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U-Turn Router Lift
- Reviews
18-1/2" Height Adjustment Handle! This professional quality router lift is precisely machined from aluminum and steel. Built for, and easily handles the big 4.2" diameter, 3‑1/4 HP routers with ease (MLCS Router Motor #9564 and Porter Cable #7518). The U-Turn allows very smooth and easy adjustments. With over three inches of travel, router bit changes can be made from above the table. Sealed ball bearings, brass fittings, heavy duty guide posts and a lead screw, ensure this is a router lift that is built to last.
"U-Turn" Router Lift
With a (12‑3/32" x 9‑1/32" x 1/4") insert plate for MLCS table tops.
#9563.................$379.95 
"U-Turn2" Router Lift
With (11‑3/4" x 9‑1/4" x 3/8") insert plate for non-MLCS table tops.
#9562..................$379.95
The "Ultimate" U-Turn Router Lift
Phenolic Table System
SAVE $55! List price $1304.70
#9638...........SALE $1249.95
all customer reviews and ratings
Average Customer Rating: (7 reviews)
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By Jose R Alvarez (North Hills Ca US)
It really is a good product and comparing the price with others is very good price, the only thing that I find that I am not very satisfied is the grip the screws that hold it are not strong enough and it slides I think it would be better if they did the hexagonal hole to the extent of the gripper I modify mine making it threads in the hole and putting a 5/16 screw and I rotate it with a 1/2 inch socket
By Dr. James Sanders (Glendale AZ US)
You will like this router lift; you will like the quality and the precision and design that went into building of the lift.
Most of all, you will like the people at MLCS. When the threaded rod stuck on the lift, MLCS sent me a replacement of the full lift even though I thought I might be able to repair everything myself. It was easier for MLCS and for me simply to have the unit replaced in toto. These people will treat you right.
By Dave Vail (Elgin MN US)
Very well built, easy to adjust with very good accuracy. Fit right into my cast iron MLCS router table extension. Had to modify the reducer due to Ridgid routers being 3 5/8" instead of the normal 3.5" but was able to sand inside of reducer to fit router and worked fine. Great product.
By John Brooks (Woodstock VA US)
I purchased the cast-iron extension, lift and router. The lift does NOT fit into the extension and is not quite square. I will need to mill it in order to get it to fit in the table cutout. Also, the adjustment crank (which is still very clunky) handle does not clear the heavy 1 1/2" rear support of my pro series saw, I will need to cut the main shaft, re-bore it, tap for the set-screws and drill a precise hole in the angle iron just to get it to work. This could have easily been prevented by lowering the crank assembly by 1/2" to 3/4" when designing the lift. I will not recommend this set-up for anyone who does not have metal working skills and a great deal of patience.
By Gail Steele (Lutz FL US)
I purchase the U Lift and love it. The only fault I find is the installation instructions were not wonderful. It would be best to provide a CD or have it available on line like many other products MLCS provides.
By Thomas Bowman (Nokesville Vi US)
Installed the lift and have some suggestions to make
1. The lift handle needs redesigned. When the bit height is set, the lift handle may end up in a top (vertical ) position which is above the surface of the router table. Which means you must move the handle (which ruins you set bit height) until it does not interfer with your workpiece sliding on the table surface.
2. The exploded view of the parts ( page 8 of the Operating Instructions) numbers parts through number 46 and alphabet letters A through K. The nomenclature listing on page 7 only lists parts through number 36 and alphabet through G. So there are many parts not identified.
Unlike the Power Lift (which MLCS sold previously but has discontinued selling that item) the U-Turn Lift centers the router bit adequately in the plastic inserts provided.
By Tom Grider (Garland Te US)
I bought this because I had gotten the MLCS 3 1/4 horsepower router motor and realized I didn't have anything to mount it in. At nearly $300 I was hesitant but hoped it would be as good as it looks in the pictures. I was disappointed. The crank gear mechanism is clunky in that it is not very finely geared and has to be used carefully so as not to have the gears jump. Also if the crank is in a horizontal position when the router motor is in use it tends to creep down slowly altering the router bit height. My lift got to where I could not crank the router motor up after the first few uses. I cleaned it thoroughly, lubricated it, and aligned the lift nuts on the screw shaft, noticing a locking screw for the upper nut. The locking screw is necessary to keep the nut in position but can't be tightened too much or it makes the cranking hard. I constantly have to keep track of this locking screw because it tend to vibrate loose allowing the nut on the screw shaft to move. Additionally, the leveling screws on the mounting plate stand very proud after adjusting the plate to my table. All-in-all, I cannot recommend this product from my experience. I think it is over-priced for what you get.
------MLCS RESPONSE----------
We have already sold hundreds of this item with positive feedback from customers. In addition, the latest shipments of this item have a number of enhancements added to the design to address the few issues we have heard about, such as the vibration of the locking screw and the gear mechanism. We are always happy to address any issues that arise and, if contacted, we will be happy to work with a customer to address any issues they are having, up to and including replacing any problematic items. Based on a review of our records, we do not see that this customer even contacted us so we could attempt to remedy this situation.
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