Best Router Lifts - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide
by Scott Miller Updated on
Due to the fact that we know how difficult it can be to choose the right kind of tool for yourself, we have decided to help you make the right decision.
So, among all router lifts on the market we have picked the best ones, tested them and made our reviews with all the features to consider prior to buying them.
At first sight, they look extremely similar, but you soon realize that they have various differences which affect the efficiency, durability and price.
We hope that after reading our guide, you will end up with a product you will be using for years to come.
This is a good router lift, being that it features a micro-adjustment scale capable of changes that vary by just thousands of an inch.
This allows the user to get the exact cut and its compatibility with more than 20 routers across a variety of brands, without any need for adapters or modifications, is definitely considered a huge advantage.
Actually, swapping out routers for different tasks is easier and the cost of operation in the long term is lowered,
It is an excellent model for people who have multiple routers and are planning to upgrade in the near future.
Its only weakness is that this router lift cannot be leveled from the top.
The user needs to take it off and put it on a few times to make adjustments.
The JessEm 02310 is very similar to the Mast-R-Lift II’s, meaning that if you purchase it, you will get a smaller version of the best router lift on the market.
Users appreciate the fact that they get the same quality parts and craftsmanship that you find on the more expensive model but at a more affordable price.
Being that it is not as pricey as the Mast-R-Lift II, you cannot expect it to be compatible with equal number of models.
Another weakness is that it is using a system that is more time-consuming for changing out routers.
If you already own one of the models that it supports, and if you are planning to use one router, this can definitely be one of the best purchases you could make.
Getting this model, which is very close to one of the best router lifts on the market for less money, is a great deal.
The fourth model is the Incra Master Lift II and what we noticed first about it is the quality.
This is certainly a router lift that will last for quite a long period of time.
Being that it is so durable, it is expected that it is a very expensive router lift.
The higher price tag usually comes with great features and characteristics which is the case with this model.
However, even though it is expected that it has a wide range of compatibility with routers of all brands and sizes, this router lift has one of the most limited ranges of compatible routers.
If you want to work with the popular Kreg-brand router tables, you will need to purchase a conversation kit.
This only causes additional expenses on top of a router lift that is so expensive.
This is going to be the right purchase for you, if you have an Incra router table and a compatible router.
Now, that you have read our reviews, you know what aspects to consider when making your decision about which router lift to buy.
For those who are not sure yet which router lift is the best for them, we offer this buyer’s guide which is designed to make you a fully informed buyer who can make the right decision which he/she will not regret.
How important is the compatibility?
Compatibility was mentioned so many times in our reviews.
This is done so as to emphasize the importance of it.
When you are choosing a router lift, you need to think about getting the one which will be compatible with a router you own.
It can be quite frustrating when you start putting it together and then realize that it does not fit what you already have.
Prior to buying, you need to read through the list of compatible routers to avoid this troublesome situation.
If you have an older router, your calculations should change somewhat.
Besides purchasing a router lift that fits the router that you own, you should also consider getting a model with a wider range of compatible routers.
Another important thing to consider is whether the router lift you choose will be compatible with your router table, being that not all models work with all tables.
Some might require conversion kits that cost extra and you do not want to have additional expenses.
What you will end up with are extra vibrations that affect your cut because your router lift does not fit correctly in your table.
In case your router table or router is aging, you may want to consider purchasing a new one and getting a router lift with a wider range of compatible tables and router so that you have flexibility can be a wise decision.
Additionally, it is also important to check out how easy it is to change out routers.
If you only own one router, this is not such a great concern.
But, there are some people who like to own multiple of them in order to be able to do different kinds of projects with a greater degree of control.
This means that they will be swapping out their routers and investing in a router lift which makes it easy to change routers is definitely worth considering.
This will save a lot of time and effort.
What should I know about the ease of use?
When it comes to the ease of you, we need to mention that this feature actually makes a difference between high quality router lifts which are quite expensive and the bargain models.
No matter how pricey they are, all of them can be leveled, but some models make it far easier than others.
Furthermore, there is a difference in how they are leveled.
Some can be leveled from above the table, which is the easiest method, while others require changing out washers or other parts.
This requires taking the router lift completely off in order to change which is time consuming and requires a lot of effort.
You will end up spending more time on setting it than on working with it.
And, if you have to waste your time on this, it may be worth it to invest a bit more money to get an easier-to-setup router lift.
The only way of finding out how easy it is to get a router setup to use with a router lift is by researching users’ reviews and comments.
With some router lifts this can be done within just a couple minutes, while there are some complicated models which require a longer process.
You should be aware of the amount of time you are ready to spend setting things up.
When the setting up is in question, there are certain router lifts that require the purchase of extra parts.
Even though this will cause additional cost, it will also save time in the long run.
You should pay attention to if you have multiple routers.
Last but not the least, you should buy a router lift that allows for above-the-table bit changes.
This is a little thing that is available on most units, but it will save you from wasting a lot of time under your router table.
Is precision of crucial importnace?
Each router user would like to get the cut that he/she is expecting to get when using a router.
The precision is quite dependable on the quality of your router lift.
Actually, the better-quality router lifts are better designed to prevent vibration, thus allowing the user an overall-smoother cutting experience.
Vibrations can really affect the usage of a router lift, though it is possible that a manufacturing defect has an impact on the precision.
We suggest you make sure to get a quality model and installing it correctly to avoid precision problems.
Vibrations in your router can transform a perfect cut into a merely-okay one.
What you should also pay attention to is how precisely the router lifts can be adjusted.
There are models which allow the adjustment to a few thousandths of an inch, which leads to incredibly precise cuts.
We noticed that it is better to be more precise when building something than less.
Furthermore, after setting the router depth, you should lock it in before the cut to improve the precision.
What about quality?
In the majority of cases, when buying a power tool, the better quality comes with a higher price.
The same situation is with router lifts, but there are some models which offer excellent quality at not so high prices.
In case you cannot afford a more expensive model, and purchase a cheap one, you might get a router lift that will not be up to the task.
Poor-quality routers have certain weaknesses such as a warped baseplate.
This means that even though you try to level the plate, and are careful to do it well, it will never sit quite flush with the table it sits in.
This can not only be irritating, but it can make it harder to get the wood you are working to sit flat.
Furthermore, in case you are working with softer woods, you run the risk of chipping or splitting the wood.
On the other hand, if you buy a higher-quality router with a baseplate made of better materials you will not have these kinds of problems.
These models are more scratch-resistant and durable.
Even though you might seem that the price is high and even extreme, you will realize that if a product is made of better materials, then it pays for itself in extra years of life.
On the other hand, you will initially save with the cheap equipment, but you will soon have to replace it with the new one.
If the defects are cosmetic, and you do not need to return the product, you should not worry about that.
Some cheap models turn out to be a huge waste of time and money.
If you have to return the router lift, you will waste more time and money.
I think I got it, what are my options?
Our aim was to show you that buying a router lift does not have to be a great investment and that you can get an excellent router lift without breaking the bank.
Once you are aware of the important factors that we discussed above which include the durability, the time it will take to install it, the precision and the compatibility with tables and routers, you can easily determine which model satisfy your needs.
Make sure you have figured out what you expect out of your router lift.
Then, determine how much money you are ready to pay for it.
The balance between price and quality is going to vary from person-to-person.
What is considered too expensive for one person can be taken as a bargain for the other.
This all depends on the kinds of projects that you want to and how efficient tool you need for them.
Conclusion
All in all, it can be concluded that the JessEm Mast-R-Lift II is the best all-around router lift in our reviews.
This is due to its high-quality build, great design for switching out routers and a wide range of compatible routers.
The Kreg PRS5000 boasts a wide range of compatible routers and precision adjustments.
The JessEm 02310 is very similar to the Mast-R-Lift II when it comes to features, but comes at a lower price.
The Incra Master Lift II lacks compatibility with many routers and many people would consider buying it a wrong decision.
The last one is the MLCS 9562 which has a poor build quality and strange design.
Being that it is not easy to figure out which model is just right for you, after reading this article, we are sure that you will be able to pick the router lift that will serve you best.
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