Shortlist · Router lifts
Router lifts with a published plate size and motor list
Approved router lifts whose makers publish the plate outline and the routers or motor diameters they take, with the variant to choose for each router.
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Short answer
Six approved lifts publish a plate outline and a router list or motor range. For a router on JessEm's chart, choose the Mast-R-Lift II 02120; for a Kreg table, the Kreg PRS5000; for a 3.5 in motor, the JessEm Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT. SpeTool and Woodpeckers lifts fit too, once their makers confirm your router.
How we chose
A lift is on this list only if:
- The maker states the plate outline. JessEm lists the Mast-R-Lift II 02120 with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in top plate.[1] Kreg lists the PRS5000 plate at 3/8 x 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in.[2] JessEm lists the Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in phenolic plate,[3] and SpeTool the P01002 with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in aluminum plate.[4]
- The maker states the routers or motor sizes. JessEm's manual puts the Porter-Cable 7518 at clamp setting A1 for a 4.2 in motor,[5] and groups the Porter-Cable 690/890, Bosch 1617/1618 and DeWalt 610/618 at F4 for 3.5 in.[5] Kreg says the PRS5000 takes 20+ popular routers per its chart and a Kreg Q&A answer confirms the 7518.[2] JessEm names the 3.5XT's direct fits.[3] SpeTool gives a 2.56 to 4.21 in motor range.[4]
- It is in our approved catalog with a store listing.
Routers and router tables are never picks here; they are what the lifts must fit. The INCRA Mast-R-Lift II meets the first two tests, with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in plate,[6] but it is not in our approved catalog yet.
Widest published router chart
JessEm Mast-R-Lift II 02120 router lift (9‑1/4 x 11‑3/4 in plate)
Pick it if: 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in openings and routers on JessEm's chart
- Why it's here
- JessEm lists model 02120 with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in top plate, and its manual gives a clamp setting and motor diameter for each listed router: 4.2 in for the Porter-Cable 7518, 3.5 in for the Porter-Cable 690/890, Bosch 1617/1618 and DeWalt 610/618, and figures for Makita, Hitachi, Milwaukee and Ridgid models.
- Watch out
- JessEm's page states no plate thickness or corner radius for 02120. Tables without a rabbeted ledge may need extra support. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or JessEm.
- Insert-plate outline (e.g. 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in)
- 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in (model 02120)
- Plate thickness
- Not stated
- Plate corner radius
- Not stated
- Router motor body diameter
- 4.2 in and 3.5 in groups; manual chart adds Makita 1101 3.218 in, Hitachi M12VC 3.267 in, Milwaukee 5615/5616/5619 3.32 in, Ridgid R29302 3.625 in
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
For Kreg router tables
Kreg PRS5000 Precision Router Lift
Pick it if: Kreg tables and the Porter-Cable 7518
- Why it's here
- Kreg lists a 3/8 x 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in hard-anodized aluminum plate, three Level-Loc rings (1, 1-3/16 and 2-5/8 in), and says the PRS5000 fits all Kreg router tables. A Kreg Q&A answer confirms the Porter-Cable 7518.
- Watch out
- Kreg's router chart is an image we could not read, so only the 7518 is confirmed here; Kreg's Q&A says the DeWalt 625 will not work. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Kreg.
- Insert-plate outline (e.g. 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in)
- 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in (235 x 298 mm)
- Plate thickness
- 3/8 in (9.5 mm)
- Plate corner radius
- Not stated
- Router motor body diameter
- Not stated
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
For 3.5 in motors
JessEm Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT router lift for 3‑1/2 in motors
Pick it if: Porter-Cable 690/890, Bosch 1617/1618 and DeWalt 610/616/618 owners
- Why it's here
- JessEm lists the Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in phenolic plate for 3.5 in motors, naming the Porter-Cable 690/890, Bosch 1617/1618 and DeWalt 610/616/618 among direct fits.
- Watch out
- JessEm says the Makita 1101 and Hitachi M12VC/KM12VC need its optional 3D-printable collar. It does not take 4.2 in motors such as the 7518. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or JessEm.
- Insert-plate outline (e.g. 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in)
- 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in
- Plate thickness
- 3/8 in (phenolic)
- Plate corner radius
- Not stated
- Router motor body diameter
- 3.5 in
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
Motor range rather than a single chart
SpeTool P01002 router lift
Pick it if: 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in openings, after SpeTool confirms your router
- Why it's here
- SpeTool lists the P01002 with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in hard-anodized 6061 aluminum plate for routers with motor diameters of 2.56 to 4.21 in (65 to 107 mm).
- Watch out
- A diameter range is SpeTool's claim, not a model-by-model chart; confirm your exact router with SpeTool before ordering. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or SpeTool.
- Insert-plate outline (e.g. 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in)
- 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in
- Plate thickness
- 3/8 in solid 6061 aluminum
- Plate corner radius
- Not stated
- Router motor body diameter
- 2.56-4.21 in (65-107 mm); the details section says 2-9/16 to 4-3/16 in
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
Woodpeckers lift, 4.2 in version
Woodpeckers QuickLift 420 router lift, aluminum plate (QL420‑A‑23)
Pick it if: 4.2 in motors such as the Porter-Cable 7518, after checking Woodpeckers' list
- Why it's here
- Woodpeckers' own store listing labels the QL420-A as the aluminum-plate QuickLift for 4.2 in router motors, and Woodpeckers' listing names the Porter-Cable 7518.
- Watch out
- These are the listing's labels; our fact-checker has not confirmed Woodpeckers' figures, and no plate thickness or corner radius is stated. Confirm the router list and your table on Woodpeckers' page before you order. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Woodpeckers.
- Insert-plate outline (e.g. 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in)
- 9.25 x 11.75 in
- Plate thickness
- Not stated
- Plate corner radius
- Not stated
- Router motor body diameter
- 4.2 in
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
Woodpeckers lift, 3.5 in version
Woodpeckers QuickLift 350 router lift, aluminum plate (QL350‑A‑23)
Pick it if: 3.5 in motors, after checking Woodpeckers' list
- Why it's here
- Woodpeckers' own store listing labels the QL350-A as the aluminum-plate QuickLift for 3.5 in router motors, and names routers including the Bosch 1617/1618, DeWalt 618 and Porter-Cable 690/890.
- Watch out
- As with the QL420-A, these are the listing's labels, not figures our fact-checker has confirmed; confirm the router list and table fit on Woodpeckers' page. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Woodpeckers.
- Insert-plate outline (e.g. 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in)
- 9.25 x 11.75 in
- Plate thickness
- Not stated
- Plate corner radius
- Not stated
- Router motor body diameter
- 3.5 in
Values are the manufacturer's specs unless marked.
Fit at a glance
| Lift | Plate (maker's figure) | Routers or motors (maker's list) |
|---|---|---|
| JessEm Mast-R-Lift II 02120 | 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in | Chart by model: 4.2 in, 3.5 in and others |
| Kreg PRS5000 | 3/8 x 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 in | 20+ routers per Kreg's chart; 7518 confirmed |
| JessEm Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT | 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in | 3.5 in motors; collar for Makita 1101, Hitachi M12VC |
| SpeTool P01002 | 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in | Motors 2.56 to 4.21 in |
| Woodpeckers QL420-A / QL350-A | Not confirmed by us | Listing labels: 4.2 in / 3.5 in motors |
What to check before you order
Check your table's support. INCRA says tables without a rabbeted ledge, such as Kreg and JessEm tables, need its CleanSweep Table Adapter to support its lift,[6] so look under your top before choosing any lift. If you own a Porter-Cable 7518, check its date code against the 2014 recall first: see the recall guide.
See the router lifts hub and will my router fit a router lift.
Questions
Which lift on this list takes a Porter-Cable 7518?
JessEm's Mast-R-Lift II manual lists the 7518 at clamp setting A1 for a 4.2 in motor, and a Kreg Q&A answer confirms it for the PRS5000. The Rout-R-Lift 3.5XT is for 3.5 in motors only.[5][2]
Why is the INCRA Mast-R-Lift II not on the list?
It is not in our approved catalog yet. INCRA lists it with a 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 x 3/8 in plate and a 0.750 in corner radius, and notes it is not compatible with Rockler or Bench Dog tables.[6]
Are these lifts the most accurate?
We make no accuracy claim. Figures such as JessEm's 1/16 in per handle revolution are the maker's mechanism specs, not measured accuracy.[5]