[joea]

I picked up a used 1618EVS from a local gentleman. Turns out he also had a new table base for it.

Only problem is, the hole pattern for the base does not match the Craftsman cheapo table I have been using.

So short of buying another table, searching Craigslist fervently or building a table, in the name of finishing my never ending project quickly, I was hoping to find a ready made round adapter to mate the RA1165 to the Craftsman.

Anyone know of such a thing? I can always make one, out of phenolic, lexan or aluminum, but, I am, after all, basically lazy. No, really.

 

[DaninVan]

Hey, Joe; buy a Bosch plate and whip up a new top.

 

[Cherryville Chuck]

Agreed. It only takes 3 to 4 hrs to make a quick top. A day to make a really nice job of it with solid wood edging, etc.

 

[joea]

Aww . . . that means I gotta play with wood. . . . oh, wait. . .

 

[joea]

Hey, Joe; buy a Bosch plate and whip up a new top.

I've done a Google for Bosch plates and come up empty. Expecting that rectangular(ish) plates found on Rockler, etc, but nothing by Bosch. They do offer their own tables, maybe that's why.

Hints? I guess it is New Years Eve. So enjoy.

 

[Cherryville Chuck]

Only Craftsman matched Craftsman and not every model either. Bosch sells their own table but I know very little about except some buyers had trouble with it warping. Grizzly sells a plate for $13 but some complained about it sagging in time. I have two and don't leave them in the table when I'm not using them. I'm using one now that I made myself out of some kind of sheet plastic that one of my kids left in my shop. I used the insert rings out of the Grizzly for it. It helped that I have a milling machine for making it. You can get some aluminum plates. I think Kreg makes one. They won't warp but they are pricey. Some after market plates are already drilled for your router. You'll have to look to see which ones. Lee Valley sells at least one I think. Rockler and MCLS are other places to look. And maybe Highland Woodworking.

 

[DaninVan]

It's a mystery to me, Joe???
I have one but I can't find it online... (I'm too lazy to go out to the shop and find the p/n )
There is this one however:
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Parts-...2646&sr=8-3&keywords=bosch+router+table+plate
If you have a centering cone, drilling and countersinking mounting screws into universal plates isn't a huge challenge.

 

[joea]

It's a mystery to me, Joe???
I have one but I can't find it online... (I'm too lazy to go out to the shop and find the p/n )
There is this one however:
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-Parts-...2646&sr=8-3&keywords=bosch+router+table+plate
If you have a centering cone, drilling and countersinking mounting screws into universal plates isn't a huge challenge.

Took me a bit, but I see that is the replacement plate for the RA1171 and RA1181 tables. It would definitely fit what I have without modification. Just have to make a table.

Since I can get the tables at CPO outlet for $139 and $169, apparently, shipped, should I bother? I guess the RA1181 is a better box, for the bucks, being metal where it counts.

GAAAH! decision brain freeze!

 

[DaninVan]

A double layer of 3/4" (or 5/8") plywood laminated together (2' x 3' ?) is basically the heart of the build. Everything else is icing.
Will a HPL surface make a better table than a couple of coats of Urethane? Last longer before re doing it but really how much better?

 

[Cherryville Chuck]

One of the issues with either table is that they are small. A sink cutout would be bigger and it would be free. Forum members tend to fall into various groups. Ones like me consider building your own custom table part of woodworking. Others would rather buy one. Maybe their time is more valuable than mine and the money isn't an issue. Some of my first efforts were very plain and utilitarian. A 2 x 4 with a cutout for the bit served as the fence on one or two and worked very well. They've gotten more complex as time went on and I decided what features were important to me. And because I didn't spend much on most of them it didn't matter that I upgraded later. The current one is the most expensive at maybe $100 counting the casters it rolls around on. I'm fairly happy with the current configuration and this might be the last one I build.

Another issue the members are split on is whether you need 2 layers of panel for the top. I've never used two layers, not once, and I've never had any issues with warping or sagging and the latest version is #5 or #6. But I always put a solid, level frame under my tables to attach the panel to just as you do with plywood or OSB on floor joists. Your kitchen counter top is 5/8 particle board and it stays level so why wouldn't a router table top stay level with one layer? You can buils a simple table in an hour or so, especially a bench top size one. The cutout for an insert will take that long and maybe a bit and a split fence like the one I make will take about 3 or more. A 2x4 fence takes 10 minutes or less if you want to keep it simple.

 

[TenGees]

Whatever you use for a home-made top, it might be a good idea to seal both sides so that humidity doesn't affect one side more than the other and lead to warping. That's important in my garage shop as it can get quite humid - not important if your shop is climate controlled.

 

[Danman1957]

Dan,
Did I see an Aluminium Bosch router plate for $27.95 Canuck bucks ??????

I paid over $100 for the Steel City one I bought and it is still un-opened ! Should I return it ?

Danman

 

[joea]

Thanks for all the input.

In getting the current project over with, I opted to order the RA1181 from CPO Outlet, partly because Midnight Dec 31 2018 was the last day of the discount on Bosch stuff over a certain price.

I got to thinking about dust collection, feather boards, etc., so the ready made seemed the right choice, for now. Once I get the current project complete, I am pretty certain I will go for building a larger table and will have the RA1181 to influence me. Hopefully, I can recoup some of the outlay on resale.

In the famous words of, oh several people, "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

 

[DaninVan]

Dan; $100 for a plate?! Ouch.

 

[psal217050]

If you live near Central PA, I have the RA1171 table but don't use it. You can have it for $50 and it includes a spare base (I think it is the RA1165 base) in it already. Just need to add the motor.

Pete

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[DesertRatTom]

Dan; $100 for a plate?! Ouch.

That's about the price for the Woodpecker plate I got for the Triton. It's very thick, nice and large, pre drilled for the Triton, and has the wonderful twist lock inserts. Hey, it's just money. My philosophy on money has always been, get more. Works for me. :wink:

 

[DaninVan]

Today.
Owner of my local coffee shop: "You finished work for the day (2:00PM)?"
Me: "Nope. I work the same hours...I just don't get paid for it anymore."

 

[joea]

How flat should a router table top aim to be? In particular, a "die cast" and apparently machined top? I measure about .012 max over the length. Would I get any better, or need to, building a similar one from wood?

 

[joea]

If you live near Central PA, I have the RA1171 table but don't use it. You can have it for $50 and it includes a spare base (I think it is the RA1165 base) in it already. Just need to add the motor.

Pete

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Is that an area, or the town name? You can PM me if you wish, or I can PM you.

 

[Nickp]

Thanks for all the input.

In getting the current project over with, I opted to order the RA1181 from CPO Outlet, partly because Midnight Dec 31 2018 was the last day of the discount on Bosch stuff over a certain price.

I got to thinking about dust collection, feather boards, etc., so the ready made seemed the right choice, for now. Once I get the current project complete, I am pretty certain I will go for building a larger table and will have the RA1181 to influence me. Hopefully, I can recoup some of the outlay on resale.

In the famous words of, oh several people, "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

Have no fear, Joe...you will like the 1181 just fine...make sure you wax the top regularly to keep aluminum marks off your project piece...