Workpiece at working height: Clamping station, assembly bench, and transport aid all in one—height-adjustable via foot pump; on the 400 XL Cordless model, height adjustment is electric.
Which model is right for you? A guide to help you decide
Can't decide between two models? Give us a call at +49 7402 8414 —we'll help you figure it out in ten minutes. Or schedule a consultation at our shop.
Which lift table is right for you?
Choose a desk that suits your work—or build your own using a base frame and a tabletop.
Basic
120 × 80 cm, fixed · 300 kg · Foot pump
If you work in a compact space or need a second station
Classic Recommendation
160 × 80 cm, extends to 220 cm · 300 kg · foot pump
If you’re working on doors, door frames, and long planks
Premium
120 × 80 cm, folds out to 160 × 120 cm · 300 kg · foot pump
When you need a little or a lot of surface area
Classic 400 XL
200 × 100 cm, extends to 270 cm · 400 kg · electric
If you lift heavy loads daily or need boards over two meters long
Prefer to put it together yourself? Start with the base frame and choose your tabletop separately—a solid panel with a hole pattern, or an extendable or fold-out version. The same base frame supports all tabletops.
For most workshops, the Classic is the right choice: it extends from 160 to 220 cm, and the side clamping rails are designed to hold Bessey GTR clamps directly. They all have one thing in common—the 20-mm-diameter hole pattern spaced at 96-mm intervals: your Festool MFT and Bessey accessories fit without any modifications.
“Fast delivery, great product (RUWI Basic Lift Table)—quick to set up and ready to use right away. I’d definitely buy from them again!”
RUWI Lift Table – the height-adjustable workbench for carpentry shops and workshops
The RUWI lifting table is the height-adjustable workbench for the workshop—and more than just a workbench: it’s a mobile assembly bench, clamping station, and transport aid all in one. Using the hydraulic foot pump—or the electric pump on battery-powered models—you can adjust the working height continuously and raise even heavy workpieces to a back-friendly height. For carpenters, joiners, and metalworkers, this transforms a table into a workstation that grows with you. Four lockable swivel casters let you move it right to where you’re working.
The key feature is the 20-mm hole pattern (96 × 96 mm grid) in the HPL-coated multiplex panel: You can freely position clamps, clamping bolts, stops, and support rails on it—turning every RUWI lifting table into a clamping station. Because the grid spacing follows the common standard, accessories from Festool MFT, Sauter, and Bessey also fit without modification. The panel is scratch-resistant and easy to clean; the scissor-type construction made of rectangular steel tubes supports up to 300 or 400 kg, depending on the model.
Lift Tables for the Workshop: How to Choose the Right Size, Load Capacity, and Drive System
Three questions will reliably guide you to the right table:
How big does the work surface need to be?
For individual parts, cabinet sections, and assembly in one go, 120 × 80 cm is sufficient—that’s the Basic and the folded-up Premium. As soon as doors, stair stringers, or long solid wood planks come into play, you’ll want the extendable surface of the Classic: 160 × 80 cm, extendable to 220 cm if needed. Only when you regularly need to work with panels over two meters long or multiple workpieces at once does the XL format with 200 × 100 cm (extended to 270 cm) make sense. And for those who usually work in a compact space but occasionally need a lot of surface area, the Premium offers the most flexibility—its base plate measures 120 × 80 cm and folds out to 120 × 160 cm in seconds via a swivel mechanism.
How much weight capacity do you need?
The 300-kg model covers virtually all woodworking applications—including heavy cabinet bodies, laminated wood panels, and solid wood. Opt for the 400-kg models if you regularly have machinery, engineered stone, natural stone, or particularly heavy assemblies on the table. If in doubt, the 300-kg model is more than sufficient for most woodworking shops.
Foot pump or rechargeable battery?
The hydraulic foot pump operates without electricity, is durable, and is more affordable to purchase—making it the right choice for the vast majority of workshops, which is why most lift tables come equipped with it. The electric drive adjusts the height hands-free and more quickly via a foot switch, but it relies on a charged CAS battery. One thing you should know beforehand: The electric drive is only available as the 400-XL model. If you want electric adjustment, you’re also opting for the large platform and 400 kg load capacity.
In a nutshell:
| Your typical work | Compatible model |
|---|---|
| Parts, assembly, compact workshop | Basic |
| Doors, stair stringers, long planks, gluing | Classic |
| Sometimes compact, sometimes covering a large area quickly | Premium |
| Custom plate or machine mount | Underframe |
| Very large slabs or particularly heavy loads | XL and 400 battery models |
A Comparison of the Models
| Model | Work surface | Load capacity | Working height | Height adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base 300 | 110 × 64 cm (without top) | 300 kg | 43–103 cm | Hydraulic foot pump |
| Base Frame 300 XL | 144 × 77 cm (without top) | 300 kg | 44.5–104 cm | Hydraulic foot pump |
| 400 XL Battery Base | 144 × 77 cm (without top) | 400 kg | 69–103.5 cm | Electric / Battery-powered |
| Basic 300 | 120 × 80 cm | 300 kg | 45–105 cm | Hydraulic foot pump |
| Classic 300 | 160 × 80 cm, extended 220 × 80 | 300 kg | 53–113 cm | Hydraulic foot pump |
| Classic 300 XL | 200 × 100 cm, extended 270 × 100 | 300 kg | 47–106.5 cm | Hydraulic foot pump |
| Classic 400 XL Battery | 200 × 100 cm, extended 270 × 100 | 400 kg | 71.5–106 cm | Electric / Battery-powered |
| Premium 300 | 120 × 80 cm, unfolded 120 × 160 | 300 kg | 57–117 cm | Hydraulic foot pump |
All panels feature a 20-mm hole pattern with a grid size of 96 × 96 mm.
What else you'll need
To avoid any surprises after your purchase—here’s a breakdown of what’s included separately and what you can skip.
The 400-XL cordless models do not come with a battery or charger. They are compatible with the 18-V CAS platform, which is used by Metabo, Mafell, and Lamello, among others—if you already have such batteries in use, you can start using them right away. Otherwise, the appropriate CAS battery and the ASC 55 charger are included.
Clamps, support rails, and clamping brackets are not included with the Basic, Classic, and some Premium models—you can add them as needed. If you want to start clamping right away, go with the Premium as a Premium Set (with four support rails) or as a Clamping Technology Package (which includes two additional vertical clamps, two horizontal clamps, and eight clamping brackets).
Two ways to get your table: fully assembled or assemble it yourself
You don't necessarily have to buy the finished table—there are two ways to achieve your goal:
The Complete Table. The Basic, Classic, and Premium models come as a ready-to-use set consisting of a base frame and a matching tabletop. This is the quickest option if you know what size you need.
Base frame plus tabletop. You start with the base frame and choose the tabletop separately—often the more affordable option. The same base supports all standard tabletops: for example, you can start with a fixed perforated tabletop and later upgrade to the extendable Classic tabletop or the fold-out swivel tabletop without changing the base frame. You can also mount your own tabletop or a machine mount on the same base frame—the solution for special requirements that a standard table doesn’t cover.
Overview of table tops – all designed for the standard base frame, with HPL laminate on both sides:
| table top | Work surface | 20 mm diameter holes | drawer | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Perforated Panel | 120 × 80 cm | 96 | - | Solid panel, 4 mm HPL |
| Perforated panel with drawer | 120 × 80 cm | 96 | yes | solid panel with storage space |
| Classic | 160 × 80 cm, extends to 220 × 80 | 128 | yes | two extendable extensions |
| Swivel plate | 120 × 80 cm, folds out to 160 × 120 | 96 / 192 | - | fold-out second panel |
| Swivel plate with drawer | 120 × 80 cm, folds out to 160 × 120 | 96 / 192 | yes | fold-out, removable drawer |
For the XL sizes (200 × 100 cm), matching slabs are available on the XL base as ready-to-use Classic XL models.
The lift table as a system
The 20-mm hole pattern isn’t just a clamping surface—it’s the common interface for an entire system. Vertical and horizontal clamps, support rails, clamping brackets, and bench hooks all fit into the same 20-mm diameter holes—once purchased, these accessories fit every RUWI lift table and any other table with a 20-mm hole pattern. The table tops are interchangeable, and drawers, the organization board, and the tool tray expand storage space without requiring any modifications. You can find everything you need in the lifting table accessories section.
Beyond the table, RUWI workshop and shelving carts match the lift tables in design and height: materials and tools are within reach at the same working height, and the next step is just a quick reach away. In this way, a single table gradually evolves into a well-designed workspace.
Features at a Glance
You can adjust the lifting mechanism smoothly and effortlessly—using the hydraulic foot pump manufactured in Germany or, on the 400-XL models, electrically via a rechargeable battery. A safety valve lowers the platform in a controlled manner in the event of overload, rather than allowing it to bottom out. The multiplex panel, coated with HPL on both sides and featuring a 20-mm hole pattern, accommodates clamping and fixing accessories. Four solid rubber swivel casters with brakes ensure quick positioning and a secure footing, while the welded scissor-type construction made of steel tubing provides stability during continuous use.
Lift Tables in Carpentry Shops and Workshops: Typical Applications
The lifting table in the woodshop
In carpentry and joinery, the lift table serves as an assembly, gluing, and clamping station: glue doors and frames on the extendable surface, assemble cabinet bodies at a back-friendly height, and clamp them vertically to the side profile. Because the height can be adjusted to the workpiece rather than the other way around, you protect your back and joints and save yourself the trouble of switching between multiple tables. Many carpenters use it as a mobile feed table for stationary machines—positioned exactly at the machine table height.
Beyond the carpentry shop
In plastics processing, it is used for adjustments, sanding, and chamfering; in industry and trade, it serves as an ergonomic assembly station and flexible transport aid; and in training workshops, it functions as a back-friendly workstation that can be adjusted to any body size. A tip from the field: The lift table is a mobile assembly, clamping, and gluing station—for primarily machine-based work, it replaces the traditional workbench. However, those who do a lot of heavy planing by hand are better served by a solid, anchored bench.
Not a sales pitch, but a workshop discussion
Talk to a master carpenter about your lift table
We’ll figure out which model is right for your workshop in just ten minutes—not by poring over spec sheets, but by talking about your work: what you’re building, the space you have, and the type of drive system you need. Reiner Ruggaber is a master carpenter himself and takes the time to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lift Table
What is a scissor lift table?
A scissor lift table is a height-adjustable workbench whose platform is raised and lowered by two crossed legs connected in a scissor-like configuration. In the workshop, it serves as an assembly, clamping, and transport station: You raise the workpiece to the height that suits the task, rather than bending down to reach it. On the RUWI lift table, the height adjustment is infinitely variable via a hydraulic foot pump manufactured in Germany; on the 400-XL models, it is electrically powered by a battery.
Why does a carpenter need a lift table?
A carpenter uses the lift table for assembly and gluing, as a height-adjustable workbench, as a clamping station using the 20-mm hole pattern, and as a mobile transport cart for panels and workpieces. The advantage over a fixed table: You can adjust the working height to match the workpiece—which is easier on your back during long projects—and you can position the table exactly at the height of your machine tables.
What should be the working height of a lift table?
A good working height is about 10 to 15 cm below elbow level—around 85 cm for shorter people and up to about 110 cm for taller people. For tasks requiring physical strength, the table can be set lower; for precision work, it can be set higher. That’s exactly what the stepless height adjustment is for: Depending on the model, RUWI lift tables can be adjusted between 43 and 117 cm, making them adaptable to any body height and any task.
What is a 20-mm hole pattern?
The 20-mm hole pattern is a work surface with evenly spaced 20-mm-diameter holes—at RUWI, with a grid spacing of 96 × 96 mm. You can insert vertical and horizontal clamps, stops, clamping brackets, and bench hooks into these holes to secure workpieces at virtually any point. Since the 20-mm grid is standard in woodworking, accessories from Festool MFT, Sauter, and Bessey also fit without modification.
Lifting table with a foot pump or electric—which is better?
Both have their merits. The hydraulic foot pump operates without electricity, is durable, low-maintenance, and more affordable—making it the right choice for most workshops. The electric battery-powered drive adjusts the height hands-free via a foot switch and is faster, especially when several people are working at the table or adjustments are made frequently. At RUWI, the electric drive is only available on the 400-XL model—so if you want electric, you also get the large surface area and 400 kg load capacity.
Can a lift table replace a workbench?
For work that is primarily machine-based, yes: As an assembly, gluing, and clamping station, the lifting table raises the workpiece to a back-friendly height and accommodates clamps and stops via its 20-mm hole pattern. On the other hand, those who do a lot of heavy planing by hand are better off with a solid, firmly anchored workbench—its weight keeps it more stable. In many woodworking shops, both are found side by side: the bench for craftsmanship, the lift table for assembly, transport, and flexible clamping.
