Archive for the ‘Misc. Tables’ Category

Bosch RA1181 Router Table

The Bosch 1181 is fairly easy to find router table.  Frequently you can find it at Lowe’s and several places online. It is a decent table with several features that would be a step up from something like a Skil.  The table has some full features like the drop in router insert plate, adjustable fence and power switch.  It even comes with a featherboard, which everyone seems to get excited about for some reason.  The base is plastic and the size of the fence is somewhat limiting in my opinion.

I think that for $190 bucks or so, you can have lots of options and can even get a full size table that you can grow with.  Some people prefer the bench top size, which is fine if space is an issue.  But the price is the killer here since I really believe there are some other bench top router tables that have a nicer fence and some better features.

There is a really good review here by new woodworker.

Bosch RA1181 Specifications:

• Amperage: 120V – 15AMP
• Height: 14-1/2″
• Depth: 18″
• Width: 27″
• Max. Fence Opening: 3-3/16″
• Max. Throat Opening: 3-5/8″
• Cord Length: 6′

Bosch RA1181 Includes:

• (1) Set of 3 Mounting Plate Insert Rings to adjust opening to bit size
• (1) Hardware for Mounting Most Bosch Routers
• (2) Adjustable Featherboards
• (1) Adjustable Clear Guard
• (1) Starter Pin and Guard
• (2) Outfeed Fence Shims – 1/16″ Thick
• Predrilled for following routers:
  BOSCH 1617 series*, 1613 series, 1619EVS; Porter Cable 690, 892-895 series*, 7529; Milwaukee: 5615, 5616; Hitachi: M12VC; DeWalt: DW616, DW618*; Makita: RF1100, RF1101; Ryobi: R161K, R162K; Craftsman: Fixed base models with 1/2? collet capacity

Pretty good setup for the money

Almost perfect

Great Table

Here is a free download of a router table review.  It is not exhaustive, but it will give you an excellent idea of what is available and where to get them.  Some of this links are not working correctly since its a PDF file, but it will give you some excellent information.  Get it by clicking the link below.

Router table review

We did a review of the video series for Sommerfeld tools and its only fair to have a look at the router table that was featured in it.  If you are doing some research to figure out which table to buy, this table should certainly be included.  However it is not the cheapest and should be rightfully compared with router tables in its same price class.  It is well thought out and offers a very nice fence.  Below are the particulars for the table and the fence.  You can find the table at their website, www.sommerfeldtools.com

Table Top

Huge 36″ x 27″ extruded aluminum Table gives you plenty of support for your largest workpieces

The Porter-Cable 698 is a Router Table without Motor. The table top is machined aluminum, lightweight but stable and measures out at a pretty generous 19-3/4 by 16-3/4 inches with a 3/4 inch miter gauge slot. There are two starter pin positions for folks who like to use them. As on most tables this size, the fence is a split design and while that has its detractors. Each section adjusts smoothly, giving flexibility in both front-to-back and lateral positioning. The table hole is large enough for a 3-1/2 inch bit and two inserts are included one with a large opening, the other small. The legs are a tad over a foot high, plenty of room for most routers and they’re wide and sturdy with predrilled holes on the bottom flanges.  $189.99

Porter Cable 698 Router Table

Large 19-3/4 inch x 16-3/4 inch machined aluminum table with cast-in lip to support extensions
3/4 inch miter gauge slot
Multiple starting pin locations
Quick-adjust split-fence design with independently adjustable halves
Large 3-5/8 inch table hole size allows use of 3-1/2 inch diameter router bits
Dust collection hood sized for 2-1/2 inch hose
12-7/8 inch leg height allows use of 1-1/2 to 3-1/4 HP routers

Bosch makes a couple of router tables to compliment their own router table line.  I really wish they would make a full size router table to go head to head with their competitors.  The top is aluminum and the base is a heavy duty plastic, which is fine.  It has all the features of a full size table just in smaller size.  For example, the miter track is not what we call industry standard.  It is smaller and does not use the traditional 3/4″ accessories you can find in other stores.  While we are on the subject of industry standard, let’s talk about sizes.  When a company makes an “industry standard” gauge or accessory, it is milled or intended to fit the standard of the industry so you can mix and match.  Sometimes things are off by 1/100th and they end up not working for you.  Does that make it junk?  by all means no, it just means that the milling specs were a tad different for that vendor than for everyone else.  After all a 2×4 does not really measure 2″ by 4″ right?

The Bosch RA1181 Benchtop Router Table provides a premium large work surface for woodworking and routing. Designed to fit a variety of routers and able to mount on any workbench, this router table is a versatile piece of equipment that will serve as an indispensable part of any woodworking shop. And its 2-1/2-inch dust collection port offers better dust collection for a healthier work environment. The large aluminum top makes the table both durable and portable. $229

Designed for Versatility and Precision
Thanks to its versatile design, the RA1181 lets you work with a variety of materials while ensuring precision with every cut. With a tall aluminum fence measuring 4-7/8 x 25-1/8 inches (HxL), the table handles tall stock with ease. The fence also features adjustable MDF face plates for better support and smoother operation.

The rigid aluminum router mounting plate stays flat and true for precise, accurate cuts, and for added versatility, it’s pre-drilled to fit a variety of routers.

The easy-to-use featherboards attach to the fence and table and are fully adjustable to fit a variety of workpieces. They provide additional support and control while feeding stock across the routing table.

Dust Collection Port and Accessory Slot
The RA1181′s powerful dust collection system excels at dust removal. It features one dust collection port for removing dust and debris, and it fits standard-sized 2-1/2-inch vacuum hoses.

Use the accessory slot to add additional featherboards, as well as 3/4-inch optional accessories, such as any miter gauge measuring 3/4 inch x 3/8 inch deep.

The RA1181 Benchtop Router Table measures 27 x 14-1/2 x 18 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 30 pounds. It has a maximum fence opening of 3-3/16 inches and a maximum throat opening of 3-5/8 inches. It is backed by Bosch’s one-year limited warranty, 30-day money back guarantee, and one-year service protection plan.

What’s in the Box
RA1181 Benchtop Router Table, set of three mounting-plate insert rings, mounting hardware, two adjustable featherboards, adjustable clear guard, starter pin and guard, and two 1/16-inch outfeed fence shims.

• Benchtop router table; attaches to any workbench
• 2 adjustable featherboards; dust collection port; dual outlet switch; 6-foot power cord
• Aluminum fence with MDF face plates; aluminum router mounting plate
• Includes router table, 3 mounting plate insert rings, mounting hardware for most Bosch routers, 2 featherboards, adjustable clear guard, starter pin and guard, outfeed fence shims
• 27-inch by 18-inch work surface; 1-year warranty

BOSCH RA1181 Benchtop Router Table

This is a router table combo deal, you really do not see much of them at all any more. I will have to find some more of these types of table out there since they are a package that is ready to go and is very handy for most woodworkers.  Includes Freud’s FT2200E Plunge router, adjustable fence and aluminum insert.

• Includes Freud’s FT2200E 3 1/4 hp 15 amp variable speed router w/soft start, 10,000 to 22,500 rpm, electronic speed control, micro adjustable depth control, and 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch collets included
• SH-5 micro adjustable fence to .001 inch. Includes dust collection port, MDF fence faces, chip guard, and mounting screws
• Premium 9 x 12 aluminum insert plate that won’t sag under heavy weight router. Precision machined for flatness and an 8-point leveling system for a flush fit. Comes with two snap down rings and starter pin
• Sturdy 16 gauge steel stand. Height adjusts from 32 to 38 inches and comes with rubber leveling feet and a large 31 1/2 inch x 23 1/2 inch x 1 inch laminated MDF table top.
• 5 year limited warranty on the FT2200E Router. 60 days warranty on fence, table top, and legs

From the Manufacturer
Freud’s new router / table combo package makes it easy to set up a professional router table system. For one price you receive Freud’s FT2200E 3 1/4 HP 15 amp electronic variable speed router with soft start, SH- 5 micro-adjustable router fence to .001 inch and built in dust collection port, a large 31 1/2 inch x 23 1/2 inch x 1 inch table top constructed of high pressure laminate with MDF core and 3/4 inch t-track, a 9 x 12 aluminum insert plate that won’t sag under weight of heavy router and precision machined for flatness, and a sturdy 16 gauge steel stand adjustable in height from 32 to 38 inches. Includes rubber leveling feet to ensure table is level.

There are a lot of thoughts about putting a plunge router into a router table.  Some people do and some dont.  I am a big fan of buying combo kits that have both bases so that you can keep the fixed base in the table and use the plunge base around the shop.  There is a really good article about this very subject that will help you decide which base type to get. The article is a two parter and a great read.   Routers for router tables.

Freud RTS5220 Router/Table Combo Package. Includes FT2200E Router, SH-5 Micro-Adjustable Fence, Aluminum Insert Plate and Sturdy 16 Gauge Steel Stand

Kreg sells a min version of their full sized route table that is sure to give you all the great qualities of their larger table.  You will be able to tackle any project with this router table and stow it under your workbench when you are done.

• 16-inch by 24-inch Impact resistant Easy-Slide Micro Dot Work Surface
• Rigid heavy-duty aluminum extrusion fence with independent sliding faces for use as a vertical jointer
• Rugged stamped steel foundation with vibration dampening rubber-feet
• Bottom up insert plate levelers feature 8 adjustable points of contact
• Large 3/8-inch thick phenolic insert plate

There are three customer reviews for this table from Amazon, they are as follows

1.  Good Overall

2. Not bad, but could be much better.,

3.  bench top model is sturdy and easy to move when needed

Kreg PRS2000 Precision Benchtop Router Table

Kreg’s full size router table is no slouch in the industry.  You will find powerful features and a fully capable table that can handle any type of project you throw at it.  It has a study steel stand like Bench Dog and a great aluminum plate.  A full sized fence with dust collection tops off a great router table.

• Fully enclosed heavy-duty aluminum fence provides unmatched rigidity, strength and precision to your router top and helps to maintain an enclosed vacuum for superior dust collection.
• Professionally edge-banded MDF top absorbs vibration and noise like no phenolic top can. It features an Easy-Slide Micro-Dot skin – made from an impact resistant high-pressure laminate – which makes it easy to slide work pieces across the surface.
• 9 1/4-Inch x 11 3/4-Inch x 3/8-Inch thick phenolic insert plate works with any router and comes with unique bottom-up levelers with 8 adjustable points of contact.
• Two fully independent fence faces and dual acrylic depth setting rods quickly turn your router into a vertical jointer to allow for jointing depth adjustments of 1/16-Inch and 1/32-Inch.
• Universal steel stand is made from heavy gauge steel, includes 4 leveling feet and is adjustable from 31-Inch to 36–Inch.

There were 5 reviews for the table, these are the highlights of those reviews from Amazon.
Kreg PRS1040 Precision Router Table System

1.  Excellent Router Table for the money!

2. Five stars for the product

3.  Sweet table!

4. Very Nice

5. Excellent value for the money!

Keep in mind this table will ship in three boxes.  Today with heavy items such as router tables, shipping damage is prevelant.  If you seperate the stand from the top and fence you will cut down on the amount of damage that may occur.  You have to remember the human element in the shipping equation.

You can easily find the Bosch RA1181 at retailers like Lowes. It is nice to be able to get your hands on one before buying it. It is even nicer if you could see the thing in action before you buy. This video shows you some sample features and uses of the table. The video features the jointing feature of the fence. It shows you how to set it so that you can use it for jointing. Jointing on the router table is never as good as using a jointer, in my opionion, but in some cases it works very well and can save you significant space and money in the shop.

You can find it priced between $169 to $199 at most retailers. Below the video is a list of places where you can check it out and make a purchase.