Installing the RouterRaizer™

The RouterRaizer™  has been the hit of the wood shows in the past month — for an obvious reason: it makes height adjustment of a plunge router as simple as turning the crank. It is meant for use either with the router in manual use or in a table.    I will install it in the new CMT Router Table. I start by reading the operating instructions
	My very first impression was that the manufacturer really thought the system out. There are step-by-step installation instructions for each of the routers that it can fit.    I have turned to the one for Hitachi M12V. All the photos and instructions apply just to that make router — very nice indeed.    Here, I am removing the height adjustment screw that came with the router.
There are a lot of parts in the sealed bag. I wanted to lay them out just the way they are in the instructions.    Note, that some of the parts (upper right corner) are colored blue, yellow, green and red. You can't see it, but some of the tiny set screws are also colored. This is the company's way of helping you find the correct part. Different routers use different colors — very neat indeed.
	I am installing the drive nut assembly in the space where the old adjustment screw went.
It is always scary for me to start messing with a product, but the instructions are clear — I have to widen the hole that use to hold the height adjustment screw.
	Fact is, that hole was easy to widen. It was 1/4". Now it is 5/16". It did take a little blocking to work around the router's posts.
The main shaft is one size and has to be cut down to length, per the router — 8 3/4" for the Hitachi M12V.
	Do you remember the painted parts. This little green piece is included to push the retainer clip into place. If you have ever had to install these clips, you know that they have a habit of being launched into space and the woodchip pile. There were three such clips. All of them were installed without incident.
Before going further, I add a lubricant to the lead screw so that it will work smoothly.     It's starting to look like a router again. At  this point, I have the router all together, and I have to fit the new unit on to the table. One new hole has to be drilled. My heart rate is increasing.
	Just as there was one page dedicated to the Hitachi for assembly of the parts, there is one template page for each of the routers.    While I do not use the plastic sub-base in the table installation, I will use it to help me drill the new hole in the right place.
I first use an awl to punch the centers of the mounting screw holes in the template. This will allow me to turn the sheet of paper over to match it to the base.
	Sighting straight down, I have centered the sub-base on the template using just the punch holes. I carefully tape it in place so that the template will not move on the sub-base.
Now, I can use the template to drill a 1/2" hole in the sub-base. A 1/2" hole is drilled if this will be a router table installation. Otherwise, a 5/16" hole will do.
	I try the sub-base in place on the router just for orientation. I want to be sure that I drill the router table hole in the right place.
I am using the sub-base now to guide my hand drill for making a 1/2" hole through the router table top.
	It is hard to see, but I am using the black router sub-base as a guide to cut the black gasket material that comes with the kit. Once cut, this will fit between the router and the table top. It serves as a spacer to allow for the unit's bottom nut that protrudes slightly.
I have all the screws tightened, and I am using the RouterRaizer for the first time. The crank handle fits down through the new hole and mates with the hex nut in the new assembly.    Of course you have to remember to lock and unlock the router's height adjustment lock. [Stay tuned — I have done something there too.)
	The last installation step is to tap the dust cover insert into place.
The RouterRaizer is a hit for the ease that it brings to router bit height adjustment. But this little feature is a "show stopper." The crank handle has a small magnet that picks up the metal dust cover. You just slide the handle over the hole, and the dust cover is in place. You slide the handle over again and the magnet will pick the dust cover up and hold it while you adjust the height.
	There it is — sticking to the magnet while I crank up the height. Slide it across the hole, and it falls into place, keeping dust out of the hole — just plain clever.    There's a bit more to do, but using this new table is very near.     [Click here to order the RouterRaizer             from Rockler.]