UJK Technology Router Elevator problems

[Fishandchips]

Hi Guys,

Anyone got one of these router lifters from Axminster?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/ujk-technolo ... rod882062/

I have had one for 6 months not and used it approx. 10 times. Seemed great at the start but after using a couple of times I had to remove it because the threads where clogged up with dust. I noticed axminster also sell a dust box for an extractor so I decided to make my own from MDF. It works a treat sucking the dust hard and fast but I am still getting a collection on the threads.

Also when you wind the router up and down the dust is compacting onto the threads to the point where is jams.

See Axminster customer services reply?

Thank you for your recent enquiry [ID#15**2]

The box issue arose as I felt the router would contribute to the airbourne dust held within the confines of the box instead of being extracted away. Of course this would depend on the efficency of your extractor as the box is as good as the extractor to which it is attached to. Although we have sold the elevator in good numbers and as yet provided very little concern, but each customers application will be different.

The Threads will require occasional cleaning in any given situation and in whatever set-up, I am sorry I am unable to give a instant solution to the problem, but I feel its a case of finding the best scenario with or without the box.

So after every one or 2 times I use the router I have to remove the lifter from the table and fettle the threads. does this seem right?

 

[Racers]

Hi,

Do you use a dry lube on the threads, like PTFE spray? oil will cause problems.

Pete

 

[Fishandchips]

Hi Pete,

Tried with oil and completely dry.

Never heard of dry lube?

Gonna go and see if I can get some to try, I do want to keep the router lifter so I'll have a go with that.

Cheers

Garry

 

[Eric The Viking]

PTFE is good (but keep it off any wood you intend to finish later!). Liberon lubricating wax is also good, as sawdust doesn't stick to that either.

Does it strip down easily? If so I'd do just the threads (male and female): clean with WD40 (thins the grease), then carburettor cleaner (to remove the WD40). Watch out for plastic parts though carb cleaner will dissolve many types of plastic, and it's a nasty chemical. Re-lube with one of the above. You might use meths instead of C.C. - it's a bit more enviro-friendly.

For the DX problem, it's essentially two parallel plates, close together, when it's raised. I'd guess in use there's rarely more than an inch between them, usually much less. If you can arrange for all the dust to be sucked out from between them, with a wide, flat nozzle of some sort, that sucks most from the middle of one of the longer sides, the dust won't have time to get to the threads in any quantity. You could also put a skirt round the lower thread and the chain, following the outer edge of the moving plate. The fan in the router blows upwards when it's in a table, so unless there's a reason for dust to be blown back underneath, the lower threads at least will stay clean.

You need negative air pressure between the router plate and the table plate. This means your DX must have sufficient power to overcome the increase in pressure from the router's own fan. If this doesn't happen, you can't control where the dust goes, as the router will push it outwards in all directions (you want to pull it into your DX).

It doesn't need a huge fan, but it does need to be efficient. I use a cheap Earlex combi-vac on my router table and it's usually good enough above the table. But there are certain operations, such as cutting housings, slots and grooves, where most of the dust comes out downwards. At that point everything below the table gets covered!

I'm planning to do something similar to above for my setup, but _not_ to actually box the router in too tightly. That way, any dust that escapes the pickup will be thrown clear, but little of it will get sucked back through the router. It'll need to be dismantle-able as it will inevitably clog at some point.

 

[Fishandchips]

Bloody good advise Eric. I have loads to think about.

I hadn't considered extraction from above because of the fan in the motor.

I have made provision for extraction above the table but have yet to try it. Sounds sensible now.

 

[Big Gaz]

Dry lube has to be the way to go.

You will never remove all the dust in and around the router.