Thanks Thanks:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    120

    Default folding outfeed tables

    Hi all

    This site and its members have provided me plenty of help setting up my second hand Hafco sb-12.

    I am now turning my attention to creating an outfeed table.

    My workshop is quite compact so I am hoping to create one that hangs off the back of the table and can fold up when needed.

    It will need to have an initial section that sits over the motor as well as allow room for the rear of the fence to lock down.

    The problem is how to attach it.

    Most videos I have seen either have no rear fence rail to worry about or the rail is angle iron. The hafco is a rear aluminium extrusion. I am not to keen to hang a table off that.

    So I am thinking I will bolt some brackets to the cast iron table top using the existing holes for the rear rail. The other idea would be to attach some brackets to the bolts that connect the wings to the table top.

    Before I get into gear though I am keen to see what others may have done.

    Here are a few examples of what I am looking at for inspiration.





    Thanks for your help.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Last edited by mote; 1st January 2019 at 10:16 AM. Reason: typo

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    Hi Mote

    I did something very similar on a previous table saw. The extension was given folding, swing out legs. This worked. Eventually I discovered that, unless one is working with full sheets of MDF or ply, a long extension table is unnecessary. I work 99% with hard wood. Consequently, I removed all but the shorter extension, as you have it (the part before the fold out), and triangulated this with a strut to the saw body. This short extension was all that I ever needed. It was only about 9" or so, but made a world of difference. I imagine that you do not want to hear this right now, after going through your build (which looks excellent), but try using it as is (folded down).



    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    120

    Default

    Thanks Derek! Never fear, those images where just some ideas I was looking at. I haven’t started yet

    When you mentioned triangulating to struts on the saw body. Do you mean simply screwing brackets the sides of the saw sheet metal?

    Thanks for your help




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    When you mentioned triangulating to struts on the saw body. Do you mean simply screwing brackets the sides of the saw sheet metal?
    Mote, rather than brackets, which would be too short to triangulate the weight, I used steel square section ..



    This picture was taken in front of the outfeed table. There are similar struts on the left. They hold up the rear fence rails, into which is built a router table ..



    It is the same method, however only one strut is used at the front outfeed as a second would get in the way of the motor rotating when the blade is angled (this is a contractor saw). You would use two struts if the saw is inside the chassis.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    70
    Posts
    2,730

    Default

    I added a short extension table to my local men's shed table saw, but it was removed by others because it was in the way of having a designated (and required) 'helper' standing behind the blade and pulling material through.

    I used some long strap hinges that screwed to the cabinet or rear rail allowing the table to be dropped down. I just needed to add sufficient packing between the hinge leaf and the table to make it coplanar with the machine table when it was propped in place by a hinged leg underneath to keep it erect.

    With regard to Derek's suggestion on table width, I found the ideal extension table width most definitely depended on the length of timber most commonly being cut, not just whether it was sheet material. I was regularly ripping 2 metre lengths of boards at the time and it was a simple matter of weight distribution to figure out how much table was required behind the blade to stop the wood trying to lift off the table. I hate trying to add downward pressure to stop a piece lifting off the table while I am concentrating on feeding it through horizontally and firm against the fence.

    In my experience 'helpers' behind the blade ALWAYS manage to twist a board while 'pulling' through and bugger a good clean cut. When I get back to the shed I plan on building one of these that I can position when I'm using the saw and act as a portable workstation for my own use at other times.
    foldingBase.jpg
    Franklin

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    120

    Default

    Thanks Derek and Fuzzie

    Derek - I can now understand the triangular brace. Was there another piece of steel attaching the outfeed to the table itself, with the triangular piece acting as the brace?

    Fuzzie - my fence rail is only aluminium, not sure how I would attach hinges to that? Thanks for the other plans! Looks nifty

    I am thinking one option may be to drill into the edges of the cast iron wings. I would then attach supports that would run out the back of the saw from the “short” outfeed table. Is drilling into cast iron risking the integrity of the wings?

    Cheers


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    Mote, the extension with the router table is supported by steel rails along the sides. The triangulation ensures that it does not flex under weight.



    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  9. #8
    Mobyturns's Avatar
    Mobyturns is offline In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    "Brownsville" Nth QLD
    Age
    66
    Posts
    4,413

    Default

    CAUTION - be aware of the potential hazard for machines with a small footprint to topple over when using braced in-feed & out-feed tables.

    I have a simple out feed table that is mounted to the edge of the table saw top via two butt hinges that are mounted so the cast iron top and out feed top are co-planar. I also use simple triangular braces for light sheet & boards however I always use legs to support the outfeed top when ripping heavier items.

    This is particularly important for lightweight machines such as table top planers, contractor saws etc.
    In fact I would totally avoid a triangular brace system on a contractor saw. OK for cabinet saws with lower centre of gravity, but the C of G is up way to high on contractor saws to do this safely for heavier boards. This is often not apparent as the stock on the infeed side is partially supported by the operator and it is only when the long overhang on the outfeed side tests the physics of gravity.

    A quickie fix that works quite well is those folding aluminium "work platforms" with adjustable legs. They can be adjusted pretty close to height then a sheet of ply, with packing etc used to achieve / match the table height. Just remember to secure the ply to the work platform (couple of screws from underside) and the platform to the saw stand. Not difficult to do.
    Last edited by Mobyturns; 2nd January 2019 at 06:13 PM. Reason: typos
    Mobyturns

    In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    57
    Posts
    1,311

    Default

    The SawStop in your 2nd picture has a steel angle rail bolted to the cast iron top. The out feed table has been attached to this steel bracket which supports the entire side of the table next to the saw. It's been designed for that purpose. The weight of the cabinet saw is significant.

    You say you have an aluminum rail. How is that attached to the saw? Perhaps you can swap out the aluminum for a steel angle?

    I'm saving up for a system of rollers as a space saving idea.

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
    My YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2_KPRN6I9SE

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    120

    Default

    Thanks Mobyturns for the guidance

    I just wanted to confirm, you mentioned ...


    Quote Originally Posted by Mobyturns View Post
    CAUTION -

    A quickie fix that works quite well is those folding aluminium "work platforms" with adjustable legs.
    is this what you mean?

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/gorilla-...tform_p0861589



    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    120

    Default

    Thanks DaveVman

    Quote Originally Posted by DaveVman View Post

    You say you have an aluminum rail. How is that attached to the saw? Perhaps you can swap out the aluminum for a steel angle?
    I might look into this ....


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    120

    Default

    Here is quite a good example of where I think I may end up. In this case there is an "Arm" attached to a wing of the table top using bolts and the otherr "arm" looks like it is attached to the Sheetm metal side of the saw.

    Table saw upgrade Ridgid 3650 outfeed table and dust collection - by spaids @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

    These arms support the intial non folding part of the out geed table. Just enough to sit over the motor. As this user suggests they are now looking at attaching the folding part of the table to this initial table.

    Do others think it is wise to hang the table off the sheet metal like the post suggests?

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    145

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mote View Post
    Here is quite a good example of where I think I may end up. In this case there is an "Arm" attached to a wing of the table top using bolts and the otherr "arm" looks like it is attached to the Sheetm metal side of the saw.

    Table saw upgrade Ridgid 3650 outfeed table and dust collection - by spaids @ LumberJocks.com ~ woodworking community

    These arms support the intial non folding part of the out geed table. Just enough to sit over the motor. As this user suggests they are now looking at attaching the folding part of the table to this initial table.

    Do others think it is wise to hang the table off the sheet metal like the post suggests?
    Looks to me that the new steel rails in the post you linked and bolted to a flat section of steel plate, then bolted to the ends of the wings. If this is the case, looks ok, would depend on the gauge of each material really. Personally, id still provide drop down legs with adjustable feet to take the full weight


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Bunbury, WA
    Posts
    80

    Default

    I second having a completely separate table, ideally with locking castors, together with a perhaps 300-400mm outfeed extension which is enough for small work.

Similar Threads

  1. Robland X 31 Feed Tables Co Planar?
    By Timless Timber in forum JOINTERS, MOULDERS, THICKNESSERS, ETC
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 20th August 2013, 11:33 AM
  2. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11th September 2012, 08:11 PM
  3. Folding Out Feed Table for Table Saw
    By PaulS in forum HOMEMADE TOOLS AND JIGS ETC.
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 6th August 2005, 10:49 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •