Not much progress on the actual garage lately… I’m waiting for someone to help me put the electrical together. Its a little over my head, since I need to reroute entire circuits, add 220, etc.
So instead I’ve been working on my table saw.
Here’s where it started, with a used DeWalt 746 hybrid table saw. Honestly I’ve never given Hybrids much thought. I had always drooled over the new Unisaw and Sawstop. But I came across this little gem and love it! Its powerful (2hp), smooth, quiet, portable, and has full dust collection around the blade. And it was a killer deal.
And since my new shop is even smaller than my old shop, I am unfortunately going to have to downsize somehow. So I am combining my table saw and router table, and SELLING this:
For Sale: $350 obo (the materials alone cost more than that) Send me a message if you are interested
I loved my router table. But it is huge, and I don’t have the space anymore. But the main advantage of combining my router table/saw is that I can use the same Incra fence for both :)
I just need to set a series of calibrated stops for the router and saw. I will need two positions for the saw, at 0-16” and 16-32”, since I only have the 17” positioner (if you are familiar with Incra products you will know what I mean. http://www.incramentaltools.com) But the positioner holds several sliding scales so I can have one dedicated to each position.
Here is the beginning of the fence installation, for which I only needed to order the TS rails. I am just using the positioner off the old router table:
Once the fence rails were installed, I built the two table saw wings/extensions. My DW 746 came with those flimsy stamped steel extensions. So I removed them and built my own with two layers of 3/4” birch plywood, surrounded by a hardwood boarder and white laminate on top.
Once these were mounted to the TS rails on the saw, I used my original router template to cut the opening for the router lift. I had actually saved it from when I made my first router table… just in case!
Then I used the Incra fence, which was conveniently already installed, as a guide to rout a channel for the router miter track, which went just a few inches to the left of the router.
Finally I added a zero-clearance insert and after a little tuning up, my saw was pretty much complete!
I think the only thing left is to build a box around the router lift for dust collection and noise reduction. It will also include a magnetic safety switch.
-- Happy woodworking!
8 comments so far
lightweightladylefty
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3235 posts in 3679 days
#1 posted 03-01-2014 05:25 AM
Blake,
That looks like a great set-up! Nice to see your progress. Thanks for sharing.
L/W
-- Jesus is the ONLY reason for ANY season.
SPalm
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5317 posts in 3849 days
#2 posted 03-01-2014 12:31 PM
Hey Blake, nice to see you in the saddle again.
Looks like a nice TS Router combo, that does save a lot of room.
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Roger
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20923 posts in 2771 days
#3 posted 03-01-2014 01:28 PM
You’re doing a fine job. Nice setup on your new ts. Someone will be very happy to purchase your fine router table
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. Kentuk55@yahoo.com
Robsshop
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907 posts in 2942 days
#4 posted 03-01-2014 03:35 PM
That has turned out amazing Blake, you must be happy with that fine and build. It should serve you well in your new shop. Thanks for sharing.
-- Rob,Gaithersburg,MD,One mans trash is another mans wood shop treasure ! ;-)
James Lango
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186 posts in 3501 days
#5 posted 03-01-2014 09:08 PM
Blake, thats awesome! Always wanted to add a router into my tablesaw. Good use of otherwise “wasted” space. Good work.
-- Longovette@Roadrunner.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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8901 posts in 4067 days
#6 posted 03-04-2014 06:38 AM
Hang tight brother – I will be there!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
mafe
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11643 posts in 3056 days
#7 posted 03-09-2014 08:48 PM
What a fine job done.
It will be a lovely work station.
Best thoughts,
Mads
-- MAD F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.
Picklehead
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1041 posts in 1896 days
#8 posted 03-09-2014 11:05 PM
I’ve had that Dewalt tablesaw for about ten years, love it. I have the sliding table where you have your router. Built a melamine box inside the legs for dust collection (ditched the shroud setup, works great). Sharkguard guy makes a quick release splitter set for it.
-- You've got to be smarter than the tree.
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