Tool Tips & Reviews - Bosch RA1181 Router Table!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Tool Review of the Bosch RA1181 Router Table.
This is a followup to my video where I install the RA1181 into a Powermatic PM66 Table Saw. "I Install a Bosch RA1181 Router Table in a PM66 Table Saw!"
Video Link: • Tool Tips & Reviews - ...
#RouterTable #BoschRA1181
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I just bought this table. And yeah, the first thing I was not happy with was the fence. But as said, you get what you pay for. But thank you VERY much for the offset wrench idea. I just ordered those.
Glad the video was helpful.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your video. I recently purchased on and found the table itself, without the router plate involved in the measurement, has what’s effectively a crown or convex profile that amounts to ~ 3/16” at each end. Anything other than very short pieces winds up with unacceptable variations in the intended cut. I don’t think a level top is too much to expect, even at this price point. Adding or modifying a few steps to machine the top *flat* shouldn’t make a big difference in manufacturing costs or retail prices. As you very accurately note, the finish as shipped is surprisingly rough as it is. It’s not like making it actually flat-ish would mess up the table surface finish! Hmmm…thinking as I type this…if you were really energetic (and your time:value math worked), I suppose you could craft an MDF top-on-top that dropped onto this top and created a level surface, then mill out an opening for the router plate and fences (using your router!). But really…would you invest $250 or more of your time to fix a $250 router table that shouldn’t have needed fixing in the first place?
Thanks for the feedback confirming the issue I have with my table. You’re right, not worth it to spend $$$ and valuable time doing mods. Thanks for watching.
Pete the router plate is adjustable up or down loosen plate screws that hold the plate down there are four set height adjustments screws to level then tighten the 4 hold down screws. That plate should now be level to your table😊
Hi Rob. The Router plate levels up fine on my table. It's the actual table itself that is not perfectly flat. At the far left and right edges the table drops off about an 1/8 of an inch. No problems with level approx. 8 - 10 inches left of right of center. Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment!
I have the same table, and it was in my 1st table saw extension wing for a long time. It gets some jobs done, but I would not recommend it to anyone planning to make fine furniture.
The table is not flat, The insert plate is not flat. Dust collection is ok if all the cutting is on the fence side. The fence was designed by someone never tested it in the prototyping phase. To remove the fence, you have to completely back out 2 screws. That is 100% unnecessary. You can drill a bigger hole at the end of the slot to clear bolt head so you can lift the fence off with bolts still attached. Minor problem, but unnecessarily problematic. The adjustable MDF pieces on the fence sits taller than the T slot extrusion. That is a major design flaw. To conpensate the offset, all the stock T slot accessories have a plastic spacer tube. It is beyond unacceptable. You want to add a feather board? It takes a while to put all the pieces of hardware together, hold it gether while sliding bolt heads into T slot. And those supid tube spacers are on both ends of the bolts for feather boards.
Thank you for the very in depth and informative comment! All your observations are spot on.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to share your experiences with the RA1181.
Use push block instead of push stick wayyyy better
I have the same table and have been removing the router each time when changing bits and switching 1/4” and 1/2” collets. It doesn’t take me too long and I get the proper leverage for tightening and loosening the collet. However, the angled wrenches look great and I’ll likely purchase them. I’ve used the table as a jointer as it comes with 2 1/16” shims which are used to offset the left half of the fence to accommodate the thickness of surface removed with a straight bit. It takes a bit of trial and error to set the fence up to remove exactly 1/16” but it does work. This is a great table for the money.
Thank you for the excellent feedback.
Good review. totally agree with the fence alignment issue. Keeping it square is important if you use a featherboard on the top surface to apply inward pressure ( otherwise I guess it may not matter). Seems like there should be 2 tracks so that it only mover forward or back evenly
Thanks for the feedback!
And thank you for watching.
My remedy for this is actually a couple of small pieces of angle iron and a piece of steel flat bar. Flat bar a couple of inches wider than the table, square it up and weld it to the angle iron pieces set against the sides of the table. Then you can use that to index your fence square quickly each time.
Instructions do tell consumer to wax top. Also, if you take the plastic guard off of the router then you can use a wrench at the base of the bit while removing from top.
Great video.
Thanks
Thanks for the feedback and for watching!
The table fence is perfet the user is the problem
I had great difficulties replacing the router bit but thanks to your video about the offset wrenches, it really helped a lot.
Thanks for the feedback and for watching!
Just ordered one from Walmart! Thanks for the instructional video! Going to subscribe to support your channel!
Thanks for watching and supporting my channel! 👍
My craftsman bench top router table is the same I found @4:40 if u raise the router/bit all the way to top the collet will stick out enough to use the straight wrenches .
Thanks for the input. Don’t think the Bosch raises high enough… but will recheck.
Good video - I found the exact issues with it. The sanding trick is a great idea to reduce friction. I ended up getting rid of mine in less than a year.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for watching!
Great stuff, Pete. I'm a newbie. I'm learning as I recover from back surgery. I'm getting the Bosch kit. Your tip about the offset wrenches will save me a lot of frustration. Thanks for the info!
I appreciate the feedback.
Hope your recovery from surgery is successful and speedy.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks, Pete. Recovery is going well, just a bit slow. I look forward to future videos. @@PetefromBaltimore
I've had this table for a couple years now, how are you raising and lowering the router from the top?? Does it require a certain router?
Thanks gor watching.
Fyi… I’m using the Bosch 1617 EVS router. It has a thru the table height adjustment rod.
See my Bosch 1617 video here…
Tool Tips & Reviews - Bosch 1617 Router It's Major Flaw and How to Fix it!
th-cam.com/video/NK5-tMwq5tQ/w-d-xo.html
First, I improved dust collection by making an easily removed 1/4” front and back cover. My table is mounted on a 3/4” ply cart. Almost zero dust escapes. Obviously you have difficulty changing bits because you have installed the table with no access to the back! Changing bits from the back is a piece of cake with the supplied straight wrenches. Finally, it takes some time and working with the leveling screws to make the table flat. I do wonder how long the plastic inserts will last without breaking.
Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching.
Will this router table work with the Bosch 1615 EVS router?
Sorry, I’m not familiar with that router.
Are you sure the router mounting plate isn’t a bit high causing the rocking of the level???
Thanks for your comment!
Yes, I spent alot of time adjusting the mounting plate to be flush with the table. It seems the table loses its flatness approximately 2-3” from Left and Right edge. Again, thanks for watching the video and for your comment. 👍
When you got to the table being unlevel I was out! I'll be investing into a more professional table in the future. Great review though.
Thanks for the feedback.
The unlevel edges of the table haven’t been a detriment so far… Thanks for the comment and for watching!
Actually, the table should be very slightly crowned. Nothing is perfectly flat and it would be much worse if it was concave. Eg Lee Valley used to make their own router tables with slightly crowned steel tops, though they have discontinued them, presumably to sell more Jessem and Festool products...
I have seen in a number of reviews that the miter slot is a bit wider than 3/4. Did you see any issue there?
Going to the shop today... will check it out.
Can this be used to flatten boards using surfacing bit? Most router sleds I see flattens from the top.
Hi. Thank you for watching.
The Router Table comes with shims that allows it to be used as a jointer.
@@PetefromBaltimore Thanks. I found a RA1181 shim video, but it only flattens the edge, not the surface. I am looking for ways to use this as planer.
@@snoww2009 I see what you are saying.
I don’t think this can be used to flatten boards.