JessEm Router Lift Unboxing and Installation

[@Rich32262]

I just bought the same lift, i'll be referencing this during my own install. Thanks for sharing the mistakes too. We all learn a lot from them. I think the what you got right is just as educational as the oops moments. Thanks for the video.

[@MartyBacke]

Thanks, I appreciate that :-)

[@randygust3423]

I am also thinking about buying this lift. How are you liking yours?

[@Rich32262]

@@randygust3423 Very happy with it. Jessum makes high quality tools.

[@MJ-sq4do]

Thanks for the review. I appreciate the tip on making a template for the plate especially about using pocket screw to attach the four pieces.

[@stevecushman3105]

Excellent review. I have been researching for a couple of months now. So far the Jessum is top on my list. Thanks.

[@GuysShop]

I was looking at that same lift. Thanks for sharing your experience with the installation.

[@gwesco]

Actually the radius of the corners is 3/4 inch and not 5/8ths. I found a doc on the Jessem website that says to use a 1-1/2 inch bit to make the corners. Those holes are not the center of the radius. I wasn't going to pay $25 + for their template just for a one time use so I made my own.

[@antigen4]

is it really 1-1/2" ?? doesn't look so big from here

[@MrCaptainobvious9999]

Thanks for sharing the video and review Marty. This looks like a very solid unit. Enjoy!

[@wagsman9999]

Great video. Thank you. I guess I need to decide if I am going with the 1 1/4 pattern bit, or use a forstner bit for the corners.

[@MysteryMycology]

Nice work man. You gotta do something about the tool volume though, you about blew my eardrums out 2 times even after turning down after the first tool use. But when I turn it down enough for the tools to not explode my head I can't hear you talking.

[@MartyBacke]

+Ryan Edwards Sorry about that. There's thousands of different user equipment (pc's, laptops, tablets, phones, etc) configurations, so it's hard to get it right for everyone. But I hear you - no pun intended.

[@detroittrickster3327]

@@MartyBacke great video man thx

[@chriss1183]

Thanks for the video. You just sold me on buying this with the kit I am ordering from Incra....

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

Thanks for sharing. Also, can you tell me what brand of plastic organizers you have hanging on the wall by the door ? I need more organization. Thanks !

[@MartyBacke]

Those are Rubbermaid organizers. Bought many years ago. Here's a picture from Pinterest: images.app.goo.gl/7WBWhHZb9wQ192x8A

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

​@@MartyBacke funny that years later our paths would cross again via EUC's. I still haven't located that organizer.

[@nohabs15]

Thanks. Great review. By chance I have a catalog open to the JessEm Mast-R-Lift, which I'm thinking of getting.

[@MartyBacke]

Also, take a look at the Incra Lift. It's made for them by Jessem and is essentially identical to this one, but it utilizes Incra's inserts which many people think are better. But it's my understanding that everything below the table is identical.

[@PLaTerra]

Nice vid. Very helpful. Would you use that bit for a laminated top? I bought the Rockler top and unfortunately it doesn’t fit my JessEm lift system. Thanks.

[@MartyBacke]

Sure, it works with all materials.

[@Calkidd]

To prevent the lack of radius use the template provided by Jessem or Woodpeckers with as 5/8" template bearing router bit. This also prevents all the unnecessary work making your own template.

[@MartyBacke]

Sometimes it's just nice to do the work yourself (and save a little money), but if time is important or you lack the skills, it's great that commercial templates are available.

[@Calkidd]

@@MartyBacke lack of skills...seriously? So if my router base has a 3/4" radius I should do the job with a 1 1/2 bit and a home made template. You your self mentioned your radius was too short. I am all ears if there is a better way.

[@MartyBacke]

@@Calkidd BTW, I wasn't saying "you" have lack of skills. It was a generic statement. Everyone is somewhere in the spectrum of learning, and some people (beginners) don't have the skills or confidence to make their own templates. So I think it's a great option to be able to buy one. Isn't it? But likewise, people also like to make their own tools, templates, etc. Nothing controversial in these statements, I think :-) Yeah, I screwed up a little when I made mine. I'm not perfect and I make mistakes. I decided to show my mistake, but my self-made router table has been working great for years now. And if I ever make another one hopefully I won't make the same mistake again :-)

[@langstonjones69]

Great video, Marty! What were the dimensions of the square you cut out with the jigsaw?

[@randygust3423]

Having used your jessem lift for some time, would you buy it again or buy the incra version??

[@MartyBacke]

I'm still very happy with my purchase. The Incra ring insert system does appear to be an upgrade but not a ~$100 upgrade, IMHO. I've had no issues with mine. Where it counts they are both the same. If you have the Incra table that accepts this lift than it's probably worth it. Otherwise I'd save the money.

[@stevegronsky8904]

I have the Incra version of this router lift. I recently learned you can "zero out" your indicator wheel by simply placing the tool into it (do not push down as when you use the lift) and turn the dial with the tool. That way zero can point to one of the "major" lines on the dial.

[@MartyBacke]

Hi. Yes, I just learned of this too. Funny that I don't remember reading this in the manual, but at least I eventually discovered it :-) Thanks for the comment.

[@stevegronsky8904]

It makes for more exact bit height changes. I'm very pleased with my Incra model.

[@berkleyman1]

The backlash can be adjusted. There are 2 nuts/o ring on the shaft to adjust that.

[@MartyBacke]

Very true, and thanks for commenting. The disadvantage to tightening things up in order to remove the backlash is that the up/down movement of the router becomes more difficult. It's a balancing act to pick the right amount of tension.

[@Sandhillwoodworks]

When I got my Jessem it came with a template (I still have it) I am surprised to see how the quality of there lifts have declined.

[@dustyshifflett391]

Robert Egbert how have they declined, just because no template?

[@bobbg9041]

When I cut my hole out I read the directions that the timplate came with and ran it over the hole 2-3 times my router dropped right in the table, but the side to side adjustment didn't hit wood, and the lifts top could not fully drop through wood. Take my advice don't drill 4 holes and cut out all but the lip. Instead cut 4 3/8" strips set them inside the timplate and cut out the material down through the base this clears the waste and will give you a wider lip. Im not going to mesure mine but you might pull off a 1/2" extra lip. If you find one point interferes you can kock that spot down to fit with a jigsaw. Id rather have the extra material.

[@johnvanderhoof1248]

Nice vid Marty. I bought the Incra (Jessem Lift) I absolutely love it, I have no qualms about it at all. My suggestion to you, is to plan for an Incra Clean Sweep downdraft system; and while you are at it, buy the Magnalock rings for it. I installed both when I built my router table last year. I get zero dust. Well worth the cost, just my thoughts.

[@MartyBacke]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I'd have to buy a whole new system to get the components that you suggest. However much that I'd like them (I would), that's many hundreds of dollars. Sometimes you just have to settle for the not-so-latest-and-greatest. I'm still happy with my system and it works for me well enough :-)

[@chriss1183]

setting up my whole incra table and system. One of the reasons I purchased Incra outside of the fence and LS system is the clean sweep. This weekend I will finish putting everything together (made the panels for the cart so I can add drawers) and try out the clean sweep! It looks sweet!

[@alessandropiscozzo9904]

Please turn the volume of your power tools down when you use them

[@jazepi]

So what template router bit size actually match the corners? lol

[@MartyBacke]

At 15:50 I state, "I really should have bought an inch and a quarter pattern bit". If that's still not clear: 1-1/4"

[@MrEdsster]

Marty, now you've had your lift for awhile, would you recommend it and more importantly would you buy another one? Glad I found your Chanel. I'm looking forward to router videos.

[@MartyBacke]

MrEdsster Hi. I would buy the same router lift today. I love how easy it is to change bits and set the height, and I've had zero problems with it. It's built like a tank.

[@bobbg9041]

I've got the budget lift and would buy either one of them again. I found out if your going to run larger bits speed control is a must. Most low power routers do not have speed control or the power to spin a raised panel bit under load. You'll want both. So a speedomatic might be one of your only options to do doors. Now I know as soon as I wrote this someone will show me 15 other ways to do a raised panel.

[@Sandhillwoodworks]

Marty I was not aware DeWalt made a track saw is the vacuum also DeWalt how do you like it?

[@MartyBacke]

Hi Bob, I've had the track saw for a few years now, and really like it. I use it to break down all my sheet goods. The quality of the cut is excellent, and the dust collection is fantastic (circular saws can really throw the dust). I use my Shopvac brand vacuum with the tracksaw. See the two review videos that I made for the saw: Dewalt Tracksaw Review - Part 1 of 2.mp4 and Dewalt Tracksaw Review - Part 2 of 2.mp4

[@NWGR]

Marty, great video. :-) I personally would have went for the incra version of the mast r lift II. It has a much better insert ring system. They're adjustable for level and can be changed without tools. Otherwise it's identical to the jessem (jessem makes the incra version). Add-on: I'm pretty sure there's a backlash adjustment. I can't remember off hand how to do it.

[@MartyBacke]

There is an adjustment for backlash according to the manual. They imply that this adjustment might be necessary over time if things loosen up. It's not all that simple to do, and something that shouldn't be necessary with a new unit. The instructions also imply that doing so will stiffen the adjust process (i.e., not being able to raise and lower the router with one finger). Yeah, maybe I should have gone for the Incra version - there's always something better just around the corner :-(

[@thomasgilbert9347]

Great review and install.

[@steveiv9250]

Great video, I am also looking at buying this lift, can you send me the dimensions of the lift table, length width and table thickness. Maybe the radius of the corners. Thank you

[@LiloUkulele]

the corners are 5/8" radius...that means you need a 1-1/4" diameter pattern bit, (mentioned in the video) which is not available. After much futzing to create the exact radius, my buddy suggested just let the corners have the little half moon...ultimately the most straight forward solution...its a tool not a piano...and I make classical guitars

[@langstonjones69]

@@LiloUkulele smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T7J4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@jeffmazur8037]

Marty you're not only skilled, you're COCKY - I've got to say that I personally would NOT have done all the work you did on the edges before cutting in the recess for the lift, practice or no practice. Helpful video, thanks!

[@MartyBacke]

LOL - thanks

[@billonthehill9984]

Really nice build here & done the old school way, my preferred method. It appears your template is dead on the money from what I can see on the video. That in of itself should minimize little to no adj. screw down contact into the melamine material, if substantial contact becomes necessary, perhaps some metal inset below the screws, i.e., coins such as pennies or nickels might do the trick... Excellent review on this unit as I have read more negatives than positives based on poor customer service & a lack of templates or at least template drawings or levelers themselves for the plate to sit onto & designed for the adj. screws to sit into...Clearly this Jessem router lift is missing key components too as their other lifts are as well...Currently, I'm on pause with respect to the Jessem router lifts... Thank you, Bill on the Hill, Vermont, USA...

[@MartyBacke]

I continue to be very happy with my copy of the the JessEm lift.

[@mamcrostie]

I like the video it was informative, but I really wished you had muted the machine noise. I had to turn up the volume to hear you speak, and then when you used any machine it blow my eardrums out. So I was turning up and down the volume all the time :(

[@MartyBacke]

Sorry about that

[@georgekaramolegos5345]

nice work. which porter router are you using and what are your thoughts on it?

[@MartyBacke]

+George Karamolegos I use the Porter-Cable7518 Speedmatic. It's built like a tank and has more power than I'll ever really need, but I'd prefer to have more power than not enough. I'm not an extreme user, but it's been very reliable for me.

[@nastythomashobbs]

Should have just bought the Jessem router table system. I love it.

[@MartyBacke]

I'm glad you're enjoying your table

[@StevieTodd]

You really should turn the volume down at least 50% when you're running your machines, we're not wearing ear protection while watching.....usually save them for the shop!

[@MacTech007]

Marty, you likely didn't know that JessEm Tools sells a CNC MDF Router Template for marking / cutting / routing out the hole for that Master Lift you bought. These are now available in the USA from VerySupperCool Tools - vsctools.com/shop/jessem-router-template/. This sure would have made your job a lot easier and 100% accurate. Hope you find the link of interest.

[@MartyBacke]

MacTech007 Yes, I know you can buy templates for these kind of things, but it doesn't take long to make your own. I'm not against buying templates that can be used a lot. But paying >$25 for a one time template seems like a waste of money, to me. I think the quote from Allan on that website is funny - "This would have saved me hours and hours." I think that's over the top hyperbole. Maybe it took me an hour to make my template and route the access. Also, Allan owns the vsctools company, so that's not exactly an unbiased 'user' of the template. But others might find the template useful, so thanks for posting.

[@BillyBob-ir6lx]

I couldn't live with corners, I'd have to fix that

[@MartyBacke]

Yeah, it bothered me but I got over it :-)

[@steverochon1620]

Your router table is too low for you. Did you make that yourself or purchase it? If you don't notice it now, I believe you will in years to come as you become an older woodworker.

[@LemonySnicket-EUC]

He's definitely an old man now 😀.

[@herbfellows6435]

Please change title to 'Mast R Lift 2', this is a different tool!

[@diegohperez6434]

For the price you paid for that el shipo plastic things that is no alright 350 English pounds I make one my whit aluminium and stainless steel’s easy why this company robe the customers china do better lift is this company call HONGDUI which make a table saw fence very very well made check that I don’t have exactly the reference but my friend go one 👍