JessEm 02120 Mast-R-Lift II Universal Router Lift with Built in Locking System

This router lift is as fine a product as I've every purchased. The documentation is high quality and doesn't appear to be some kind of mechanical translation from another language, which is a great confidence builder that the manufacturer is building a quality product THROUGHOUT the entire process. The manufacturing of the lift appears to the naked eye to be as precise as one could need. A Porter Cable 7518 , Speed-a-matic 3.25 HP router motor was installed in the lift. Installation couldn't have been easier! Partly because of the quality documentation; but, mostly because the lift came out of the box already configured for the PC 7518. The docs clearly explain how to adapt the lift for the other routers this lift is designed to accommodate. All the parts and the tools to accomplish the adaptation are included. Again, an example of QUALITY manufacturing and a commitment to customer service. After mounting the router motor, the lift was installed in a JessEm router table top. As expected, it fit perfectly! The leveling screws installed effortlessly with the included Allen wrench. After completing the installation, the lift was checked for operation. Raising and lowering the heavy router was easier than I anticipated. The mechanical advantage of the lift and the included cranking handle make adjustments as simple as can be. The locking mechanism secures the motor at the exact height you need. More about this a little later. To test the new router and lift about 125 feet of 3/4 inch hickory was run through a cabinet door profiling bit. After an easy setup to get the exact height needed to match the hickory cross members, we ran the hickory. To assure proper fit, we compared the profile of each piece as it came off the table. Then, the final check was to compare the first (of 48 pieces) to the last, and the profile was exactly the same. I am completely satisfied that the locking mechanism holds the router EXACTLY where you need it to be. My only complaint is with the included tool that locks and unlocks the insert rings. One ring is included with the plate and the tool doesn't align with the holes in the insert ring. Thinking I might have a bad ring, I tried the tool on each of the new rings that came with the JessEm 02025A 4-Piece Tab-Loc Insert Ring Set, (ordered separately). All of the holes on each of the 4 other rings align with the insert ring that came with the lift. Apparently, the nibs on the tool are spaced a little too closely, Or, the tool is misaligned. Don't know. But I'll be contracting JessEm to inquire about a replacement. (EDITED CONTENT: I contacted JessEm about this issue. They understood immediately, and apologized for the problem. I was told JessEm was aware of the problem, and HAD issued a recall to all the distributors to pull this accessory and replace it before selling the product. Apparently the one I ordered from Amazon slipped through with the defective part. JessEm sent the new part to me IMMEDIATELY! I think it was in my hands in TWO days! GREAT service!)

I have tried a few different router lifts leading up to the purchase of this unit, including an Incra Mast-R-Lift, and 3 Jessen Rout-R-Lift. Comparing to all the units I've used in the past, this one is a noticeable step up in terms of features and accuracy. I have struggled in the past with MDF table and phenolic router lifts due to sagging and deformation over time. Comparing to the lighter duty Rout-R-Lift, this unit is mostly constructed of aluminum as opposed to phenolic top plate. The design and build of this unit is extremely sturdy. I attached a Porter Cable 7518 3.25HP motor to it, and mounted in a cast iron table. With this set up, I'm confident it will never sag, move, deform under any load. The unit is thoughtfully design with 8 set screws and 3 cam locks to allow you to level and secure it in the table opening with zero play. The lead screw on the lift mechanism is under some preload, very similar to ball screws on a CNC such that there is virtually no back lash. This means the distance dial indicator will be accurate not matter what direction you rotate. Also because of this, when you engage the lock mechanism, the height will not change. This is a very essential feature for cutting joinery since you will be measuring and adjusting the height. The last thing you want is for the lock mechanism to change your setting. So far this is the only lift I've used that holds the position true when you engage/disengage the lock. Some users complained about this feature in other reviews (difficult to rotate, sensitive to dust, all are nonsense). In my opinion if you can't understand some of the most basic mechanism concepts, you shouldn't be messing with a professional equipment, let alone leaving misleading reviews.

Woodcraft was the seller. Box arrived beat to pieces and one of the primary support rods sticking out the side. To say I was annoyed would be an understatement. Took pictures before I opened it. It looked to me like the box was previously opened and packing materials removed. The router lift was just sitting in the box completely unsecured. I almost sent it back without even checking it for damage, but I figured I would need more pictures so I took it out and inventoried the parts which were all there. Closer inspection revealed no obvious damage so I cranked the lift through its range and it operated smoothly. Checked the plate for flatness and it was ok too. Decided to keep it and I am really enjoying having it. Jessem Mast-R-Lift 5 stars. Woodcraft zero stars. UPS one star since they managed to get it here. If you're on the fence about getting one of these they really do work great and they are extremely tough as well. One note about it fitting Kreg router tables, yes it fits the opening perfectly, however the hold down screw holes in the corners do not match the Kreg mounting system. It's not like it's going to jump out of the hole but it is the one gripe I have about the lift. I know all the manufacturers want to sell the whole setup, but most of us buy things one piece at a time and it would be nice if all the industry standard router plates / tables 100% compatible. Even if your router table doesn't match the hold down screw pattern I think you will be very pleased with this lift.

I was impressed with the quality, but I had to return it because of the clomping system that hold the router is rather confining. Only a few routers are compatible, and while that not so bad, it does limits it use some and if you don't happen to have that particular router model its another large expenditure. This is not really a complaint because the machining is firs rate, I just didn't feel like spending more money at this time. With a insert, new router, table top or premanufactured router table you are at the cost of a decent shaper. And a shaper can do a lot more.

I ordered this First Class Lift in 2014, w/ 38+ years of "Heirloom Quality" Custom Woodworking under my belt- I can say in the 6+ years I've had this lift, it has always performed the best of any lift I've used, JESS EM always is First Class Equipment- I own several other router lifts, this is the one mounted in my $4,000 router table, I can always bring the setting back to duplicate a cut or profile (as long as I take the correct measurements for my set up) I'm struggling w/ sever RA now and I'll still enjoy the High Quality this Very Fine life allows me to produce - Thanks Amazon for selling such a long lasting High Quality piece of woodworking equipment Update 6/22/2021, I'm still struggling w/ my RA, this "First Class Lift" is still my favorite tool in my shop, I have run several thousand Lf of many differant species over this lift, w/ now 40+ years of "Heirloom Quality" Custom Woodwork under my belt- I'm grateful I chose JessEm for my lift, my clear cut guides (Both router table & Table saw) I have $50,000 of custom woodworking equipment (I can only use it 4-5 hrs a day, but I can still use it- Thanks JessEm and Big Thanks Amazon for all the years of shipping me tooling

It's a JessEm, need I say more. The price for this item was the lowest I've ever seen so for me it was an instant decision to buy.

I just received the JessEm Mast-R-Lift II and am very impressed with the build quality and precision that has gone into this device. I also own the Kreg router lift that this lift will be replacing. The two most useful features for me are the adjustable router mounting brackets that allow you to install a wide number of different diameter routers without having to purchase a special adapter collar. In addition, the crank handle adjustment for height is light years ahead of the thumbwheel method of adjusting on the Kreg lift. On another note, some others have discussed whether this lift will fit in a Kreg router table. Mind you, there are two sizes of this lift and the one you need to purchase if you have a Kreg table is the 9-1/4" x 11-3/4" version. This size will fit perfectly within the Kreg table top. The other issue that has been raised is the fact that the corner mounting screws do not line up with the corner brackets in the Kreg table. I had called JessEm to get clarification about this and was told that with the weight of the router and the lift, that it wouldn't be going anywhere. So two things to this; (1) while the lift fits nicely within the Kreg table top, there is a very slight bit of tolerance that will allow some lateral movement. So in this regard I believe that being able to screw down the plate is beneficial. (2) JessEm no longer sells adapters that will allow you to retrofit the mounting corners since it might infringe on Kreg's design patent. The easy fix is this; remove the three screws holding each Kreg bracket to the undersurface of the table top...install the plate mounting screw into the bracket from above (realigning the bracket relative to the table top)...then proceed to reinstall the three bracket mounting screws from below (obviously in different holes since the bracket will now be moved slightly inward). Hope this helps. Great lift, you will not regret it.

I recently bought this to install a Porter Cable 75182 motor in a Kreg routher table. This thing is ssssslick. Installing the PC motor was a cinch because the clamping blocks were already set in position for that motor. If you're using a different motor, you'll only have to remove one bolt from each of the four blocks to adjust it to fit your motor. Construction looks and feels bomb proof. Operation is simple, precise, and butter smooth. I would call the test cuts I made routine or almost boring if this wasn't such an upgrade from my old router setup. Changing bits and bit height above the table so easily is a real treat. The only thing I have to change under the table now is the router speed. NOTES: 1. If you buy this for a Kreg table, you'll need a set of JessEm's corner leveling pads. The Kreg pads will level it but the screws that secure the four corners of the JessEm plate will not line up properly. I've reviewed them on Amazon but here, I'll say don't sweat 'em...get 'em. 2. If your lift doesn't operate smoothly after installing the router motor, look to the instructions for a note that explains a minor adjustment needed to fix it. I didn't have to do it but I've read comments from others who missed the note. 3. Apparently, Kreg licensed the insert ring technology from JessEm. While their respective insert rings look practically identical, the Kreg rings will not fit the JessEm lift, so no savings there.

You would have to go far and spend o lot more money to get better built lifter than the JessEm. I restore vintage sailboats as a hobby so I’m always running into different coverings and molding, and the JessEm really helps out.

This jessem lift is a sure bet! Always quality tools! This lift is no exception! Smooth and quick to use and you can count on the lock to stay locked!

This is so well made. I’m using it with my Bosch router and it makes adjustment a breeze. Very accurate and smooth as glass. I love using quality tools like this. I mounted it in my home made table. No need for the template as it’s easy to make your own with a template bit setup. Would buy it again. Got that new toy rush on this one.