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So I realized that I never got to post this as a project, and figured I would finally add it. Part of me was waiting for the day that I got to add drawers, but, as life sometimes goes I haven't had the chance to build the drawers yet. So anyways, here it is! This was built for our high school woodshop, and also doubled for part of my teacher evaluation for 2016-17 year (organization of physical space).

I have detailed the chronicles of the build in my blog, which can be viewed as a series here

The saws featured in this build are the DeWalt DWS780 12" CSMS, and both have the Dust Deputy from Oneida hooked up to i-Socket for maximum dust collection (see picture 3). If you haven't ever used a setup like this, I highly recommend it. The i-Socket tells the Vac to turn on when the trigger is pulled on the Saw, and will remain on for 5 seconds after power is released to grab any residual dust that is still floating around. As long as the 5 gallon buckets are dumped regularly, the shop vac filter remains virtually pure and free of obstructions, which eliminates the nasty job of cleaning out gross filters.

Some of the other features on this bench include a clamping bar at the left end for my Kreg Pocket hole jig (picture 5), lots of underneath storage for other tools, and saws that are elevated off of the table to make cleaning small chips & dust that fall through an easier task. I had originally planned to add a long fence in between the 2 saws, but I really liked having an open table in between for random stuff. I also have a small bench grinder/belt sander combo that fits on the far right, which I only bring out to "rough-sharpen" chisels and other blades.

It is finished with Minwax Special Walnut stain and lots of Polyurethane. Now that it has gone through an entire school year there are some visible wear-and-tear marks, so I am contemplating adding some sort of protective top like vinyl flooring that will hold up better than poly covered plywood. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Anywho - thanks for looking, all comments welcomed, questions replied to, suggestions will be taken into consideration!

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Comments

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If I have only half of your garage space. Beautiful stand/cabinet.
 

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Great setup and would be nice to have . .
The dust collection is very well thought out and I only wish I had room and money to duplicate this .
One issue I have with it that the left saw is located in front of a window .
Thanks for posting this and the blog .
Klaus
 

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This look great Tooch! I was thinking maybe you could make a removable back fence that way you can still have the option of that open table between the saws. Just a thought! Great work as always!
 

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Beautiful work. Great job buddy
 

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Looks great!!! As for a more wearable surface I have used Formica and had good success over the years. Have yet to replace any top for a failure due to the Formica. Now cutting into it with a saw or drill, that would me stuck on stupid.
 

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Tooch, This really looks neat and is well built. The tools are well chosen. Well done. Vinyl flooring should work and you might be able to buy scrap material from a local installer or flooring company. Stick on squares might work in a pinch and are easy to replace if they look worn.

Since you have asked for feedback, I hope you won't mind my lengthy reply. Before you build drawers, I would recommend considering open storage shelves directly above your saws, (great space for clamps used for stops) and an open space in the table with a garbage cans under it to throw scraps into. I like my scrap can to sit on the right and have a can for each of the saws. It makes it much easier to keep the saw area clear. The miter saw seems to produce lots of small pieces as you square up material. In your set-up you would move the bucket in with the vac and install a garbage can and a hole in the top above the can.

I use the i-socket on my routers, but on my miter saws, throwing a switch turns on a work light, and the vac. It also connects to the saw so it comes on when I pull the trigger. A simple 4 plug power strip will work and it also has a circuit breaker built in.

I found that I did not like the vac. cycling on and off between cuts. it creates a drain on the circuit breaker and can't be good for the vac. motor. With this switch arrangement, I use one Jet vac for both saws. I have shut offs on the pipes so the same dust collector can work on my band saw that sits at the end of the long table.

I do not have mine sitting against the wall. That allows me to use the back side for a drill press, dust collector, and fans; and i use the two ends for a table saw with dado on one end and a band saw on the other. Sorry I can't find a picture of my shop at the moment or I would insert it. This also gives me a place for wood storage along the back wall.

In short, if space will allow it, you move this unit forward five feet or so. You have then created a faux wall or island that will let you use the back side and ends for tools and still have a wall free for wood storage. Since this is an exercise in using space, you can maximize the use.
 

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Tooch, this is a bit more than the average miter saw work bench. Looks as if you covered everything to fit your needs.
Well thought out and built to be around for awhile.
As far as the top goes I used vinyl plank flooring on one of my bench tops that gets all the abuse. I chose one with a wood grain finish to it and most people never know the difference. Easy to wipe up spills, paint, stain, whatever. Easy to install also. Mine has been down for over 4 years now and looks better that the wood workbench. LOL.
Something to look into when you get time. Just a suggestion.
 

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Great dual saw setup, Mike! That sure gives you a lot of room to operate.

Nice work on it and great design!!

Jim
 

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Great looking setup Tooch.
 

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Interesting. Why the dual Miter box saws at all. It has given me pause to think. I have two miter box saws. Was planning on selling the old one. Not sure I have room for a double set up. I realize your set up is for a class and that is an unique setting.

How many times have I wished I did not have to move the miter box back and forth. I think leaving it under a shelf will work just fine and getting it out when needed will do the job.

I love the idea of being hooked up to i-Socket for maximum dust collection. I did not know that they existed. I will look up your blog because you seem very sharp Tooch. Thank you very much for posting this.
 

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Thanks for all the comments, guys. Sorry I was out at Birthday and Graduation parties all day yesterday so I didn't have time to check back on my post.

Ivan - This is actually setup in my classroom, not my garage. Luckily for me, because my garage doesn't have enough room either!

Kiefer - I struggled with placement of the saws due to the area of the window. Unfortunately, we have 4 large windows in our classroom where these saws could have been placed. Because of the location of outlets, it just seemed that one of them would have had to be placed in front of one of the windows. Luckily for me, the windows are half inch thick reinforced glass with blinds offset about 5 inches forward, so in the event of a kickback, the blinds absorb most of the energy and the glass can withstand the rest.
 

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Thanks Hoss, Randy, and Jim, always nice to hear from you!

Tony - the removeable back fence is a good idea. I am considering a new surface for the top, and I think I'll keep that in mind when designing a new surface.

Big Al - I really appreciate the time you spent on your reply. The overhead storage is a great idea. for some ungodly reason we have 17 foot ceilings in our shop (terrible for dust control) so I am always thinking of ways to "go up" with storage, shelving, etc.
-As for the scraps/waste, if you notice in picture 2, there are cardboard boxes to the right of each saw. I accumulate lots of scraps and have the kiddos toss them in the cardboard boxes. once they are full, I can sell those boxes of "kindling" for $5 to other teachers, and use the extra money to buy more things for the shop.
-I really like the idea of moving it out a few feet. this will make me reconsider the entire layout of my shop. Traffic patterns and electrical wiring on the floor are my 2 biggest concerns with machine layout, but I never considered flipping the table around. My only other concern would be the small pieces that always seem to kickout on 45degree cuts.

Dave - I like that idea of the plank flooring. Most of it is around $1-$2 square foot and I'm sure I can find an oak grain finish that would match. in addition, it would make raising up my saws a cinch… just slide under another piece of flooring under their feet!

Danmarks - I should have included a link to where you can purchase the the i-socket online. so here it is !
 

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Arborite might make a decent wear surface to materials can slide back and forth, but I would definitely want to add a fence so that stops can be clamped on. I have a tendency to nail a block right to the bench top out of convenience. or leave it and have recoating the top as part of yearly maintenance that the kids have to perform, upkeep is just as important to the lesson as the skills
 

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Nicely done Tooch
 
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