How to Install a Router Lift in a Table Saw Extension | JessEm Rout-R-Lift II

I got this JessEm Rout-R-Lift II for Christmas last year and finally got around to installing it in the extension of my table saw. The table is MDF with melamine topping, into which I routed a recess to catch the phenolic top of the lift insert. I then made a switched outlet box to control the router and ran it through some test cuts. It works great!
🔨 Build article: www.glennfrazee.com/projects/router-lift-table-saw-extension
- JessEm Rout-R-Lift II: amzn.to/3aqClVc
- DeWalt DW616 Router: amzn.to/3h1LBAo
- Paddle switch: amzn.to/2Y5j8AY
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[@garyknight6766]

I am doing the same on my table saw table as well, this was a great help. One question, can you provide reference (brand) to where to purchase that safety switch?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

I used this one: amzn.to/2Y5j8AY

[@allenrosenblum3654]

I use a light switch and wire it to an outlet. Switch goes on the outside of the table and the outlet is behind it on the inside of the table. Now you can plug your router in and your shop vac.

[@dufreebell]

You make the build appear so simple. Thanks for making the video and sharing your idea.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Glad it was helpful

[@belavandervoort]

No riving knife, no push sticks, no fingers, no problem.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You got it 👍

[@craigjohnston5678]

Very helpful - thank you.

[@mcongmail7278]

Thank you very much for this tutorial. It is a great help!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Glad to hear it!

[@pcm9969]

I'm purchasing a Jessem II and wanted to know how to mount it. A most excellent video! Thanks.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Glad it was helpful, Perry!

[@CharlesNolanArt]

That is 100% cool! I want this! very good video, thank you!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Charles!

[@adamkirkland4348]

Awesome video! Thanks for all the little details. You got a new subscriber.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Adam!

[@PermacultureLongboarder]

LOVE the switch brother what a cool build and great idea no longer having to tote around extension cords or trip over the shop vac :)

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks!

[@dannmarks]

Well this is my second time watching the video. Table is made and Lift Table is in. Tomorrow I will add Switch and start using it. I like the storage for the screw for the lift.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Glad it was helpful 👍

[@jasonm887]

Nice work, buddy. Im looking at this exact lift. Looks fantastic!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Jason!

[@normancarnahan4893]

Thanks Glenn! Useful demo on the router plate installation. It sure seems like it would be helpful if JessEm would provide a simple (and free) PDF printable template. Oh well. For those who may not have a 1 1/2 inch diameter rabbeting bit, a 1 1/2 inch Forstner bit (or even a 1 1/2 inch hole saw) should help make the 3/4 inch radius rounded corners --- using appropriate depth setting and some TLC.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Norm! Good suggestion.

[@erikpound5285]

good job!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Erik!

[@LcarlosCiceron8254]

Excelente paso a paso, Gracias!!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Gracias Luis!

[@dzillen]

Thanks!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You're welcome!

[@bryonweatherford1772]

On your test cut, that pin in the insert Is a STARTER PIN. You start with your work piece on it for support as you feed it into the bit.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Yep. I don't really use them so was unfamiliar.

[@sal8372]

Enjoyed vid

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

👍

[@demarsouthard3620]

Thanks for the video -- it was a big help. I was surprised that JessEm doesn't include a guide for installing the router lift in a custom built table. They assume you've bought theirs.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Glad it was helpful

[@trenton7]

You’re playing with fire with that table saw

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Aren't we all

[@mikebowers8872]

I did 4 of these set ups on Tuesday, don't over think it

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

I wasn't under the impression that I did.

[@jonconnors6488]

Thanks for this! Questions as I'm fairly new to woodworking. For your jig in the beginning to drill the corner holes right before using your jigsaw, the bit used is 3/4" forstner? Also, is the center of the jig hole 3/4 in from both sides or is it just easier to make sure the hole is just inside the sides of the inner line so there is a 1/4" gap to the inner line corner? I imagine this is how you get the right corner rounding so the corners of the plate fit well after you go around with your rabbit bit? Last question, are you using a 1 1/2" rabbit bit to go around for the recess? Thanks!

[@user-kp8ms4rf9k]

Did the 4 corner screws and inserts come with your Router Lift ? I only got 4 screws with no inserts.

[@derrickknight4985]

The grub screw on the bottom plate needs screwing in so the bolt touches the top plate.

[@drewjbx228]

Thanks for sharing this video! Can you tell me the depth of the recess, I plan on cutting a hole for this exact same insert on a CNC table.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

It's the same as the platen thickness

[@jimcadorette9418]

Thanks for your video. Any thoughts on how you would add dust collection from below the table besides making a box?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Jim. Nothing better springs to mind than boxing it in.

[@allenrosenblum3654]

Dust collection bin from ROCKLER.

[@cfamily9095]

Hi Glenn -- Loved the video. First time watching your channel. Hey can I ask you a question that there may not be a good answer to? I'm a new woodworker. What's the benefit of adding the router table to your table saw extension vs a separate router table either built or bought? Just personal preference or is there a reason to have it as part of table saw? Thanks - Craig

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

My space is limited, so including it in my table saw makes it a two-for-one machine. If I had the space, I'd have used a dedicated table.

[@cbartek63]

What size of bit did you use with the template for the corners ? Thanks

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

I used one of these: amzn.to/2RiH7gC

[@kurtiswilliams6629]

One thing I haven't been able to find was this: what is the diameter of your rabbeting bit cutter head? It seems to match the corner radius of the plate flawlessly.

[@kurtiswilliams6629]

Excellent video by the way! Thanks for the content. You should consider adding affiliate links for the router bits you used as well, just saying, people looking to buy a lift probably already have a router but they might not have the bits and those ain't cheap ;)

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Kurtis! I drilled holes in the corners so that the rabbeting but I had would work. Requires a bit of math, and will depend on the bit you have available.

[@aux1z11]

I'm looking to get this for my extension table, how thick is this plate ?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

About 3/8" or so

[@cbartek63]

What's the drill bit size in your jig for the corners ? Thanks again

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

I think it was 1/4".

[@psomlo]

@@GlennFrazeeYT As per another video and my own inspection, the corners of the lift appear to have a 3/4" radius.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Ah, the corner radius of the top plate, yes. Couldn't tell what the OP was asking.

[@The_Ol_Bizzaroo]

Great video! How wide did you end up making the rabbet for the plate to rest on? Thanks!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

About 1/2".

[@mattsgarageshop]

Nice work. What size threaded inserts did you use? (I don’t have a thread gauge so want to order the right size from McMaster-Carr)

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

They were 1/4-20 inserts, but I also ended up buying new screws for the corners because I think the ones that came with the insert were metric.

[@charlieodom9107]

You are relying on 3/8" of particle board to support the router and lift. Is that not a weak support? I would think a more substantial material or thickness would be needed. I plan on buying one of these at some point. I was thinking of mounting it in standard 3/4" plywood, but worry about strength. I don't want this thing to flex or bow with just 3/8" material under it.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

You can always reinforce the table top.

[@allenrosenblum3654]

Make your table top 1and 1/2 thick. I used mdf and Formica. Three-quarter MDF glue to 1/2 inch MDF and then the for Mormica. Kitchen shops usually have scraps hanging around and you can get a good deal.

[@midnightsun2483]

It’s will sag overtime. Cast iron is way to go

[@charlieodom9107]

@@midnightsun2483 right, because everyone has a God damn casting forge in their garage to make a router table top!!!!

[@stevesiefken6432]

Is there only one screw holding the router into the lift?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

It's held on by a collar with sliding rods to adjust up and down.

[@adgieem1]

I STRONGLY suggest you ADD supports under table as close to router lift as you can to prevent the table from sagging. The weight of the router and lift will ABSOLUTELY cause it to sag over time since you used particle board ..

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Replacing the table is on my list. It's older than I am.

[@adgieem1]

@@GlennFrazeeYT but not as wise right. 😉

[@jeffreyt7177]

How large of a rabbet did you cut??

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

I think it was 7/16"

[@davebuchanan9761]

so its been one yearish, how do you like the JessEm router lift, thanks

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

It's a nice tool to have, and makes possible a lot of tasks that would be downright dangerous without it (i.e., making raised panels with the router in hand). I still have yet to build a fence and implement dust collection, which will make it even better.

[@davebuchanan9761]

@@GlennFrazeeYT thank you!!

[@MrKYT-gb8gs]

Why the hell does this thing now have measurements markers?? Insane.

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

How's that?

[@MrKYT-gb8gs]

@@GlennFrazeeYT you know the measurements on both sides to align a fence? I bought this unit and the mechanism is nice but the measurements are not given!!

[@CharlesNolanArt]

You could not have done any better. I like this but I have not checked the price!

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Thanks Charles!

[@ConcreteLand]

It’s a router attachment…really expensive.

[@UnstupidTube]

Nice build.... But you don't know how to use a starting pin do you.... :)

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Nope, I don't normally use one 😅

[@charlieodom9107]

I don't either! I was wondering what that thing was!

[@UnstupidTube]

@@charlieodom9107 Yea.... Just a safety mechanism to help you get your cuts started. Start on the pin then move away from it... here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6SneZaqm72GZ68

[@murlisp375]

OK

[@jamalama5548]

Excellent video. No dumb ass background music! Have you thought about dust collection?

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

In the works

[@jeffwilder7117]

I built a whole cabinet with 3 small drawers for router bits, on each side of the router access door. Two large drawers below that. This was built to go in between my table saw rails. Hooked dust collection to back of cabinet on router access. Works great.

[@cbassrips]

Likely to sag over time unfortunately

[@GlennFrazeeYT]

Maybe. It's holding up fine for the time being while I dither on making a better table.