Buying task · Insert and reducer rings
Insert and reducer rings: the system your plate takes, then the opening
Router table insert rings fit one plate system each. Identify Twist Lock, Tab-Lock, Level-Loc or MagnaLOCK first, then choose openings by the ring maker's rule.
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Short answer
Identify the ring system your plate or lift uses before you look at sizes: Twist Lock, Tab-Lock, Level-Loc and MagnaLOCK rings are separate systems, and each maker lists its rings for its own plates. Then choose openings for your bits using your ring maker's own clearance figure, not a rule borrowed from another brand.
What insert rings do
An insert ring, also called a reducer ring, sits in the center hole of a plate or lift and sets the size of the ring opening around the bit. A small opening supports the work close to the bit; a large one clears a big bit. Rings lock in by a quarter turn, a twist, or magnets, and each locking method belongs to one maker's plates.
The decisions, in order
1. The system, and its generation. Kreg lists its Level-Loc rings for the Kreg Precision Router Table Insert Plate and the Kreg Precision Router Lift.[1] JessEm's Tab-Lock rings install with a quarter turn and fit JessEm plates and lifts with the Tab-Lock system.[2] Woodpeckers' Twist Lock set adds to the three rings that come with each Woodpeckers plate and lift.[3] INCRA's MagnaLOCK rings are held in the plate by four rare-earth magnets.[4] Generations matter too: INCRA says its CleanSweep rings fit only 2006-or-newer INCRA plates and lifts with a 3-5/8 in bottom opening, not gray phenolic MagnaLOCK plates or first-generation gold Mast-R-Lifts with a 3-1/2 in opening.[5] No maker we read says its rings fit another system. See insert ring systems explained.
2. What came with your plate or lift. Kreg's plates include three Level-Loc rings: 1 in, 1-3/16 in (for guide bushings) and 2-5/8 in.[6] Woodpeckers' plate includes Twist Lock rings with 1, 1-3/16 and 2-5/8 in openings.[7] On 2026-10-13, JessEm's page listed three rings (1-3/8, 2 and 2-1/2 in) with the Mast-R-Lift II.[8] Bosch's RA1181 table comes with three rings with 1, 2 and 2-3/4 in holes.[9] Add a set only for the sizes you are missing.
3. Openings for your bits, by the maker's rule. Set sizes differ by system. Kreg's PRS3050 adds 3/4, 1-3/8, 1-5/8 and 2-1/8 in openings and a blank ring;[1] Woodpeckers' TLRSET-ML has a solid ring and 3/4, 7/8, 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 1-7/8, 2-1/8 and 2-3/8 in rings;[3] JessEm's 8-piece set runs from 3/8 to 2-1/4 in;[2] INCRA's MLRINGSET-3.5 runs from 3/8 to 3-3/8 in.[4] For clearance, Woodpeckers recommends an opening about 1/8 to 1/4 in larger than the bit for its rings.[3] Bosch lists its RA1181 rings for bits up to 7/8, 1-7/8 and 2-5/8 in.[9] See ring opening size for bit diameter and ring set sizes by system.
4. A guide-bushing ring, or none. Kreg's 1-3/16 in ring accepts standard universal-style guide bushings.[6] INCRA's CleanSweep guide bushing ring has a 1-3/16 in inside diameter in a shouldered recess for Porter-Cable style bushings, which are not included.[5] Bosch says its RA1171 and RA1181 tables do not accept any template guides.[10] See guide bushings in a router table.
How to choose
Confirm your plate's system on your table's page in the table finder, then buy the set made for it.
Picks that fit3 products
Kreg plates and the Kreg PRS5000 lift: Kreg PRS3050, the 5-piece Level-Loc set. Woodpeckers plates and lifts: Woodpeckers TLRSET-ML, the 8-piece Twist Lock set.
More on choosing
O'SKOOL aluminum plates (RTS02, RTS02A, RTS05): O'SKOOL RTS02B, the 5-pack. None of these goes in another maker's plate. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Kreg Level-Loc plates and lift
Woodpeckers Twist Lock plates and lifts
Every page on insert rings
Guides
- Insert ring systems: Twist Lock, Tab-Lock, Level-Loc and MagnaLOCK
- Which ring opening for your bit diameter: what makers say
- Insert ring set sizes by system: a lookup table
- Guide bushings in a router table: which rings and tables take them
- The starting pin: what the plate makers say it is for
Tables and their ring systems
- Bosch RA1181 benchtop table, Bosch RA1171 cabinet table
- Kreg PRS1025 top, INCRA router tables, JessEm Mast-R-Top
Key terms
Ring outside diameter, Twist Lock ring, Tab-Lock ring, Level-Loc ring, MagnaLOCK ring, Snap-Lock ring, blank ring and guide bushing.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- Guide bushings in a router table: which rings and tables take themTells you whether your plate or table can hold a guide bushing, and which ring its maker makes for it.
- Which ring opening for your bit diameter: what makers sayHelps you choose the insert ring opening for a given bit diameter using your own ring maker's clearance rule.
- Insert ring set sizes by system: a lookup tableShows which ring openings your plate came with and which add-on set in the same system fills the gaps.
- Insert ring systems: Twist Lock, Tab-Lock, Level-Loc and MagnaLOCKHelps you identify your plate's ring system before you buy extra rings, so you do not order a set made for another system.
Shortlists
- Insert ring sets, by the plate system they fitShows which ring set locks into the plate or lift you own, with each set's openings, so you add the sizes you are missing.
Common questions
Can I use a guide bushing in my router table?
Only if your plate's maker supplies or sells a ring made to hold one, and the table maker does not rule it out. Kreg's plates include a 1-3/16 in guide-bushing ring; Bosch says its RA1171 and RA1181 tables take no template guides. More in Guide bushings in a router table: which rings and tables take them
Does the Bosch RA1181 take template guides?
No. Bosch states that the RA1181 and RA1171 router tables do not accept any template guides. More in Guide bushings in a router table: which rings and tables take them
Is a Porter-Cable-style bushing the same as a universal-style one?
Each maker names its own: Kreg says universal-style, INCRA says Porter-Cable style. We found no maker statement that equates the two, so check the ring maker's wording against the bushing you own. More in Guide bushings in a router table: which rings and tables take them
Does INCRA's guide-bushing ring include the bushing?
No. INCRA says the CS-MLRGUIDE ring comes without the bushing and lock ring, and it has the same plate-generation limits as the CleanSweep rings. More in Guide bushings in a router table: which rings and tables take them
What size insert ring do I need for my bit?
The smallest ring in your plate's system whose opening clears the bit's cutting diameter by your ring maker's margin. Woodpeckers suggests about 1/8 to 1/4 in larger than the bit for its rings; Bosch says at least 1/16 in per side on the RA1181. More in Which ring opening for your bit diameter: what makers say
How much clearance should a ring have around the bit?
Use your own ring maker's figure. There is no single rule across makers: Woodpeckers and Bosch publish different ones, each for its own rings or table. More in Which ring opening for your bit diameter: what makers say
Can I enlarge a ring opening?
Bosch's RA1181 manual says not to alter the insert ring or the plate's bit hole. For other plates, follow that maker's instructions; Kreg sells a blank ring for a custom opening, but we give no cutting steps. More in Which ring opening for your bit diameter: what makers say
What do I use for a bit larger than my biggest ring?
On the Bosch RA1181, Bosch says to use no ring for bits over 2-5/8 up to 3-1/2 in, and never to use bits over 3-1/2 in on that table. On other tables, check the plate maker's largest stated opening and its limit. More in Which ring opening for your bit diameter: what makers say
Questions
Are insert rings interchangeable between brands?
Not on any maker's word we found. Each maker lists its rings for its own plates and lifts: Kreg's Level-Loc set for Kreg's plate and lift, JessEm's Tab-Lock set for JessEm plates and lifts with the Tab-Lock system. Buy rings for the system your plate uses.[1][2]
What ring size for my bit?
Follow your ring maker's rule. Woodpeckers recommends an opening about 1/8 to 1/4 in larger than the bit for its rings; Bosch says the difference on its RA1181 must be no less than 1/16 in on a side. Neither is a rule for other systems.[3][9]
Can I use guide bushings in my router table?
Only if the plate or table maker provides for them. Kreg's plates include a 1-3/16 in ring that accepts standard universal-style guide bushings, while Bosch says its RA1171 and RA1181 tables do not accept any template guides.[6][10]
Will new INCRA rings fit an old plate?
Not always. INCRA says its CleanSweep rings fit only 2006-or-newer INCRA plates and lifts with a 3-5/8 in opening through the bottom, and not gray phenolic MagnaLOCK plates or first-generation gold Mast-R-Lifts with a 3-1/2 in opening.[5]