DIY Router Height Adjustment Conversion
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- How to convert a regular plunge router for router table height adjustment.
In this video, I show how I converted the old router I use in my router table to through the top height adjustment.
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I just finished building the handrail on my deck th-cam.com/users/postUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!
Sorry Calvin, I don't understand your comment
Thanks for a simple straight forward video of your router adjustment change. My Ryobi is similar on a Ryobi table on which I did the same following what you did. It works perfectly and no longer a hassle doing the adjustment while pushing up against the tension of the springs and holding the locking mechanism open all at the same time. My only wish is that I’d seen your video when I bought the think. Thanx again mate. Much appreciated from an ex Aussie. Cheers
Hey Rodwyn, its great to hear that my video was helpful and it worked out for you
I really like your videos. You keep it really down to earth and accessible to the average bloke while still producing fantastic results with your projects. Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with us.
No problem Andrew, my pleasure and thank you very much
That is by far the simplest above table height adjustment mod I have seen. 10 thumbs up! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Nine here, and then one of the video = 10 😂
Ha, thanks mate. My best comment yet.
YES !!! I've been looking for this kind of video, so THANK YOU for this. Liked and Subscribed... done.
my only problem now is how to apply this on my trimmer... maybe i'll just figure it out by myself hehehe.
Thank you for the sub Raul and Im glad you liked the video and found it helpful. Not sure about doing similar with a trim router though, good luck with that.
You've set yourself a challenge i think.
yeah... and that's because of you creations. Thanks for the ideas hahaha
Hi Vic. Thanks for some great tips there. I'm busy doing the same with an AEG router as my Triton (Which had a lift in the base) has packed up and unfortunately, Triton pulled out of South Africa so I can't even get it fixed.
My pleasure Mike, hope it helps you out
Perfectly executed as always, nice video.
Thanks mate.
Thanks a million. I have this exact router and have been looking for router lift. So simple and easy to adapt.
No problem mate, glad it was helpful
The exact video I was looking for with a simple and complete explanation. Thank you!
No worries Mathew. Glad it was helpful!
I took the springs out of the plunge mechanism of my table mounted router. I’m sure I read it somewhere that it’s better that way to reduce unnecessary force/wear on the lift mechanism. That way your just fighting gravity alone and not the springs as well.
Shane, I strongly considered doing the same and the reason I left them in was i just thought they would give more stability.
@@DownUnderWoodWorks I think from memory it was in the Triton router instructions(which I have in mine) that said to remove the springs. I've never had issues with stability. I guess it all comes down to how hard is it too wind up.
Very cool mod anyway.
Thanks - very helpful
No problem, glad it was helpful Jamie
I'm about to add a plate to my table saw so I can install my router and lift into it. I have to drill holes into the cast iron top as the holes don't quite line up. I hate drilling holes into my machines, but this needs to be done because I'm changing my workbench to something more solid and a little smaller. There's always something to do in the workshop. Love the video.
Thanks Chris and looking forward to seeing the upgrades/improvements.
Muito bom. Eficiente
Thank you very much 👍🏼
Hi Im Héctor from Argentina. I want to ask you if after you made this lift sistem still work properly??
I m afraid that can brake that "'nut ""on the router.
I will do it. Thank you for your videos
Hi Hector, the lift worked out well. I took out the plunge springs to put less pressure on that nut
Brilliant!
Thank you Vince
I have been searching for quite a while for such a conversion. I have an old Makita 3612 which has seen very little work, and the conversion was almost exactly as you have done. Thank you very much.
No problem Ross, glad it could help
Just watched a video on the Router Raizer, then your video. Your video seems much simpler. ✔✔👍👍
Glad to hear that mate, thanks
Further to my last post, I've discovered that the router you used in this, is the same as mine, only mine is a Makita. Must have come out of the same factory.
I've started my conversion, same as yours, but i'm starting from sctatch, table and all. Would you tell me the dimensions of your base plate and youe table top please?
Cheers! John.
Yeah, this router definitely looks just like a Makita. The aluminium plate is 300 x 300 and my router table is about 500 x 500 but you should make yours to suit yourself. The table dimensions aren't critical.
I have a Makita RP1800 router but I am getting difficult to install it under work bench using Kreg table insert plate, do you have an Idea how to fix it because the screws with the router base is too short and small diameter, I don't think that it can hold it for long upside down. Thanks
Hi Ali, i don't have any knowledge or experience with the Kreg insert plate but your problem sounds like it could be fixed by buying your own bigger longer bolts.
I've seen a couple of similar videos repuposing the depth stop hole for the lift mechanism. In your case with resolving the half nut problem, could you have replaced the half nut with a shop made full nut? It's basically a cylinder with a threaded hole thru it. Understand if you are unable to manufacture it since not everyone has the metal working tools to do it.
Secondly, does the router need to have the plunge springs kept in? In a router table setup the springs would make it harder raise the table.
Thanks for the tip, unfortunately as you said i don't have the tools to make it. Yes the plunge springs are not necessary in a router table setup.
Excellent. I have the same type router and most after market raiser are made for round body routers. Do you lock the router after you adjusted the height? Do you lubricate the posts? Can you get the spanners on the collet ok? I wonder if you can make a collet lock slide thingy.
Thanks Jay. The answer to all your questions is yes, as far as I can remember. I don’t have the router anymore
Neat solution. I’m in the middle of trying to fit a cheap Chinese router lift to my router and have concluded that mounting the bolt through where the height adjuster goes (as you did) is how I’m going to have to fit it together. My concern though is that the adjustment bolt will gradually rotate when the router is powered on, causing the router to drop down. The only thing that prevents this happening is the tension in the springs. Is this an issue you have, do you have to use the lever ‘brake’ on the plunge mechanism when using it to stop this happening?
Hi Geoffrey, unfortunately i don't have the router anymore. I got rid of it a long time ago. In any case i always use the lever lock whenever using a router, particularly in a table.
I watched the whole video just to see how you would overcome the quick release problem.. such a simple solution. Drilling holes in my base plate like that would have taken some convincing at my place.
Ha, just go for it mate.
Damm thanks for that - my 30yr old router works same way. -think i will replace slip nut with a solid nut is all, turn -drill -tap - cut off been going down a long rabbit hole trying to make this old clunker work
Glad i was able to help Scott. good luck with yours mate
Fantastic job thanks for sharing and your time🍺👍👍👍👍
No problem at all Brian. Thank you for your time to.
Well I hadn't thought of doing that yet... but now I am. The Makita has a similar threaded height adjustment setup so it looks like my router plate is headed to version 3 ;) ...once i get this cast off and a working thumb again...
Good luck with it mate and get well soon.
I followed the steps and at the end where you are adding a piece of dowel that does not seem to work for me, the nut is still being pushed out and forces thread skips.. any advice would be appreciated..thank you
Hi Igor, i think i had the same problem ( i don't have the router anymore). I took the plunge springs out because they're not needed, i think that helped a lot.
I really like the idea. I have the same router in a Makita. What is the barrel diameter of the half nut. I am considering a barrel or dowel nut in place of the half nut with spacer. Great idea.
Thanks Jacob. Unfortunately I don’t have the router anymore so can’t tell you the size.
Great stuff - Thanks! Wondering how I was going to do that to mine. Cheers! John.
No problem John, hope it helps you out
Very nice and I have the same device and the problem was at the maximum height I could not have passed in switching the steering bit
Thank you, I hope the video was helpful
I use a scissor jack for a car, about £12/$17 from Amazon. Fits any router.
Hey Bob, i used to have the same except i made it out of wood. They work great, just can't operate it from the top of the table.
Nice simple modification, I admire your ingenuity, great video too, thank you.
I was inspired by your video Bob. Thanks mate.
@@DownUnderWoodWorks glad it helped, it makes it a lot easier to use I can tell you :-)
Good one! Will have to do the same. Thanks Vic!
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Amazing solution you saved me from buying one
Glad I could help mate 👍🏼
I follow your way but to uplift the router, its so hard both with and without spring. Do you take away the spring? Tqvm
Yes mate, take out the springs, they're not needed. I left them in in the video but a viewer later commented that i should remove them, which i did, and it worked a lot better.
@@DownUnderWoodWorks tqvm
thanks for the vidio i have been wanting to do this now i know how .well thought out
No problem mate, good luck with it.
Brilliant upload with clear details..
Thank you! Cheers!
The irony of this build is that you need a plunge router to build a lift for a different plunge router ;-)
So true. Funny how these thing work out sometimes
I am looking to do this mod to raise my router, so Thanks. Did you ever get a riving knife your table saw? Mine is the same model and I purchased it after watching you video. Cheers from Bundaberg.
No worries mate, glad it was helpful. I ended up installing a small splitter (aluminium angle) on my own made insert plate. You should be able to see it in most of my videos
Thats a brilliant idea of yours. Simple way to add a router lift into the system just by using a bolt. That'll save me £250! Thanks Cobber. I'm going to drink your health with a Fosters, Mate. (Actually it'll probably be a Belgian beer up here, but no worries, it'll still do the same trick!)
Haha, thanks very much mate. Enjoy your beer.
How did you get the depth stop assembly out?
The depth stop was that threaded screw that I removed and replaced with the longer cap head screw.
Very interesting .simplest vid I’ve seen !
Thanks mate. Glad you liked it!
very helpfull !!!! Thanks a lot
No problem Pablo, you're welcome mate.
Love the build, was thinking of doing this exact thing. A couple of questions though. Where did you get the lift screw from? And what are the dimensions of the screw you used for the lift top to lift the router?
I was able to get the short cap head screw from the local hardware but thats all they had so thats why i had to extend it. you may get a longer one from a nut and bolt supplier.
Nice Work Vic. Definitely will use this idea for my own table :)
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God job. Congratulations
Thank you! 😃
I could not have found this vid at a better time. I am in the throws of making my first router table and am using a DCA router I had kicking around here in Bali. I believe it is exactly the same router as yours from what I can see in the images here but just branded with a SE Asian label likely. I have exactly the same set-up for the fine adjustment screw so just doing exactly what you did and it seems to be working so far. I was considering a big expense on one of those fancy router lifts but this is actually going to work out just as good and no funds outlaid, so all good! Thanks for taking the time to post this and making it so clear and easy to follow. Cheers. (Sub’d)
No problem Reginald, im just very glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for the sub and welcome
It seems like a simple conversion
It wasn't too difficult at all Harry
Thank you, this works perfectly for Harbor Freight router... Awesome video
No problem mate, glad it helped Igor
So many over engineered router lift DIY videos, this is by far the best👌, to the point, simple yet effective solution. Well done from south africa
Thank you very much mate
Brilliant.
Unfortunately I don't think I can do that with mine, I'll have to have a look at it.
Great video mate 👍🏽 👌 👏
Thanks mate. The concept may be applicable to other models
Haven't made your modification, but I have the same router in a table. Been there 30 years and only changed the brushes once. Indestructible. Good job.
Thanks mate. Yeah mine eventually died but it worked great for many many years
Qu'elle est l'épaisseur de la tôle et sa dimension ?
If you're asking about the aluminium plate, its 300 x 300mm and 5mm thick
This is perfect! There's a million DIY router lift projects out there, but it always seems to me that 90% of the work is just recreating the mechanism that a plunge base already provides. And I have what looks to be the exact same router, but with Makita branding so I can easily copy you exactly.
Go for it John. I was also surprised at how easy that conversion was.
I think you just voided you warranty!
It was too old to have any warranty
@@DownUnderWoodWorks Thanks for replying... But of course I was kidding. Well done on the vid! Regards from Spain.
Thanks Vic. I've been trying to work out how to make a router lift better than a car jack. I hope you don't mind if I steal your idea it will be so much easier to adjust the height from the top. Thankyou so much for sharing your idea. By the way a great video too. Cheers mate. Regards John
Thanks very much John and no worries, copy all you like.
Gracias por el video.
No problem, my pleasure
I've watched a thousand router lift builds. Yours is quite nice. I have an old makita router of the same style as the one you used. I believe I can follow your design exactly. Thanks for sharing this!
Also, how's the Triton? From what I know it's a dream to use.
No worries Mark. That router is similar to a Makita so hopefully it goes well for you. The Triton is great. Love it.
Nice man! You explain this very well! i love it. Now we as viewer can do this too. It is good you showed us the problems with the spring too. I like videos like yours my friend!
Cheers, thanks mate
Nice one, I have a cheap router that I was thinking of attempting to mod instead of splashing out on a new fixed base for my router table project... this has given me some ideas. Thnx
No worries Vincent, glad it was helpful. Good luck with it mate
Hi Just watched your vid 👍 can I ask were you got your triton router from, I’m on the nsw central coast, so not to far from you, have tried every shop in Sydney and beyond, even wrote to Triton AU, yes they responded, but were no help at all.
Looks like I will be buying a different brand, have a old skill router at present (1hp) bought at the Dapto markets years ago after my Makita went to god, love your work.
Peter
Thank you Peter. I bought it from Carbatec but just had a quick look and they don't seem to sell it anymore. Thats a bit crappy that Triton couldn't help you. You may have to go for a different brand.
DownUnderWoodWorks Thanks for your reply, enjoyed the shop tour 👍
I did pretty much the same thing and it works very well, but, as you say you have to have just the right kind of height adjustment and only one of my 6 routers had it. Sorry to see the homemade car jack go though, I reckon that was pure genius.
Thanks Percy, the jack was a fun build
Thanks for the video Vic. I simply have to drill through my table insert for a height winder. I have put it off because I don't know how I am going to position the hole precisely. I should work on that and post a video on my router table setup also. You've inspired me to give it a go.
Glad to hear that I inspired you Dave, good luck with it and I'll look forward to the video.
I'm in The U.S., and have nearly the same router- here its a Makita 3612 BR. I am about to modify my old free standing Freud router table.. I bought an unbranded Asian made but surprisingly good insert plate and kit for the table. This is exactly what I was figuring on having to do to my router to make it work. They include the long Allen bolt, the insert for the spring loaded one that flew across the room when I removed the factory bolt! lol! They also include the Allen wrench for it in the kit. I'm actually having a lot of trouble getting the base off the posts... don't know why. The pins were pretty tough to remove, but I got 'em out. Your video has solved my problem 100%. Nice work!
Hey Dave, so glad to hear that my video was able to help you
Hi Dave , which Asian plate insert did you buy? Link?
Well done that man, great video and easy to follow. Thanks from Melbourne.
No problem Geoffrey, glad it helped
A little tip on removing the router base from the guide tubes at 4:44. They were a tight fit on my Ryobi router but a bit of heat from a hot air gun did the trick.
Thanks for the tip mate
Beautifully engineered mate, hope it gives you great results 🔨🔨👍👍🇦🇺
It already has mate, thanks.
that was pretty slick and its great to see all the little tricks you did to trouble shoot stuff along the way. good video too easy to see all that you worked on. thanks for sharing
No problem Dustin, my pleasure. Glad it was informative for you
G'day mate, just saw this video as I am looking to do pretty much the same thing :) My router is a makita, and has those spring pin things as well. I was just wondering are yours hollow? Mine are, so I just wanted to check it you just found a bit of metal the right size, or if it was easier for you and your pins were solid.
Thanks in advance.
The spring pins on mine were hollow as well. They're easy enough to knock out and then reinstall.
@@DownUnderWoodWorks ah ok, thanks for the reply :)
That’s a great simple idea been trying to find a simple fix for my own router as it’s a pain having to adjust it buy hand , so I’m looking forward to applying your idea to my own router thanks 🙏
Glad it helped out john. Good luck with it.
Thank you so much for such a simple conversion to create a lift for my router table. It is great to now be able to adjust the height of the cutters with such ease. Fantastic thank you so much.
No problem mate, so glad it was helpful for you
Hi Love your channel great for learning, can you tell me the dimensions for your router plate and how thick it is thanks?
The plate is 5mm aluminium and is 300mm square
Thanks for showing us all that problem solving 👌
No problem, sharing is caring. Thanks mate 👍
So nice. Regards.
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Great job.
Thanks Gary and thanks for watching and commenting
Always great to see your videos mate.
This was great idea, and doesn't cost an arm nd a leg.
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Hello Victor, nice job on the above table router lift. It must make adjustments that much easier. How do you go about changing bits? I presume because your head still remains below the table surface, you have to do that from underneath. Cheers.
Thanks Peter. I'm able to wind the collet nut right up to the plate and I use an open end spanner from above. Cheers mate.
Victor, that makes it incredibly useful. I have seen some spanners that are based on a tube with a hex head opening to go over the bolt. I am keen to try your implementation. The only problem is that it is a one-way trip to this conversion. Once the lift mechanism installed and set inside the table, that’s where it will remain. Mind you, you can pick up a second hand router for under a hundred bucks on Facebook or Gumtree and that is not a big problem. Cheers from South Australia.
Great job. Gave me some wonderful ideas. Thanks!
Thanks Scott, glad it was helpful
Absolutely amazing... If only I could wrap my head around the design... maybe when I am feeling a bit better.
Great stuff as usual!
Just watch the video a few more times mate :-)
Brilliant!
Thanks Mitchell
Great solution Victor. Although I have built my own table, I have taken the easy option and bought a router lift. But more Qudos to you for going the DIY and working well.
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Well done, I will have to follow your example. Thanks
No problem Geoffrey, glad it was helpful!
Why not remove the plunge springs from the router columns?
I did consider it John but left them in because I thought it would give the router more stability.
Brilliant
Thank you
Up there for thinking Vic, I'll have a bit of that when I get my new router this year, well done, thanks, Stewart Western Australia.
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Where can I get an extension wing like that for my table saw?
Easiest way is to just make one.
Really well put together video. I leaned a lot. Should be a lot of help to me.
Awesome, great to hear that Sam
Well done Vic. Inspirational solution to an issue many people would have and be frustrated with.
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Nice to hear the the words of inches like your work love from England
Ha. Joyce, I'm at that age where I'm comfortable with both (but metric the most)
Another brilliant idea, thanks for posting from Garry in the UK
Thanks Garry.
It look like to me the short end of the allen wrench would hit the bit especially when lowering router.
Yes it did Tom. When the bit was getting higher in the table i had to switch ends of the allen key
@@DownUnderWoodWorks I thought it would because I had the same problem on my porter cable. I searched every where looking for an allen wrench that was long enough on both ends but couldn't find one. So, to solve my problem I used two allen wrenches and a threaded barrel nut the same size as the allen wrench. I cut the small end off one of the allen wrenches to a comfortable length and pressed (actually hammered) the long end half way through the barrel nut and I pressed the short end of the other allen wrench into the other end of the barrel nut.
I know I could swap ends on the allen wrench when raising and lowering the router but I find it easier to fine tune the height having the long end of the wrench in my hand.
BTW...great work.
Bloody brilliant upgrades, mate. 👍
Thanks Bill.
Nice job, well thought out. Have a great day!
Thank you very much Michael and same to you mate.
very neat work mate, id just use the triton in the table ;0)
Thanks very much Kevin. That old router died a few months after the video. The triton is now in the table
@@DownUnderWoodWorks you have more patience than me, just today I finally made a jig to safely rout rebates in small circular pieces, I got fed up with my router flinging them across the room :0) amazing how easy we can make our work if we take the time to set it up properly.
Awesome job. Thanks
Thank you too Robert, glad you enjoyed it
A great idea, well executed. Thanks.
No worries Rod, thank you.
Great idea, thanks for the video.
No problem. Thanks.
Ingenuity at its finest! Great show old man. I am trying to figure out how to make a compass for my router to make a 3-foot Circle. Keep them cool videos coming!
Make a substitute base plate with a side arm then drill one or more centre holes at the correct distance to match the appropriate router bit.
@@markfryer9880 thanks for the tip!
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Great practical solution!
Thanks Bryan
Nice simple job....👍🏻
Thanks Stuart.