I just finished a set of raised panel cabinet doors which is about the most challenging thing I use a router table for. The doors ended up nice with good fit, the minor flaws are most likely do to the operator not the tools. I am by no means a pro but here are few points I noticed while using the table:
1. Assembly was not particularly difficult but expect to take some time to do it right. The instructions were adequate.
2. Leveling the mounting plate got a little frustrating, but I tend to get hung up making things perfect when they don't need to be. In the end I got it level with the table (more on this later).
3. Setting up the table for use was easy, the feather boards were solid, worked well, and stayed in place as did the fence itself. I have to admit, the guard that attaches to the fence didn't last long with me, but removing it is easier than installing it. I will most likely regret this decision the first time I get my fingers tangled up in a spinning bit.
4. The table surface left some mar on the wood I was using, but nothing that wasn't easy to sand out. I imagine that this will go away as the table surface gets used. If you really wanted to I'm sure you could polish the table surface before first use.
5. I have a Bosch router so the table top depth adjustment feature worked with my router. However, the combination of having to clean out the dust from the hole every time and keeping track of the allen wrench made it a rarely used gimmick. I ended up just making all of my adjustments from under the table. This is how I adjusted on my old table so it was not a big deal for me.
6. Chip collection was decent using a 1HP shop-vac, but I would continually blow the breaker in the table switch with both the vac and the router plugged in to it. Based on the current rating of the switch (15A) I shouldn't have had both things plugged in to it; so chalk that up to operator error.
Now for my main complaint. As was mentioned in a few other reviews my table top had some significant crown (a little over 1/32" or 0.03125"). 95% of the time this probably won't be an issue but I emailed Bosch anyway. Per the response I received, the manufacturing tolerances are a max crown of 0.5mm (0.02"), so it would seem my table is out of spec. It's the weekend so I will have to wait for Bosch's response as to what I should do, but even with the out of spec crown the table performed well.
Overall, I would recommend this table to a friend who was in the market for a sub-$200 router table.
*EDIT* After a brief and friendly email exchange with Bosch tech support they shipped out a new table top which showed up just a few days later. This one was perfect and they did not ask for the old one back making it a rather easy process. I upgraded my review to 5 stars due to the excellent support I received.
| Brand | BOSCH |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Product Dimensions | 27"W x 14.5"H |
| Voltage | 1.2E+2 Volts |
| Item Weight | 30 Pounds |
| Amperage | 15 Amps |
| Base Type | Fixed, Plunge |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00000346353679 |
| UPC | 000346353679 |
| Manufacturer | Bosch |
| Part Number | RA1181 |
| Item Weight | 30 pounds |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | RA1181 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Style | Heavy Duty - Aluminum Top |
| Finish | Clear-Coated Aluminum Top |
| Pattern | Router Table |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Included Components | (1) Starter Pin Guard, (2) Outfeed Fence Shims, (3) Mounting Plate Insert Rings, (1) RA1181 benchtop router table, (1) Starter Pin, (1) Adjustable Clear Guard, (1) Hardware for Mounting Routers, (2) Adjustable Featherboards |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 30 day money back guarantee, 1 yr limited warranty, 1 yr service protection plan |
