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In Brief: Bosch RA 1181 Review
The Bosch RA 1181 is a router table which is a great purchase if you’re a professional or a beginner as it really sets the ball rolling on woodworking projects as it helps you measure, hold and stabilize your wood piece while you use a router to carve your vision onto it. The RA1181, unlike the RA1171, is compatible with most router types which makes it all the more useful.
Bosch RA 1181 Benchtop Router Table
- Compatible with most router types
- Strong and smooth finish due to the metal base
- The durable and sturdy body which ensures longevity
Bosch is a huge multinational company famous for making power tools.
It is known to develop a whole range of a product line, and it betters itself with every new version, like with the Bosch RA 1181 which has the Bosch RA 1171 as its predecessor.
Bosch is a German brand which focuses on durability, efficiency and ergonomic designs for its tools and is a top player in the power tool market.
Article Outline
Bosch RA 1181 Specifications
The Bosch RA 1181 is quite a remarkable product in the market right now, and here are some specifications to convince you better:
Specifications
Here are key specs of Bosch RA 1181 –
| Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Amperage | 15.0 amps |
| Material | Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) |
| Power source | Corded, Electrical |
| Voltage | 120 V |
| Depth | 18" |
| Outlets | 2 |
| Adjustable feather boards | Yes |
| Aluminum Fence | Yes |
| Cabinet storage | Yes |
| Dust Collection | Yes |
| Tool Dimensions (L x W x H) | 22.75 x 27.0 x 14.5 inches |
| Max. Fence Opening | 3-5/8" |
| Max. Throat Opening | 3-5/8" |
| Weight | 30.0lb |
| Working Length | 27" |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon |
The following video shows you how the tool works and will give you an intuition of how it actually performs the job:
Assembly and Installation
The Bosch RA1181 comes in parts and needs to be assembled by the user before purchase.
Though it might seem like a hassle, it really is quite easy to assemble the product, since it comes with a pre-included comprehensive and detailed manual that gives step by step instructions on the assembly and installation.
You can also watch tons of videos on youtube, one of which is given below:
Warranty and Repairs
The Bosch RA1181 comes with a 1-year limited warranty which entails replacement or repair of any malfunctioning part of the tool by authorized Bosch centers.
To redeem the warranty, you need to submit the tool to your nearest Bosch store or an authorized service station, which you will easily fin in your tool directory.
The warranty only covers the tool if it was originally malfunctioning and does not cover the distress caused by the user, so be sure to not get the tool repaired locally in case of any issue, and contact authorized people first.
It also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and a 1-year service protection plan.
Consumer Comments
The majority of woodworkers that have used the Bosch RA1181 have voted in its favor. Their reviews are quite positive and satisfying if you are planning on buying this product.
Users who have had experience with this product comment on its high efficiency and durability. It is packed with features to be apt for any type of job, and any type of woodworker, beginner, DIYer or professional.
Users liked the Bosch product for the additional accessories that added versatility to their tool kit. Most users found little problem with the installation and got it done within two hours due to the easy guidance provided in the manual.
Many users particularly liked features like the soft-start, the adjustable feather boards which made the life for beginners quite easy and directional.
Price
- Benchtop router table design – Features a large aluminum top for extended work area, durability and precision
- Rigid aluminum mounting plate – Pre-drilled for compatibility with a variety of routers and for above-table height adjustment
- Extra tall aluminum fence – Has adjustable faceplates and feather boards to maximize precision and versatility
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compatible with most router types
- Strong and smooth finish due to the metal base
- The durable and sturdy body which ensures longevity
- Efficient work environment as less noisy and added dust collector mechanism
- Portable, yet rigid
- Easy to use due to adjustable aluminum fencing
- High controllability due to dual switch outlet
Cons
- Most parts are made out of plastic, hence easily breakable
- Assembly needs to be done by the customer
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Recommended Accesories
The Bosch RA1181 comes with tons of accessories that can really transform the tool and add to its versatility.
It works best when used with Bosch accessories, for the simple reason that the performance of both the tools become optimized and synchronized.
Recommended accessories that you can buy along with the purchase of the RA1181 are the Bosch Woodworking Router combo kit or the Hiltex tungsten carbide router bits as these products are frequently bought alongside.
The links to the Amazon product page of these accessories are given below:
Bosch 1617EVSPK Woodworking Router Combo Kit
Hiltex 10100 Tungsten Carbide Router Bits
FAQs
The Bosch RA1181, unlike its predecessor, the RA1171, is compatible with most types of routers. For confirmation and a fully comprehensive list of the routers, you can work with, be sure to check the manual out. Some common routers that are frequently purchased and used with the RA1181 are listed below:
1) Bosch Models 1613 series, 1617 series (fixed base only), 1619EVS;
2) Craftsman listed as “most Craftsman 1/2″ collet routers”;
3) DeWalt DW616, DW618 (Fixed-base only);
4) Hitachi M12VC;
No, the warranty is only applicable if any part of your machine was originally malfunctioning, before you started using it seriously. Damage caused by user is not covered in the warranty and will not be dealt with under the conditions of the limited warranty for free. You can, however, still show your tool in case of malfunction to any Bosch service center but it will cost you.
Our Recommendation
Bosch is a renowned company that does not falter on its promise of durable, efficient products and the specifications on the RA1181 look terrific. It is a router table suitable for anyone, for any type of work.
It is reviewed quite favorably and would be quite a buy that will serve you for a long time, should you decide to purchase it. We give a thumbs up to this product!
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Last update on 2021-01-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
