In general, more bearings provide a smoother movement, so a double ball bearing mechanism is an improvement over the standard. It’s much easier to get accurate measurements from a lift that uses ball bearings. The ball bearing mechanism allows for smooth movement as the lift up and down. We highly recommend looking for a model that provides locking functionality. The lift is usually locked by a lever or sometimes a bolt that fastens to the table to keep it in place until you release the mechanism. Models without the lock can slip from the vibrations created by the router causing the routing to be inaccurate. Having a locking mechanism on your left is the best way to ensure accuracy while you’re working. Iron is durable but it’s heavy and it also corrodes and rusts quickly. Steel is the best balance between weight and strength, though there were aluminum bodies on a few of the models on our list that were extremely durable. Weaker materials will deteriorate quicker they will also allow more vibrations to occur, which can ruin the lift’s accuracy. Durable ConstructionĬompanies make router lifts from many different materials, including plastic, aluminum, steel, and iron. The more complex the installation the more chance there is for error and the more parts you need to purchase, the better the chance they won’t be available. Some may also require you to purchase extra parts to set them up correctly, which takes time and costs more. Higher quality lifts will be easier to install than budget models, but they will both work about the same when complete. These inserts work well, but they are not as convenient as above the table controls. Better lifts will allow you to make the table level from above, while budget models will require plastic inserts to level it. You will need to worry about making table adjustments when setting up your workspace and some router lifts make it easier than others. Make sure you measure the plate in your existing routing table before you make a purchase and check the model you intend to buy as well. To know if the router lift will fit into your table, you need to know the plate size and there are two widely used plate sizes, the 8¼ x 11¾-inch, and the 9¼ x 11¾-inch. Remember, if you plan on changing your router or table in the future, you will have to check the compatibility again, so you may want to look at some of the options you’ll have. Each router lift will have a list of tools it’s compatible with, so you will need to find it for each model you consider. The most important thing to consider before choosing your router lift is if it will fit your router and your router table. Fewer vibrations allow for more accurate material removal and a better-looking finished product. Many router lifts provide the user with more stability and greater vibration reduction than their current setup. Ball-bearing systems allow for very smooth movement, and long crank handles make the tiniest adjustments possible. AccuracyĪnother benefit to the router lift is that it allows you to make more accurate height adjustments because you don’t need to climb under the table to make small changes. For many shop owners, the headaches avoided are well worth the cost of a good router lift. You can also change the router bit from above the table using the lift to extend it out. The router lift fixes the problem by allowing you to change the router’s height from above the table using a crankshaft. It’s a very inconvenient and inaccurate way to set up your router. You would make all adjustments to the height the same way. Without the router lift, you need to change the bit by accessing the tool from under the table. If I were you I'd do whatever you need to get by keeping in mind you may want to sell it later for when and if that happens.First, let’s look at some benefits of using a router lift. It's too useful of a system to mobile carpenters to just let it go. My gut tells me while the CMS has been discontinued they (Festool) must be working on an alternative. If I had the space to have a router table setup 24/7 I'd likely buy or make a cabinet with all the bells and whistles. The main draw for most people to the Festool routers mounted in a CMS is they don't have to dedicate shop space to a permanent router table in their shop. If I didn't own a CMS I wouldn't go out of my way to mount a 2200 in another table I'd look at the Porter Cable mentioned and keep the 2200 for free hand routing and pickup the accessory kit second hand if you don't own it already. I feel bad leaving one of the Festool routers mounted as it is. The Festool routers are great in a CMS but I don't know of a practical way to use them in another table that would justify doing so.
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