Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is introducing a heavy-duty router lift with two patent-pending innovations that make changing bits and adjusting the cutter height faster and easier than ever.
The features already have drawn industry accolades, winning the new Rockler Pro Lift an Innov8 award from Wood Magazine for 2018. “This router lift solves two common router-lift problems: slow height adjustments and difficult-to-use insert rings,” Wood’s editors wrote in explaining the Pro Lift’s selection.
The exclusive Snap-Lock mechanism pops out the anodized aluminum insert ring with a push of a plate-mounted button, requiring no special tools and eliminating the need to remove and keep track of small mounting screws. Once the bit is installed, the insert ring snaps back into place securely.
The first-in-the industry two-speed gearbox provides faster height adjustments without sacrificing precision. Like other router lifts, it has a fine-adjustment dial that raises and lowers the router and bit slowly and features index marks for highly precise adjustments.
The Pro Lift also provides a Quick-Gear dial that moves the carriage four times faster than the fine-adjustment dial, making coarse adjustments and bit changes go much more quickly. The included speed-wrench-style crank handle works for both dials.
The Pro Lift is available in two plate sizes – 8-1/4" x 11-3/4" to fit Rockler and Bench Dog router tables and 9-1/4" x 11-3/4" to fit other common router table openings. It comes with one Snap-Lock insert ring with a 1-1/2" center opening; additional insert rings with different center openings will be available separately.
“Changing router bits in a router table has always been a slow process and usually requires specialty tools or messing with tiny screws,” said Dan Wenning, Rockler’s director of product development. “With our new patent pending Snap-Lock inserts and Quick-Gear lift mechanism, you can change bits faster than ever.”
With its heavy-duty construction, bronze bushings and a 3/8"-thick machined aluminum plate, the Pro Lift is designed for demanding daily use, Wenning said.
A patented anti-backlash mechanism keeps the router from creeping downward during use, and a lock knob can be engaged when running large jobs over a longer period. Also included with the Pro Lift are a starter pin for template routing and a set of hex keys for making all necessary adjustments.
The aluminum housing on the Pro Lift is sized to fit 4.2" diameter router bodies, like those of Porter-Cable’s 3-1/4 horsepower routers, but adapter collars are available separately to fit most other common routers.
The Rockler Pro Lift (52429) for Rockler and Bench Dog router tables and the Rockler Pro Lift - Large Plate (55803) for other common router tables are both priced at $369.99 and can be purchased at Rockler.com or at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware stores nationwide, as well as through the Rockler catalog. For store locations or a free catalog, visit www.rockler.com or call 1-877-ROCKLER.