Axminster Router Lifter - first impressions

[mailee]

I would be interested in how you get on with the Extreme Extension Rob as I have one too. They do seem to take a lot of setting up in the first instance to balance them but once set they are great for quickly changing cutters. :wink:

 

[Brother Binary]

According to the chap selling the Extreme Extender, because of the dynamic balancing there should be no out of balance forces, which makes them especially suitable if using an older router with some wear in the bearings (and of course he would say that, wouldn't he, but all the reviews I've read are very positive about the product).

I'm still waiting for postie to deliver mine, so that I can have a look at the instructions. I hadn't realised that there was setting up involved, but I guess that this is what the dynamic balance is all about. Stand by for a new thread asking for help!

David

 

[RussianRouter]

suitable if using an older router with some wear in the bearings (and of course he would say that, wouldn't he, but all the reviews I've read are very positive about the product).
David

I doubt whether he tried it on an old router with used bearings? particulary when a bit has a 1"? diameter ie a raised panelcutter,this would then amplify any out of shaft balance movement.

 

[johnjin]

Strange,
As far as I am aware umbrako grub screws are made of high tensile steel.

John

 

[RussianRouter]

Strange,
As far as I am aware umbrako grub screws are made of high tensile steel.

John

Nothing strange at all,we're talking about a grubscrew with a 6mm to 7mm head? and its wall thickness about 3mm,every grub screw I've come across overtime has rounded off in the Allen Key socket.

I've just got some Oldham couplings with supposedly high tensile steel grubbys ...pffft! like sh*te it is.

 

[woodbloke]

I've just fitted my Extreme Xtension to the table and as far as I can ascertain, it looks like a good'un :wink: The inner grey insert ring on the table itself had to be filed down to clear the side of the Xtension. On spinning up the router, there was no, say again, no out of balance or wobbliness in any way, it's perfectly balanced...and that was spinning the router at the highest speed. As all the adjustments can now take place above the table:

a little bit of accurate work with some 12mm birch ply and the lathe turned the original Trend socket thingie into a much better 'spinner to raise and lower the router through the table. As a brucie bonus, an adapter is supplied :

so that you can use all your 1/4 inch bits in the router table for light cuts, shown for 'foto purposes only here! I'd hesitate to suggest that you'd use the smaller bits for big cuts, but for finer stuff it ought to be fine.

As far as I can make out, this is a really great bit of kit and if you haven't get one...get one! ('cept he's now out of stock )

Edit - there is no need to 'set up' or install the thing...stuff in a clean collet on the router, tighten up and file out the insert ring (if required) Took me round about 20 mins to get it running and then a further hour or so to make the adapter for the 'spinner' - Rob

 

[RussianRouter]

On spinning up the router, there was no, say again, no out of balance or wobbliness in any way, it's perfectly balanced...and that was spinning the router at the highest speed.

Its only when in use that you can notice spin out ie when a wide bit is being used.

Like I said route a 1/2"widex1/4"deep rebate and measure the widness accuratly and if its spot on 1/2" then your laughin.

 

[woodbloke]

On spinning up the router, there was no, say again, no out of balance or wobbliness in any way, it's perfectly balanced...and that was spinning the router at the highest speed.

Its only when in use that you can notice spin out ie when a wide bit is being used.

Like I said route a 1/2"widex1/4"deep rebate and measure the widness accuratly and if its spot on 1/2" then your laughin.

Somehow, I don't think there's much that would convince you...reminds me of someone much 'grimmer' :roll: When all is said and done, it simply ain't worth the effort and I can't be ar$ed in this hot weather. Take it from me, it works...'nuff said - Rob

 

[RussianRouter]

Hey,I'm only trying to be helpful here,I mean what if someone buys this item and have a poor router and they don't know about? this centrifugal axis imbalance it can knacker their routers bearings faster than it would normally.

Its alright you saying it works,it might not workfo other.

Anyway I'll keep stum from now on and let you find these things out at your own expense.

 

[Karl]

Rob - how much was that extension? There's no prices on the website, and it looks like a nifty bit of kit.

Cheers

Karl

 

[flounder]

Karl,

Rutlands sell it for £59.95

 

[woodbloke]

Rob - how much was that extension? There's no prices on the website, and it looks like a nifty bit of kit.

Cheers

Karl

Karl - £60 delivered inc VAT - Rob

 

[Harbo]

Wow that's a good price - I paid that about 5 years ago?

I use it on my DW625 mounted on my Woodrat - never experienced any problems with it. A great accessory.

Rod

 

[Karl]

Cheers guys - I think i'll order one.

Karl

 

[Brother Binary]

Mine arrived the other day, but it will be a while before I get to try it out. The instructions suggest that the setup is all about getting the extension properly centred in the router collet - as this is going into a new DW 625, I presume that this won't be a problem.

Glad to read the positive reviews.

there is no need to 'set up' or install the thing...stuff in a clean collet on the router, tighten up and file out the insert ring (if required) Took me round about 20 mins to get it running and then a further hour or so to make the adapter for the 'spinner' - Rob

Rob - not sure what you mean by filing out the insert ring - I don't seem to have one of those.

David

 

[Chems]

On the router table to allow the larger collet to pass through so you can change the bit.

 

[Brother Binary]

Doh!! (homer)

 

[woodbloke]

On the router table to allow the larger collet to pass through so you can change the bit.

As Chems rightly says, see my earlier pic with the Xtension coming through the grey ring...this was the bit that was filed out to give around 1mm clearance each side as it was spinning - Rob

 

[woodbloke]

I've just done some fine (20x15mm section timber) rebates on some small bits of oak for my current project, rebates were 12x12mm. The new push boards and stick:

coupled with the new Xtension has made what would have been a very 'iffy' 8-[ job a piece of cake. With these new pushboards (first seen at YOKB) the work is pressed hard against the fence (due to the angled tote) and then pushed forwards. Downward pressure supplied by the push stick...so no need for 'T' track, feather boards or very expensive fences - Rob