Customer Reviews and Photos for:
Router Lift FX
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Average Rating:
4.4
(37 customer reviews)
$179.99
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1) Submitted by
Larry Green, from Kenosha, WI
on 3/23/2013
Customer Rating: 
After having a router sitting on the router table for 5 years, and not using it because it was hard to set up. I bought the fx. I have used this more than I have ever used my router before. I had to remove the rake off the rounter rack to make it work. I wish I would have bought this a long time a go. Fast setup, great cuts, and a joy to use.
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2) Submitted by
Thomas, from Apple Valley, CA
on 2/13/2013
Customer Rating:
Bought this about 2 years ago and I find it makes table routing a breeze. Unfortunately, I had to figure out how to retension the locking mechanism because it started to creep. Turned out to be ease. Using with a dedicated Bosch 1617, which fits perfectly. Got the steel dust collection unit with the Rockler table and top and everything fits and works perfectly. Get Rockler's dust collection T with the 2.5 inch and 4 inch ports and it will really help with dust. Highly recommend this combination.
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3) Submitted by
Jim Rice, from Charlottesville, VA
on 1/20/2013
Customer Rating:
Love it, wish I had bought it long ago. Using it with a Benchdog cast iron table and it dropped in perfectly with no problem. Bosch 1617 router motor also fits perfectly. I tightened the tension screw one notch and it seems to hold the height adjustment quite well. I also added a Wixley remote digital readout. This lift combined with the digital readout makes setup a breeze and dead-on accurate. I simply zero the top most edge of the bit and them simply raise the bit to the height I've used on a test piece.
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4) Submitted by
A Cummings, from Forest Hills, NY
on 12/31/2012
Customer Rating:
i bought this over a year ago, and finally got around to using it this weekend. All I can say is wow. It popped in my Rockler table easily, my Dewalt router popped in just as quick., in 5 minutes i was banging out draw parts. Fantastic product great price.
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5) Submitted by
Fred, from Rist, SD
on 2/20/2013
Customer Rating: 
Overall it is very good. I rate as such because the plastic insert is not flat or very stiff. After one hour of use, the router started moving up which required an adjustment of the tension device. When it started moving, it moved quickly. I put this in a Rockler table top that I had purchased 4-5 years ago so I had to increase the opening size. When I lowered it to its bottom, the router ran into my dust collection box which had to modify. Being able to raise the router high enough to change the bit is nice although I had to purchase a new wrench and grind it thinner.
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6) Submitted by
Keith, from New Britain, CT
on 3/6/2012
Customer Rating:
This is a great lift for the money. I just completed 4 raised panel doors and drawer fronts and it worked perfectly. I only wish that I had it when I made the previous four as it would have saved me so much time. I still used a scrap piece when changing bits to make sure the height was correct but I found I could dial it in perfectly within seconds. The lift fit my DeWALT 618 router like a glove even though the instructions said a shim would be required. After reading the other reviews I was a little concerned about the lift height drifting during use. As a precaution I increased the tension on the lift screw by one "notch" on the brass nut. I did not feel any noticable difference in the tension during adjustment and the lift did not move at all during use, even after cutting large raised panel doors from cherry. Overall an excellent product and value.
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7) Submitted by
Dan, from Solon, IA
on 5/16/2012
Customer Rating:
Having had problems with the Bosch mount galling up the router motor from chips filling in around the motor and making adjustment nearly imposible I bought this router lift, it was the best move I could have made. Adjusting the bit height is so easy now and changing bits is also easy to do above the table. I did get some drifting of the height while routing but it was not the fault of the lift it was from an out of balance router bit. I enjoy using this lift very much. It is well made and will most likely last me a long time. I recommend it to anyone who asks about it.
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8) Submitted by
Joe, from Winchester, WI
on 1/26/2013
Customer Rating:
I have used this for over 6 months and have more pros than cons. I purchased it on sale and felt that it was a fair price. The only negative factor is the limited distance it moves down. If you want to use a quick change extension unit like the Extreme Extension you are limited to the length of your router bit
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9) Submitted by
James Mayer, from Moorhead, MN
on 1/28/2012
Customer Rating:
This is a very well made item as with all Rockler products. I like the fact you can make accurate minute adjustments with it and you can change bits from above the table. Great for those of us who are a bit older and bending down under a table to make adjustments or change bits can get to be a pain. Installation was easy and a breeze to set up. There are a couple of minor typos in the instructions, and a couple of lines of text that do not make sense, but if you are at all mechanically inclined, which you should be if you are using power tools, it is not a problem. Another quality product from Rockler.
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10) Submitted by
David, from Kokomo, IN
on 1/24/2012
Customer Rating:
My wife got this lift for my birthday as well as the table and fence . All of these work great seating on top of my own stand. It all was a piece of cake to put together and set up . Anyone having trouble setting this rig up may want to find a new hobby or have Rockler customer service on speed dial, any kid can do this. I have seen all the reviews and frankly I can't understand some of the complaints . Any time you buy machinery there is always setup and adjustments to make. For something that is this universal and work this well is awesome. Can't say enough about how well this lift and top works. Great job Nordy!
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11) Submitted by
Phillip, from Slidell, LA
on 12/14/2011
Customer Rating:
I have had this lift for over a year now. It has saved me so much time routing decorative molding and finally building rail and stile doors. This lift has worked flawlessly with no problems and I have used it as much as any weekend woodworker. I can't begin to say how pleased I am with this lift. I recommend this to anyone at any level.
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12) Submitted by
R. C. Abel, from New Windsor, IL
on 10/6/2011
Customer Rating:
The customer service was great. I received my order in just a couple of days. I had to resize the cutout in the top of my Bosch router table which I knew I would have to but it came out very well. The FX lift fit my Porter Cable 890 router like a glove. I give the Rockler Lift FX two thumbs up. It works perfectly, and at the sale price I don't believe you can top the value or the quality either one.
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13) Submitted by
Bill, from Clinton, TN
on 7/27/2011
Customer Rating:
Perfect fit for my Porter Cable, perfect fit in the phenolic table top. Mechanism works smoothly and well. Life is good.
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14) Submitted by
Walt from MICHIGAN
on 4/27/2011
Customer Rating:
Using it with Rockler router table. I like it. Had to make a few adjustments, there was some "creep" in the lift mechanism. Easily fixed. Took some finagaling to get the router motor into it, but, it fit. Works great now.
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15) Submitted by
Arch Rothrock, from Lewisville, NORTH CAROLINA
on 4/27/2011
Customer Rating:
5 stars on this item. Just what I needed. Great product. Keep up the "Great Work"
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16) Submitted by
David, from Bradenton, FL
on 1/4/2011
Customer Rating:
Great quality, especially considering the price. Looks great in my table, is very stable, and functions flawlessly. We're a production acrylic shop, and I needed a unit to raise and lower a flush trim bit.
The instructions that came with mine didn't mention the shim for DeWalt like the online version, and it seems to clamp a DeWalt router just fine - perhaps they've improved it and not updated the website?
If I had one minor! product suggestion... it would be nice if they included a scale drawing of the required cutouts, or offered a downloadable version .eps,.dxf,.pdf for CNC users. That would have saved me a lot of time on the installation.
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17) Submitted by
Art Pislewicz, from Chicago , IL
on 10/31/2010
Customer Rating:
Very good, well made simple lift. Could as well not included instruction sheet, because for the most part is not needed. If you are to mill your own table nice thing is that the plate is 23/64 so setting router to 3/8 helps knowing you have some room to give there is hardware to install that you actualy gonna have to go and buy and is not mentioned in instruction I own Dewalt and Bosch medium size routers witch cam mechanism seems to grip well with insignificant adjustment to a lift in question.
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18) Submitted by
Jal Scarborough, from Forney, TX
on 9/30/2012
Customer Rating: 
I like the FX router lift but I ran into a problem. I have a Porter-Cable 893 router that I almost always use in the router table. The problem was that the router slipped down in the lift as I was using it with a 3 1/2" router bit with a back cutter (lots of pressure). I thought I had it tight enough but... I suspect that it will come loose at some point even if the motor holder was tighter. Anyhow, a friction fit will not hold it. There needs to be a good positive "stop". I think the guild post on the 893 router motor will will do this if you remove the rack from the Porter-Cable motor so you can turn it in the lift. I hope this will help someone else who has the same problem. 1} Remove the rack {porter-cable part# 911807} from the motor. This has to be done to allow the motor to be turned. 2} Insert the motor into the FX lift. 3} The motor has 2 guide post about 1/8" diameter by 1/8" high on the motor housing. The motor should be inserted into the lift and turned so the guide posts are above the top support on the lift. 4} Tighten the holder on the lift. The guide posts should keep the motor from slipping down.
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19) Submitted by
W. Burton, from Cary, NC
on 5/18/2010
Customer Rating:
After many frustrating years of having a rather accurate router fence and a very inaccurate way of adjusting my bit height, I selected the Rockler Router Lift over the many other products out there. My decision was based primarily on price - I purchased during one of Rockler's sales and got a good price. I had to modify the opening in my table to accept the Lift - a rather easy task. The unit needed a couple of minor adjustments: one to hold the PC690 tighter, and another to hold the bit height steady during operation. Both adjustments were easy to make.
Bottom line - this is a very accurate, easy to use unit that is already making my life easier whenever I use my router table. The bit rises and drops in a smooth, even motion - unlike the old plunge router I had mounted to a plexiglas plate in my table.
Very pleased with the Rockler Lift.
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20) Submitted by
David Fewell, from Kokomo, IN
on 4/8/2012
Customer Rating:
Update... I've had this lift for about three months now and still love it. I have made several prodjects from porch swings to bookshelfs and this lift has worked great . The table top is slick allows the stock to slide freely as long as you don't crank the feather boards down too tight. The lift moves up and down freely and holds its position well. Anyone thinking of buying this lift go ahead and pull the trigger you won't regret it. Just take a little time and set it up right the first time and you will be happy with it . Thank again Rockler for a great lift at a fair price...
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21) Submitted by
Mike Ireland, from New Holland, PA
on 8/23/2009
Customer Rating:
I selected his unit over the similar JessEm, as it is made from aluminum. My PC 890 router installed very easily with no adjustment needed for a tight fit. Adjusting the bit height works well and it seems to hold position during routing operations. I would note for others that the PC 890 “bottoms out” when raised to full height to change the bit. The collect nut comes clears the top but the spindle nut does not make it through before two protrusions on the motor casting catch. This makes more difficult to change bits with this model of router. If the lift had inserts that snap out instead of being held in place by screws it would make this lift much more convenient and easier to use
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22) Submitted by
John Anderson, from Manhattan, KS
on 5/5/2009
Customer Rating:
I've been using this lift with my 890 motor for about a month now. It's working better than expected. The only issue I have is that the inserts are held in with small screws instead of snapping or locking in.
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23) Submitted by
Jim Brayman, from Kissimmee, FL
on 1/2/2012
Customer Rating:
The patented thread tensioning design did not work for me. However I only rotated the brass tensioning collar two grooves tighter not wanting to bend or break anything. Instead I added a lock nut to the threaded rod. This is no big deal as my router station is open at the front. I still give this unit 5 stars. It’s very well built, inexpensive and beats the @$%# out of my old rig.
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24) Submitted by
Russ Jones, from Lynnwood , WA
on 3/10/2009
Customer Rating:
I also found the lift height adjustment to creep some from vibration with the half inch shaft bits. I tightned the lift height screw per the instructions and still experienced a slight creep. I solved it by adding a 9/16 nut to the height adjustment screw. I now set the bit height and run the nut up as far as it will go, then "lock" it in place. No more problems!
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25) Submitted by
Ron Wormser, from Scottsville, VA
on 2/9/2009
Customer Rating:
I purchased the Aluminium Router Lift FX as a replacement (upgrade) for a plain Rockler router plate. I was just tired of going under the router table to adjust the router bit height. I am very pleased with the Router Lift itself, but caution potential buyers to check the cutout size in your router table before buying. I have a Rockler router table designed to be used as a wing on a standard contractor's table saw, which I bought approx. 2 years ago. I assumed the cutout in the router table would be the same size as the Router Lift---not! The Router Lift is 8-1/2 x 11-3/4 and my router table cutout is 8 x 11. It took me several hours to craft a cutout template and expand the table cutout to accommodate the Router Lift. Once that was done, the Router Lift worked fine for all 1/4 in. shaft and most 1/2 in. shaft cutters. However, the larger 1/2 in. shaft cutters create so much torque that the lift height adjustment moves by up to 3/64 inch from the vibration. There's a simple adjustment to the height mechanism to prevent this from happening and the printed instructions are pretty clear---but incorrectly titled! Once I got past the installation, the Router Lift performed as expected and I'm very pleased with being able to adjust and replace cutters from above the table.
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26) Submitted by
Terry Bryson, from Ocala, FL
on 5/15/2009
Customer Rating:
I too was attempting to use this with a Dewalt 618 and broke the adjustment "bolt" the day it arrived. Seems (at the time) they are having an issue with the Dewalt's not fitting properly. Rockler was very good about sending a replacement, with a plastic shim and it works well. I may take Russ Jones advice and modify the unit properly though.
Also, I had to add a .25mm shim to the plastic insert to get it to lay flush with the aluminum plate.
Upon using it the first time, the bit crept down on me and just about ruined my project! I preformed the adjustment as per the manual,(wish I had known about that AHEAD of time!), and it works fine now. Will also take Mr. Jones advice on this one, but then I would have to climb underneath to tighten the nut. What I was trying to avoid! Really don't like the "friction" method of preventing drift. Doesn't instill confidence UNLESS it's tight enough. Then it's acceptable.
The manual was not proof read by anyone who uses the unit. It's good enough to do what you need though.
Overall for my hobby it's a good deal, would get something better if I was making $$ on my projects!
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27) Submitted by
Frank Hofbauer, from Hardy, VA
on 5/8/2013
Customer Rating:
Just purchased this router lift. After many years of under the table rasing I purchased this. Wish I had many years ago. works perfectly out of box. Adjustments are so easy. Only problem I have had is I want to change bits from top of table. A 16mm ofset wrench is needed to hold shaft. Was not able to locate one so I ended up bending a 16mm wrench to offset. works great. I use a Bosch 1617 router.
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28) Submitted by
Webb Blackman, from Chesterfield, VA
on 9/4/2009
Customer Rating:
I purchased the Router Lift FX to use with a Porter Cable 890 series router motor. To make a statement that this router lift is designed to be used with the 890 series is kind of a stretch of the truth. When you want to raise the height of the unit to change a bit, you quickly find that the little shaft lock feature that Porter Cable put on this series limits the height that you can raise the chuck. The result are that you still have to reach under the router table to press the little button before you can replace the bit. I solved this problem by replacing the Porter Cable router motor with a Bosch 1617EVS and not everything works perfectly. The other reason that I changed to the Bosch router is that I wanted to install an Eliminator RC quick change chuck on the motor to make it easier to change chucks and it seems that there is not a unit that will work on the Porter Cable router due to what I am told to be inadequate number of threads on the shaft of the router. With the Bosch motor installed, everything seems to work perfectly. Only one thing that I would change, Rockler did not do anyone a favor when they made their insert plant held down with screws.
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29) Submitted by
Carl Lavigne, from Niceville, FL
on 11/15/2009
Customer Rating:
I purchased the router lift because of the favorable ratings and reviews here. When I purchased the router lift I also purchased the template to ensure proper cutout size to mount the lift. So far, I am impressed with the function of the lift. In the very short time that I've had it and used it, it has worked well and it has lived up to expectations. Now, a little feedback on the installation. I had heard and read of issues with the size of the hole when using the template. Having worked with templates before I realize that the very slightest movement of the template can make for a sloppy fit. To ensure the template didn't move on me when routing the hole, I clamped scrap wood around all 4 sides of the template to hold it securely in place, to ensure it didn't move under pressure, as could easily happen if only relying on double-faced tape to hold the template in place. My template did not move a bit, thus my hole for the lift was perfect--no slop or movement once in place. In fact, it was so perfect that I had to give the plate a thump with my hand to seat it. Perfect! Okay, feedback on the lift it self... I think the center insert could be made to fit a little better. We take painstaking measures to ensure the plate is flush with the table top, but the insert sits low in the plate. It is noticeable and of concern to me. I felt compelled to shim it to get the insert flush with the plate. My router lift came with a small package of parts. Package contains 2 black flat head screws, one round phillips head screw and a small plastic collar about 5/8" long. I don't know the exact sizes as I didn't open the package. The instructions don't make any mention of these parts at all or what they might be for. I think the collar and the phillips head screw may be for pivot point on the lift...but I'm not sure, I haven't tried the fit yet. Would be nice if the instructions made mention of it. Also, I concur with the previous feedback of others regarding the problem with the creeping of the height adjustment.
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30) Submitted by
Nasar, from Glen Ellyn, IL
on 12/3/2009
Customer Rating:
I purchased the router lift today after installing it I did some test cuts. This may be too early to comment but I thought I will give my first impressions.
The Goods:
Inserting Bosh 1617 was a snap.
The lift mechanism is smooth and great. I can already see the great benefits - able to adjust height from the top of the table, changing bits from the top.
The bad:
The insert ring does not align with the plate. when you buy a new product you do not expect this to out of alignment. I had to use 'blue paper' as shims to somewhat make it level with the plate.
What could be improved:
1. The eight screw to level the plate is quite cumbersome. It would save a bunch of time if the screws comes factory installed for the router lift.
2. The insert ring has six screws - a snap on ring would be so much better.
Overall, it is a good buy and it remains to be seen how it will hold after some use.
Editor's note: It is common for inserts for plates to be manufactured within a negative tolerance, thereby allowing the end user to fine tune a fit with shimming if needed. It is customary in such applications to simply use tape for the purpose of shimming.
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31) Submitted by
Jeremy, from West Bend, WI
on 1/19/2010
Customer Rating:
I would rate this product 5 stars. It came in a sturdy box, the instructions were clear and easy to understand, and my PC 893 router fit perfectly. I had to remove a rack gear along the side of my router so I could get full travel out of the lift. I wish the lift would come with more inserts instead of the one 1.5" insert. And a snap in insert would be great, but I don't mind the 3 screws holding it down. My only complaint would be my local Rockler store did not carry the correct size inserts and I had to order them from Rockler.com and they are oversold there. It would be nice if all of the rockler insert plates came standardized instead of the Rockler One plate and the FX lift having diferent size openings.
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32) Submitted by
Lloyd Nye, from Baton Rouge, LA
on 2/3/2010
Customer Rating:
I give the overall manufacturing and quality of funtion and design 4 out of five stars. Reading other reviews regarding slipping of height during operation seems to be of no point since an adjustment is built in to correct this problem. My one and only complaint is the size of the insert plate screws. I see no reason as to why they are so small. Plus only getting 3 posed a problem as I dropped one and nearly could not find it. If the designers had a certain reason as to this diameter of screws they could have been longer as they went into material longer then the lenght of the screws. Also the insert plate is not flush with the table and reguired me to ship the insert bore with tape. I some times rout flexible material and need a aligned surface. I agree with other postings that the insert plate could have screwed in or designed to snap in. As I have said well build and designed but this one spot is the only flaw I see. Four of five stars.
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33) Submitted by
Bob Shaffer, from Cottage Grove, OR
on 4/12/2010
Customer Rating:
I have upgraded an old BenchDog router table by adding a Bosch router and this Rockler Aluminum Router Lift FX. It works very well, have used it for about 6 months—ran all the moulding for nine drawer-fronts for our bathroom remodel. You might be pleased to know that the Rockler insert plate #36377 with a 2-1/2" hole fits.
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34) Submitted by
Joanne Meshew, from Louisville, KY
on 11/6/2011
Customer Rating: 
I purchased this lift for Christmas 2010 last year and finally installed it on my Benchdog router table. I haven't used the lift yet so I will update on that. What I'm grading on are the instructions which are poor. It would be nice to have a breakdown of parts and schematics. Muddy black and white photos aren't especially useful. Nor are bags of bolts and nuts and no explanation. In the back section concerning installing the router, the text referred to a figure 6 photo that isn't there.
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35) Submitted by
Harold, from Orange Park, FL
on 11/26/2011
Customer Rating:
Looked at several lifts and settled on this one more for price than anything else. Was easy to install and mounted may Porter Cable 690 in without any problems. Unfortunately during operation the lift mechanism creeps from the vibration of the router motor. It almost has zero free running torque. Not sure how I fill fix it, clamps maybe.
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36) Submitted by
Milind Patil, from Katy, TX
on 2/14/2012
Customer Rating:
The only drawback of this lift is it has limited routers compatibility list. But if you happen to own one of those few routers that are supported like I do, DeWalt 618, you simply cannot go wrong with this puppy! Close your eyes and buy it! And for barely $, this is a bargain! Superb construction, superb material quality, superb craftmanship and great accuracy. The only thing that hit me was the router starting pin. It is just a screw with a little plastic tube. Looks so ugly when mounted. I had expected solid metal cylindrical pin with threads at one end! And that is the ONLY reason I am not rating this product excellent.
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37) Submitted by
Russ Jones, from Lynnwood, WA
on 2/7/2009
Customer Rating:
I ordered this router lift because the catalog stated it would fit my DeWalt 618 router. When I installed the router motor in the lift assembly the motor was loose even with the adjustment as tight as it would go. I fixed the problem by filing a flat on the opposite side of the adjustment nut. This effectively gave it a little more adjustment range. I can now adjust the clamping mechanism to fit my router. Now it works great and I am happy with it. It does seem to be a well built device. I plan on using it for miter lock joints and the fine height adjustment will make the settings much easier.
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