Customer Reviews

Bosch RA1165 Under-Table Router Base with Above-Table Hex Key

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased this base to use in the Bosch laminate router table Bosch RA1171 Laminate Router Table. It works great, it is easy to mount to the plate of the table, and the above table access is easy to use.

I did run into one minor gremlin. The threaded post that drives the lift function has a small metal locking clip at the bottom of the post. This clip is what holds the post in place vertically. When it is hung from the table, this clip is what is holding up the weight of the router when you have the main lock undone and are screwing the router up or down.

My clip kept sliding down the post, so that the lift basically became useless. I could see where the clip was basically turning itself down on the shaft.

My work around was to purchase a cheap set of drill stop collars. The 1/4" collar, mounted on the post with a set screw is far sturdier and kept things in place.

Overall, other than this one issue, I really love the unit and it's going to be really handy having an extra base that I can leave mounted all the time.

PLEASE NOTE - One thing that wasn't clear in my reading is that this base is basically the same one that comes with the Bosch 2.25hp router as the fixed base (when you get the fixed / plunge base combo) Bosch 1617EVSPK 2.25-HP Combination Plunge & Fixed-Base Router Pack, the only difference is that it does not have a plastic plate at the bottom. So if you're struggling to pay for the router and table, you could use the base that comes with the router, then add this one later and use it as your fixed base. Just a thought to the cheap!

I'm very pleased with this router base, which I attached to a great router table insert I picked up elsewhere for cheap. It allows me to use the fixed base that came with the router for everyday routing jobs without removing it from the router table (this gets tedious). Additionally, the above-table adjustment is handy.

Note, though, that you still need to reach under the table to lock and unlock the router for adjustment, so it's not a substitute for a router lift (that would have made it five stars in my book). Still, I consider it a good purchase--it's almost as good as having another router!

If you own a Bosch 1617/18 router or router combo and you have a router table, my goodness, is this ever a useful accessory! The undertable base screws easily into my Bosch portable router table (I don't know how it would work in other tables), and then the 1617/18 motor turns and locks very easily into the base. I then have my fixed base free and ready to use in other applications: all one has to do is to reverse the turning/locking process, and the motor is free, ready to be slipped into the fixed or plunge base. It really is an easy change.

The above-table bit height adjuster is splendid: I've been using it to make minute adjustments in the height of my rail and stile cutters; making these very fine adjustments from above the table is a great deal easier than is reaching under the table to do it. The adjusting tool is very easy to insert from above the table.

As with all Bosch products I've had, this is made with attention to quality and detail. I recommend it heartily.

This product is exactly the same as the metal portion of the fixed base which comes with the Bosch 1617EVSPK router kit. The kit even includes the above-table hex key. Having bought the kit I could have used the fixed base in my router table. I even have enough space to not remove the wooden knobs on the fixed base. If all this would have been clear I would not have bought the seperate under-table router base.

Simple, easy to use, fits the router well. You do need to unlock the router to adjust the height, but that is due to the design of the router (not the base).

I was in need of a under table mount for my Bosch EVS1617 router and stumbled on this at Amazon. Was planning on using a regular base but this one filled the bill for what I needed. It is mounted to the extension of my table saw table on the right side. It is of the same quality as the original base that was broken when it accidentlly fell off my work table. The only thing I would considera as substandard is the hex wrench. The handle part is far too soft and will bend at the drop of the hat. Not a real problem as I usually reach under the table and adjust the bit from below, you have to unlatch the router by hand anyway. I am using a Jessum router plate in the table and had to drill a small hole in it for the hex wrench. It was a good buy and would go the same rout again

The Bosch RA1165 Undertable Router Base is a real time saver. It is easy to adjust from above the table and because it does not have the handles on it, it is easier to lift out of the router table for bit changes. I just completed two raised panel doors using this base and it was a pleasure to not have to get under the table to adjust the router bit height. If you don't have the luxury of owning a second router, this base is the next best thing.

Even if you don't own the Bosch router table (and are using another brand), the RA1165 under-table base with hex key is a must. It can take 10-15 minutes to bolt/unbolt a fixed router base to the underside of a router table and you're constantly worrying about alignment and keeping the base square to the table (especially after you wear the threads on the machine bolts from repeated change-outs). It's a simple install and once it's there you're good to go. And the hex key makes vertical adjustments a snap -- just make sure the table you're using (if it's not a Bosch router table) has provisions for using the key.

I have a Bosch router in a Bosch router table and have lived with the under-table adjusting for several years. It was not a 'big' problem, but I would have preferred a through-table adjustment. I'm cheap so I wasn't going to buy a lifter. When I saw this and got a bargain on a used one, I jumped on it. I got the base and installed it in a few minutes. I drilled an access hole in the plate for the key and instantly loved the ease of fine adjustment without reaching under the table. In a few weeks, I experienced the same problem as another reviewer and the locking washer gave out. However, because Amazon is willing to publish good AND bad reviews, I was able to read a quick and easy solution with a stop collar. I bought the stop collar and had it working perfectly again in a few minutes. Bosch should fix this problem, but thanks to reviews, I had a work-around. The base is worth the money...just have a 1/4" stop collar available.

I have a Bosch 1617EVSPK kit that came with one of these bases, and a plunge base. I also have a router table and mounted the base fixed base to it, thinking that I could use the plunge base for ALL of my other work. Wrong! Somtimes you realy need the fixed base, its smaller, and much easer to use with templates. After removing it from the router table to use as a hand held one too many times, I decided to just buy a fixed base router for the table, when I found this......now all I have to do is slip it into the fixture I need, (router table, fixed base, or plunge base) and away I go.