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table saw top

6K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  sandhill 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello

I see projects like miter sleds what on this site all the time. Has anyone here ever just built a whole new top for their table Saw. I have one with non-standard miter slots. I like the saw even thou it is small and loud. I have so far put it on a mobile base with casters and small extension wings on both sides a wixey display. I have alway thought of adding to the back of the table. combining a larger surface with standard miter slots?

Any thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I've never heard of anyone doing it, but I don't see whay it couldn't be done. If you do decide to tackle this, please post a blog series on it with lots of pictures of the process. I think a lot of us (me for sure) would like to see what it takes along with any problems you might run across on the job.
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Jim, I agree with William that this probably could be done, but I don't think you should do it. I wasted years of my woodworking time fiddling around with a loud motorized saw. When I was done it was still a loud POS. I think your wanting to improve the saw means you have outgrown it and need to move on. Check out Craigs List, it will be easy to find a used saw more worth your time. I sorry if this sounds like an intervention. -Jack
 
#4 ·
Miter slots are overrated.

I agree with Jack: Put your energy into building a router table, and get ready to move up to a safer, friendlier table saw.

Kindly,

Lee
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
I already built a router table. I have a small router table with a rigid router and an incra fence too. I have a really small space ok. I like my table saw it fits the space i have. I just want to improve it take it to the next step and maybe use that new incra miter jig thats been in the tool cabinet for a year plus. Graigslist in my area has nothing of interest as of today. I will not buy any more power tools on e-bay Got burnt there. too There is nothing wrong with the safety of my current saw.

I don't mean to punch back but i have watched this site for over 2 years now. Why is it when a new idea is posted it is picked apart?
 
#6 ·
I saw a posting of what you're looking for on Sawmill Creek a couple of years back. I believe it was an MDF top with miter tracks and some other features added in. I don't have access to SMC here at work; otherwise I would search for the exact thread.

Does your current saw have cabinet mounted trunnions? that would make the process seemingly quite simple.
 
#8 ·
I've got a Laguna bandsaw that was built in 1996. It has a 3/8 inch miter slot. I know what you mean about how inconvienent it can be! If your miter slot isn't to small (like mine) I'd say take it to a machine shop (a repair shop, not a production shop) and see if they could/would open it up for you. Then you wouldn't have to make a whole new top. You could make an outfeed table (infeed tables and side tables for that matter too) then to increase the table top's size.

Good luck with it!

John

BTW, I can't really increase the size of the miter slot in my bandsaw because there just isn't enough metal in behind there! So keep that in mind when deciding what to do.
 
#9 ·
This may be a little late but you can have a Granite top made at any granite shop and use Hilti (Available World Wide) Chemical Anchor Epoxies and Mechanical type threaded inserts. or Rammset (Redhead G5 is very good 15 minute working time in high temperatures cures within 2hrs) or even J B Weld into where the threaded bolts go just give them the top and ask them to bore the holes.
 
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