Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table Review.

I have been using the Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table for well over a year and it does everything it is suppose to do better than I expected. The table is light but VERY sturdy when bolted down (I bolted the table to a flat 3/4 base and bolt the base to the work table I choose to use - enabling me to bring the router table to the work area or bring the work to the table -- bolted down in my shop). Assembly was easy. The table arrived in excellent (that word again!) condition and was operational with a Craftsman Router in less than ninety minutes. I use this router table EVERY day making furniture and it has always done what I have asked of it excellently.

Bosch RA1181

This is a very good router table and the fence works well too. The work surface (table dimensions) are quite large for a benchtop router table. Much larger than another Craftsman one that I have. The table top is very flat on mine. Two things I like about the top are that it is machined aluminum and that it is not corrugated or grooved on the top in line with the router opening so it is stable and easy to slide the work on.

         Features And Specifications:

• Benchtop router table is compatible with most routers
• Includes 2 adjustable featherboards, dust collection port, dual outlet switch and 6-foot power cord
• Aluminum fence with MDF face plates and aluminum router mounting plate
• Includes mounting hardware for a variety of routers
• Work surface measures 27-inches by 18-inches

 I like the fact that the center router attachment piece can be removed to work on the router depth or change bits without having to contort under the table or flip the whole thing over and contend with the legs while trying to work on the router. There are I think 8 adjustment areas on the router attachment piece to align it with the rest of the table (which is very nice) so you can get every thing flat and not have bumps or dips when you are routing. Front switch controls 2 outlets behind front fascia that you can plug your router into and maybe a vacuum for dust control (it would be nice if there was some kind of cord management consideration built in to wrap the router around). 

 

Bosch RA1181

One of the nicest features on router table is the full size miter gauge slot that will take a full size miter gauge from your table saw. This is really nice for being able to attach jigs to the miter gauge for use on the table (for instance for finger jointing). One thing I don't like is the black end pieces for table cord management and the other end for storage are slip in place from the side, if you pick the table up with hands on each end you can pull those things out, it would have been good if the snapped in place instead of just sliding in place. Other than a couple of minor nits, it is a solid, well built tool with a lot of adjust ability. The fence is solid and functions well and is very configurable to the task at hand. 

 

This is an awesome little router table. it has a lot of good features for the money. For example the router plate leveling is simple to do and it functions perfectly. I don't think anyone looking for a table top (or mount it on their portable stand as I did) will be disappointed with this unit and all the features it has to offer !!

Testimonials;

 

I found 329 customer reviews on Amazon at the time of writing and they had awarded the Bosch RA1181, 4.1 stars out of a possible 5.0 stars on average.

This Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table is easy to operate and assemble, Fit my bosch router fine and very little needs to be done under the table for adjusting height etc. I'd highly recommend this table, especially for someone new to using router tables.