Router lift and dedicated motor unit

[Hornbeam]

I am about to upgrade my router table and am considering a router lift and dedicated motor.
Does anybody have experience of the Rutland Xact or any of the other more expensive systems like Rockler and Kreg (importing from US works out about £100 inc taxes but tool prices are lower). I notethere is no plunge lock on these so is there any backlash and height movement. Pricewise it works out fairly similar to a Trend T11 and new plate .
Thanks
ian

 

[ScaredyCat]

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Just food for thought but...

The Kreg plate is phenolic and the general consensus seems to be it'd sag with a heavy router attached. The Xact and Incra variants are metal. I've been tempted by both. https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/ sell a router that looks exactly the same as the Xact, but a bit more expensive. The Xact lift/plate combo is also cheaper than the JessEm which seem, comparatively expensive.

I'm looking at a third option of the Incra Magna-LOCK Router Plate (~£130) and a Triton TRA001 router (~£200) which has a built in above the table lift mechanism. The cost of this works out at around the same price as just the JessEm lift.

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[scholar]

I have the Xact router motor mounted on an older style Jessel router plate - I had to make a frame to attach the Xact motor because the Jessel plate was designed for fixing to the baseplate of a plunge router.

Anyway, the Xact router motor is very good in my view - loads of power and seems robust, although mine has not really been flogged. I had problems with two previous models that Rutlands happily replaced - it turned out that the original design had an optical speed sensor that clogged with dust sending the motor out of control - the new model has a magnetic sensor and I have had no problems with it.

I have rigged up a good dust extraction arrangement and I have modified the speed control to fit it on the outside of my router table that is really convenient.

I could send some pics sometime.

I also saw the woodworkersworkshop version and there were others - I am sure it is identical in design - just be sure to check it is the latest magnetic sensor version.

Cheers

 

[sunnybob]

I've had 2 kreg plates, both have gone out of square. I wont be buying third.

 

[Peter Sefton]

We have a similar looking motor to others as they may share the same casting. We have worked very closely with our manufacturer to get the best components within the body including a magnetic speed sensor. I would just add the devil is in the detail.

I can't comment on other products but this is a review from one of our customers.

02/14/2017
Peter Davies
AUKTools - Fixed Base Router Mk II
Last year I purchased a table router lift and motor from a well known UK supplier,having now had 4 motors replaced from this supplier with each motor lasting about 20-30mins before they burnt out. I purchased the above motor from Wood Workers Workshop. All I can say is WHAT A Difference, I have just completed a large job using this motor over 2 days using some large cutters.The motor easily coped with all the cuts,it sounds so different is solid and I would highly recommend this product to any one looking for a for a under-table routing system.
Should really have known that Peter Sefton would only stock quality items ,just wish i,d purchased the motor with the speed control fitted into the NVR switch.
Great product would higly recommend

 

[Hornbeam]

Thank you Peter Sefton for your advice both on this forum and on the phone today.
My experience is buy cheap and you end up regretting it
Buy quality and you feel a short term pain in your wallet but usually forgotton while qulaity continues to perform. Just need to speak to the bank manager now!!
Thanks
Ian

 

[Hornbeam]

Well I ignore the bank manager and bought a Jessem router lift and motor from Peter Sefton.
I have now finished the table and just need to complete the fence. I have used teh router with bearing guided cutters and found it much better than my previous version. Once I have ha a few months use I will give a more considered view but so far so good.
Ian