woodworkers journal folddown outfeed table

[Mike McCann]

I am starting to build this for my table saw. Has anyone else built this also. Any tricks or suggestions that are not listed on the plans.

It is the fold down table for the Feb 2009 issue.

[Philip Johnson]

A fold down outfeed table was one of my first projects this spring, I wanted it to be perfect to show off my skills. I measured carefully, built up a piece to fit on the saw and support the hinge, used mdf and put a nice maple edge on it rounded the edges, it was looking good. I measured carefully for the slots for the miter gauge. Well when I installed it, I did not allow for the 1/2 inch edging so it was an inch longer the the saw table, this threw the miter slots off so I have to have 2 inches hanging off one side and the other slot doesn,t even line up. I was pissed off but had to much work into it to start over so I put it on anyways. Since it was screwed up to start with I didn,t have to worry about it, I hammer on it work on it stain and glue on it I don't care what happens to it. Hope you have better luck with yours

Phil

[Vince Shriver]

Phillip,

I really believe that is the difference between an amateur (read hobby) woodworker and a pro. I fit into the last catagory also. The pro has probably made all those stupid mistakes that we all do when we first start out, and rarely screws up too bad after having made a living at it for a while. I can't even count the number of times I've cut the wrong piece, used the wrong dimension, forgot about this or that until I discovered it wouldn't fit when finished. Bottom line: don't feel bad, just welcome to the club. That outfeed table may give you more valuable service as a beater bench that as an outfeed table. "Somtimes even a blind squirrel gets lucky and finds an acorn."

[Wayne Sparkman]

Philip:

True enough, but I'm reminded of something I heard about photographers:


What's the difference between an amateur and a professional photographer?

Answer: The pro will only show you his best photos.

[Cliff Holmes]

As a pro photographer, the real difference is that the pro *knows* the difference.

[Andy Sowers]

Dont know if you've seen this or not... seems kinda minor... http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/woodworking_blog/index.php/three-dollar-fix-improves-fold-down-outfeed-table/

[Jason Hanko]

I built this and LOVE IT.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=117414

I guess the only real advice Id have is be sure to mock up the sliding leg before cutting it to final length. I actually made the table, propped it up into place with some scrap, and then measured for the leg about 50 times just to make sure it was right. Then I made it 6 inches longer than I had measured and trimmed it down until it was just right.
The trick is to make each half long enough so that theres enough overlap in the sliding dovetail to be strong, but not so long that when you slide it closed for storage the leg hits either the bottom of your TS or the floor.


Dont know if you've seen this or not... seems kinda minor... http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/wo...outfeed-table/ (http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/woodworking_blog/index.php/three-dollar-fix-improves-fold-down-outfeed-table/)
Nice! This is being added to mine this weekend - its always kind of akward getting the leg down into position, and this would help a lot.

[Mike McCann]

Jason/Andy

thanks. I would not have thought about making the legs too long and then shortening them up. One good thing is I am putting the table on a steel city saw which is the same as the one in the plans.

Mike