ROUTER LIFT HELP

[Evan Siefke]

I am starting to look into which router lift to go with for my mobile work station. My plan is to keep my Dewalt DW618 router for manual routing and purchase a Porter Cable 75182 (motor only) to leave mounted under the table. 

I have looked at all brands but am not sure which one to go with. The models I have been considering are as follows:

Woodpecker PRL-V2

Incra Master Lift II

JessEm Mast-R-Lift II

MLCS PowerLift Motorized router lift

Kreg PRS3000

Any info on personal experiences, gripes, groans, or accolades would greatly be appreciated. They all seem to built pretty well. Thanks for your time.

[Hugh Clare]

I don't see the Bench Dog Pro Lift in your list. I've used the heck out of it and it keeps coming back for more.

[Evan Siefke]

Thanks Hugh, I will take a closer look at it. 

[Hugh Clare]

BTW, I have the PC 75182 in mine as well. A great combination.

[Evan Siefke]

Awesome. It seems to be one of the best out there. I really need the higher horsepower one for the table. Thanks Hugh.

[John Schaben]

Well, you can take the motorized lift off the list, it won't take a 7518. If I'm not mistaken, the Woodpecker and the Kreg are nearly identical units.

[Evan Siefke]

Thanks John, I overlooked that. I did hear from someone else that the Woodpecker and Kreg were very similar. Thanks for the info.

[John Schaben]

Hi Evan - I may be prejudiced but I have yet to get a bummer product from INCRA. You turn loose of a pretty good chunk of change for their stuff but you are also forking over a fair amount for 7518 so why skimp on the lift. I haven't got a lift as I use the Freud 3000 in the table and it has it's lift built in but I did opt for the INCRA plate and maglock inserts. A really difficult act to follow, I'm pretty sure I won't be shopping for those products any time soon.

Here's a link I just got in from INCRA about their sales. That sidewinder looks like a real nice setup.

http://www.incrementaltools.com/category_s/269.htm

Evan Siefke said:

Thanks John, I overlooked that. I did hear from someone else that the Woodpecker and Kreg were very similar. Thanks for the info.

[Evan Siefke]

Thanks John. Nothing on my mobile work station was cheap, so I'm not going to go cheap on one of the most versatile tools in my shop. Thanks for the info and I will definitely check it out.

[Mike Kahle]

http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2009/04/21/the...

[Mike Kahle]

Can be modified to fit any router

[Evan Siefke]

Wow, that is a pretty impressive router lift. It looks as though I may not have the space below the counter top but I will check it out. Thanks for the link Mike. 

[Fins59]

Latest issue of ShopNotes magazine - Jan/Feb 2012 has an article how to make a shop-made router lift.

In their words "a full-featured lift provides all the benefits of a commercial version, without the cost.  And its straightforward design makes it simple to build".