![]() The use of plastic has undoubtedly helped to keep the costs down, but it has also kept the quality down a little. ![]() In fact, these elements will likely go long before the tabletop or the plate. The base and many of the dials and knobs are plastic, and they will wear out in time. Although this is a hard, toughened plastic, it is still plastic. Obviously, it works well with Bosch routers, but it will work with tools from a wide variety of other tool manufacturers, too.įurthermore, the table includes T slots that allow you to add additional accessories like miter gauges, and you receive two feather boards that provide accurate and reliable positioning of your workpiece.Īlthough the tabletop and the base plate are made from smooth aluminum, several components are made from molded plastic. You receive several fittings that include predrilled mounting inserts, and these enable you to connect your branded router. The RA1181 is compatible with most routers on the market, and it is thanks to the design of this baseplate. This means that you can affix and detach your router as often as you like without feeling like you’re breaking the whole table or damaging the plate and inserts. The router base plate is made from the same top-quality material. ![]() It isn’t just the tabletop that is made from smooth aluminum. The fence is made from MDF.ĭespite its decent worktop size, the bench remains lightweight and portable enough that it can be used by a host of craftsmen and hobbyists. ![]() It is fairly hardwearing, but it won’t withstand the rigors of ongoing and professional use. In terms of the rest of the table, the base is made from a hard molded plastic. However, the professional craftsman may require something bigger still, and this is how this table shines for the home user but is left wanting as a professional solution. For DIYers and keen amateurs, it is the perfect compromise. The top measures 27” x 18” so it is as close to a full-size model as possible. The other reason that you will notice the aluminum top, other than the material it is made from, is because it is such a generous size. Aluminum is lightweight and offers minimal friction for workpieces as they slide around the table. They will try to extol the frictionless benefits of MDF, but in truth, the material is chosen because it is cheap and readily available. A lot of router tables, especially those around this price bracket, have an MDF tabletop. One of the first things you notice about the Bosch RA1181 is that it has an aluminum top. The parts that are aluminum, including the top itself, are not perfectly flat and there are ridges around holes that make it very difficult to get a workpiece to sit flush to the table. It is priced very favorably, but the table needs to be assembled on arrival and a lot of the parts are made from plastic, which reduces its durability and quality, although is certainly how Bosch has kept the price of the table down. The table does have an adjustable fence that supports taller workpieces. It is sturdy and the pre-drilled router plate is compatible with a good range of routers, which means that it is likely to work with your existing router and you shouldn’t need to buy a new one just to use the table. It does have an aluminum router plate, a good dust collection system, and an enlarged work surface that make it a valuable addition to the home workshop. It does the job very well, but it doesn’t offer the precision of some of the more advanced features of more expensive and higher-priced tables. It is designed for use by the casual woodworker, rather than the professional carpenter. The Bosch RA1181 is a router table that offers excellent value for money.
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