Thread: Help making a table saw

Putting a TS into the middle of a bench you need to work on will become a real PITA.
You'd better off saving that space to work on (or leave permanently cluttered like mine)

Space was at a premium for me to get a SCMS into my shed so I ended up putting it on a pump up trolley and parking it under the LHS wing of my TS.

You could do the same with a bench top TS and park that under a bench.

BobL,
Thanks for the suggestion, but I wanted the Table Saw to be located on the left side of my bench table as I think this would still provide enough general bench space remaining ideal for non-woodwork projects.

Gary

Do you need a table saw or could you utilise a track saw and MFT style table?

Originally Posted by WoodworkNovice

BobL,
Thanks for the suggestion, but I wanted the Table Saw to be located on the left side of my bench table as I think this would still provide enough general bench space remaining ideal for non-woodwork projects.
=
Gary

OK if you are determined to put it in your bench what about buying a bench top TS and mounting it on a shelf under the bench top and cutting a hole in the bench and arrange the TS so the top of the TS is level with the bench top?

Even more flexible would be a method to raise and lower the TS when needed and make an inset cover to put over the hole/gap to give you more bench space when you need it.

For the fence to work, rather than a hole in the middle of the bench you will need to probably make a U shaped cut out towards the front of the bench so controls on thefront of the saw are accessible.
A lot of folks do a similar thing with drop.SCMS
I have seen this done with a Makita table saw like this one - worked a tread
Screen Shot 2021-06-01 at 5.27.49 pm.jpg

This video Power Tool Friendly Bench - YouTube came from a post on ukworkshop... even the uk guys that a truly pressed for space recommend not to build one into the bench but the video shows one good way that it can be done and may give some other ideas as well.

Cheers
Phil

Good morning Gary, and welcome to the forum.

It may help if you can explain what you're hoping the outcome will achieve. i.e. what types of projects, size of stock you'll be working.

I see two options for you.

First being the small tablesaw like the Makita. Nothing wrong with them as long as you understand their limitations. Your wish to have guide rails run the whole length of the bench gives me cause for concern that you'll be asking too much of it. Additionally, as a general rule it's not a great idea to cut across long boards/sheets as they can more easily bind between the fence and blade, causing kickback. It's a small saw and not designed for cutting large pieces.

The second option would be to purchase a more substantial cabinet/slider and build a larger work surface around it. This will give you a far greater capabilities. This is of course assuming that such a solution is not overkill for what you need.

Look here for loads of ideas.
11 Table Saw Workbench Plans You Can DIY Easily

One I was referring to was this one.
Mobile-Workbench-with-Built-In-Table-and-Miter-Saws.jpg

Originally Posted by WoodworkNovice

BobL,
Thanks for the suggestion, but I wanted the Table Saw to be located on the left side of my bench table as I think this would still provide enough general bench space remaining ideal for non-woodwork projects.

Gary

Gary, I think that it is extremely unwise to fit a power tool to a work bench. Benches always become cluttered with hand or power tools and work pieces, and you are going to curse when having to clear them away when you need to use the table saw. Plus it adds a level of danger if you fail to do this. I recently built a cabinet under my bench in part because it was becoming a frustration to lean over the bench to tools on the wall behind. I was constantly knocking over something on the bench.

You are better off creating a separate storage for a small job site saw, such as the Makita, or forgoing one completely and getting a track saw.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Gary,
I have a very small shed, maybe smaller than yours.
I would have loved a decent table saw but with nowhere to put it this is my solution.
I bought a dewalt job site saw and built a small cabinet to put it on.
I can turn the cabinet sideways from this pic as well.
My workbench can act as an outfield table as well as a support if I turn the saw sideways and cross cut
larger pieces. I can't really cross cut pieces longer than around 1.7 metres unless I turn it.
If you look closely at the right of the cabinet you'll see the green hose that runs to my festool dust extractor.
The saw runs from the power outlet on this as well. I used poly plumbing fittings to fit the hose to the saw.

This works pretty well for me

Cheers

Frank

IMG_0988.jpg

And if you look even closer at the far wall you'll see the wine storage cabinet I built out of an old Coolroom

Thank you everybody for many good suggestions, I particular like Phil response with the video link of the table saw ability to lift out level with the bench. Just watched an interesting comparison on portable TS's Best Portable Job Site Table Saw - Head-2-Head - YouTube

Many are asking what's my intention with the table saw, well over the years doing home renovation work the number of time I wished I had a table saw, so have decided to do something about it since I have just moved into a new property with lots of projects to do. I will probably keep the spend to under $AU1,300.

I do have a garden shed too, which could provide the opportunity to store a table saw providing it had wheels to move it back into the garage when needed.

Gary


Gary

Eventually got it done! Although I have now coated with Danish oil.
See pics

Wow.
Thats a very nice job.
Well done.
Frank

I would not be ashamed to have that in my shed. Very nice.

There is however (ahem) one glaring problem................ your shed looks devoid of anything else. Fill it up please

Originally Posted by Tonyz

I would not be ashamed to have that in my shed. Very nice.

There is however (ahem) one glaring problem................ your shed looks devoid of anything else. Fill it up please

I can donate a couple of boxes of random junk to help fill it up and give it that authentic look.