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Comment on Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System Reviews by HPRC R&D

HPRC R&D — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 07:18:00 +0000

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Best router lift on the market!, March 4, 2010

HPRC R&D (Indiana, USA) -

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This review is from: Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System (Tools & Home Improvement)

I cannot overstate the quality, ease of use, and accuracy of this router lift.

1) It's made here, not in China.
2) The construction is absolutely first rate.
3) Everything about it is extraordinarilly rugged, heck, the box it came in could be used as a jack stand.
4) The instructions were complete, accurate, and written by somebody that speaks English.
5) There were no missing parts.
6) It is very easy to use.
7) Assembly is essentially limited to inserting the router and adjusting the leveling screws on the table.
8) When you set the height it STAYS SET, no slipping during use.
9) I do not think it would be possible to break it with anything other than a sledge hammer or cutting torch.

Quite honestly I think this is the best lift on the market even though its not the most expensive. When I purchased this lift I also purchased the Bench Dog cast iron table saw extension wing router table to put it in-- another REALLY good product. The two combined, mounted on my saw, will be the center of my shop for decades.

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Comment on Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System Reviews by Dustin M. Dufault "Economy Pilot"

Dustin M. Dufault "Economy Pilot" — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 06:39:59 +0000

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Can't speak more highly of it..., July 13, 2009

Dustin M. Dufault "Economy Pilot" (Amelia Island, FL) -

This review is from: Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System (Tools & Home Improvement)

Having been through 3 woodpecker lifts which would not hold their height, I finally upgraded to the bench dog lift. While the finish / appearance of the woodpecker was amazing, the finish on the Bench Dog lift is impressive and beautiful. The engineering is also of the extremely high quality you would expect of a tool of this price. It's higher weight vs. the aluminum lift dampens vibration. It's height locking mechanism which consists of a bolt lockdown on the acme thread crankshaft prevents even the slightest of height changes. The locking mechanism on my woodpecker lift was affected by the vibration on my trim cutting bit and would climb up and down wildly. No such problems with the bench dog lift. I recommend you skip the frustration (and believe me, it was extreme), and spring for this lift now. You will not regret it.

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Comment on Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System Reviews by D. Armstrong

D. Armstrong — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 06:33:06 +0000

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

Disappointing lift for the price, April 25, 2010

D. Armstrong -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have used this router lifter at a friends house when my own router table set-up was inadequate for the task at hand. I have used several router tables and was under the impression that the Bench Dog set-up was the best. The cast iron table is as solid at it gets with the the added benefit of the ability to use magnetic feather "boards" as well as the standard types. The router lifter was fast and accurate and very solid. There was no question in my mind that when I up-graded my router table set up it would be to a Bench Dog.

My friend moved and took his router table with him so the opportunity to purchase a new router table set-up was at hand. After using many set-ups I considered my product research to be largely finished but took another look at Jessem and Woodpecker. It was a close call but my experience with the Bench Dog led me to bite the bullet and purchase the Bench Dog set-up.

The router table, stand and fence arrived in great shape considering the weight and I eagerly set it up. Despite the lack of instructions, it went together quickly and without any problems.

This is where the disappointment began. The Pro-lifter arrived and I noticed that it was different that what I expected and had used in the past. The steel inserts were replaced with ONE cheap plastic insert that must be attached with three very small screws. The top plate looks different as well. I knew that Rockler had purchased Bench Dog a few years ago but what I did not realize is that they decided to cheapen the product in such a way that it is now not the top of the line of router table set-ups in my opinion.

Two other friends purchased these units in the past year and received the model with the steel inserts so I assumed that I would as well.

The steel inserts of the previous model had a machined hole for placement of the starter pin which is of great value when working with small parts. It is also a very important safety device. Every time I use this router table set-up I am disappointed that I don't have the original. Why Rockler cheapened this in this fashion is beyond me.

This is an expensive set-up. Most woodworkers are willing to spend the money on high end tools if they perceive good value. This router table, fence, stand, lifter and other accessories is close to one thousand dollars. It is maddening to spend that kind of money for a tool and be so disappointed. Some bean counter thought they could save a few dollars by going to a cheaper plate and forty nine cent inserts.

I Spoke to Bench Dog (Rockler) about the issue and a very pleasant man explained that the change took place in early 2009. They did send me the two other plastic inserts.... but the fact remains...they are plastic.

The bottom line is that this is an excellent table and fence. For the money, I think that there are better lifters on the market. Some others have returned the bench dog for other brands. Rockler makes one that will fit this table but it is not reliable so that is not the answer. Woodpecker makes one with metal inserts and is a good unit.

This lifter would be a top product if only they had not cheapened it needlessly. I would have paid a few dollars more for the previous model if I could have found one.

This has left a bad taste in my mouth for all Rockler products. My friends agree as well as many of the posters on the woodworking forums.

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Comment on Target Precision RB-H1034 Rugged Buddy 34-Inch Folding Sawhorse Legs for One Complete Sawhorse Reviews by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:09:08 +0000

Poor design, May 26, 2011

jtvt "Justin" (VT) -

This review is from: Target Precision RB-H1034 Rugged Buddy 34-Inch Folding Sawhorse Legs for One Complete Sawhorse (Tools & Home Improvement)

These require screwing from underneath to fasten the 2x on deck. Fasteners are just another thing to cart around and worry about losing. Not good for portability, and if you don't need portability, why not just build them out of 2x lumber in 5 minutes for dirt cheap? Maybe for some people, but no thanks. Doesn't stack up to Trojan.

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Comment on Target Precision RB-H1034 Rugged Buddy 34-Inch Folding Sawhorse Legs for One Complete Sawhorse Reviews by Erich "EV"

Erich "EV" — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:28:41 +0000

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

handy, compact sawhorses, October 29, 2006

Erich "EV" (Western Slope of Colorado, USA) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Target Precision RB-H1034 Rugged Buddy 34-Inch Folding Sawhorse Legs for One Complete Sawhorse (Tools & Home Improvement)

As a professional remodeling contractor I try to bring everything but the kitchen sink onto the job. For all the tools in the back of my truck there is absolutely no room for wood, homemade horses. Also, I won't saw on the ground and the older I get the less I want to stoop over to pick up materials. That's where these horses come in. I've had a set of these horses for 5 yrs. and they've worked well for me. One tip - glue the leg tips on. One weak point - the flat piece of metal that the legs swing into & click into can snap off. To be realistic though, nothing is indestructable.

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Comment on Target Precision RB-H1034 Rugged Buddy 34-Inch Folding Sawhorse Legs for One Complete Sawhorse Reviews by Weldon Grant "purveyor of useless info"

Weldon Grant "purveyor of useless info" — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:30:05 +0000

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

I've got the shorter version, buy the height for you., October 11, 2004

Weldon Grant "purveyor of useless info" (Woodinville, WA United States) -

This review is from: Target Precision RB-H1034 Rugged Buddy 34-Inch Folding Sawhorse Legs for One Complete Sawhorse (Tools & Home Improvement)

After I went through three cheap sets of sawhorses in a year I thought maybe I should give these a try (seems like I sneeze on some of the other models available and something breaks on them. Seventy dollars and week for shipping later I got these. They take some initial setup, you supply the wood. Takes maybe 15 minutes to get 2 sawhorses put together, including time to get the tools out and put back away. After that, these things were all business, 22 twelve foot pressure treated 2x8's and not a squeak of complaint. The weak point in the whole setup? I'd say the 2x4 I used... I think when I need to replace the boards I'm going to go cut up some 4x4's just for good measure and the extra 1 1/2 inch of height.
Just a matter of opinion, after playing with some trojan sawhorses, I think these are the better of the 2.

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