Seeking Pros and Cons about the Rockler after-market Bandsaw Table

[Frank Pellow]

I am in the midst of considering a bunch of different things to eliminate (or, at least, reduce) the problems I am having with my bandsaw (an ACM Star 400 -which is similar to the old style Laguna 16HD).

There are at least a couple of problems that might be solved by attaching a Rockler bandsaw table (see: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10164&filter=24504) on top the factory table on my saw. By the way, right now, I am not even sure that I can make it fit, but I am contacting Rockler about that.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had experience with the Rockler table.

[Lee DeRaud]

I am in the midst of considering a bunch of different things to eliminate (or, at least, reduce) the problems I am having with my bandsaw (an ACM Star 400 -which is similar to the old style Laguna 16HD).

There are at least a couple of problems that might be solved by attaching a Rockler bandsaw table (see: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10164&filter=24504) on top the factory table on my saw. By the way, right now, I am not even sure that I can make it fit, but I am contacting Rockler about that.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had experience with the Rockler table.I had their drillpress table, which appears to be very similar in design. The only thing that struck me about the bandsaw table is that it is "in addition to", not "instead of" the standard table...so you're giving up an inch or so of resaw capacity. Probably doesn't matter with the amount of "headroom" our saw has, but might be a factor for smaller saws.

[Doug Jones from Oregon]

Frank, I have had the Rockler BS table on my Delta 14" for a couple of years now. I use it only because the circle cutting option is handy and easy to set up. I need to cut about 20 20" diameter circles in solid oak each month and more 16" so I like the extra support the larger table surface provides.That said, I don't use this saw for any straight cutting so I can't speak for that side of it. I have two other bandsaws without aftermarket tables for different operations.

If I had to change blades for any reason other than they get dull, I would not use it...I have to completely remove it and it is not what I consider convenient.

Doug

[Chris Rosenberger]

Frank I have had the Rockler bandsaw table on my 14" Delta for about 2 years. Until this spring when I go a 20" MM I had 2 Deltas with the tables. I thought they were great. I did not like the small tables that the Deltas have. As Doug said you do have to remove the table to change blades. This is not a huge problem for me because I have 2 saws & do not change blades that often.
If you could give me the size of your saw table I will do some measuring to see if the Rockler will fit your saw.

Chris

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks Chris. The dimensions of the table on my saw are:
____19 and 1/2 inches wide
____15 and 7/16 inches long
____1 and 5/8 inches thick

My table has a metric mitre slot (15mm x 4mm) so I know that I will have to replace Rockler's metal bar with a piece of hardwood.

[Chris Rosenberger]

Frank it looks to me like it would work on your saw. It is attached to the bandsaw table with a bar that fits in the miter slot. This bar comes loose & is attached to the Rockler table to match the saw it is being mounted to. There is a threaded rod that threads into each end of the miter slot bar. Then there is a clamp bar & knob that clammps the table down to the saw table.
The table is 24" X 24" & the blade slot is 13 11/16" from the right side of the table.

Chris

[Steve Stube]

Unless you use the same size blade (every time) in the saw when cutting circles, I think there may be a problem with instruction #6 referring to Figure 3 in the manual. The exact location of the blade leading edge will/could differ for different size blades, 1/8" vs. 1/4" vs. 3/8" vs. 1/2" etc..
Maybe it isn't a problem (those that use it could say ya or na) but it seems to me there is at least the potential for one. One might respond by saying simply use a new set of mounting holes in the bottom of the MDF - well I think they will almost be one on top of another, do you think that will hold?

[Chris Rosenberger]

Steve,
The Rockler table is clamped to the bandsaw table. To adjust for the leading edge of different size blades you loosen the knob on each end of the miter slot bar, slide the table & retighten the knobs.
Chris

[Frank Pellow]

The table comes with a fence that can be adjusted for drift. I would like to hear from anyone who has used the table and fence for resawing.

[Chris Rosenberger]

Frank,
The 14" Delta I replaced with the MM was used just for resawing. It worked fine. I also had the Rockler resaw attachment for the fence. If I was just resawing 1 board I would use the resaw attachment. If I was doing several I would use the fence.

Chris

[Steve Stube]

Thank you Chris, you are correct. I didn't study it long enough to make that observation. My mistake. I have cut a few circles and know how important that alignment is to actually cut a ROUND circle.

[Dan Forman]

Frank---You might check out this option too. Says it's for 14" saws, but don't see why you couldn't use it on a 16". depending on where the blade slot is on your table, might save you some work when changing blades.

http://www.kregtool.com/products/pms/product.php?PRODUCT_ID=38

Dan

[Steve Stube]

Frank,

to eliminate (or, at least, reduce) the problems I am having with my bandsaw (an ACM Star 400

I'm thinking that if you would be willing to elaborate on "the problems" it may be helpful information to others making a decision on which bandsaw to purchase. TIA, Steve

[Dan Forman]

Steve---The problem was alluded to in the following thread. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=26620

The fence that came with his saw isn't adjustable for drift.

Dan

[Frank Pellow]

As well as the drift problem, another problem is the small miter slot (see: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=25277) that does not fit any mitre guage or feather boards that I own. Also, the table is smaller than I would like, and there is no scale on it. There are other things, such as inadequate dust collection and the actual quality of cut for which the the table would not help.

[Frank Pellow]

Frank---You might check out this option too. Says it's for 14" saws, but don't see why you couldn't use it on a 16". depending on where the blade slot is on your table, might save you some work when changing blades.

http://www.kregtool.com/products/pms/product.php?PRODUCT_ID=38

Dan
Yes Dan, I am considering the Kreg fence (Lee Valley sells it) as well as an aftermarket adjustable fence sold by Mule (see: http://www.mulecab.com/BandSaw/).

[Phil Winn]

did you see this review? (This may have already been posted on this thread-if so, sorry.)

www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive00/3_12byckbandtable.html (http://www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive00/3_12byckbandtable.html)

Phil

[Frank Pellow]

did you see this review? (This may have already been posted on this thread-if so, sorry.)

www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive00/3_12byckbandtable.html (http://www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive00/3_12byckbandtable.html)

Phil
No I didn't. The reviewer is not exactly enthusiastic about things, is he?

By the way, I am thinking that I probably won't get the table. The Kreg fence looks best to me right now. I won't be deciding until January because I have no tool budget right now.