Two Jessum Router Lifts?

[John McKissick]

JessEm makes two router lifts and both are well regarded. The Router-R-Lift II and the Master-R-Lift II
I am not a professional woodworker. I consider myself a mid level to advanced hobyist.

What would I miss if I bought the less expensive model over their top of the line?

I will need to get a router motor for it so compatability is not a huge factor. Ease of use, precision and durabilty and weight to smaller degree are important to me.
I will make my own custom top and fence system Adapted to my table saw.

So if someone is familiar with both I would appreciate your opinion.

[Dan Rude]

The difference is the size of the router you can use. The Router-R-Lift II takes the smaller routers in the 2.5 HP versions, the bigger-Master-R-Lift II can take the 3.5 HP routers.
I have had the older Rockler FX for many years and like it. This year I bought the Incra Master lift, which is the Master-R-Lift II. The Incra comes with all the inserts. Still building the table for that one. OK, I haven't started it, but will soon. The big routers allow you to run the big bits. Still debating on keeping the smaller one still. Dan

[John McKissick]

That is very helpful information. I was considering a bigger motor because I am thinking about removing some larger chunks, maybe even some raised panels.

I can see my budget just doubled roughly but I will have something to pass down to my son(s) or daughter....

[Jim Becker]

Going with the larger motor capacity is, IMHO, the better choice because it gives you more flexibility in the kind of work you can do, both functionally and safely.

[John McKissick]

Going with the larger motor capacity is, IMHO, the better choice because it gives you more flexibility in the kind of work you can do, both functionally and safely.

I am sure you are correct and more than likely when I do this it will be a lift for a bigger motor. I have a very compact and stowable shop so the large helps in one area and kinda hurts in the storage department. No such thing as too much HP though ..lol

[Robert Engel]

I went with the PowerTek motor through Jessem. Remote speed/power control is a nice feature.

Combined with the MastRLiftII its a nice package but yes, will set you back a few bucks.

[John McKissick]

I went with the PowerTek motor through Jessem. Remote speed/power control is a nice feature.

Combined with the MastRLiftII its a nice package but yes, will set you back a few bucks.

I looked on the Jessem site and could not find the motor you mention. The site seems to a little difficult to find things. I wanted to look at their template for router plate and wasn't terribly easy to find.
If you have a link I would appreciate it.

[Adam Grund]

I looked on the Jessem site and could not find the motor you mention. The site seems to a little difficult to find things. I wanted to look at their template for router plate and wasn't terribly easy to find.
If you have a link I would appreciate it.

They took it off their website for whatever reason- it was constantly on back order, and reviews were a mixed bag, some less than favorable. Unsure if they are discontinuing it or just took it down due to long back order.
Hopefully they are getting the problems straightened out and re-releasing, I’ve had my eyes on it for quite a while.

https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/j...e-control-box/

[Tom Dixon]

I looked on the Jessem site and could not find the motor you mention. The site seems to a little difficult to find things. I wanted to look at their template for router plate and wasn't terribly easy to find.
If you have a link I would appreciate it.

I also have the Master lift II with the Pow-R-Tek Router... Love. It!
It is my understanding that they took it off the web site until they can fulfill all the back orders. When I ordered my Pow-R-Tek Router last January from Woodcraft it was back ordered for 3 months.

[John McKissick]

JessEm makes two router lifts and both are well regarded. The Router-R-Lift II and the Master-R-Lift II
I am not a professional woodworker. I consider myself a mid level to advanced hobyist.

What would I miss if I bought the less expensive model over their top of the line?

I will need to get a router motor for it so compatability is not a huge factor. Ease of use, precision and durabilty and weight to smaller degree are important to me.
I will make my own custom top and fence system Adapted to my table saw.

So if someone is familiar with both I would appreciate your opinion.

Thanks guys for all the info which led me to another alternative which seems like a really good one.

Purchase a Triton TRA001 router, the Kreg mounting plate with the adjusters and a template probably from JessEm. From a cost and versatility perspective seems like a good way to go. This would run me about $350 instead of $800'ish.

Am I missing something in my analysis?

[Curtis Myers]

Thanks guys for all the info which led me to another alternative which seems like a really good one.

Purchase a Triton TRA001 router, the Kreg mounting plate with the adjusters and a template probably from JessEm. From a cost and versatility perspective seems like a good way to go. This would run me about $350 instead of $800'ish.

Am I missing something in my analysis?

I have the Triton router setup in my old table. It was a cheeper lift substitute setup which got me by. I recently purchased a JessEm Master-R-Lift II. Night and day difference. The Triton router collects dust inside its casing preventing it from lifting up all the way. Lifting it up all the way is what engages the spinal lock. Pain in the butt getting the dust out. Had very good dust collecting connected to it and used it every time.
Modern router lifts are NICE.

I spoke with JessEm on the phone and they put me on the Pow-R-Tek Router waiting list. Pow-R-Tek Router are expected in late February 2020.

[John McKissick]

I have the Triton router setup in my old table. It was a cheeper lift substitute setup which got me by. I recently purchased a JessEm Master-R-Lift II. Night and day difference. The Triton router collects dust inside its casing preventing it from lifting up all the way. Lifting it up all the way is what engages the spinal lock. Pain in the butt getting the dust out. Had very good dust collecting connected to it and used it every time.
Modern router lifts are NICE.

I spoke with JessEm on the phone and they put me on the Pow-R-Tek Router waiting list. Pow-R-Tek Router are expected in late February 2020.

Good info, appreciate you sharing your direct experience with both choices. More to think about...

[Ben Grefe]

I also went the Triton router / Incra mounting plate (similar enough to the Kreg) and I really wish I hadn't. The setup is so sloppy and inaccurate that I rarely use it, even in situations where a router table would be best.

The Triton router, while it *can* be used in a lift, isn't best in a lift. On mine the lifting mechanism binds easily and sometimes gets so stuck that I have to completely remove the router from the table to clean it out. Ontop of that, the amount of disassembly you have to do to the Triton to make it work upside down basically means you won't use it as a regular router anymore (just in case you were thinking that's a benefit).

If I had to do it over again I'd get a motorized lift or something similar and a dedicated variable speed motor with an external control box. Now that I haven't I'll basically be doing this purchase twice.

[Greg Funk]

I just bought a Bosch 1617evs for $129 and plan to mount it on a Router-R-Lift II. Seems like a good match.

[John McKissick]

I also went the Triton router / Incra mounting plate (similar enough to the Kreg) and I really wish I hadn't. The setup is so sloppy and inaccurate that I rarely use it, even in situations where a router table would be best.

The Triton router, while it *can* be used in a lift, isn't best in a lift. On mine the lifting mechanism binds easily and sometimes gets so stuck that I have to completely remove the router from the table to clean it out. Ontop of that, the amount of disassembly you have to do to the Triton to make it work upside down basically means you won't use it as a regular router anymore (just in case you were thinking that's a benefit).

If I had to do it over again I'd get a motorized lift or something similar and a dedicated variable speed motor with an external control box. Now that I haven't I'll basically be doing this purchase twice.

Okay, you guys have sufficiently ah-skeered me away from that setup.

When I am ready I'll see if the budget affords the bigger or smaller JessEm setup. Until I redo my electrical in the shop the bigger routers will probably trip my shared 15 amp breaker. Electrical upgrade is also high on my "to-do" list. Always been a pretty happy Kreg customer, maybe relook at their lift too.

Thanks all for your valued help and experiences.