JessEm Rout-R-Lift II Install

*UPDATE* - JessEm contacted me about the assorted minor issues. Their customer service turns out to be first rate and they really do care about making everything right. In the unlikely event that you have a problem, make sure you give them a chance to sort it out!

After a long wait for shipping on the parts I"m finally ready to install the router lift into my new table saw wing.

I selected the JessEm Rout-R-Lift II. It represents a good value, being a high quality lift at a reasonable price. It does take some time to get stuff through customs and into the U.S. though, so progress has been slow.

Most of the work centers around creating the opening for the lift in the table surface. A separately ordered template makes the job a lot easier and more accurate.

The lift simply bolts in place once the hole is cut. Operation is a breeze! This really is a very, very nice piece of gear that I expect to enjoy for years.

[bkp]

7 year old video, but still one of the best and most informative JessEm install overviews.

[stormchasecom]

If anyone is interested in doing this with a CNC or using a laser cutter to make a template, it's 11.75" x 9.25" and the corner radius is 0.75".

[jeffbaker]

This is a great instructional video. How this gentleman sets up his shop is none of my concern nor it should be anyone’s.

[markkoons]

Forty years ago Fine Woodworking published what amounted to a dialog among readers. The gist of it was that whether you buy new or used equipment you are essentially buying a kit from which you may be able to build what you imagined. That attitude has served well here in tiny town Wyoming. Key to avoiding becoming enraged by very little working out as hoped or on schedule is living life with not only plan B but also C and D. Thank you for the detailed review. Knowing what to expect takes some of the sting out of disappointment.

[PLaTerra]

Great vid. Helped me get through the set up smoothly - the directions look like something written in the 60’s. I did receive my unit quickly and oddly the screws were all there although they were just thrown into the box. All in all I am very happy with the lift. The mistake I made was to buy the Rockler table. It said that the JessEm fit into it but it absolutely does not and Rockler would not pay for shipping it back. I ended up cutting a larger opening. Thanks again for the vid.

[TheJerryWatson]

Hey Matt, Finally got this lift. My wife found my woodcraft wish list surprised me with it for Christmas. How ever I had to get a router for it as the Hitachi router I had in the kreg insert plate would not fit. Low and behold, just noticed we have the same router. I am very happy with the two combo and looking forward to doing some projects with it as soon as it gets a little warmer here. Good vid and stay safe Matt.

[MRrwmac]

Sorry to hear about the problems Matt. Glad you finally got the parts, installed and setup the way you want. I built a quick but very useful saddle fence for mine that you can see at the end of my video. I also use mine the other way round for tenon cuts.

[bobmoore]

Matt, based on your video, I bought the same router lift and am very happy with it. I too made my own table and routed down the 3/8" +. Got a very snug fit. Just this past week, I changed out the top of my router table/table saw outfeed table just because it had gotten sloppy looking, and made a change. I bought a set of Kreg router table insert levelers PRS 3040. That way I could cut down all the way thru my mdf table, mount the levelers, and adjust things to be snug and level to the table. I think you might have mentioned that using the leveling screws into the mdf after a while can just go bad. This way, I think I have that issue resolved. Also, even though routing to 3/8's is not difficult, going all the way thru was just that much easier. I'm currently waiting on a Dust Bucket so that I can contain the wicked amount of dust associated with a router.
Your video really helped me take the plunge into making my own router table so thanks. I'm becoming a big fan of your channel and can't wait to see more projects, tool reviews, etc. Keep up the nice work.

[justinkayce]

Best instruction on the template that I have seen so far. Great job

[ronmorgan]

Hi Matt, where did you get just the Bosch motor and is it none variable speed?

Thanks Ron

[charliecook]

Hey Matt. Nice viideo. I few days ago I picked up the same lift. Just finished the install. I think I have your set screw. They sent me 11. lol The only thing that I found wrong was there is no mention that I can find ref. the 4 corner bolts. There are no nuts included. Two sets of bolts however. I noticed that one set is SAE and the other is metric. I plan on putting fender washers at the corners to reinforce the melamine. My saw is a Ridgid with those pressed steel plates. I didn't remove the one of the right end I just filled in the open portion between the rails. This will be temporary as In spring when it's warmer I plan on removing the melamine I just finished and also the right steel plate and fill the whole thing with a top of MDF with a laminated top (Formica or other). I am not a huge fan of melamine but it does serve a purpose. Thanks for the video.

[ronsmith]

Hi Matt, Thanks for an excellent video, very professional, & easy to follow. I'm just about to install the Jeesem Rout-R-Lift Prestige, which is the same as the R, but for plunge base routers. After contacting Jeesem I decided to purchase mine from Infinity, I can't praise them enough. It was a bit cheaper than Jeesem, & the delivery time of less than a week to Thailand was a lot quicker than I expected. I've just about finished my new router table, so after watching your video, I feel confident enough to install it. Thanks again Matt

[TMCmakes]

just getting ready to do this to my table saw with the jessem rout-r-lift II. thanks so much for taking the time to post up. i think i'm ready to cut a big hole in my table saw now :/

[steveiv]

Why not trace out your JessEm and build your own template, am I missing something here ?

[BruceAUlrich]

Looks like a really nice addition to your shop.

[csimet]

I have this lift as well... installed in a cast iron table saw extension wing.

My suggestion... get a remote power switch for it and mount to the front of the table for easy access to turn on and off (especially in an emergency). I purposely bought a non-variable speed router (Metabo/Hitachi) for mine and also mounted/connected a variable speed controller next to the remote power switch. No need to ever reach under the table to control it now... lift, power or speed.

[texanthom]

Great video! This is such a great space saver for a small shop, thanks for posting!

[alimaleki]

Matt, thanks for the video! I just finished installing this same model in my Kreg router table. I have the same model for Porter Cable 690/890, Bosch 1617/1618 but it was very difficult getting my PC 890 into the lift. loosening that one screw wasn't enough; I had to remove the bracket it was connected to. BTW, mine came with the correct number of leveling screws (10) but only the short corner bolts!

[DIYAudioGuy]

Can you install it without the template?

[hectorglover]

I believe they sell a metal rectangular piece to prevent the leveling screws from setting into the wood. Nice video and thanks for your candor!