Kreg’s newest precision router lift is the PRS5000. Out of the box, it is set up to accept the ubiquitous Porter-Cable 7518 router, but it can easily be reconfigured to fit 20 other popular models without extra adapters or modifications. The plate itself, made of anodized aluminum, is a pretty standard 3⁄8 in. thick by 9-1⁄4 in. wide by 11-3⁄4 in. long. It will fit in most brands of router table, and comes with several accessories, including a beefy stainless-steel starting pin, a necessity for safely routing without a fence.

The most important aspect of any lift is the up-and-down operation, and here the Kreg performed really well, moving both smoothly and precisely. And while I don’t typically rely on a lift’s micro-adjustment guide, preferring to go by eye and test cuts, I found the scale on this one was machined accurately: Each rotation corresponds to 1⁄16 in. of travel. And the lines on the dial were a useful visual reference when making small changes.

Unlike most lift models I’ve used, the Kreg does not have leveling screws on the underside of the plate, instead relying on a separate piece of hardware to level it to the table. This system works fine if you’re installing it into the Kreg router table (which I used for this test), as the leveling clips are included in the table kit. Otherwise, you need to either engineer something or purchase the levelers for around $20.

My one complaint is with the plastic insert rings that reduce the plate’s opening for different router bits. The lift comes with three rings—a 1-in., a 1-1⁄8-in. that is designed to fit a rub collar (a useful addition), and a 2-5⁄8-in. Kreg does sell a separate set with a larger range, but an additional ring in between the medium and large sizes would be nice addition to this kit. Also, after just a few weeks of use, the plastic had started to wear.

Nevertheless, this is a tool that I liked overall and recommend.

—Owain Harris is a furniture maker and teacher
in New Hampshire.

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