Ultra-cheap router lift

 by Vestus
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Step 6: Completed product

Once sure it is working correctly, disassemble the coupler, lubricate the connector bolt and tee nut, and add some Lock-tite to the coupler before reassembling. The connector bolt and attached threaded rod will now compress the motor upward toward the base elevating the bit.

Further notes:
- As this is my first Instructable, let me know if anything is unclear.
- 1/4-20 threading was dictated by the connector bolt, but the thread count is a pain. 1" of travel is 20 turns. 1/4" is 5, and 1/16" is 1 1/4 turns. 5/16-32 would be better, but harder to find tee-nuts.
- As you can see, 8" of threaded rod looks unnecessary, but I'd rather have extra than too little.
- The only visible damage to the router is where I drilled two small holes for the brass nails to prevent the tee nut from turning. The only other hole I drilled is in invisible at the bottom of the threaded socket for the depth stop. I will have no problems reassembling the router with it's original parts. (Provided they don't get reused elsewhere.)


3/8/2008: - One thing I overlooked in the reassembly is the locking mechanism (black lever on the right in below pic). It relies on a small metal disc to press against the post, but falls out easily.
3/13/2008: It seems that the router in the middle of the saw wing is bowing it down a little (1/8"), so I'm rebuilding it by replacing the strips of MDF on the bottom with a full sheet. Add a couple bars of angle or box tubing from HD and it should be much more stable. Router still works like a charm.

Continuation project to come: Dust collection
 
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air-v says: Jun 3, 2011. 6:50 AM
Hello,
I've got POF1400 Bosch Router, and i would try your tips. Do you think it will be possible ?
Thanks
Vestus (author) in reply to air-vJun 6, 2011. 11:11 AM
Most likely, but I'm only basing that on advertising photos. I don't see much to hold the tee-nut on, so you may have to use JB weld.
drab84 says: Oct 9, 2010. 6:01 PM
Thanks for this, I have the exact router you do, and wasn't about to spend another 100 bucks for a lift system. You've saved me a lot of crawling under the table.
Vestus (author) in reply to drab84Oct 10, 2010. 6:16 AM
Let me know how it works for you. I managed to scrounge and buy a lift after I finished this and never used it much.
drab84 in reply to VestusDec 15, 2010. 5:11 AM
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Project got delayed, but it does work great! I used the JB Weld method on the tee nut (mostly since I broke a drill bit the other way), and it worked, but was hard to line up. All in all it works great, and much much cheaper than the alternative. Thanks again!
patrick kane says: Aug 30, 2010. 3:26 AM
looks great
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