SawStop RT-LFT User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
ROUTER LIFT
MODEL RT-LFT

Copyright SawStop, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Updates of this manual may be
available at www.sawstop.com
2nd printing, February 2018
SawStop, the SawStop blade logo, and the conguration of this product are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of SawStop, LLC. Software copyright by
SawStop, LLC. All rights reserved.

TO OUR CUSTOMERS
Thank you for purchasing the SawStop Four-Post Router Lift with Lock and/or Downdraft
Dust Collection Box. We are condent you will be pleased with the quality and performance.
This manual tells you more about the Router Lift, Downdraft Dust Collection Box, and how to
operate and maintain them. Please read the manual carefully. The manual also includes our
warranty and important safety information.
If you ever have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us at the address below.
SawStop, LLC
11555 SW Myslony Street | Tualatin, Oregon 97062 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.sawstop.com

HOW TO GET HELP
Missing Parts? Have Questions?
Our technical support team is standing by
M-F, 6:30am-5pm PST
to help with whatever you need.
503.582.9934
Give us a call at
[e-mail]
Email us at

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Product Specications.........................................................................
Parts Inventory.....................................................................................
Parts & Hardware Lists...................................................................................................
Assembling the Router Lift and Installing the Router..........................
Router Lift Maintenance and Adjustments...........................................
Adjusting the Elevation Chain Tension...........................................................................
Assembling the Downdraft Dust Collection Box..................................
Operations...........................................................................................
Safety for the Downdraft Dust Collection Box..............................................................
Reference............................................................................................
Warranty.........................................................................................................................
Safety.............................................................................................................................
Warnings........................................................................................................................
Exploded View 1: Router Lift..........................................................................................
Parts List 1: Router Lift..................................................................................................
Exploded View 2: Downdraft Dust Collection Box..........................................................
Parts List 2: Downdraft Dust Collection Box.................................................................
Available Accessories..........................................................................
1
2
2
5
12
12
14
18
18
19
19
20
20
23
24
27
28
29

1RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Four-Post Router Lift with Lock
Aluminum Router Plate 11 ¾” x 9 ¼”
Phenolic Insert Ring 3 ¾” Diameter
Maximum Router Diameter 4 ¼”
Minimum Router Diameter 3 ¼”
Downdraft Dust Collection Box
Dust Box Dimensions
L 13” x
W 10” x
H 13 ¾”
Dust Box Footprint 14 ¾” x 12”
The SawStop Router Lift is compatible with SawStop Router Tables.
The Downdraft Dust Collection Box is compatible with the SawStop Router Lift (RT-LFT)
and SawStop Router Tables.

2
RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
PARTS INVENTORY
Parts and Hardware Lists
PAGES:
2-4
IF YOU CANNOT FIND AN ITEM ON THIS LIST, CHECK THE MOUNTING
LOCATIONS OR EXAMINE THE PACKAGING MATERIALS VERY CAREFULLY.
CERTAIN COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN PRE-INSTALLED
FOR SHIPPING PURPOSES.
Four-Post Router Lift with Lock
Router Lift with 1-½” Phenolic Router
Table Insert Ring (1)
M6 x 1.0 x 25 Pan Head Phillips Screw (1)
Starting Pin Sleeve (1)
Elevation Handle Assembly (1)
M6 x 1.0 x 30 Flat Head Socket Screw (2)
Insert Wrench (1)
3.5” Router Reducer Collar (2)
3.25” Router Reducer Collar (1)
2.5mm Hex L-wrench (1)
3mm Hex L-wrench (1)
4mm Hex L-wrench (1)
6mm Hex L-wrench (1)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
A
B
E
F
I
H
G
D
C
J
K
L
The Router Lift and Downdraft Dust Collection Box are shipped partially assembled.
Please unpack the parts carefully and conrm you have received each item on the
list below.
You will also need the following tools to complete the router lift assembly and installation:
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• 4mm Hex Wrench (Included)
See Exploded View #1 on page 23 for more information.
• 8mm Hex Wrench
• 10mm Wrench

3RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
Downdraft Dust Collection Box
Rear Panel (1)
Side Panel (2)
Front Panel (1)
Bottom Panel (1)
M4 x 0.7 x 6 Truss Head Phillips Screw (26)
M4 x 0.7 x 10 Truss Head Phillips Screw (4)
Dust Port Splitter (1)
Dust Collection Hose (1)
Wire Hose Clamp (2)
M6 x 13 x 1 Washer (6)
M6 Lock Washer (6)
M6 x 1.0 x 12 Hex Head Bolt (6)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
A
C
D
E
F
B
B
G
H
I
J
K
L
You will also need the following tools to complete the dust collection box assembly and
installation:
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• 10mm Wrench
See Exploded View #2 on page 27 for more information.

4
RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
Throughout the manual, the exploded views are referenced to clarify the location
and name of each part. There are multiple exploded views in this manual, so
a decimal point system is used. The number before the decimal point refers to
the exploded view number (in this case, 1 and 2). The number after the decimal point
refers to the part number (as indicated by the number in the balloon in the exploded
view). For example, a part referenced as “1.1” would be the part labeled with a “1.1”
balloon in the exploded view #1.
• Exploded View #1: Four-Post Router Lift with Lock – See page 23
• Exploded View #2: Downdraft Dust Collection Box – See page 27
Important Part Identification Note:
i

5RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
ASSEMBLING THE ROUTER LIFT
AND INSTALLING THE ROUTER
PAGES:
5-11
Requires: Router Lift (RT-LFT) and Accompanying Components
10mm Wrench
8mm Hex Wrench
4mm Hex Wrench
Phillips Screwdriver
Level or Straightedge
1
2
Set the router lift into the opening in
your router table, so the underside of
the aluminum router plate (1.2) rests on
the table’s leveling screws.
Insert the elevation handle (1.6-1.9)
into the scale plate (1.11) in the router
plate. Ensure the handle is fully seated.
Turn the handle clockwise to raise the
router lift to its maximum elevation, then
remove the elevation handle and set
it aside.
The clamp on the router lift can accommodate a router up to 4.2” in diameter. For smaller routers, you
may need to use the 3.5” router reducer collar (1.53) or the 3.25” router reducer collar (1.54) between
your router and the clamp (1.41) on the router lift.
i
1.2
1.6-1.9
1.11

6
RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
3
4
5
6
Next, use the insert wrench (1.52) to
remove the 1-½” phenolic router table
insert ring (1.1) to keep it from being
damaged during installation of
the router.
Using sturdy, soft scrap wood pieces
or 2x4’s, remove the router lift from the
opening in your router table and place
it upside-down on the wood pieces.
Be sure to use sturdy wood pieces on
a secure work surface. Use enough
wood pieces to allow a minimum of
approximately 2 ½” of space to install
the router. Using wood to support
the router lift will help prevent any
scratching of the lift plate. Carefully
clean the router lift as needed.
The threaded elevation rods (1.20) and
elevation chain (1.38) are coated with
a protective lubricant for shipping. This
lubricant should be removed prior to
using the router lift. To remove, spray
a solvent onto the threaded elevation
rods and elevation chain and use a cloth
to wipe away the lubricant. Apply dry
lubricant to the threaded elevation rods
and elevation chain.
Install your router in the clamp in the
router lift. Use an 8mm hex wrench to
loosen the socket head cap screw (1.45)
securing the clamp. You may want to
loosen the hex jam nuts (1.43) on the
screw to help open the clamp (refer to
exploded view on page 23 for clearer
view of hex jam nuts).
1.52
1.1
1.20
1.38
1.45

7RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
7
8
If your router is signicantly smaller than
the diameter of the clamp, use a router
reducer collar so the clamp can hold
your router more securely. To install,
slide either the 3.5” or 3.25” router
reducer collar (1.53 or 1.54) onto your
router, with the bent edge of the collar
extending towards the router body
(away from the collet of your router).
Slide your router (or router and reducer
collar) into the opening in the clamp,
until the top of the router body is close
to, but not touching, the underside
of the aluminum router plate. If you
installed a router reducer collar on
the router, the bent edge on the collar
should rest against what is currently the
top edge of the clamp.
You may need to adjust the height of
the router in the router reducer collar
in order to make sure that the router
is close to, but not touching, the
underside of the aluminum router plate.
Router
Router reducer collar
(bent edge extends
towards router body)
For small routers only:
Short distance
between top of
router body
and router plate
Some routers have small projections on the
motor housing. The clamp and router reducer
collars have semicircular indentations to
accommodate the projections. You may need
to turn your router so the projections line up
with the indentations in the clamp (and router
reducer collar, if installed) in order to install
your router.
Indentations to
accomodate various
router shapes
i
1.53/1.54

8
RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
9
10
Use an 8mm hex wrench to tighten
the socket head cap screw (1.45) and
secure the router. Check to make sure
that the router is securely held in the
clamp by trying to lift and twist the
router.
Turn the router lift over and install in
the opening of the router table so the
leveling screws in the router table
support the underside of the aluminum
router plate. The collet of the router
should extend above the top surface
of the aluminum router plate, but there
should be a small gap between the top
of the router and the underside of the
aluminum router plate. The router bit
should be able to be changed at this
router elevation.
NEVER PERFORM ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS
ON YOUR ROUTER, ROUTER TABLE, LIFT, STAND, OR SAW
UNLESS THE ROUTER IS SAFELY UNPLUGGED.
1.45

9RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
11
12
Lay a straight edge across the router
table top so that it extends over the
top of the aluminum router plate (1.2).
Use a Phillips screwdriver to adjust
the leveling screws in the router table,
indicated by the red arrows, until the
aluminum router plate is ush with the
router table top. Check all four edges of
the aluminum router plate. If necessary,
use a 10mm wrench to loosen the hex
nuts securing the leveling screws in
the router table. Retighten the hex nuts
when you have nished leveling the
aluminum router plate.
If you have a Downdraft Dust Collection
Box (RT-DCB) installed, you can access
the underside of your router table by
opening the router access door in
the box.
Once the aluminum router plate is ush
with the router table top, thread a at
head socket screw (1.13) into each
of the exposed holes on the edges of
the aluminum router plate. Use a 4mm
hex wrench to tighten the screws.
Recheck the alignment of the aluminum
router plate and make any necessary
adjustments.
1.2
1.13

10
RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
13
14
If you have the Downdraft Dust
Collection Box (RT-DCB) installed under
your router table, pass the power cord
of your router through the power cord
clamp in the side of the Downdraft Dust
Collection Box.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the
screws holding either the top or bottom
half of the clamp. Move that half of the
clamp out of the way to pass the power
cord through the clamp, then replace
the removed half-clamp and re-install
the screws.
Turn the insert ring counter-clockwise to
reinstall.
Leave enough excess power cord (i.e., approximately 18”) between the bottom of the router and the
power cord clamp to allow the router and router lift to be lifted all the way out of the opening in the
router table.
i

11 RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
Lock
15
16
In order to lock the router lift elevation,
insert the elevation handle through the
elevation lock upper guide bushing
(1.14) near the front of the aluminum
router plate, and turn it clockwise to
lock the lift. Repeat this process in
reverse to unlock the router lift.
Optional step: To do template routing
or freehand routing, insert a pan head
Phillips screw (1.4) through the starting
pin sleeve (1.5), then thread the screw
into either of the threaded holes in the
aluminum router plate just to the sides
of the insert ring.
THE STARTING PIN SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR TEMPLATE ROUTING OR
FREEHAND ROUTING.
Congratulations! You have completed the Router Lift assembly and installation.
1.4
1.5
1.14

12
RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
Periodically apply dry lubricant to the threaded elevation shafts and elevation chain
of the router lift.
If your router lift is not holding the router up (i.e. the carriage plate and router are
creeping down when the lift is not locked), the tension on the elevation chain may
need to be increased.
However, before you adjust the tension on the elevation chain, rst check the
tension on the router clamp by tightening the socket head cap screw (1.45) in the
router clamp. If that does not x the problem, proceed with adjusting the tension on
the elevation chain by following the instructions below.
Use the elevation handle to lower the lift to its minimum elevation.
Use a 4mm hex wrench to remove the two at head socket screws (1.13) securing
the aluminum router plate to the router table. Set the screws and hex wrench aside.
Lift the router lift (and router, if installed) out of the router table. Turn the router lift
over, and set it back into the table upside-down. The elevation chain should now be
exposed and easily accessible.
Use a 6mm hex wrench to slightly loosen the socket head cap screw (1.21) in the
elongated hole in the carriage plate (1.22). The head of the screw is currently on
the underside of the carriage plate, underneath the sprocket that is offset from the
other ve sprockets. Refer to the gures on page 13 for reference.
Slide the socket head cap screw in the elongated hole in the carriage plate by
pushing the sprocket away from the outer edge of the carriage plate. This will
increase the tension on the elevation chain.
ROUTER LIFT MAINTENANCE
AND ADJUSTMENTS
PAGES:
12-13
Requires: 4mm hex wrench
6mm hex wrench
Adjusting the Elevation Chain Tension

13 RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
7Turn the router lift back over and reinstall it in the router table using the two at
head socket screws (1.13).
6Hold the sprocket in place and use a 6mm hex wrench to tighten the socket head
cap screw (1.21) to secure the sprocket.
OFFSET
SPROCKET
1.21
1.45
1.22
1.13
1.13

14
RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
ASSEMBLING THE DOWNDRAFT
DUST COLLECTION BOX
PAGES:
14-17
Requires: Downdraft Dust Collection Box (RT-DCB) Hardware
Downdraft Dust Collection Box Parts
Phillips Screwdriver
10mm Wrench
The Downdraft Dust Collection Box is compatible with all SawStop Router Tables, and all
have the same installation procedure. 27” x 16” Table shown for reference.
1
2
Assemble the Downdraft Dust
Collection Box upside down (so the
bottom panel is on top). The front,
rear, and side panels each have two
bent edges extending in opposite
directions. The top edges have
elongated holes, and the bottom
edges have circular holes. The
bottom edges will extend internally,
and will serve as the mounting face
for the bottom panel.
Mount the front, side, and rear panels
(2.3, 2.2, and 2.1) to the bottom panel
(2.4) using ten truss head Phillips
screws (2.5). Tighten the screws with
a Phillips screwdriver.
The side panels are identical, and can
be installed on either side, although
different components come pre-
installed on each one. Decide which
side(s) you want your dust hose and
power cord to extend from, and make
sure you install the panels that way.
Refer to the note on page 16 and
ensure that the motor cover on your
saw does not interfere with the dust
port splitter if you are installing your
router table in-line on your saw.
Top
Bottom
2.4
2.2
2.2
2.3
2.1
2.5

15 RT-LFT/RT-DCB OWNER’S MANUAL
3
4
Attach the front and rear panels
to the side panels using four truss
head Phillips screws (2.5) along
each edge.
Attach the Downdraft Dust Collection
Box to the underside of your router table.
It may be helpful to temporarily turn your
router table over, so the underside of the
table faces up, but it is not required.
Position the Downdraft Dust Collection
Box near the underside of the opening
in your router table, so the six elongated
holes in the top edge of the Downdraft
Dust Collection Box align with the six
Downdraft Dust Collection Box mounting
holes in the underside of your router
table. Insert a hex head bolt (2.18)
through a lock washer (2.17) and a
washer (2.16), then into one of the six
exposed holes in the Downdraft Dust
Collection Box and router table.
Repeat this process for the remaining
ve hex head bolts, lock washers, and
washers. Use a 10mm wrench to tighten
the bolts.
If you have already attached the benchtop stand to the underside of your
27” x 16” cast iron router table, you may want to remove the rear panel
of the stand to accommodate installation of the Downdraft Dust
Collection Box, and reattach the rear panel after the dust box is attached.
Important Note:
i
2.5
2.18
2.17
2.16