Rockler SL Router Lift User manual

Review full instructions prior to use for important safety information.
Always check Rockler.com to confirm that you are using the most recent version of instructions for your product.
SL Router Lift Instructions
Effective October 2020

2BP1219
GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS
This product is designed only for specific applications as defined in the instructions and should not be modified or used for
any manner not described in these instructions. Use only recommended accessories. Before using the SL Router Lift: READ,
UNDERSTAND and FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY WARNINGS. KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS READILY
AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
>Always confirm that you are using the most recent version of
the Instructions and safety warnings for your product (see the
Instructions link on the product page at Rockler.com).
>Before using another tool 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 any chemical with this product, always read,
understand and follow all safety warnings and guidelines in
the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS; formerly called
“MSDS”), especially regarding:
• How to safely use the chemical, including potential hazards
and recommended first aid measures;
• Personal safety equipment required to safely use the
chemical (e.g. gloves, eye protection, mask/respirator, etc.);
• Proper and safe handling, storage and disposal of
the chemical.
>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 tool’s owner’s manual.
>Do not use this product until you have read and are
confident you understand:
• Product Specific Safety Warnings (p. 3);
• IMPORTANT - Does your router need an adapter? (p. 4);
• Level the Insert Ring (pp. 4 - 5);
• Mount Your Router (pp. 5 - 6);
• Installing/Changing Router Bits (pp. 6 - 7);
• Re-adjusting the Thread Tensioning (p. 7)
• Using the Starter Pin (p. 8).
>The user assumes all risk and responsibility for the proper and
safe use of this product and for ensuring product suitability for
the intended application.
>It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser of this product to
ensure that any anyone you allow to use this product reads
and complies with all instructions and safety precautions
outlined in this manual prior to use.
>Follow all standard shop safety practices, including:
• Keep children and bystanders away from the tool
operating area;
• Do NOT use power tools in explosive environments, or in
the presence of flammable liquids, fumes or dust;
• TURN OFF AND UNPLUG all power tools BEFORE
making any adjustments or changing accessories;
• Remain alert and use good judgment. Do not use this
product if you are in any way impaired by medications,
alcohol, drugs or fatigue;
• Keep your work area well lit and clean;
• Dress appropriately. Secure loose clothing, remove all
jewelry and tie up long hair before using this product;
• ALWAYS wear safety glasses, hearing protection
and respiratory protection that complies with
NIOSH/OSHA/ANSI safety standards;
• Use dust collection tools and dust face masks to
reduce exposure to dust;
• Use safety equipment such as featherboards, push
sticks and push blocks, etc., when appropriate;
• Maintain proper footing at all times and do not overreach;
• Do NOT force woodworking tools.
>These warnings and instructions do NOT represent the total
of all information available regarding tool safety, use and
technique. 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
to 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.

3
PRODUCT SPECIFIC SAFETY WARNINGS
>To avoid serious injury, keep hands and fingers away from spinning router bit. Maintain
awareness of the bit at all times.
> The Insert Ring MUST be perfectly flush with the SL Router
Lift plate. If it is not, the workpiece could catch and
dangerous kickback could occur.
>The SL Router Lift is sized for routers with a
31⁄2" diameter motor.
>To avoid serious injury and damage to your router
and the SL Router Lift, the router motor MUST be
securely mounted in the Router Lift’s housing.
>Refer to your router’s owner’s manual for specific safe
operating instructions.
>Unplug your router motor before installing or removing it
or adjusting the SL Router 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.
> Do NOT use a cordless drill to raise and lower the lift carriage. The resulting friction will cause premature wear to the threads.

4
Level the Insert Ring
1. If the removable Insert Ring is not installed in the center of
the SL Router 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. Fig. 1.
3. To make the adjustments, press the Snap-Lock button to
remove the aluminum Insert Ring from the plate.
4. Set the SL Router Lift upside down on a smooth surface
and loosen the nuts securing the leveling set screws.
The Insert Ring included with the SL
Router Lift has a 11⁄2" bit opening. Additional Insert Rings
with other bit opening sizes are sold separately.
The Insert Ring MUST be perfectly flush
with the SL Router Lift plate. If it is not, the workpiece could
catch and dangerous kickback could occur.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2 Fig. 3
The SL Router Lift is sized to accommodate midsize routers
with 31⁄2" diameter motors, such as the DeWalt 616, Bosch
1617 and Porter-Cable 690 and 890 series. However, Adapter
Collars (sold separately) also are available to enable you to
mount some of the most popular compact routers. See below
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 SL Router
Lift without it.
IMPORTANT - DOES YOUR ROUTER NEED AN ADAPTER?
2.73" Adapter Collar (58234, sold separately):
Fits Makita RT0701CX7 and XTR01Z compact routers, as
well as others with a router motor circumference of 8.58"
2.87" Adapter Collar (58753, sold separately):
Fits Dewalt DWP611 and 20V MAX XR cordless; 1.25 HP
Bosch Colt; 1 HP Bosch Colt; Porter-Cable 450; and others
with a router motor circumference of 9.02"
Leveling
Set Screw
Locking Nut

5
5. Use an M2 hex wrench (not included) to adjust the set
screws as needed.
6. Turn the lift upright. 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.
8. Press the Snap-Lock Insert Release Button to remove the
aluminum Insert Ring from the plate for the rest of the
assembly process.
Mount Your Router
1. If you are installing the motor from a compact router, an
Adapter Collar is required (see page 4 for details). Insert the
Adapter Collar into the housing so that its lipped edge will
rest on the SL Router Lift housing when the lift is in the
upright position. If the Adapter Collar, doesn’t fit at first,
follow Step 4 to loosen the housing. Fig. 3.
2. Insert the crank handle in the dial on the lift’s top plate. Turn
the crank clockwise to raise the carriage so that it just contacts
the O-rings at top of the carriage shafts. The carriage should
be all the way toward the plate.
3. Before installing the router motor, set the lift upside down
on blocks of wood so the router’s collet will be able to extend
through the center hole in the top plate. Fig. 4.
4. If necessary, loosen the two locking nuts on the lift’s locking
mechanism and loosen the socket-head adjustment screw
with an M6 hex wrench (not included) to accept the router
motor. Fig. 5.
Do NOT align the gap in the Adapter
Collar with the spreader gap in the SL Router Lift housing.
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
>Unplug your router motor before installing or removing
it or adjusting the SL Router Lift router housing.
>To avoid serious injury and damage to your router
and the SL Router Lift, the router motor MUST
be securely mounted in the lift’s housing. The bolts
securing the motor in the housing should be checked
and retightened, if necessary, with each use.
Socket-head adjustment screw
Locking nuts

6
Fig. 8
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
5. Slide the motor into the lift carriage, stopping 1/8" before the
motor contacts the Insert Ring release arm. Fig. 6. If your
router has a height adjustment rack on the outside of the
motor housing, be sure to orient the router so the rack fits
in the opening in the carriage. If possible, rotate the motor so
that the on/off switch and variable speed controls will be easily
accessible to you when the lift is installed in your router table.
6. Once your router is positioned in the carriage, make sure
you’ve maintained the clearance between the motor housing
and the Insert Ring release arm and tighten the socket-head
adjustment screw until the router cannot shift or slide. Then
tighten the locking nuts.
7. Fit the SL Router Lift in the center opening of your router
table. It is sized to fit the 81⁄4" x 113⁄4" openings of Rockler and
Bench Dog router tables. Use the leveling screws that came
with your router table to bring the plate flush to the table on
all edges. Fig. 7. Then secure the lift to the table by using
the included M4 hex wrench to install the two included
1/4"-20 plate-mounting screws.
8. 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.
2. Insert the Crank Handle in the dial in the lift plate. Turn the
crank clockwise to raise the carriage until the router collet
is fully accessible. Fig. 8.
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 to lower the bit, and then snap the
Insert Ring back into place.
5. When you’ve achieved the height desired, remove the handle
and place somewhere off the work surface for safety.
If you are installing the SL Router Lift in
a custom table application, you will have to fabricate the
correctly sized opening yourself. Rockler offers a separate
template (20956, sold separately) to make this operation
easier and more accurate.
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. 9.
To avoid serious injury, never attempt to
cut a workpiece without an Insert Ring installed.
Do NOT use a cordless drill to raise
and lower the lift carriage. The resulting friction will cause
premature wear to the threads.
Leveling screws on
your router table
Threaded insert to accept 1/4"-20
plate mounting screws
Maintain gap
Insert Ring release arm

7
Re-adjusting the Thread Tensioning
The SL Router Lift features our patented thread-tensioning design,
which holds the router in position when you set the cutting
height. Thread tension is set at the factory, and depending on the
amount of use, you may have to reset this adjustment periodically.
If the bit height ever begins to drop during use, the thread
tensioning probably needs to be reset.
1. Turn the Lift upside down, with the threaded height
adjustment rod facing you.
2. With a 7/16" open-end wrench, loosen the 1/4"-20 hex nut
on the left side of the brass post next to the threaded rod.
Then use a hex wrench to back out the set screw that
threads through the nut until the brass tensioning
collar can be turned. Fig. 10.
3. Rotate the brass tensioning collar (with vertical grooves) so
it tightens against the rubber washer. Fig. 11. (If needed,
a drop of oil on the rubber washer can ease the rotation
of the brass collar.)
4. Tighten the brass collar, making certain that the set screw
seats in one of the vertical grooves.
5. Tighten the 1/4"-20 nut with the 7/16" wrench. The adjustment
is complete.
Fig. 10Fig. 9
Fig. 11

8Distributed by Rockler Companies, Inc.
4365 Willow Dr. Medina, MN 55340
52309
Rev 10/20
1-800-279-4441
www.rockler.com
Check Rockler.com for updates. If you have further questions, please
contact our Technical Support Department at 1-800-260-9663
or [e-mail]
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 SL
Router 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. 12.
THESE WARNINGS PERTAIN
TO THIS SECTION:
>To avoid serious injury, keep
hands and fingers away from
spinning router bit. Maintain
awareness of the bit at
all times.
>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.
Fig. 12
Starter Pin