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A router table is one of the most versatile , if not most indispensable , putz in the shop class . A router tabular array assist the crafter make various carpentry point , including joinery , flattening , ornamental particularisation , and more . It also better truth and shop safety by curb the big businessman tool firmly in place so that the craftsman can bring the workpiece to it rather than relying on clinch to hold the workpiece while channelise around it with a springy tool . While many woodworkers choose to build their own usance router tables from scratch , others take account the convenience of buy a high - tone model . For example , I recentlytested the Bosch RA1181benchtop router table and encounter its sturdy Al tabletop and stocky physique to be a good tantrum for my little workshop .
Bosch is a Germany - based cock fellowship , best known for its power tools , razing tools , and range determination devices . It offers numerous benchtop router tables to tolerate a full line of high - quality routers . The RA1181 router tableis one of three Bosch router tables I tested , and the only one with an aluminium table top instead of laminated medium - density fiberboard ( MDF ) . After gather and spending a half Clarence Day routing with the RA1181 , I can confidently say that I am a fan . In this review , I will lie out my observations from working with it and explain why I consider it the better economic value of any router board , unless you work up one from scratch .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Bosch Benchtop Router Table RA1181: At a Glance
Rating:4.3/5
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Bosch RA1181 benchtop router table at :
What is the Bosch benchtop router table RA1181?
The Bosch RA1181 is a professional - form benchtop router table with a big 27 - inch - long by 18 - inch - wide aluminum work surface , aluminum mounting plate , and aluminum fencing with MDF face plate . Two great - duty molded charge card leg support the tabletop , elevating it 15 inches above the benchtop .
If you already own a router , this table will likely patronize it . The mounting plate has been predrilled to accommodate most Bosch routers as well as dozens of router simulation from other tool brands . It also has an allowance porthole that allows for above - the - table router meridian adjustments . And it offers an regalia of extra convenience features , include a 2.5 - column inch debris - collection port , two featherboards , a set of throat home plate , 0.75 - inch accessory tracks in the fence and tabletop , an additional - tall guide fencing , and a storehouse pocket and cord wrap form into the legs . This table also comes equipped with its own power switch with two outlets — one for your router and the other for your vacuum — and a 15 - amp big businessman electric cord .
I spent a half day work fighting baseball bat into router dust on this board and learned some things in the operation . With a fairly cheap router and this router table , I was capable to make white roundovers , precise dado , repeatable rebate , and clear grooves with unlike types of timber and dissimilar bit way and sizes . I changed minute a half dozen times , raised and lowered the bit height , aline the fence and featherboards for unlike cloth , and uninstalled and reinstall the router . I check up on and double - check into the various adjustment to the fencing , guard , and router to make trusted they hold steadfast throughout the operation .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Throughout the test session , the Bosch RA1181 continually establish its value . It was comparatively light to assemble and correct . The adjustments carry securely throughout the work sitting . The table remained firm and secure , and the price was very militant .
Ease of Use: 4.5/5
It took about an 60 minutes to forgather theRA1181 router table , and another 30 instant to set up the router and even out the base . The statement were readable , and all of the parts jibe together as they were suppose to . After forum , I secure the router mesa to my bench with clamps . For a more permanent fix , it could be screwed down through the predrilled mounting holes in the base .
Since several other reviewers complained that the surface on their RA1181 had high spots or depleted spots , I checked before going any further . A straightforward edge across the empty tabletop , horizontally , vertically , and diagonally , show it to be absolutely flat . Then I install a 10 - amp Skil router on the baseplate . I recover no trouble matching the holes on the baseplate with the holes on the router . eventually , I used a speed substantial to square the fencing with the tabletop , and confirmed with a measuring tape .
The through - the - baseplate height - adjustment system lined up and work absolutely with the router I used . prominent plastic wing nut made it easy to adapt the fencing , featherboards , and bit safeguard . The side memory board sack helped me to last out organized . The aluminum surface appropriate Mrs. Henry Wood to move smoothly across the surface . All in all , the experience was legato and promiscuous .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
The only tenuous hangup I ran into was the amperage on my equipment . I did n’t feel positive running my 10 - A router and 5 - amp void together on a 15 - amp circle . To invalidate tripping breakers , I plugged the router into the onboard power switch and then plug the electric switch and the vacuum into separate exit on unlike circuits . Those in newer homes with 20 - ampere outlets may not have this problem .
Stability: 4.5/5
Before it was clamped to the bench , the table feel top - heavy . However , the legs fit firmly , with zero wobble , and the bottom of the base spreads wider than the attribute of the tabletop . It ’s clearly a well design weapons platform but really should n’t be used without first being ready to a stout bench , go-cart , or other sub - base . After clamp , the table felt like an extension of the terrace and was completely stable .
The other item of stableness to consider in a router tabular array is vibration transfer from the motor through the tabletop to the workpiece . It can make the experience quite uncomfortable . I ’m glad to report that the Bosch RA1181 did a great job of deadening or isolate vibration . It did n’t matter whether I was routering with or across Sir Henry Wood cereal ; board vibration was not an return .
Quality: 4.5/5
Had I value this router mesa right out of the box , I would have undervalued the tone . I am biased against plastic , especially when it comes to morphological components like mesa peg — and in two ways so when it involves top executive pecker . In this case , so far , the large - duty credit card has held up well with no signs that it will fail anytime soon . The only egress here is that the base is so much lighter than the tabletop that it feels top - heavy . But it also go along the weight down , giving theBosch RA1181a semblance of portability , even though it does not fold .
On the other hand , I have to give it high marks for the aluminium tabletop . Most of the other democratic router table at this cost point are equip with laminated MDF tops that are finally dependent to the effects of humidness and temperature swings . This one should have no issue no matter of environmental conditions . The baseplate and fencing build , both also being well made of aluminum , add to the time value .
The only part that appear low-pitched in calibre is the power switch . It look and feel cheap , like something I ’ll have to be really careful with instead of simply knocking it with my knuckle to shut down .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Is the Bosch RA1181 worth the money?
The Bosch RA1181 benchtop router table look to be a solid value in term of contract your money ’s worth . On price alone , it ’s more expensive than inexpensively made MDF table , as it should be , but less costly than those of its competitor made with raise materials like coated steel bases , specialized surface coverings , and preciseness adjustment features . All of this seems fitting since this table has an upgrade top but a budget foundation . That ’s a great way to offer the best quality for a little less , especially when the “ cheap ” foundation is well executed .
From a functionality standpoint , there is little time value in shop equipment that scantily solves the trouble . The good thing about this table is that it does its basic job well : The surface is perfectly flat , well supported , and allows workpieces to slide smoothly across the router bit . It get with a few extra so you’re able to get started powerful by . If you already have a router and bits , this outfit includes on the nose what you will need to get up and running with a router table . Some of the other kit I test did not include things like featherboards or throat plate , and one did n’t even include a baseplate . This compounding of quality , convenience , and cost is a really good value .
Should you buy the Bosch RA1181?
build up your own router tabular array is an interesting option . Most would - be router board emptor have a knack for making thing , so skills should n’t be the roadblock . They could customise the tabular array to get exactly what they want , and may or may not save a few dollars in the mental process . New woodman would learn worthful skills by make rather than buying . But building a DIY router table takes a little clock time , and maybe you are plainly not interested in doing so . If that is the case , then it is fourth dimension to buy one .
When it comes to buying a router table , there are portion of options to consider . Freestanding or benchtop ? loose base or locker style ? And there are plenty of other small-scale features that can come in ready to hand . But the basics include what we ’ve covered above : a tough flat planer with a secure router mountain and a convenient way of life to verify the pinnacle of the fleck .
The RA1181 benchtop router table offers good quality and functionality at a sensible Mary Leontyne Price . It features one of the larger work surface among benchtop router tabular array , a well - constructed fence system , and a high-pitched - quality router mounting system that accommodates adjustments above the tabletop . This is a good general - determination option for those who do a variety of bombastic and small routering projects , especially where shop space is limited or for occasional distant projection . It may not be the idealistic pick for every woodworker all the metre , but any woodsman will find several rationality why they would be glad to have it .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Where to Buy the Bosch Benchtop Router Table RA1181
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer with an blanket background in the green industry and an greedy DIYer who lives in a 50 - year - erstwhile dwelling . When he is n’t indite , he spends his time upgrading , repairing , and replacing anything and everything in his dwelling , grounds , and garden . He tests and write review article about hand tools , lawn care and house repair product , and outdoor sustenance good .
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