Router table insert template for a JessEm or Kreg router lift

Router templates for cutting out the insert for router lifts using the standard 9.5mm x 235mm x 298mm or 3⁄8" x 9 1⁄4" x 11 3⁄4" plates such as the:

• JessEm Mast-R-Lift II (02120, 02123)
• JessEm Rout-R-Lift II (02310, 02311, 02312, 02313, 02314)
• JessEm Rout-R-Lift Prestige (02320, 02321, 02322, 02323)
• Kreg Precision Router Lift (KR-PRS5000)

The template uses a 19mm radius on the corners of the router plate.

Print Information

To support printers with smaller print beds the templates come in pieces, which can be printed separately and snap together. 

Print using PLA with 10% infill, with three wall loops, 0.4mm print head with 0.2mm layers.

Router Plate Installation

You will need

• 26mm/1" inverted flush trim router bit (where the bearing is closest to the shank of the router bit). If using a shorter bit on a trim router reduce the height of templates to allow sufficient routing depth.

To cut out the opening for the router table

1. Print out 4 x Router table template - inner piece.
2. Assemble the four pieces. Use blue/painters/masking tape on the surface of the wood. Attach the template to the tape on the wood surface using double-sided tape.
3. Route all the way through the wood using the inner edge of the template as a guide. If you don't have a plunge router, drill a hole for the start of the routing.
4. Print out 2 x Router table template - outer piece 1 and 2 x Router table template - outer piece 2. If your print bed is large enough, print out 2 x Router table template - outer pieces 1+2 to save print time.
5. Assemble the four pieces and position evenly outside the hole cut in the previous steps. Use blue/painters/masking tape on the surface of the wood. Attach the template to the tape on the wood surface using double-sided tape.
6. Route out the remaining wood using the inner edge of the template to a depth of 9.5mm or 3⁄8".
7. Depending on the thickness of your router table top, and router lift model (JessEm's use smaller mounting screws all around the edge of the plate, while Kreg plates have larger mounting screws in each corner of the plate) you may need to glue wood strips around the underside of the table top to provide sufficient depth for the router plate mounting screws.

Updates

• 2024-03-11 - outer piece's width increased to prevent router wobble. I had a couple of small nicks out of the edge of the outer edge of my router table due to the template not being wide enough to support the trim router securely.