Customer Reviews

Bosch RA1180 Benchtop Router Table

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I bought one of these and liked it a lot, except for one flaw: the router mount plate, which is made of some kind of plastic, flexes. For operations where the workpiece is supported by the aluminum table, this isn't a problem, but I was making sliding dovetail joints. One piece was supported by the table, but the other piece only 'rode' on the mount plate. This resulted in ~1/16" difference between the two cuts.

I contacted Bosch, who were very up-front and said that they did see some deflection in the plate and recommended that if this was a problem I return the table and buy a non-flexing product. I'm still trying to decide between Veritas and Benchdog, leaning toward the Benchdog.

As a professional woodworker, I had high expectations for this product primarily because of the manufacturers reputation. Unfortunately, however, I was sorely disappointed.

All product literature promotes the tools "Precision Ground" table top. Apparently though, Bosch's definition of precision is lacking to the point of making this tool unusable.

After initial assembly, mounting of router, and setup of a door frame bit, we were perplexed as to why all our cuts were so inconsistent; varying as much as 1/16". We soon discovered that there was a defect in the manufacture of the table.

When holding a straightedge on the top of the table one can easily see a deviation of 1/8" in flatness from the front of the table to the rear. The deviation begins immediately at the miter slot.

We returned our table to the seller and were offered a store credit. Before accepting the store credit we checked all other Bosch Router Tables they had available. All those in stock had the same defect in manufacture. We took a refund and went to another vendor. Surprisingly, however, all their tables had the exact same defect.

We opted for another brand.

Hoping to help Bosch, we called their Tech Support number. After describing the problem to them we were told "You guy should remember to measure twice and cut once". Our reply" "We did measure twice. That's how we discovered the defect."

If you are in to making woodworking a frustrating and aggravating experience this is the Router Table for you. If you are not concerned with accuracy or consistency, by all means buy this table.

However, if you prefer quality and precision, shop elsewhere.

The biggest ripoff in the modern tool world!!! The fence must be totally removed by a tedious and time consuming process to access the router for bit removal. When the fence is secured to the base it is impossible to remove the router plate no matter where or how you slide the fence. I blasted the Bosch reps at a National Tool Show and they said, "Yeah, we get lots of complaints on the fence hold down!" I think Bosch should redesign the fence hold down assembly and send retro fit kits to all current owners. It is such an involved process to change bits that I am thinking of demanding my money back from Bosch

I bought the Bosch Router table almost without thinking. I have other Bosch tools and have gained confidence that if you want an extremely good tool, Bosch is a sure bet.

How wrong I was about the table. The design appears quite good. Unfortunately, the use of a composite router mounting plate does not provide sufficient support. I found the surface to be concave after mounting the router (of course, a Bosch router). Accuracy in such conditions is nearly impossible.

Too, the table surface (aluminum) leave black marks on hardwoods (no doubt, aluminum oxide) that probably can be corrected with wax, or by gluing a laminate top over it. Like other reviewers, I also observed burrs and overall poor quality on the table top. The dust collection worked surprisingly well with very little spill-out, and the ease of using the supplied feather boards was welcome. I'm afraid with those positives however, I wouldn't buy a Bosch Router table again.

Although I am still a firm supporter of the quality of Bosch tools, I will probably be a bit more cautious in my future purchases.

I found this table great looking and paid the extra money to get it. With the small PC router and Bosch routers, I guess, it mounts up fine. The mounting plate has so many holes in it that its nearly impossible to mount anything else but that. Makita routers will NOT fit without buying a $50 mounting plate (that is not in stock at the factory) and drilling your own holes. What a rip. You would think that for this kind of money they would at least enclose put some kind of closures on the front and back. I made my own. What good is a dust port if you sling sawdust all over the floor from underneath? I didn't have a problem putting this together. Just be very careful and do everything as the book says and it goes together nicely in a few hours or less. I am more ticked off at the cost of the mounting plate than anything else about this router. Just don't buy this table if you ever suspect you might be buying a different router. Oh yes, as long as I am airing this all out. A Bosch router model 1611 that is 7 or 8 years old is considered obsolete and parts are no longer available. Wanna buy a Bosch router???

I ordered this table along with the 1618EVS D-Handle router. Although the table took me several days to complete, it was well worth it. When mounted to a small table/stand it is very sturdy. The fence is very user-friendly and the dust removal works great with a shop vac. Unlike some of the other reviews say, I had no problem mounting my bosch router to the table at all. If you assemble this table correctly it will become one of your favorite tools in the shop. I've used Porter Cable's table in the past and I believe that Bosch made a much more useful table here. I wouldn't consider buying this and another brand of router anyways; Bosch has, in my opinion, the best lineup of routers.

This table is a very attractive unit set up to give you the impression you are purchasing a useful and productive product. Unfortunately after you have purchased the table and assembled it as I have, reality sets in. Concern #1 is when you get to page 18 of the manual you are told that the mounting plate will not accept any router except a Bosch. This of course was not the information I received from the Bosch representative at the Colorado Woodworkers show in Denver. Even more surprising when you contact the local bosch representative to acquire the Bosch RA1185 Mounting Plate. It is very expensive. Suggestion from the distributor in Colorado Springs is to drill your own holes in the mounting plate. #2) Do not expect to make any adjustments to the mounting plate without undoing the fence completely and removing it from the router table. This is a major undertaking.

I'm the one who posted the images. I've been using this table for about a year now and don't have a lot of complaints. I've never had to remove the fence to change a bit. I don't know what kind of routers these people are using, but I have a Bosch 1617EVSPK mounted underneath. This router allows you to raise and lower the router to change bits and the access window is facing the opening in the table.

The plastic featherboards are useless, like most of them. Just make your own out of oak like I do. I took off the clear safety shield and use the bracket for a hold-down feather board.

The best thing I did was dedicate a vaccuum to this table. A couple of hose clamps and an inner tube work well for the connection to the back of the fence, which has a bracket for dust collection. I attached a three way plug adapter to the table's main switch, plugged in my vaccuum and router (which are always turned on) and presto, the vaccuum and router come on together with the flip of one switch on the table. I NEVER have dust problems with this system!

This table isn't perfect, but it works for me.

This table is the same as the new Craftsman Professonal Router Table with Miter Gauge (SALE PRICE 184.00). You have to buy 2 featherboards, (9.00/ea). However to get it to work with your non-Craftsman router you'll need to buy a router adapter plate (26.00). And you'll have to pay tax at Sears.

The Craftsman table was fairly easy to assemble and seemed sturdy. I returned and decided to wait for this Bosch product that will mate-up nicely with my Bosch router.

I just bought this table. I've put it together and like most of what I see. I'm a little concerned about how the fence is guided for spacing to the cutter. Despite what the sales folk told me it doesn't mount my non Bosch router. That requires a different mounting plate that must be drilled to match. Before I do that I'll drill the plate that came with the table and save the additional [money]. It's not perfect, but you get what you pay for. Noting less expensive is near as good as this.