Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Bosch RA1054 Deluxe Router Edge Guide With Dust Extraction Hood & Vacuum Hose Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)At first glance the Bosch RA 1054 looks unwieldy, complicated and maybe even fragile with multiple poles, thumbsrews, springs and a large dial in the rear.But I must admit that after a thorough review of the owners manual and little pre-marking of my project the performace thus far has been pretty good.I used the guide to cut six mortises in solid maple 3x3 stock for a bed project I'm working on.To be honest, I completely skipped the use of the set-up dial by pre-marking all my mortises directly on the stock, then simply lining up the cuts based on the width of the router bit I was using.During use the guide is stable, with a large and stout edge that worked well with the stock I was routing.Smaller stock may present a different complication.The guide was cake to set up in both the plunge and fixed bases of the Bosch 1617pk I was using (which by the way works like a dream - if only I had gotten the variable speed model!).Downsides so far...no carrying case for the guide which I predict will lead to damage ultimately (remember all the poles, springs dials etc...protruding out) and despite the ample space in the case of the 1617pk router, the guide doesn't fit in there either.Additionally, the guide makes placing the router when not in use a real trick.Due to its size the guide tends to pull the router over if left inverted on the workbench, and tips it forward even if place bit side down.My solution so far is to rest the non-guide half of the entire setup on a piece of 1x stock which works pretty well.Time will tell how well the guide ultimately works with small stock, precise setup requiring the setup dials and the durability of the thing.But for now, it's all I was able to find to work with. Folks at Bosh need to take a look at the new Porter Cable guide.That things looks like a steel I beam, seems simple to use, has one-piece design and appears to be quite sturdy.If Bosch doesn't come to the table with one, maybe an aftermarket maker will.A router the quality of the 1617pk deserves to have accessories of the same quality and build.Overall this is an acceptable edge guide that could be sturdier, simpler and come with a carrying case.Good wood working everyone!

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Product Description:
The Bosch RA1054 Deluxe Router Guide greatly expands the versatility of Bosch routers. It makes it possible to do edge-forming using non-piloted bits, and guides cuts along the workpiece edge or up to 8 inches from the edge. Standard equipment includes dust extraction hood and vacuum hose adapter that allows connection to 1-1/4-inch, 1-1/2-inch and 35mm hoses. The RA1054 also includes a pivot plate and can be easily converted into a circle guide for making circles and arcs up to 32 inches in diameter.