Router table lift experiences
Gary Smyth
For the past several decades I have been using my large floor router table (patterned after the New Yankee Workshop version). Fitted in the top is a 3/8” lexan router plate with screw in inserts for various size ½” shaft (only) router bits up to 3” diameter. From the beginning, an adjustable speed Craftsman 3.5HP router has been the power and has successfully weathered whatever I tossed at it over the years. The old girl has finally become unstable in its own height adjustment mount and become very difficult to adjust in raising and lowering, and keeping the proper height. Once set mini twerks are hard to achieve and as it hangs by its plate screws is really heavy when trying to hold with one hand, measuring minute changes in height and tightening it down with the other two required hands. Various stop gap measures like using blocks and inclined planes as wedges are working, but a real PIA. SO….I’m thinking that a heavy duty router lift might make things easier. Not better but easier. I have the old Craftsman 275110 still, but also a DeWalt 625, a Freud FT2000E and a Bosch 1613EVS available but not as much HP. IF I go for a new lift it will have to fit one of those routers for the next 100 years -- so have you recommendations that have proven worth? Cost will be a factor, but ease and reliability are as important. All work must be without removing the router. Once installed I want use to be a rock solid no brainer—change and lock the bit, adjust the height, have it stay there, turn on and go.
