Filling skeletonized table saw wings?

[Jason Zawodny]

I got a pretty good deal on my well-loved craftsman contractor table saw (114.298761) and now I'm looking at my options for solid extension wings.

I've seen advice for buying new (not budget friendly), replacing with melamine panels, and facing the skeletons with laminate. Has anybody tried filling the skeletonized cast iron wings with fortified casting resin? Polyester, acrylic, or other? Chopped or woven fiberglass?

Thoughts?

[Lee Schierer]

Why fill them. I've used mine for over 35 years with no problems other than an occasional dropped tool.

[Frank Pratt]

I had a saw with open web wings & hated every minute of it. Filling with casting resin sounds like a good idea. I'd face the top with p-lam & then pour the resin in from behind. You might have to drill out some of the mounting holes to get the wings flush with the table.

On second thought, I'd probably just toss the wings & make new out of Baltic Birch & p-lam.

[Mike Cozad]

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?225704-Improvements-for-a-Craftsman-tablesaw&highlight=wings

If you take a look at the link above, Bill Huber has a good example of what you're looking to do. There may be more ideas in the whole thread, I didn't really look. I just remembered his post and looked it up.

[Jim Becker]

I'd probably just replace them with new tables made of a sturdy wood frame with either Melemine or laminate covered plywood. "Filling" them would likely be a thankless task!

[Jason Zawodny]

I read that Huber thread before posting, but somehow missed the hardboard insert idea. Upon further review, that seems to be a fabulous idea! Thanks for reminding me!

[Ole Anderson]

You could start a new tend and fill them with concrete, just like latest kitchen countertops!

[Jason Zawodny]

You could start a new tend and fill them with concrete, just like latest kitchen countertops!


The thought had crossed my mind!

[Garrett Ellis]

Why fill them. I've used mine for over 35 years with no problems other than an occasional dropped tool.

x2, what is the point?? have also used mine for years. i can't imagine having so little to do in the shop that i'm filling extension wings...

[Mike Henderson]

x2, what is the point?? have also used mine for years. i can't imagine having so little to do in the shop that i'm filling extension wings...
Maybe this doesn't happen but I always visualize getting my finger trapped down in one of those openings while I'm pushing some wood across it. Those edges are fairly sharp.

I just prefer solid wings, which is what I have now.

Mike

[Bruce Page]

Maybe this doesn't happen but I always visualize getting my finger trapped down in one of those openings while I'm pushing some wood across it. Those edges are fairly sharp.

I just prefer solid wings, which is what I have now.

Mike

That's exactly what happened to me..ONCE when I had my Craftsman contractor. It took me all of an hour to make the inserts and I never clipped a finger tip again. Besides, to me it just looked better and I could actually use the saw top for other things without things falling through the webs.

[Frank Pratt]

Maybe this doesn't happen but I always visualize getting my finger trapped down in one of those openings while I'm pushing some wood across it. Those edges are fairly sharp.

I just prefer solid wings, which is what I have now.

Mike

I must be gifted with a bad memory because I would pinch myself on those stupid wings every couple of years. That & having things fall through made me hate em.

I think they're satan's own creation.

[Stanley Thigpen]

I'm with those who reported no problem after years of use with the open grid extensions. (I will admit that I would prefer solid, but not really a big deal for me over the years.

[Erik Loza]

Maybe this doesn't happen but I always visualize getting my finger trapped down in one of those openings while I'm pushing some wood across it. Those edges are fairly sharp....

This happened on my dad's contractor saw. I actually de-burred all the edges with a file and it helped but still, a solid table would be nicer.

Erik