The design of the Bosch unit is a total botch - simply inadequate as a lift mechanism. I speak from experience.I have always said to give the Customer Service Department the opportunity to remedy the problem 1st before making statements on the quality of a product. Faulty ones do make it in the market and it's only fair to allow them the opportunity to resolve it satisfactorily and then make your statement.
I appreciate your POV but when you're juggling more than a few bucks that will determine your direction going forward, research is the best way to preserve funds and time as well. Building vs. buying a table (usually after you bought your router) is the first big call - a lift should be considered at the same time to coordinate your combined choice of tool pieces. I say all of this with perfect hindsight.I'm certainly not saying this isn't a valid point simply stating that if you have gone down this path it worthy to give them a chance. I chose to build my router table and by a Jess Em lift myself as these portable tables would not fit my needs. For many it's a decision based on cost/use so there may well be a market for them but if cost is the only concern then you may want to save up for a more practical unit.
That is a good thought. I think Incra did well letting Jessem b uild their lifts.I appreciate your POV but when you're juggling more than a few bucks that will determine your direction going forward, research is the best way to preserve funds and time as well. Building vs. buying a table (usually after you bought your router) is the first big call - a lift should be considered at the same time to coordinate your combined choice of tool pieces. I say all of this with perfect hindsight.
I fault Bosch and all the other name brand router makers for not 'completing' their product lines with a lift option that's worth owning - and works like the aftermarket versions. Thankfully, the lift mechanism was part of the original kit's base part so I lost nothing making an effort to use it, but any user issues thereafter would fall on me. So, after quite a bit of searching, the Jessem became the choice to gamble on. It does the job, like the other aftermarket brands do too.
Bosch could mass produce an equally good but cheaper solution if they wish - they don't. They had their chance...
Yes. It relies on a spring clip to lift with and that is it's Achilles heel...that and the base 'sleeve' that does a poor job of sliding the motor body.just to be clear for my understanding, the Bosch lift mechanism every one is referring to, is the threaded rod built into the fixed base?
Exactly. I wish they made one that fits their table - it was a disappointment to have to rig my own setup. Thankfully the Jessem fit the bill nicely after modification.Bstrom I just wanted to make sure Bosch did not make an actual lift. I had/have several Bosch's and IMO you can't compare what Bosch calls a lift to the JessEm lift I have now.
Bosch makes some really good routers but again IMO they do not make a router with a anything that should be called a lift.
My experience exactly - all downhill from there...including some creative verbal observations.I started out using the "upside down"bosch on a table, and that flimsy blue spring clip popped off and the router fell . Good thing I had a shelf below the router to catch it. That is when I decided to convert to a lift I tried to put the clip back on, but it was sprung and I couldn't figure out how to make it close again.
I am glad it did, because I would have been frustrated using it.
Herb
