JessEm 02120 Mast-R-Lift II Router Lift with Top Plate and 10-Piece Insert Ring Kit with Caddy for Router Plates and Lift Systems (2 Items)

The virtues of this finely crafted product have been well-documented elsewhere and, overall, it is probably the best router lift currently made. I won't get into any more praise that what has already been said in all the various reviews here and online, but I will offer two caveats: this can only be used with certain fixed base routers so make sure yours is listed in the compatible model chart, although they do offer a blank mounting ring that you can drill yourself if your model isn't listed. Plunge routers are a different story. I have a heavy duty 3 1/2 hp Porter Cable plunge router (model #7539) that can't be used with this and I had to buy another router motor from Bora ($269 list, $180 on sale) to use with this. If you have a plunge-type router, you would need to buy the Jessum Prestige Lift, but then you can't change bits from above with certain plunge routers, which makes changing bits a chore in my opinion. According to Jessum, even offset wrenches won't work with the Prestige as the router base for many models sits too far below the insert. The mounting plate comes in two sizes, so make sure you order the one which fits your stand opening dimensions. In this price range, you might also want to consider the Rockler Pro Lift, which has a "quick lift" feature and push button insert rings, although they are $18 each ($80 for five assorted sizes). As far as insert rings are concerned, you can save a bit of money if you order this Master Lift as a package with the 10 ring assortment and caddy. One last thing, if you do have a plunge router and don't want to opt for the Prestige Lift, look at the Router Raizer, which is only about $100, although it is a bit more complicated to assemble and requires drilling into your router body.

I put off getting a router lift for years because I had an open bottom router table and it was no big deal to raise and lower the bit. But I'm improving my shop's dust collection and that means an enclosed router table with dust extraction in the fence and below the table. This router lift is easy to set up and even easier to use. The lift allows the collet to be raised above the top of the table so that no special wrenches are needed to change bits.The Mast-R-Lift II allows you to lock the lift height so that there is no chance of it changing.The insert rings also lock in place so that they stay flush with the top and no chance of them moving. The 10 piece set gives you just about every size you could imagine so that you can get a nice fit around your bit which really makes a big difference when routing small pieces.The handy caddy full of table inserts make them easy to find and keep in the proper place.

I finally took the plunge and quit using my fixed base as a lift and I couldn't be happier. Admittedly, this is the only lift I have ever used but it is already a game changer. It functions very smoothly and once set, it doesn't change a bit.One of the things that sold me on this model is that it accepts just about any mainstream router motor. This allows you to start with a less expensive motor and then upgrade to better one at a later date. The motor does have to be a basic cylinder so it won't take an integrated motor like Festool or Triton.

Absolutely fantastic - I wish I had bought this and build my router table many years ago - Would I do it again - no doubt on my part. After I cut out the Table I made for the lift I install pennies under where the leveling screws would be engaging against - in shallow recesses to hold the glued pennies. Gives a firm positive contact point to adjust the screws. Extreme fine adjustment - on the adjustment gear - each mark would equal 1/512 of an inch. and if you eye ball half way between each mark would equal 1024 of and inch in moving it up or down. Basically that is 0.0001 of and inch accuracy achievable.

I've been a woodworker for many years, but never had a router lift for my router table. I bought this along with the template and a new Porter Cable 3 1/4 hp router motor to put in my self-made New Yankee workshop router table. I absolutely love it. I can change bits easily and move the router up and down with ease. I wish I had bought one many years ago. It's extremely well made. I would highly recommend!

I'm very happy with this router lift. It's solid and precisely built. Its design and construction are excellent. My only objection is that the manual is not adequate. It doesn't describe how the clamping blocks must be set up for my Milwaukee 5625-20 router motor. The Router Chart lists the Milwaukee 5626 and calls for the "D3" clamping block configuration, but that's too small for my router motor. After some experimenting, I determined that the best clamping block setup for the 5625 motor is two adjacent (not opposite) clamping blocks set to "A1" and the other two set to "D3". Once the lift is installed in the table, its operation is smooth and precise. It's a pleasure to feel the precision built into this lift. The locking mechanism is secure.I used the lift in my SawStop RT-BT cast iron benchtop router table. The lift's plate fits well in the table's recess. Though some of the screw holes don't line up with the table, this isn't a problem. I used 8 of the 10 leveling screws provided by JessEm. The lift's 3 snuggers (also not adequately described in the manual) give the lift a tight fit with the table. The countersunk screw holes in the corners of the lift cannot be used to secure the lift to the table since they don't align with any holes in the table. However, between the tight fit provided by the snuggers and the weight of the lift plus the motor, the assembly is very secure.

I have done non-commercial woodworking for 50 years. I installed lift in my shop-made touting table requiem get me to fabricate new top to accommodate different sized router plate. I am very pleased with it’s rugged construction and operation with one slight exception. The inserts are a little tricky to install. This is not a deal killer; I would buy this product again. PS: I found leveling to be easy.