The hard anodizing process used on the plate is several times more expensive then but we want your Lift to provide many years of service. Hard anodizing is an engineered surface treatment that provides a thick abrasion resistant coating and is not just a cosmetic treatment that will wear off. The shafts on the Mast-R-Lift II like all our Router Lifts are pressed into a shaft mount with hydraulic pressure WHAT YOU GET! The Mast-R-Lift II comes with a 2" insert ring to reduce the size of the bit opening in the plate and the opening is large enough to accommodate a 3-1/2" diameter bit without an insert installed. Our Lifts and Plates all feature our Tab-LocTM design insert rings which are another JessEm innovation that is common on many other manufacturers' products today. We figure we must be doing something right if our competition follows our lead. We invented the Lift because we too are woodworkers. Adjusting a router in a table mounted operation was very difficult to do accurately before the first Router Lift in 1999. Now we have developed the ultimate Lift with features, built in accuracy and ease of use that we would want ourselves. The Mast-R-Lift II is a precision piece of engineering that you will be proud to own and find use whenever you are in your work shop.The Portamate Industrial router motor is an incredible value for the money. You get a powerful 3 HP motor, variable speeds from 10,000 to 22,000 RPM, and premium NSK shaft bearings, ensuring you'll use this tool for years, with minimal bit run out.