which one, router lift or plate?

[John Daugherty]

I asked a few days ago for suggestions about which router to get for a router table. I appreciate all the responses that I received.

I now have another question. Which would you get, a router lift or just get a plate for my router? What are the advantages and disadvantages (other than price) of each?


Thanks

[Mike Cutler]

John. I guess it all depends. If you are looking for versatility, you would have to consider a plate with a router that adjusts thru the top.
If it is going to be a dedicated setup, another possibility is to buy only the router motor and put it in a lift.
I have 2 PC 8529's Both are easy to disassemble and put into the router plate, or remove them for hand use.
It's hard to wrong either way, IMO. Look at your budget and go with what feels right.

[Jim Becker]

I'm a fan of a lift, but there is an obvious economic factor involved. The lifts make adjusting cutter height a pleasure and generally give you more of a "shaper" experience. But there is no reason you can't just use a plate and make your adjustments manually...and it's a lot less expensive that way. Either way, buy a good product and metal is the way to go, IMHO. Less flex.

Of course, there is one other option...use a plunge router that allows for "above the table" adjustment with a crank. Some come with that feature available from the factory and there is also a "universal" (sorta) crank available.

[Steven Wilson]

PC7518 Router in a Bench Dog cast iron lift; you will not find a better combination

[John Daugherty]

I have been looking at the woodpecker unilift. Does anyone have any experience using this lift?

[Byron Trantham]

PC7518 Router in a Bench Dog cast iron lift; you will not find a better combination

Except maybe the one from Woodpecker's.

[Greg Narozniak]

I vote for the lift.

[Mike Kelly]

I have been looking at the woodpecker unilift. Does anyone have any experience using this lift?

Yes John, I am on my second PRL and it is becoming difficult to raise and lower again. There is something wrong with the material in the bearing surface of the crank. Sawdust doesn't seem to affect it, it is a plastic to aluminum problem of some kind. Woodpecker replaced it once, but I think I will go back to my simple Woodhaven plate that takes a lot less time to lift out and change the bit versus trying to dangerously crank close to a very sharp bit. I am going to ask for my purchase price back and see what happens.

[Ken Leshner]

Why not kill two birds with one stone. Get a Milwaukee 5625-20 router. It's great in a router table and includes built-in above the table height adjustment.