I just received a new router table, and was looking to purchase a router lift. My original plans were to someday purchase a 3 1/2 hp router, and (as finances allowed) get the lift. This I would have to do over time, because I'm not going to have $600 to drop on the two any time soon. I own a 2 1/4 hp (DW 618), which is only a year old. Last year at the Woodworking Show, one of the guys doing demonstrations said that 2 1/4 was plenty of power to do rails and stiles--I would just need to do a couple of passes for the raised panel. So I thought, rather that wait and drop the big bucks, maybe I'll just buy the lift for the 2 1/4, and I can be routing right away. The question is....will I be sorry I didn't go with the bigger router? The smaller lift is not compatible if I decide I need the bigger router. I don't want to buy the bigger lift (and extra for the adaptor) to use with my 2 1/4, and give up the tool free removal option of the smaller lift. My neighbor just made all of his kitchen cabinets, and he told me that I really needed the bigger router for raised panels. He said he still made at least two passes with his 3 1/2. He further stated that for the lower rpm used for cutting the raised panels, you need the tork of the bigger router. I am only a hobbiest, and will likely make only a couple of projects per year, but reaching retirement, where I will have more time to devote to woodworking. My neighor told me I should get a second opinion.
So I'm asking...Will I be happy enough with the smaller router, or should I just wait and aquire the bigger pieces over time???
Thanks Mike