DIY Router Lifts: Creative Ways to Get Precision Without Breaking the Bank

For any woodworker, a router lift is a game-changer. It allows you to adjust your router bit height from above the table, giving precision and convenience for everything from dados to intricate edging. Unfortunately for South African woodworkers, most commercial router lifts—from brands like Woodpecker or Kreg—aren’t compatible with the routers commonly available here. The UJK router lift is an option, but at its price point, it’s out of reach for the average hobbyist.

The good news? With a bit of ingenuity, you can create a DIY router lift solution that works for your weekend workshop without spending a fortune.

1. The Scissor Jack Method

One of the simplest ways to lift and adjust your router is by using a small scissor jack beneath the router base. Here’s how it works:

• Setup: Mount your router under the table as usual, but place a compact scissor jack directly beneath it.
  
• Adjustment: Turn the jack handle to lift the router slightly. With the router fixed in place, this lets you make fine vertical adjustments.
  
• Advantages: Scissor jacks are cheap, readily available at hardware stores, and allow controlled incremental movement.
  
• Limitations: You’ll need a stable platform to prevent tilting, and extreme precision may require a fine-threaded jack or screw adjustment.
  

Tip: You can mount the jack permanently under a router table with a small platform that sits flush with the table surface. This turns it into a semi-permanent DIY router lift that’s surprisingly smooth to operate.

2. Lead Screw & Nut Mechanism

Another DIY approach is adapting a threaded lead screw system:

• Attach a nut to the top of the router and a threaded rod through a platform above.
  
• Turning the rod raises or lowers the router via the nut.
  
• This can be built with metal rods and nuts from your local hardware store.
  

Pros: Offers precise, repeatable adjustments similar to a commercial lift.
Cons: Requires careful alignment to avoid binding, and setup can be fiddly for a first-time builder.

3. Car Jack or Bottle Jack Hack

For heavier routers, some woodworkers have adapted a small car jack or bottle jack beneath the router platform.

• Setup: Mount the router on a stable plate attached to the jack.
  
• Adjustment: Pump or screw the jack to raise the router incrementally.
  
• Benefits: Handles heavy routers easily and provides robust movement.
  
• Caution: Requires a secure mount; wobble will affect precision. Not ideal for fine-tuning smaller bits.
  

4. Sliding Plate with Lead Screws

If you enjoy tinkering, you can design a sliding router plate that moves up and down on linear bearings, driven by one or two fine-threaded lead screws.

• This essentially mimics commercial router lifts.
  
• Allows smooth, controlled movement, and works with the routers you already own.
  
• More complex to build, but extremely satisfying for the tech-savvy woodworker.
  

5. Adjustable Router Platforms

For simpler setups, some woodworkers just mount the router to a small adjustable platform:

• Use spacers or threaded leveling screws at each corner.
  
• Fine-tune the height by adjusting screws individually.
  
• While not as quick as a lift, this works for occasional adjustments and avoids costly purchases.
  

Key Considerations

When creating a DIY router lift:

• Stability: Even small wobbles ruin precision. Ensure any lifting mechanism is solid and centered.
  
• Repeatability: Once set, your mechanism should reliably return the router to the same height.
  
• Safety: Always secure the router. Lifting under load can create pinch points.
  
• Accessibility: Make adjustments from above the table wherever possible—this is the main convenience of a router lift.
  

While commercial router lifts are limited in South Africa, the creativity of a DIY approach can give you similar convenience at a fraction of the cost. Whether it’s a scissor jack, threaded rod, or sliding plate system, there’s a solution for every workshop and skill level.

For those who do want a ready-made option, the UJK router lift is available locally through our online store at tools4.co.za—but for weekend warriors and hobbyists, building your own lift is a rewarding and cost-effective alternative.

With a bit of ingenuity and patience, you can lift your router, raise your precision, and keep your projects on track without breaking the bank.