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Router lift, which one?

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3K views 43 replies 26 participants last post by  a1Jim 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've been studying, designing and building myself a router table/cabinet. It's basically an adaptation of the new Yankee table.
Now it's time to order a lift. Would you buy the Rockler, the Jessem, or the Incra? And why ?

I'll be hanging a PC7518.

They all seem to be about the same price. But i have seen the Jessem Mast R Lift II sold for basically 3 prices, $350, $250 or even as low as $100. I'm assuming the lower prices are from scam sites.
 
#2 ·
Get the Incra, There is both a Rockler version and a Incra version. The big thing is it handles all the routers without additional adapters. That coupled with the dust collecting inserts makes one nice set up. Jessem makes it for both of the companies. Dan
 
#3 ·
I have the JessEm Mast-R-Lift II. It also can accept dozens of router motors without additional adapters. Their Rout-R-Lift will save you a few dollars, but you'll have to choose the right model for your router motor.

I'm not sure why anyone would suggest buying a JessEm product branded by anyone else.
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
Crazy question… You will get as many answers for, as there are brands on the market… You haven't mentioned Woodpecker, Unilift, Kreg... just to mention 1 more than 2. Then there's a bucketload of lifter plans out there, always willing to deprive you of your hard earned shekels… and some are great.

Very few people will fess up to buying a lemon and will justify their purchase through hell and high water… Seeking opinions will usually produce biased responses and not necessarily well presented evaluations…

MY suggestion is to do your due diligence and make your own decision… that way you've only yourself to blame… However, if you want a recommendation… go the Woodpecker... though I love my Unilift... and have had my eye on the Jessem... and…

BTW. Welcome to LJ… and there are more crazies here other than me.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Agree with LBD on doing your own research and selection. Never bought much that I later liked on solely someone else's likes or dislikes.

For what it is worth, I upgraded to the Incra a year or so ago. Chose the Incra do to the ability to lock the setting, and the magnetic held inserts. It also fit my table. It raises a bit higher than the old one making bit changes easier. Side note, I have a small electric screw driver that I have a hex driver in. Use it powered for rapid up and down movement of the lift, then manual for final adjustments. Easier than cranking
 
#6 ·
I have the JessEm Mast-R-Lift II. It also can accept dozens of router motors without additional adapters. Their Rout-R-Lift will save you a few dollars, but you'll have to choose the right model for your router motor.

I'm not sure why anyone would suggest buying a JessEm product branded by anyone else.

- Rich
+1 love it
 
#7 ·
I have the Kreg. I like it. It has an issue: it uses a different leveling scheme that isn't compatible with pre-existing cutouts on router tables. The outer size is the same as the cutouts, but the leveling system needs extra work. I did a work around that was pretty easy.
 
#8 ·
I bought the JessEm Rout-R-Lift II last year and love, love, love it.

I debated for a long time over the metallic inserts of the Incra (and I am an Incra fanboi). That was probably the most difficult decision I've had to make in a long time… Still not 100% sure I made the correct decision. But, it's not like i have any regrets or complaints about the JessEm.

The Rout-R-Lift ii is a solid piece. It is accurate, locks in beautifully, so easy to dial in exact heights, and it fits about any router out there.

My guess is that those $100 JessEms are the lesser model.

The Woodpecker one was just more money than I was willing to drop (without seemingly adding any functionality). While I love Kreg, there was something about it I didn't like, but can't remember what that was this early in the morning. The Rockler one? Man, I can't remember why I din't pick it, but it was in the running… Maybe it was the odd size? Is that the one with the odd size?

Anyway, my advice is either the Incra with the metal inserts, or the Jessem Rout-R-Lift ii. But, honestly, you can't go wrong with any of them!
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Doing a search of "Jessem Mast R Lift II" I am getting $369.00

- therealSteveN
[removed by admin]

$369 is a good ball park figure for that one. The Rout-R-Lift is less expensive, but as I pointed out, you need to order the correct one for your router motor and the list of compatible motors is smaller than the Mast-R-Lift.

For anyone buying JessEm, unless a retailer has it on sale, like Woodcraft does occasionally with the Rout-R-Lift, order it directly from JessEm. They're in Canada, so you won't pay sales tax (at least I didn't several years ago) and shipping is free (again, it was back when I got mine).
 
#15 ·
Crazy question… You will get as many answers for, as there are brands on the market… You haven t mentioned Woodpecker, Unilift, Kreg... just to mention 1 more than 2.
I overlooked the Woodpecker because I thought I had read that it was no longer made. That was wrong. I'm checking it out now. Based on the "Deep dive" video I watched the brake mechanism and the thumb wheel seem tedious. There seems to be some value in the ability to quickly raise and lower the router. How big of a benefit is that? How cumbersome/convenient is it to have to crank up a router as opposed to just quickly lifting as done with the PRL V2?

It seems the unilift is a woodpeck product that is used with a plunge router. I do not have a plunge base for the PC7518 I plan to hang.

Something about the Kreg just does not seem as high quality as the Jessem. That's not a fair assessment though and probably says more about the companies marketing abilities than the actual tools themselves. (Especially since I just read in another forum that the Kreg is made by Jessem. But, we know how reliable forum comments are. ;-) ) I do not see the Kreg mentioned as often in the many reviews and "Best router" videos that I've seen.

MY suggestion is to do your due diligence and make your own decision… that way you ve only yourself to blame… However, if you want a recommendation… go the Woodpecker... though I love my Unilift... and have had my eye on the Jessem... and…
- LittleBlackDuck
I am, and this is one of the final steps in that research.

Oh, and thanks for the "recommendation".
 
#16 ·
Side note, I have a small electric screw driver that I have a hex driver in. Use it powered for rapid up and down movement of the lift, then manual for final adjustments. Easier than cranking

- 987Ron
great tip, thanks
 
#17 ·
The Rout-R-Lift ii is a solid piece. It is accurate, locks in beautifully, so easy to dial in exact heights, and it fits about any router out there.
Unfortunately my PC7518 won't fit in the Rout R lift, so if I go Jessem I need to spring for the Mast R lift.

My guess is that those $100 JessEms are the lesser model.
What do you mean by "lesser model"? The ads look like the same lift.

Notice the ones listed by zorrati.com and henlastore.com. Very strange and suspicious.

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#18 ·
If you would like people to evaluate what it is you are looking at, please copy and paste in the actual links you are looking at. Otherwise it s hard to say what you are looking at.

- therealSteveN
The ads look like the same lift.

Notice the ones listed by zorrati.com and henlastore.com. Very strange and suspicious.
 
#19 ·
If you would like people to evaluate what it is you are looking at, please copy and paste in the actual links you are looking at. Otherwise it s hard to say what you are looking at.

- therealSteveN

The ads look like the same lift.

Notice the ones listed by zorrati.com and henlastore.com. Very strange and suspicious.

- Schmacker
I'd say if you are buying something over, well, whatever amount you wouldn't want to lose, then get it from a place that you know to actually sell tools. Not saying all the lower priced places are crooks, but look at your own link. That Zoleb place is selling the Master, and the rout r lift for the same price. In the wild there is a difference in the 2, and they sell at different prices, so that is telling me, no way…. I think you are looking at something with a low price of 369, probably looking for a beating below that.
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
I also have the MastRLift II and am very happy with it. Aside from the throat plate. I thinks Incra appears to be identical lift.

A remote power/speed control is a. Ice option.

I don't know about other sources or scams, but there is also a less expensive RoutRLift for lower HP routers.

I think' you'll be happy with any of them. Personally I don't like the dial on the WoodPecker.

My only knock on the Jessem is the plastic throat plates don!t always come out easily, so for that reason Immight give the nod to Incra,

NOTE- be very careful with the power screwdriver method, I accidentally over-raised mine and thought I'd stripped something out in the mechanism, but it wasn't hurt. I crank by hand now.
 
#21 ·
I tried one of the "too good to be true" sources for a Jessem Rout-r-lift- it was. Even with PayPal, it took 4 months of vendor foot dragging, haggling, and outright lies before I got resolution (refund). I could have enjoyed using it all that time if I'd bought from a reputable source from the outset. BTW, Jessem warns against using power tools to adjust the height.
 
#22 ·
BTW, Jessem warns against using power tools to adjust the height.

- JohnDon
Probably a wise thing for them to discourage. In the wrong hands it could definitely damage the lift.

That said, I've been using a spare 12V drill to raise and lower my Mast-R-Lift II for years-I just don't spin it at 600 rpm and slam it into the top and bottom stops. A little common sense goes a long way.
 
#23 ·
I tried one of the "too good to be true" sources for a Jessem Rout-r-lift- it was. Even with PayPal, it took 4 months of vendor foot dragging, haggling, and outright lies before I got resolution (refund). I could have enjoyed using it all that time if I d bought from a reputable source from the outset. BTW, Jessem warns against using power tools to adjust the height.

- JohnDon
Thanks for the comment JD...

I often get on my high horse and poo-poo a lot of the shekel savings comments here at LJ…

However, this is a prime example of opportunity costs...

If you're shekel pinching then continue your merry way, however, if you want results from get-go with quality tools, you may need to pay up front for the opportunity.

Good heads up about power tools… as well as cost savings, we all try our hand at time/effort saving.
 
#24 ·
Probably a wise thing for them to discourage. In the wrong hands it could definitely damage the lift.

That said, I ve been using a spare 12V drill to raise and lower my Mast-R-Lift II for years-I just don t spin it at 600 rpm and slam it into the top and bottom stops. A little common sense goes a long way.

- Rich
Damn, a little common sense and vino are a bad mix!
 
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