If you decide to take on woodworking projects in your home, you will need to have a perfect router table. These tables ease the job as handling heavier, harder, and bigger wood isn’t easy on a regular table or surface. A router table is also crucial for holding, measuring, and stabilizing your stock of wood. It ensures you get precision work and the right designs. Bosch offers some of the best woodworking tools on the market, and the Bosch RA1181 is one of the best router tables. In this Bosch RA1181 review, we’re going to dig deeper into the RA1181 and find out its features, pros, and cons. Bosch strives to meet the needs of different users, and that’s why they designed the Bosch RA1181, even after introducing the Bosch RA1171 router table.
Bosch RA1181 Router Table Specifications
| Features | Bosch Router Table RA1181 |
| Depth: | 18-inches |
| Maximum Fence Opening: | 3-5/8-inches |
| Maximum Throat Opening:: | 3-5/8-inches |
| Height: | 14.5-inches |
| Length: | 22.75-inches |
| Width: | 27.0-inches |
| Power Source: | corded-electric |
| Amperage: | 15.0 |
| Warranty: | 90-day warranty |
| Type: | Benchtop router |
Bosch Benchtop Router Table RA1181 Review
With so many types of router tables on the market, picking the right one is crucial if you want to do the job well. Bosch RA1181 is one of those router tables. Continue reading to understand why you should get this router table for your woodworking tasks.
Durable construction
The Bosch RA1181 router table is well-built to last longer and hold up against daily wear and tear. The table features several parts made of aluminum and other hard plastic. It has three parts: the table, the router plate, and the fence. These parts come separately; thus, you will have to assemble the unit.
Its most notable part is the large 27-inches length by 18-inches wide cast aluminum table. The surface is flat and created to lower friction when sliding wood across the table. Additionally, it comes with a standard ¾-inch wide by 3/8-inch deep miter slot that runs along with the table and fits with any standard miter guide.
Furthermore, this router table has a large and stable base to offer better stability. The base also comes with inserts for securing to the floor for even better stability. As a result, you may not experience any vibrations from the unit during use.
Ergonomic design
What makes the Bosch RA1181 router table popular over its competitors is the sturdy and ergonomic design. Even though this product is affordable, it still offers exceptional features that make using it fun and accurate. On top of that, it comes with a large work area to an aluminum router plate and an efficient dust collection system that covers all your bases.
If you’re looking for a durable, reliable, and precise router table that works with most wood routers, the Bosch RA1181 is the ideal tool for you.
Ease of installation
The Bosch RA1181 benchtop router table comes with separate parts. It has a table, router, and fence that need to be assembled before using the router table. Although setting up this unit takes a lot of time, it’s not something difficult to do. Most DIYers and homeowners will assemble if they follow instructions.
Before you start assembling the router table, ensure everything is well organized for a quick and straightforward installation procedure.
Adjustable fence
One of the most vital parts of a router table is the fence. It helps to hold your wooden piece in position. This device comes with an adjustable fence that allows you to maneuver with a lot of ease as you work on your piece. Also, you can lock your wood in a position to get a precise and perfect design. The fence comes with an area of 4-7/8-inches by 25/1/8-inches, making it ideal for handling any form of woodworking project.
Bosch RA1181 Features Aluminum router plate
Many users love this router table because of its aluminum router plate. The router plate is made from cast aluminum, and it features pre-drilled holes to work with most routers on the market. The router plate is well-built to handle strong torque created by some of the most powerful routers on the market.
Dust collection system
Another crucial part of this tool is the dust collection system. Like any router table on the market, you should be ready to deal with dust from wood. This table is convenient to use as it features a dust port that you can attach to a dust bag or dust hose to collect the dust produced. This will assist in keeping your work area clean.
Warranty
You have already gone through all the feature details listed above on our Bosch RA1181 reviews. Now it comes to warranty. The manufacturer provides a 90-day warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. The guarantee may be short, but it gives you the security that most router table brands on the market don’t. Thus, if the unit has a defect or is damaged, you have three months from the purchase date to return it.
Why buy this product:
- Sturdily constructed to last longer
- It is convenient to use with the adjustable board
- It comes with pre-drilled settings for ease of use
- Quick and easy installation
- It has a dual switch outlet that helps to control the flow of power into the router
- Suitable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts
- It has an adjustable aluminum fencing
Cons:
- It scratches easily, which may lead to rust and corrosion
- The unit is quite heavy
- Not very durable as it has several plastic parts
Why the Bosch RA1181 router table and not the RA1171?
If you want a cabinet-style router table, pick the Bosch RA1171, but if you want a spacious and convenient router table, the Bosch RA1181 is the best choice. The Bosch RA1181 is larger than Kreg PRS2100 and Bosch RA1171, giving the user an extra 9-inches of working space.
Summary
The Bosch Benchtop RA1181 router table has everything that a homeowner or DIY enthusiast needs to perform various woodworking projects at home. This tool is compatible with all wood routers. It also offers a large working space, and its adjustable fence allows you to perform various tasks. And with the dust collection system, your working area will remain clean throughout.
Overall, the Bosch RA1181 is an excellent router table for woodworkers. It will allow you to do your tasks quickly, easily, and conveniently. What’s more, the manufacturer offers a 90-day warranty; thus, you can be sure that your investment is safe if the table comes with a defect or other issue.
FAQ
Can I buy a router table if I am not a woodworker?
Yes, you can. If you have lots of woodworking projects in your home, a router table is convenient. On top of that, if you already have a wood router, having a router table will make your work much easier. However, you need to select a router table that works with your router. The Bosch RA1181 is compatible with most routers on the market.
Most router tables feature pre-drilled plates that will allow you to select the right router.
How do I maintain my router table?
Ensure that it’s clean and all the dirt and debris are gotten rid of after your woodworking projects. If wood chips are left behind, they might clog the system and affect the router table’s proper functionality. Furthermore, you should follow the user’s manual to help you troubleshoot any small challenges that you encounter during use.
Why choose a benchtop router table over other types?
Benchtop router tables are the best for home use as they can work with any wood router. Therefore, if you already have a router and don’t know which router table to pick, go with the benchtop router table.
I have listed all the Pros & Cons of the product in our Bosch ra1181 Benchtop router table review article. For more information, you can comment below.