Rockler Pro Lift User manual

Review full manual instructions prior to use for important safety information.
Always check Rockler.com to conrm that you are using the most recent manual version for your product.
Pro Lift
Instructions
Effective January 2018

2
This product is designed for specific applications as defined in the instructions and should not be modified and/or used for any
other applications. Before using the Pro Lift, read, understand and follow all instructions and safety information provided.
KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS
> Always confirm that you are using the most recent
version of the Instructions and safety warnings for
your product. To find the most recent version, find
the product page on Rockler.com and click on the
link to the Instructions.
> For any tool used in conjunction with this product,
always read, understand and follow the instructions
and safety warnings in the owner’s manual for that tool.
If you do not have the owner’s manual, obtain one from
the tool’s manufacturer before using it with this product.
> Before using this product, review and verify that all
tools to be used with it have safety equipment
installed and are in proper working order as
defined by the tools’ owner’s manuals.
> Do not use this product until you have read and
are confident you understand:
• Product Specific Warnings (p. 3);
• Important - Does Your Router Need an Adapter? (p. 4);
• Assembly: Level the Insert Ring (pp. 5-7);
• Assembly: Mount Your Router (pp. 6-9);
• Installing/Changing Router Bits (pp.9-10);
• Using the Column-Locking Knob (p. 10);
• Using the Starter Pin (p. 11);
• Maintaining the Pro Lift (p. 12).
> Do not use this product in any manner other than
what is described in these instructions. Use only
recommended accessories.
> Remain alert and use good judgment when using
this tool. Do not use this tool if you are in any way
impaired by medications, alcohol, drugs or fatigue.
> Dress appropriately and remove all jewelry, secure
loose clothing and tie up long hair before using
this tool.
> It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser of this
product to ensure that any third party whom you
allow to use this product reads and complies with all the
instructions and safety precautions outlined in this
manual prior to use.
> Maintain these instructions and warnings as long as
you own the product. Keep this booklet in a place where
it will be readily available for reference.
> The user assumes all risk and responsibility for the
proper use of this product and for ensuring product
suitability for intended application.
> Always wear safety glasses in compliance with ANSI
safety standards and hearing protection and follow all
standard shop safety practices, including:
• Keep your work area well lit and clean;
• Unplug all power tools before making any
adjustments or changing accessories;
• Use dust collection tools and dust face masks to
reduce exposure to dust;
• Use accessory safety equipment such as
featherboards, push sticks and push blocks
whenever appropriate;
• Do not use power tools in explosive
environments (e.g., in the presence of
flammable liquids, fumes or dust);
• Keep children and bystanders away from
the tool operating area;
• Maintain proper footing at all times and
do not overreach;
•Do not force the tool.
> These warnings and instructions do not represent the
total of all information available regarding tool safety,
use and technique. Please read the full manual before
using this product and always seek out opportunities to
learn more and improve your skills and knowledge.
Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining
wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance
known ot the State of California to cause cancer. Avoid
inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other safeguards
for personal protection. For more information go to www.
P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood.
Danger indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Warning indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Caution indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury
or property damage.
Notice indicates important or helpful information and/or user tips.
BP0617

3
PRODUCT SPECIFIC SAFETY WARNINGS
> To avoid serious injury, keep hands and fingers away from spinning router bit.
> The Pro Lift is sized for routers with a 4.2" diameter motor.
If using a smaller router, you must use an Adapter
Collar (sold separately). See page 4 for details.
> To avoid serious injury and damage to your router and the
Pro Lift, the router motor MUST be securely mounted in
the Pro Lift’s housing.
> Refer to your router’s owners manual for specific safe
operating instructions.
> Unplug your router motor before installing or removing it
or adjusting the Pro Lift router housing.
>To avoid serious injury, never attempt to cut a workpiece
without an Insert Ring installed.
> If attempting to rout a workpiece without using the router
table fence, always use the included Starter Pin to begin
the cut. Failure to do so could result in dangerous
workpiece kickback and serious injury.
> Use the Starter Pin ONLY with bearing-guided router bits.
Use with other bits could result in serious injury.

4
The Pro Lift is sized to accommodate routers with a 4.2"
diameter motor, such as the 31⁄4HP Porter-Cable® 7518. If
you intend to mount a smaller router, you MUST USE an
Adapter Collar (sold separately). See available Adapter
Collars at right to determine which one you need and obtain
the proper Adapter Collar before proceeding. If your router
requires an Adapter Collar, you will not be able to use
the Pro Lift without it.
IMPORTANT - DOES YOUR ROUTER NEED AN ADAPTER?
31⁄4" Adapter Collar (50098, sold separately):
Fits Makita RF1100 and other router motors with a 10.21"
circumference (approx.)
31⁄2" Adapter Collar (57022, sold separately):
Fits Bosch model 1617; Porter-Cable 690 and 890 series;
DeWalt 616 and 618 routers; and other router motors with
an 11" circumference (approx.)
Column-Locking Knob
Brass Bushings
Carriage Shaft
Fine-Adjustment Dial
Quick-Gear Dial
11⁄2" Opening Snap-Lock Insert Ring
Housing
Carriage Shaft
Snap-Lock Insert
Release Button
Starting Pin Hole
Crank Handle
Starter Pin M5 Hex
Wrench
3/16" Hex
Wrench M4 Hex
Wrench
M2 Hex
Wrench

5
Assembly: Level the Insert Ring
1. If the removable Insert Ring is not installed in the
center of the Pro Lift plate, press it firmly into the
opening to snap it in.
2. Use your finger or a flat piece of wood to determine
whether the Insert Ring is flush with the plate. If it
is not perfectly flush, you will need to adjust it to
avoid material from catching when routing. Fig. 1.
3. To make the adjustments, press the Snap-Lock button
to remove the aluminum Insert Ring from the plate.
4. Set the Pro Lift upside down on a smooth surface and
loosen the nuts securing the leveling set screws.
5. Use the included M2 hex wrench to adjust the set
screws as needed.
6. Snap the Insert Ring back into the opening and check
to see whether it’s flush with the plate.
7. If it’s not, repeat Steps 3-6 until it is. Then tighten the
locking nuts on the set screws. Fig. 2.
The Insert Ring included with the Pro Lift
has a 11⁄2" bit opening. Additional Insert Rings with other bit
opening sizes are sold separately.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Leveling
Set Screw
Locking Nut

6
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Loosen these bolts

7
5. Turn the Pro Lift upright and insert the crank handle
in the Quick-Gear dial in the lift plate. Holding the
handle grip with one hand, turn the crank clockwise with
the other hand to raise the housing so that the brass
bushings just contact the top of the carriage shafts. The
carriage should be all the way toward the top plate. Fig. 6.
Do not align the gap in the Adapter Collar
with the spreader gap in the Pro Lift housing. Fig. 5.
8. Press the Snap-Lock Insert Release Button to remove the
aluminum Insert Ring from the plate for the rest of the
assembly process.
Assembly: Mount Your Router
1. Set the Pro Lift upside down on a smooth surface.
2. There are three hex-head cap bolts on the housing. Use
the included 3/16" hex wrench to loosen the outside two.
Fig. 3.
3. Switching to the included M5 hex wrench, slowly tighten
the housing’s middle bolt to gradually spread the housing
apart until your router (or expanded Adapter Collar, if
needed) will fit. To avoid damaging the housing, do NOT
overspread; the spreader gap MUST NOT exceed 3/8".
Fig. 4.
4. If an Adapter Collar is required (see page 4 for details),
insert it into the housing so that its lipped edge will rest
on the housing when the lift is in the upright position.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6
Fig. 5
Brass Bushing
Top of Carriage Shaft
Adapter Collar
(if needed)

8
6. Set the unit upside down again, this time on blocks
of wood so the router’s collet will be able to extend
through the center hole in the plate.
> Porter-Cable routers have four locating pins. Align these
pins with the grooves machined into the Pro Lift
housing (and Adapter Collars). Fig. 7.
> On Porter-Cable 890 routers, you must first remove
the factory height adjustment rack from the motor body
before inserting the router into the adapter. Fig. 8.
Fig. 7
Fig. 8 Fig. 9
7. Slide your router motor into the housing (and Adapter
Collar, if being used), stopping just before the motor contacts
the Insert Ring release arm. Fig. 9.
Locating Pins
Housing
Grooves
Height Adjustment Rack
must be removed before
motor is installed in Pro Lift
Maintain gap
Insert Ring
release arm
> Unplug your router motor before installing or removing it
or adjusting the Pro Lift router housing.
> To avoid serious injury and damage to your router and
the Pro Lift, the router motor MUST be securely
mounted in the Pro Lift’s housing. Outside bolts on the
housing should be checked and retightened, if necessary,
with each use.

9
8. Tighten the housing by removing the spreader bolt from
the middle hole and tightening the two outside bolts
securely. (Keep the spreader bolt and store it in a place
where it will be readily available for future use, or reinstall
it without fully tightening.) Fig. 10.
9. Check the column-locking knob to make sure it is not
tightened. Do not tighten unless you intend to lock in a
particular bit height setting. Fig. 11.
10. Fit the assembled Pro Lift and router motor into your
router table’s opening. Use the leveling screws that came
with with your router table to bring the plate flush to the
table on all edges. Fig. 12. Then secure the lift to the table
by using the M4 hex wrench to install the two included
1/4"-20 plate-mounting screws.
Fig. 11 Fig. 12
Fig. 10
To avoid serious injury, never attempt to
cut a workpiece without an Insert Ring installed.
11. Before use, snap the Insert Ring back into the plate’s
center opening.
Installing/Changing Router Bits
1. Press the Snap-Lock Insert Release Button to pop the
aluminum Snap-Lock Insert Ring off the plate.
Tighten these bolts
Leveling screws on
your router table
Threaded insert
to accept 1/4”-20
plate mounting
screws

10
To “zero-out” the Fine-Adjustment dial,
spin the thumbwheel until the “0” lines up with the engraved
line on the plate. The socket must not turn during this step.
Fig. 14.
5. Move the crank handle to the Fine-Adjustment dial to
make more precise bit height adjustments. One revolution
raises or lowers the lift exactly 1/8". Fig. 15.
Using the Column-Locking Knob
The Pro Lift has been designed hold the bit cutting height
steady during typical use without need for any further locking
mechanism. However, to protect a setting against accidental
movement or to preserve it for extended use, the column-locking
knob can be tightened to lock it in. Fig. 16.
2. Insert the Crank Handle in the Quick-Gear Dial in the
lift plate. Holding the handle grip with one hand, turn
the crank clockwise with the other hand to raise the
carriage until the router collet is fully accessible. Fig. 13.
3. Use the wrench(es) that came with your router to
loosen the collet, if necessary, and insert the desired
bit in the collet. Let it bottom out; then lift it 1/16"
before tightening the collet. This is to help ensure
the collet is gripping the full shank of the bit.
4. Use the crank handle in the Quick-Gear Dial to quickly
lower the bit, and then snap the Insert Ring back into place.
Fig. 13
Fig. 14 Fig. 15

11
Fig. 17
Using the Starter Pin
Use of a Starter Pin is required when you’re not using the
fence on your router table to feed your workpiece into the
bit. Stock is most vulnerable to catching and being thrown
at the beginning of the cut, before it engages the router
bit’s guide bearing. Install the Starter Pin, which consists
of a round-head bolt through a non-marring plastic sheath,
into the mounting hole in the Pro Lift Plate. Then use the
Starter Pin as a fulcrum to feed your workpiece into the bit.
Be sure the pin is screwed in tightly before use.
Fig. 17. Fig. 16
> To avoid serious injury, keep hands
and fingers away from spinning
router bit.
Starter Pin
> If attempting to rout a workpiece without using the router
table fence, always use the included Starter Pin to begin
the cut. Failure to do so could result in dangerous
workpiece kickback and serious injury.
> Use the Starter Pin ONLY with bearing-guided router bits.
Use with other bits could result in serious injury.

12 Distributed by Rockler Companies, Inc.
Medina, Mn 55340
52429
Rev 01/18
Check Rockler.com for updates. If you have further questions, please
contact our Technical Support Department at 1-800-260-9663
or support@rockler.com
Maintaing the Pro Lift
Managing Grease
At least once a year (more if needed), remove the grease
from the columns and acme threaded rod. WD-40 and a
brush will make the job easier. Reapply a high-quality multi-
purpose grease (such as white lithium) to the acme rod and
columns. Wipe off excess grease. Consistently following
this step will greatly increase the life of your Pro Lift.
Fig. 18.
Cleaning your Router
Use compressed air or a vacuum to keep your router motor
as clean as possible. To reduce the chance of fire, never
walk away from your router without confirming that it’s
clean and free from dust and debris.
Backlash Adjustment
After a fair amount of wear, the anti-backlash nut may need
adjustment. If your router slips downward during use, it’s
time to adjust the preload nut. To do so, simply tighten the
three preload screws a quarter-turn. Fig. 19.
Dust Collection
Dust collection in your router cabinet and at the fence will
dramatically reduce the dust and debris buildup on your
Pro Lift. It will also help your router run cooler and will
make maintaining your Pro Lift easier.
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Carriage
Shaft
Carriage
Shaft
Threaded Rod
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