Table Saw (Dewalt) Workbench and out-feed table build progress

[Walshy25]

Hi all,

I'm very new to wood working and keen to make some ply furniture amongst other things, but thought I'd start by building my first workbench.

I’ve watched too many YouTube video’s to count, read many posts on this forum and finally decided to knock this table saw workbench up over the weekend wrapped around my Dewalt contractor saw. I’ve only got a small space to work in, so opted for height adjustable locking casters and ply top. Swapped out the standard blade on the table saw to a Diablo 80T and was very impressed with the cut.


I’m 80% complete, just need to tung oil it, complete mitre tracks, power board and dust collection box.


Then onto cross cut sleds etc 🙂

Keen on your thoughts

[poundy]

saw this on FB too, good job

Greg, er I mean Kreg, has a lot to answer for ! :) I wouldn't have done PHJ but for this task (I'd have probably used half-lap), but realistically it's probably unnecessary. Certainly as long as your cuts are square, it's easy(ish) to get a square outcome :)

[Fluddman]

How will you access the riving knife release? Assuming your Dewalt has one.

Can you just lift the whole saw up to get to it?

I've got the same saw and I frequently swap blades and riving knife. I've been looking for a solution before I build something similar.

Thanks for posting - it looks good!

[Walshy25]

Thanks Poundy - I elected to use pocket holes for the perceived additional strength as I was only willing to glue the base sections and legs, as it current doesn't fit out of the doorway of my small workshop. If I ever need to move it I can then unscrew the top etc to make it a little more mobile. I'm very surprised at the stability, strength and overall squareness of my first real word working attempt :)


saw this on FB too, good job

Greg, er I mean Kreg, has a lot to answer for ! :) I wouldn't have done PHJ but for this task (I'd have probably used half-lap), but realistically it's probably unnecessary. Certainly as long as your cuts are square, it's easy(ish) to get a square outcome :)

[Walshy25]

Ahh good pick up - I didn't figure this out until late into the build. Solution was to slide the saw about 50mm to the right and then plane off a small section of the 90x35 rail to let me access the release. It works a charm now.


How will you access the riving knife release? Assuming your Dewalt has one.

Can you just lift the whole saw up to get to it?

I've got the same saw and I frequently swap blades and riving knife. I've been looking for a solution before I build something similar.

Thanks for posting - it looks good!

[Goldy1]

Hi Walshy. Your rig to go with your DW saw looks good. Am interested to know how you’ve found the DW7941XE? Am leaning towards purchasing one myself and keen to hear others’ opinions.

[Walshy25]

Hi Walshy. Your rig to go with your DW saw looks good. Am interested to know how you’ve found the DW7941XE? Am leaning towards purchasing one myself and keen to hear others’ opinions.

Goldy1 - everything I read / watched online has been accurate about this saws performance in my experience. Negatives: Mitre gauge is only average, and I’ve found the top showing scratching and signs of wear after only light use, however I’d still buy it again. It cuts very cleanly, the fence is square and locks in place accurately, the cutting width I believe is the widest in its class.

There’s many with views on this forum that contractor saws like this are inaccurate and inferior to commercial table saws. This is my first table saw and I’ve been very happy as it meets my needs well. Relatively compact, portable if needed, ~$1100, new with a warranty.

As with any significant purchase keep doing the research as you are and you’ll make an informed decision that meets your needs.

Cheers

[Fluddman]

I second what Walshy said. The mitre gauge is sloppy and you will need to shim it or replace it. The top scratches very easily but being aluminium it won't rust anyway.

The motor is powerful, but loud, and mine arcs every time it stops. I think Dewalt saved some money on the motor plenty of power but no soft start or brake which woud be nice.

Mine cuts accurately too and the fence is great (unless you want to attach a sacrificial fence). Mounting it in a table like Walshy has done makes it better and safer to use when cutting larger sheets.

I often think about upgrading to something else but the small footprint of this saw is great for my small workshop. One thing that bugs me is that I can't use any magnetic accessories because of the aluminium top.

Still I think its the best saw of this type and size and it really does have a wide cut if you can rig up support.

Good luck.

[Maeltroll]

I'm a few months late to this party... But how did the rest of the build / finishing go? Would like to some pics of the finished product if you have some?

I have a similar saw - the Dewalt 745 and I really need to build something like this. I've got mine in a very small cabinet but I find dust is always spaying out from underneath. You said you were going to add a dust box, how did that work out for keeping the dust down?

[Walshy25]

478673
Hi Maeltroll, I ended up not building a dust box, instead I rigged up a DIY dust collection system. Its basically a shop vac connected to an eBay dust collection cyclone (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/White-High-Efficiency-Cyclone-Powder-Dust-Collector-Filter-Quality-For-Vacuums/153427815296?hash=item23b902ab80:g:6~AAAOSwOnBcmEoZ) and a bucket, which works reasonably well. I'm really happy with the table all in all, its made ripping full Plywood sheets much easier as I don't need a second pair of hands. I've made a basic cross-cut sled too which has been fantastic. Good luck with your build/design.


I'm a few months late to this party... But how did the rest of the build / finishing go? Would like to some pics of the finished product if you have some?

I have a similar saw - the Dewalt 745 and I really need to build something like this. I've got mine in a very small cabinet but I find dust is always spaying out from underneath. You said you were going to add a dust box, how did that work out for keeping the dust down?

[ian]

Hi
this video has been posted previously.
The key things that I like about the design are:
1. the in-feed table which gives extra depth to allow the job-site saw to use a miter gauge or cross cut sled.
2. the saw itself is suspended from the frame supporting the table which allows for easier leveling of the saw.

My Table Saw Workstation - A Jobsite Saw Loaded With Extras - YouTube (https://youtu.be/QXKYn7hYWgs)