Shop Made Router Lift Plans

theminor · #1 11-21-2006, 11:39 AM

I'm thinking about building a Router lift, rather than buy one new. The mechanism seems quite simple. There were plans in American Wood Worker magazine No. 106 (March 2004), but I don't have that issue. If anyone has it and would be willing to send me the article I'd really appreciate it!

Anyway, there is also a guy on eBay selling plans:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Porter-Cable-753...QQcmdZViewItem
But these are for Porter cable only, and I'm not sure I want to spend $10 on some plans that might not suit my needs...

Does anyone else have any ideas or experiences in building a Router Lift? Thanks in advance for any insight!

ScottGolden · #2 11-22-2006, 10:05 AM

I am sure you have this info but in case you don't.

You can check to see if they have that issue:

Some of our past issues are still available for $5.00 each.
Call (715) 246-4344 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday, for availability and ordering, or write to:

Back Issues
American Woodworker
Box 83695
Stillwater, MN 55083-0695.

os1kne · #3 11-22-2006, 12:50 PM

I recall seeing a magazine article where a router lift was made using a pipe clamp fixture. The fixed end of the pipe was screwed into a flange fitting attached to the bottom side of the router table. The clamping end had a small platform attached to it, designed to hold the router upside-down. The concept was slick, but I suspect that keeping the bit perpendicular to the table would be difficult.

Here's another idea:
http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/r...cles_637.shtml

Good luck!

gjat · #4 11-22-2006, 02:13 PM

Did you see the one that niki made and posted in another recent thread?

theminor · #5 11-22-2006, 04:16 PM

Thanks for all the replies so far - good ideas! I just found the thread by niki and it is also an interesting idea. The woodcentral plan looks good too. I'm not certain which route I'll take but I might keep trying to find the American Woodworker plan as well because I am curious to see how they did it. If anyone else finds anything, please let me know - these are great ideas and they are helping me form a concept of how I'm going to do all this!

bmyers · #6 11-22-2006, 06:30 PM

I was thinking about building a router lift also. I saw the AW plans and they said it would be about $90 for parts to build the list. I ended up getting a Jessem FX for about $130. I couldn't see spending that much time to save such little money on a lift.

I know I have a copy of the AW around somewhere. I'll try to dig it up for you.

Bill