Jessem top to get a very controllable router system. I have a PC router, 7258 I think, with plenty of power. I'm enjoying making every imaginable shape of trim for my workpieces. I love the repeatable accuracy.
I had gottten the plans for the Norm Abrams router cabinet a year ago but a couple months ago got the Jessem lift and the Milwaukee motor. My friend came over just days ago and needed to use it. I told him to use it if he would put it together. He did and we did some nice work with it. We must have pushed it too hard because it did shut down once. I is neat in that you can make any bit changes on top of the table and all the controls are in front or on the side. Expensive but I think I'm going to like this toy.
Old router lover here! Get whatever lift that fits your routers... USE IT to make your table! A 3/4 inch hunk of plywood with a router bolted to it works. OK so you may need a surfaced 2X4 and two clamps for a fence.
I have several shop made router tables I use ever day.. OK, so almost every day. As in often.
Although I like my BenchDog Cast iron table the best! BUT my lift. Something Rockler. Base did not fit by about 3/16 inch all around. Had to make a 'insert' to fit.. WHAT A TASK! Took me all day! Long ago and that skinny thin fragile hunk of MDF still keeping it all working. (I soaked the MDF in TiteBond glue thinned out bit).
Get the Router you WANT! Then a lift to fit.. YOU WANT that fits! The actual table just needs to be FLAT and the size YOU want. AND the fence (whatever it is, at 90 degrees to the table). AND the router MUST NOT MOVE in it's holder BUT easy to remove. Not as easy as it sounds! But then again not that hard with a little thought.
I could be wrong but hardly ever.!
Yes I get stuff fror the so called expensive Rockler. I think Rockler is doing something with Jessem. I do not think Rockler is in the UK. Maybe a Google to see what is available for ideas.
AND Woodpeckers stuff is FAR FROM JUNK.. Just not sure it will fit~
Edited 10/16/2008 9:27 pm by WillGeorge
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