A router lift is one of those little add-ons that can greatly enhance your router setup – turning any old bench into a router table. They hold the router motor upside down, with the bit poking above the surface.
Getting yourself a router lift gives you the ability to turn your hand-held router into a functional router table that can cut precise profiles and joinery.
I’ll break down some of the best router lifts on the market now, and show you how to select the ideal one for your particular needs.
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Quick Answer: 5 Best Router Lifts
- Best Overall: Kreg Precision Router Lift
- Runner Up: JessEm Mast-R-Lift II
- Also Consider: JessEm Rout-R-Lift II
- Large Router Lift: JET XACTA-Lift with Deluxe Fence
- Also Consider: SawStop RT-LFT Four-Post Router Lift with Lock
How to Pick the Best Router Lift?
When you’re picking the right router lift there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. The construction material, compatibility, height adjustment, and locking system are all important to consider when choosing a router lift.
Material
First off, you’ll want to consider your router lift’s construction material. This is a major factor in determining the quality and longevity of a router lift.
Cheaper router lifts will use materials like plastic or MDF, which should be avoided if you’re looking for a long-lasting solution. Most quality router lifts use anodized aluminum or sometimes steel as their main material.
Aluminum is lightweight, won’t sag under the weight of your router, and is long-lasting enough to last for the long haul.
Compatibility
Not all router lifts are compatible with every router, so you’ll want to make sure your router is compatible with the router table that you’re considering. There are both brand-specific models as well as universal-style router lifts which are designed to fit basically any router size or design.
If you’re not sure if your router lift will be compatible with your router, check to see what diameter motor the lift is designed for. Common router diameters are 3.5” and 4.25”, so keep this in mind when choosing a router lift.
You’ll also want to consider the size of the plate when purchasing a router lift. The plate is what fits into the opening at the top of the router table, so if it’s not the right size, your router table won’t accept the lift.
Router lifts are designed to fit in a specific router table, so consider the size of the plate when buying a lift. Common sizes are 9 ¼” x 11 ¾” as well as 8 ¼” x 11 ¾”.
Height Adjustment
One of the key benefits of a router lift is the ability to make small adjustments to the height of the router from above the router table.
A good router lift will allow you to make micro-adjustments to the router height, which is very useful when you want to make precise cuts down to the thousandth of an inch. Typically, the router height can be adjusted using a twist handle to raise/lower the lift, while some can be adjusted using a micro-adjustment handle on the lift itself.
Locking System
Another important thing to consider is the router lift’s locking system. The locking system is what mounts the motor in place and prevents any slipping while using the router.
The locking system should also provide a secure hold so that vibrations from the router while its running won’t shift the spindle position. There are multiple types of locking systems, including friction locks and cam locks, just make sure your locking system is solid and will ensure consistent results.
Ball-Bearing Mechanism
A smooth ball-bearing mechanism is important for smooth overall operation. This is what allows you to lower and raise the lift with ease and make small adjustments to the router height.
Ball bearing mechanisms are often sealed which means they don’t require lubrication. Unsealed ball bearings require occasional lubrication with a little grease to keep them operating smoothly over time.
Top 5 Router Lifts
Best Overall
Kreg Precision Router Lift
Key Features:
- Replaces standard insert plate in the router table.
- Plate measures 3⁄8″ x 9 1⁄4″ x 11 3⁄4″
- The lift will accept 20+ popular router models.
- Hank crank allows for precise micro-adjustments and bit changes.
- Micro adjustment knob for thousandths of an inch adjustment.
The Kreg precision router lift is one of the most popular lifts out there – and for good reason – it’s well designed, made from solid anodized aluminum, and is tough and scratch resistant. An above-the-table collet gives you access to fast and easy micro-adjustments as well as above-the-table bit changes.
The router lift plate measures 3⁄8″ x 9 1⁄4″ x 11 3⁄4″, and will fit any Kreg router tables as well as many other competitor brands. The lift will accept 20+ popular router models without the need for adapters or modifications.
The lift’s hand crank allows for fast and precise adjustments and bit changes, so there’s no need to reach under the table to do any fine-tuning. Every full revolution of the adjustment crank turns the carriage and bit by 1/16”. Micro adjustments down to the thousandths of an inch are also possible with the micro-adjustment scale.
The lift has 3 inches of travel – which provides enough room for bit changes from above the table.
Runner Up
JessEm Mast-R-Lift II
Key Features:
- Double-sealed bearing construction.
- The plate measures 9 ¼” x 11 ¾”.
- Bit changes and micro-adjustments from above the table.
- Hard anodized for increased durability.
- Orange clamping blocks allow for quick swapping of routers.
The Mast-R-Lift II is JessEm’s top-of-the-line model and features 5 double sealed ball bearings, providing a lifetime of use even with a powerful heavy-duty router. Jessem’s lifts all feature a mechanism to add tension to the threaded spindle – which helps to remove backlash, and vibration, and prevents any slipping of the router during operation.
A dedicated locking mechanism for heavy-duty long-term routing operations was added, which is accessible from the top and engaged with the same crank handle that adjusts the router height. The router will fit most fixed-based routers without the need for any adapter collar.
The orange clamping blocks allow you to swap between different routers on the fly rather than dedicating a specific router for the job.
The router base is hard anodized rather than the basic anodizing process most other models feature. The hard-anodizing process is more expensive and results in a much thicker coating which gives a greater degree of abrasion resistance.
Also Consider
JessEm Rout-R-Lift II
Key Features:
- Double-sealed ball bearings allow for precise micro-adjustments.
- Shafts on the lift are pressed into the mount with hydraulic pressure and fastened with multiple screws.
- Standard plate measures 3⁄8″ x 9 1⁄4″ x 11 3⁄4″.
- Bit changes from above the table are possible.
JessEm’s Rout-R-Lift II has many of the same features as the flagship model above, but at a price that won’t break the bank. The same double-sealed ball bearings as the model above are included, which allows for butter-smooth micro-adjustments to the spindle.
The shafts on the Rout-R-Lift II are pressed into the shaft mount with hydraulic pressure and are fastened to the plate using multiple screws to spread the lateral load evenly over the plate. JessEm offers the lift in five different configurations – depending on the model of router you’re looking at.
The top plate dimensions are 3⁄8″ x 9 1⁄4″ x 11 3⁄4″ – which means it will fit in most standard-sized router tables. Bit changes from above the table are possible, without the need for bent wrenches.
All components are CNC machined for added durability, at JessEm’s state-of-the-art factory in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada location.
Large Router Lift
JET XACTA-Lift with Deluxe Fence
Key Features:
- Large-size lift designed to fit with full-sized router tables.
- Plate measures 11-3/4″ X 14-3/4″ X 1/4″.
- Provides up to 2 ½” of bit depth adjustment.
- Heavy-duty anodized aluminum plate prevents sagging.
- Two ¾” solid steel shafts add rigidity to router bit cutting at the desired depth.
If you’re looking for a larger-sized router lift to fit a full-sized router table, then look no further – this heavy-duty anodized aluminum lift is the one for you. The plate measures 11-3/4″ X 14-3/4″ X 1/4″, and is heavy-duty enough to prevent sagging.
Two ¾” solid steel shafts add rigidity to the router cutting bit, while all moving parts ride on bronze bearing surfaces. The lift mechanism is ultra-smooth, with 2 ½” of bit depth adjustment.
Adjustable guard positions directly above the router bit provide a safe work environment while in use. The large 3 5/8” table opening is large enough to accommodate larger router bits, while the pre-cut table insert holds XACTA lift to combine a router table with a table saw for space saving.
10 leveling screws ensure perfect alignment for accurate cutting.
Also Consider
SawStop RT-LFT Four-Post Router Lift with Lock
Key Features:
- Four-post lifting system provides smooth and synchronized operation.
- Features a positive locking system to prevent shifting during operation.
- Both elevation and locking mechanisms are controlled from above the table.
- Standard sized 9-1/4” x 11-3/4” plate.
- Self-leveling screws allow you to position the plate flush with the router table.
Featuring a slightly different design to the other router lifts, the SawStop router lift features a heavy-duty four-post lifting system that’s synchronized for smooth and easy lifting. It also features a positive locking mechanism to prevent shifting during operation.
Both the elevation and locking mechanisms are controlled from above the table, so there’s no need to stoop down to make adjustments. The adaptive router clamp can house routers between 3 ¼” to 4 ¼” in diameter, while the standard sized 9-1/4” x 11-3/4” plate will fit into all SawStop tables as well as many other brands.
Self-leveling screws allow you to position the plate flush with the router table. The adjustment and locking mechanisms are extremely smooth and give a solid feel during operation.
