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

This is a quality product, you pay for the quality and I think it’s worth the investment if you want something that will last a lifetime. The instructions were clear with the nessesary photos. The operation is very smooth and accurate.

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.

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 did my research and ended up choosing this router lift. I have a very nice home-made mobile router table that I needed to fit this to. One of the eight leveling screwes on the base plate was stripped, and two others are so tight the Allen wrench bends to tighten it. The depth adjustment hex and the router lift hex are slightly too small for the supplied hex wrench. The supplied directions are horrible and not very detailed. I spent way too much time setting this thing up. It works great once all the above mentioned hurdles are overcome. I don’t get why this is ~$500!