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Bosch RA1200 Deluxe Router Table | List Price: $610.00
Discount Price: $385.83
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Brand: Bosch
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - Large 44-by-24-inch work surface
- 24-inch precision-machined aluminum fence
- Easy-access on/off switch
- Sturdy steel legs that fold for easy storage
Great Table, Cheap Parts [Posted on 2005-02-21]
This is a good router table and very sturdy. Its worked well for me and I would buy it again. I am however not satisfied at all with the way that the mounting plate works. Its hard to align and the cheap plastic set screws that they provide are terrible. Bosch needs to fix two things to make this table really great. Get rig of the cheap plastic set screws, and make the way you align and set the fence easier than having to reach under it all the time to move the knobs. The height is very comfortable and it was easy to set up and build.
A solid table at a solid price. [Posted on 2005-10-27]
What I wanted: The best table for the lowest price. Unfortunately, all good router tables are expensive. After extensive research, I determined the relatively acceptable range of a good complete setup to be $300-$900. A bit pricey for a tool with not even a motor. All router table setups are basically made up of five components. Ideally, all components come together in one box as a complete kit:
*Good quality Tabletop- large & smooth durable finish.
*Portable Legs- when set up, it should be as stable as a fixed leg unit.
*Good quality Fence- should adjust accurately, easily, and stay where I set it.
*Router Lift- must be able to fine tune depth easily to at least 1/64" increments.
*Accessories included- remote on/off switch, feather boards, multiple clear shields.
What I got: This table kit is essentially a Bosch-dized Rousseau 3350. With that known, I tossed out the stock fixed mounting plate and dropped in the Rousseau 3000LS Lift which fits perfect. This completes my setup and is reviewed as such.
Assembly: The table and legs come assembled and unfold easily and lock in position. A screwdriver is the only tool needed to screw in the remote switch and dust port. The mounting plate needs to be leveled flush with the tabletop and is done so with 6 nylon screws into brass inserts from under the table. This along with 4 screws from above are used to tighten it down. Time can be spent getting it all perfect, but it only needs to done once. The Bosch fence varies from Rousseau by adding two horizontal threaded rods for mounting the vertical feather board and/or clear shield. It also uses MDF instead of Baltic Birch for the fence faces. Count on a leisure Saturday morning to setup.
OK. But does it all work: Nice and wide 44" workspace on a very stable platform and it actually folds away. The lift makes the table all it can be and is one incredibly precise & easy to use piece (see my review of it for more info). I did have to remove the vertical clear shield, as its "foot" sticks so far out that it blocks access to the Lifts height adjustment. I will either amputate the "foot" or just leave it off. There's lot of room underneath the table to easily adjust stuff like speed or pull the router. The fence adjusts well enough, although after using the lift with it's 1/512" precision makes me wish it too had micro precision adjustment for fore and aft. Otherwise, the horizontal / vertical feather boards and remote switch work as expected.
Was it worth it: It would be nice to see this table & lift combo as a standard package since they work so well together. My only real wish is, it sure would be nice to see a micro adjustment on the fore and aft movement of the fence. This would add speed & great precise, although at a hefty price increase. Perhaps the fence faces could extend out to the width of the table too. Since it is 44" wide and not 32". Overall, this is one versatile and precise router table setup for the money. 4.5 stars.
Bosch RA1200 Deluxe Router Table [Posted on 2006-03-04]
Overall, I'd say this is an excellent router table for the home workshop. My only complaints would be the plastic screws used for leveling the mounting plate, and that the fence doesn't have any micro adjustment knobs. Other than that, it's great. It's built like a tank, and the large, laminate top provides plenty of work space. I would highly recommend this router table.
not bad [Posted on 2006-04-09]
table is larger then most ,does fold down but it is heavy .table is stable . the table top is flat but the plastic insert router mounts to is not ,i am search right now for one that is and the fit it to the table .
Sturdy but not precise [Posted on 2006-11-29]
I agree with the reviews below noting how imprecise this table is. First, it uses the Rousseau plate that is NOT flat. The fence is fair at best, difficult to adjust. The body of the fence is one piece and mine is an eyelash crooked. The knobs are poor quality and I replaced them immediately.
The distillation of all of this is that you will have a hard time with any precision routing. I tried to make some cabinet rail and stile doors; the error introduced by the above factors make this untenable.
The upside is that the table is large and the is portable. This is by no means an optimal shop table. Save your money and get a better product for your shop (e.g. the Bench Dog).
Part of the reason why I give this only two stars is that for $325 bucks this is a very poor value for what you get. It is worth less than half of that!!!
Remember, if you are going to buy the higher end product anyway, you pay through the nose if you waste money on inferior unit first. I have made this mistake more times than I care to admit.
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