Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System Reviews
by Saw Bench on Sunday, July 10th, 2011 | 3 Comments
Bench Dog Tools 40-150 ProLift Router Adjustment System
- Bronze pre-load nut prevents back driving due to vibration. This exclusive design eliminates the constant adjustment required on other lifts
- Direct drive lead screw is fast-acting and self-cleaning. Won’t get sloppy over time like belts, chains and gears
- Twin ball bearings support the weight of the router. Most other lifts use cheap sleeves
- Ultra-flat cast iron plate is precision-ground and measures 8-1/4-Inch by 11-3/4-Inch. Fits all Bench Dog router tables. Various size plastic insert rings are sold separately (1 included)
- Use 40-002 ProLift adapter for Bosch 1617/1618, DeWalt 610,616/618 and Porter Cable 690/890 routers. Use 40-003 adapter for Makita RF1100/1101. Adapters sold separately
The best built. Period. No other router lift has this kind of range, speed and accuracy! Speaking of accuracy, how’s 0.001 in. adjustment resolution with no need for a fussy and expensive digital readout?
List Price: $ 369.00
Price: $ 319.66
Disappointing lift for the price,
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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|Can’t speak more highly of it…,
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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|Best router lift on the market!,
I cannot overstate the quality, ease of use, and accuracy of this router lift.
1) It’s made here, not in China.
When you set the height it STAYS SET, no slipping during use.
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.
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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