Table Saw Inspiration

[Jeremy Greiner]

I stumbled on this table saw station http://lumberjocks.com/projects/17852 and really love it.

I have a Porter Cable job site table saw http://www.deltaportercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=24026

The biggest thing that I don't like about the saw is the top. What would be the disadvantages of building a replacement top out of laminated MDF to match the rest of the top of the table saw station?

-jeremy

[Erik Lindseth]

I have the same saw, this is a very tempting option. Could probably integrate a router station to save space.

Would love to see pics if you get this done.

[Will Overton]

What would be the disadvantages of building a replacement top out of laminated MDF to match the rest of the top of the table saw station?

-jeremy

If any of the inner components are mounted to the top, I wouldn't want to depend on mdf to hold them.

If you can spare some depth of cut, you might consider a one piece top, including extentions, that sits on top of the existing top.

[Jeremy Greiner]

I agree Erik, the original Shop Notes article had a router table on the side and I think I'm going to add that as well.

I don't believe the top is holding anything in place, but I could be wrong I'll make sure to check that.

-jeremy

[Erik Lindseth]

The only other thing to consider is building this in such a way that would allow for future/larger saw to be mounted. I just don't know how committed I am to this PC saw. I predict keeping this thing aligned and true will end up being more work than I care for.

[Roger Jensen]

I think you should price out all of the components before going forward. Then compare it to the cost of a decent contractor's saw, which I would think is comparable functionality. I'm assuming you are doing this as a hobby and consider your time 'free' as you would enjoy building it.

Also, you may want to consider re-sale value. I don't see home built models getting much return on resale, while something like a SawStop contractor saw will probably get 50% back on if you decide to sell it.

Good luck to you if you decide to build it. The guy on lumberjack did an amazing job.

Roger

[Jeremy Greiner]

I think you should price out all of the components before going forward. Then compare it to the cost of a decent contractor's saw, which I would think is comparable functionality. I'm assuming you are doing this as a hobby and consider your time 'free' as you would enjoy building it.

Also, you may want to consider re-sale value. I don't see home built models getting much return on resale, while something like a SawStop contractor saw will probably get 50% back on if you decide to sell it.

Good luck to you if you decide to build it. The guy on lumberjack did an amazing job.

Roger

I have priced a lot of it out, I bought the Kreg precision router table system earlier this week. Due to a shipping mishap and Amazon being out of stock (directly) I'm being refunded my purchase. So I can re-order through a reseller on amazon or I can build my own.

I started researching building my own when I stumbled on the lumberjocks article. For just over the price of the Kreg precision router table system, I can buy all the MDF, Laminate, a good table saw fence and additional accessories I need to buy (T-tracks etc..) I get an amazing router table AND a huge boost to my table saw output.

-jeremy

[Jeremy Greiner]

If any of the inner components are mounted to the top, I wouldn't want to depend on mdf to hold them.
Well, looks like I was wrong on that, the motor is mounted to the top in such a way that I'd only have about 1/4'' of MDF holding it up.

I did some more digging and found that the saw is less than 90 days old, making it elgible for return so I gathered everything up and returned the saw.

Now to figure out if I want a cabinet saw, or another better contractor saw.

-jeremy