Soooooo, did I miss the point of this video or was it simply DON'T WEAR GLOVES and NOT FOR SUPER FINE WORK? Or would the title have been better named as a review of the Bosch router table?🤔👌
I gave this video a thumbs down for one reason. And that is the clickbait title of the video. Dude, you don't need to do that, and it wrecks your credibility.
As a retired furniture/cabinet maker, my observation: This unit is quite capable of top quality work, including raised panel doors and other typical operations involved in custom work. It is not intended for production shop work, but I felt you were talking it down overmuch. A capable operator can use it to produce excellent results. I did a bit of fine tuning, and added a Jessem stock guide to mine. This is a major upgrade, and not a feature typically found on most router table systems, even those at much higher price points.
What other fine tuning did you do to your RA1181? I'm getting mine tomorrow and have been looking for any mods or tuning that I can do to increase performance on what looks like a very capable set-up.
@@Propsman416 Just a few things, sprops. 1.I forgot to mention that the router insert plate was slightly domed...put a straight-edge across and it would rock a bit. Small, but not OK. I just sanded it out to flat with a coarse, then fine grit, belt sander, then orbital. It is crucial that you level and height adjust the insert relative to the main table. 2. Adding the Jessem stock giudes required that I slightly cut down the top of the MDF face plates, and then mount a T-track tucked in where the plate was cut off, under the integral T-track of the fence. The fence T-track was too high to properly mount the Jessem guides. I highly recommend these guides...worth the cost. 3. Back to the router insert. I bought a second one so I could have two routers mounted. Example: rail & stile cabinet doors. One setup for the main profile, the other set up for the coped end of the rails. the second insert plate was perfectly flat. You will enjoy this table/fence/included accessories. It is well designed.
@@stevenguzy5687 Thanks for the response. I will definitely give the insert a close examination and tune up if needed. I'm also planning on filling the mounting holes I'm not using with some resin, finishing them flush with the plate, so that I don't have little holes gathering debris. Those Jessem clear cut guides look great. I will definitely pick up some. Was planning on inserting my own t-track in a melamine face plate anyway. Thanks again.
Three years later, I just set up the same router/table combo, but swapped out the OEM RA1181 feather guides for the new Bow foam guides. Had to re-use the weird OEM fence spacers for now (a little too thick for the Bow guides) but they work. And just did my first round-over test.
With the title given, I was expecting a vid filled with safety & precautionary tips. Instead, I get another table review with a single common sense tip not to wear gloves? Glad to see a few out there found this useful.
I have the same set up. The top adjustment system is terrible. The C Clamp slips out of place making it impossible to adjust the bit height. The fix I found was to install a 1/4” bit stop to the adjustment rod.
Just purchased this table and assembled last night so this video was very helpful. On a side note and not sure if it was intentional or not, but I believe the flanges on the front switch plate should be behind the legs. This allows the nuts to properly rest in the molded retainers while tightening plus streamlines the front view. Thanks!
@@hammerandhome Yes according to the manual, it goes behind. Just assembled this table this weekend. I wasn't quite sure how to use the feather boards, but now I am :-) Thx
@@hammerandhome Not sure it really matters. I started with a couple of bolts with it outside, but looked at the picture again ... and saw that it went inside.
John Scott So you're saying this router table isn't that suitable for (stile and rail joinery) cabinet doors. What would be a table top router table that would be suitable that doesn't cost two arms and two legs like an Incra? 1 second ago
for me if I was doing stile and rail type work I would make my own top and drop in a Router and by a nice fence. I did that with my Incra fence. A big reason I don't like this router table is because of all the groves in the top. I like a smooth flat top and a bit larger to be working on. Bosch dose make another table like this but smooth top. you could by it and drop the whole thing into a larger surrounding table top, giving you a larger work surface. that might be a good economical way of doing it without having to build something to crazy. hope that helps a bit.
I thought this video would be about router table safety and it was clearly a router table review. I mean the only thing you said that even relates to the title is not to use gloves... Very misleading.
Dust collection is just ok in my opinion. Maybe I have a weak vacuum? At any rate, most of the saw dust comes out the front opening of the router. The back opening has a clear shield over the opening, so nothing gets out there. The dust extraction port with shop vac removes most of the saw dust from the top. The majority of the saw dust comes out the underneath front of the table. I have to stop every few minutes or so and vacuum up the mess. By the way, I have the Bosch 1617EVSPK combo kit.
This unit is good until I cut raised panel doors. The table insert is warped (there are many, many complaints online about this - no replacement efforts, no recall? ), thanks Bosch. When I make a long pass parallel to the grain, the beginning cut and ending cut can differ up to a full 1/8', because of the concave curve of the table insert. When a part is defective, the company should recall it or at least replace it. This table, the Bosch Router, the panel bit, and the wood used become quite expensive, so when the machine itself is defective, nothing else matters.
Thanks for the review Brad. Bosch has another router table (RA1171) which has an MDF table instead of the aluminum and has a cabinet the router sits in. Home Depot seems to only sell this one and not the RA1181 anymore. I really don't think I would be happy with a router table that has an MDF table. On another note Brad, I noticed you had some black and yellow storage drawers on your work bench. Can you share the brand name of those please? Thanks!
yeah i'm on the fence with the table top on this router table. i think i would prefer something a lot smoother than what this one is. here is a link to a video i did a long time ago on the drawers. thanks for watching. th-cam.com/video/ATXdt1XXLwo/w-d-xo.html
Cool… kind of a misleading title for a 10+ minute video. That literally took a second or two to say. Maybe “Bosch Router table Review and Safety Tip” would be more appropriate for a title. Still wondering why it came up on my feed since I was searching for why the silly thing won’t turn on.
I haven't used the vertis table top unit, I have the vertis Incra unit which is absolutely amazing, but not really meant for mobility. the nice thing about the bosch is the dust port for a vacuum. there are newer models of the bosh as well that you might want to check out.
Larger bits. Raised panel door bits of flattening bits need the lower speed to avoid tear out and wear on the tool. If it's in a table, the raised panel bit is really the only time you'd need to lower the speed. Basically any bit 2 inches or bigger.
The larger the bit the slower you need to run it. You want to consider the speed the outside edge of the bit is traveling. The outside edge of a 1/2 inch bit is traveling at a specific speed at at specific rpm. Now consider the speed the outside edge of a 1 1/2 inch bit must travel at the same rpm because it must travel a much greater distance. To decrease the centrifugal force you must reduce the rpm
I need to build a workshop bench. How tall should it be for this to go on top of? Never used a router yet, so not sure how high the router table should be.
my saw stop table saw is 34'' off the ground so i based my height off of that. the bosch router table in this video is 14.5'' tall so you could make a table 19.5'' high. i find that the 34'' height is a comfortable working position. hope that helps
I think the cabinet style is the new version, it has a door on the front of it. it looks to be the same size. you should check out the bosch website for the latest models
@@hammerandhome I've just ordered the cabinet one RA1171 for use in a small home hobbyist workshop. It looks better suited to that use than the RA1181 as the MDF body and top allow for a bit more customisation including noise reduction but it's less suited to mobile use. I'll be throwing out the 110volt switch and socket and adding in a 230volt switch in the same location because iIm in NZ but not a big expense. Worth noting that whichever Bosch table you buy you still need to reach under the table to release the catch to enable fine height adjustment from above. Until I saw that I contemplated buying the proper Bosch (110volt) router and table adapter and a stepdown transformer. But if you install an old plunge router in the cabinet version you can use a cheap $20 scissor lift to raise and lower it against it's own plunger springs at the turn of a knob underneath the cabinet - so your not oblidged to use the Bosch router and it's table adapter. Worth noting if you live where 230 volt is common you can buy shop vacs with current sensing sockets built in - so you plug the router set up into a socket on the shop vac which then cuts in on router startup.
@@SuperMadpom thanks for the comments, I definitely prefer a smoother top. The top I have is not the greatest. I’m always worried about scratching my material. Luckily it hasn’t. It’s definitely great for site work because it’s so portable, in my shop I use a much larger setup. The incra. Check it out it’s amazing!! Enjoy your new toy !
Looking for a cordless router? Check out Brad's review on the Dewalt DCW600B 20v Max review: th-cam.com/video/otsR34QjhrM/w-d-xo.html
WHAT 99% PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE TITLE OF THIS VIDEO WILL SHOCK YOU
Soooooo, did I miss the point of this video or was it simply DON'T WEAR GLOVES and NOT FOR SUPER FINE WORK? Or would the title have been better named as a review of the Bosch router table?🤔👌
I gave this video a thumbs down for one reason. And that is the clickbait title of the video.
Dude, you don't need to do that, and it wrecks your credibility.
As a retired furniture/cabinet maker, my observation: This unit is quite capable of top quality work, including raised panel doors and other typical operations involved in custom work. It is not intended for production shop work, but I felt you were talking it down overmuch. A capable operator can use it to produce excellent results. I did a bit of fine tuning, and added a Jessem stock guide to mine. This is a major upgrade, and not a feature typically found on most router table systems, even those at much higher price points.
What other fine tuning did you do to your RA1181? I'm getting mine tomorrow and have been looking for any mods or tuning that I can do to increase performance on what looks like a very capable set-up.
@@Propsman416
Just a few things, sprops.
1.I forgot to mention that the router insert plate was slightly domed...put a straight-edge across and it would rock a bit. Small, but not OK. I just sanded it out to flat with a coarse, then fine grit, belt sander, then orbital. It is crucial that you level and height adjust the insert relative to the main table.
2. Adding the Jessem stock giudes required that I slightly cut down the top of the MDF face plates, and then mount a T-track tucked in where the plate was cut off, under the integral T-track of the fence. The fence T-track was too high to properly mount the Jessem guides. I highly recommend these guides...worth the cost.
3. Back to the router insert. I bought a second one so I could have two routers mounted. Example: rail & stile cabinet doors. One setup for the main profile, the other set up for the coped end of the rails. the second insert plate was perfectly flat.
You will enjoy this table/fence/included accessories. It is well designed.
@@stevenguzy5687 Thanks for the response. I will definitely give the insert a close examination and tune up if needed. I'm also planning on filling the mounting holes I'm not using with some resin, finishing them flush with the plate, so that I don't have little holes gathering debris. Those Jessem clear cut guides look great. I will definitely pick up some. Was planning on inserting my own t-track in a melamine face plate anyway. Thanks again.
Three years later, I just set up the same router/table combo, but swapped out the OEM RA1181 feather guides for the new Bow foam guides. Had to re-use the weird OEM fence spacers for now (a little too thick for the Bow guides) but they work. And just did my first round-over test.
With the title given, I was expecting a vid filled with safety & precautionary tips. Instead, I get another table review with a single common sense tip not to wear gloves? Glad to see a few out there found this useful.
The title is misleading. Don’t do that...
I have the same set up.
The top adjustment system is terrible. The C Clamp slips out of place making it impossible to adjust the bit height.
The fix I found was to install a 1/4” bit stop to the adjustment rod.
Great video
No one explain this table like you
Great job
Thank you
@@guvencolak350 thank you !!😊
Just purchased this table and assembled last night so this video was very helpful. On a side note and not sure if it was intentional or not, but I believe the flanges on the front switch plate should be behind the legs. This allows the nuts to properly rest in the molded retainers while tightening plus streamlines the front view. Thanks!
i think you are right. I bought mine fully assembled so i think i will fix that. thanks for watching
I just assembled mine yesterday and this is the first thing I noticed.
@@hammerandhome Yes according to the manual, it goes behind. Just assembled this table this weekend. I wasn't quite sure how to use the feather boards, but now I am :-) Thx
@@joeanderson3423 yeah I should probably fix it. Think that’s a winter project. Enjoy your new table
@@hammerandhome Not sure it really matters. I started with a couple of bolts with it outside, but looked at the picture again ... and saw that it went inside.
what should you NEVER DO ????????
Wear gloves when routing ...
It's capable of making cabinet raised panel doors
You sure could.
Haha you said " deez nutz" 🤣😂🤣😂
thanks! the title made me wonder if your were going to finish with all 10 fingers. kudos!
Safety first bud :) thanks for watching
I just got one of these (with the Bosch router). A couple of things you said helped clarify things (like raising & lowering the tool). Thanks!
my pleasure, thanks for watching
what is that clear looking tool you were holding at 5:38?
The user guide calls it a starter pin guard. The starter pin is used as a fulcrum point for routing curved profiles without a fence.
John Scott
So you're saying this router table isn't that suitable for (stile and rail joinery) cabinet doors. What would be a table top router table that would be suitable that doesn't cost two arms and two legs like an Incra?
1 second ago
for me if I was doing stile and rail type work I would make my own top and drop in a Router and by a nice fence. I did that with my Incra fence. A big reason I don't like this router table is because of all the groves in the top. I like a smooth flat top and a bit larger to be working on. Bosch dose make another table like this but smooth top. you could by it and drop the whole thing into a larger surrounding table top, giving you a larger work surface. that might be a good economical way of doing it without having to build something to crazy. hope that helps a bit.
@@hammerandhome I ended up building my own table. Also incorporated a JessEm router lift II into the mix...now on to making a coping sled.
I thought this video would be about router table safety and it was clearly a router table review. I mean the only thing you said that even relates to the title is not to use gloves... Very misleading.
Dust collection is just ok in my opinion. Maybe I have a weak vacuum? At any rate, most of the saw dust comes out the front opening of the router. The back opening has a clear shield over the opening, so nothing gets out there. The dust extraction port with shop vac removes most of the saw dust from the top. The majority of the saw dust comes out the underneath front of the table. I have to stop every few minutes or so and vacuum up the mess. By the way, I have the Bosch 1617EVSPK combo kit.
This unit is good until I cut raised panel doors. The table insert is warped (there are many, many complaints online about this - no replacement efforts, no recall? ), thanks Bosch.
When I make a long pass parallel to the grain, the beginning cut and ending cut can differ up to a full 1/8', because of the concave curve of the table insert. When a part is defective, the company should recall it or at least replace it. This table, the Bosch Router, the panel bit, and the wood used become quite expensive, so when the machine itself is defective, nothing else matters.
Good to know, I’ll check mine out. Thanks
Don't you find the red Insert Ring is too thin? It's not flush to the table top
Threw in a "deez nuts" @6:40
Thanks for the review Brad. Bosch has another router table (RA1171) which has an MDF table instead of the aluminum and has a cabinet the router sits in. Home Depot seems to only sell this one and not the RA1181 anymore. I really don't think I would be happy with a router table that has an MDF table. On another note Brad, I noticed you had some black and yellow storage drawers on your work bench. Can you share the brand name of those please? Thanks!
yeah i'm on the fence with the table top on this router table. i think i would prefer something a lot smoother than what this one is. here is a link to a video i did a long time ago on the drawers. thanks for watching. th-cam.com/video/ATXdt1XXLwo/w-d-xo.html
So... "What you should NEVER DO when using the Bosch Benchtop Router Table RA1181", is??
Our safety tip is at 3:25
Cool… kind of a misleading title for a 10+ minute video. That literally took a second or two to say. Maybe “Bosch Router table Review and Safety Tip” would be more appropriate for a title. Still wondering why it came up on my feed since I was searching for why the silly thing won’t turn on.
Is there any guide on the insert to guide pieces?
Anyone else notice he installed the front plate incorrectly?
I sure did😊 good eye👍
Many thanks for taking time to share this video. Us newcomers need all the advice we can get. A+
You’re welcome, thanks for watching!
Thanks for the review! Are you recommending the Lee Valley Veritas Table Top instead of the RA1181? Looking to buy now.
I haven't used the vertis table top unit, I have the vertis Incra unit which is absolutely amazing, but not really meant for mobility. the nice thing about the bosch is the dust port for a vacuum. there are newer models of the bosh as well that you might want to check out.
I put my router table top on my multi workbench/ table saw outfeed and didn’t use the original legs on it and works well for me
sounds like a great set up
Hammer and Home forgot to say nice video!...👍🏼✌🏼🙏🏼🤘🏼👏🏼👊🏼
Thanks😊
You’re welcome, thanks for watching 👍
I have the same router. What is the deal with variable speed? When should I lower the speed?
to be honest i never lower the speed for the work that we do. perhaps on some hardwoods you might need to because of burning or tare out.
Larger bits. Raised panel door bits of flattening bits need the lower speed to avoid tear out and wear on the tool. If it's in a table, the raised panel bit is really the only time you'd need to lower the speed. Basically any bit 2 inches or bigger.
The larger the bit the slower you need to run it. You want to consider the speed the outside edge of the bit is traveling. The outside edge of a 1/2 inch bit is traveling at a specific speed at at specific rpm. Now consider the speed the outside edge of a 1 1/2 inch bit must travel at the same rpm because it must travel a much greater distance. To decrease the centrifugal force you must reduce the rpm
show doing something useful, like cutting a mortise
will do
I need to build a workshop bench. How tall should it be for this to go on top of? Never used a router yet, so not sure how high the router table should be.
my saw stop table saw is 34'' off the ground so i based my height off of that. the bosch router table in this video is 14.5'' tall so you could make a table 19.5'' high. i find that the 34'' height is a comfortable working position. hope that helps
I built a little cart that was 24" tall. A little lower than usual, but it puts the table top at the perfect level for me
@@jefffree6990 how tall are you?
You referred to newer models of bosch router table. Which models are newer?
I think the cabinet style is the new version, it has a door on the front of it. it looks to be the same size. you should check out the bosch website for the latest models
@@hammerandhome I've just ordered the cabinet one RA1171 for use in a small home hobbyist workshop. It looks better suited to that use than the RA1181 as the MDF body and top allow for a bit more customisation including noise reduction but it's less suited to mobile use. I'll be throwing out the 110volt switch and socket and adding in a 230volt switch in the same location because iIm in NZ but not a big expense. Worth noting that whichever Bosch table you buy you still need to reach under the table to release the catch to enable fine height adjustment from above. Until I saw that I contemplated buying the proper Bosch (110volt) router and table adapter and a stepdown transformer. But if you install an old plunge router in the cabinet version you can use a cheap $20 scissor lift to raise and lower it against it's own plunger springs at the turn of a knob underneath the cabinet - so your not oblidged to use the Bosch router and it's table adapter. Worth noting if you live where 230 volt is common you can buy shop vacs with current sensing sockets built in - so you plug the router set up into a socket on the shop vac which then cuts in on router startup.
@@SuperMadpom thanks for the comments, I definitely prefer a smoother top. The top I have is not the greatest. I’m always worried about scratching my material. Luckily it hasn’t. It’s definitely great for site work because it’s so portable, in my shop I use a much larger setup. The incra. Check it out it’s amazing!! Enjoy your new toy !
Video and demonstration was outstanding.
thank you!