Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Feb 23, 2008 02:59am | #1

   Peter,

   The fence and the miter gauge are almost never used in combination, so the need to move the fence to the left when the miter gauge is on the right is a moot point. If the fence is in the way when the gauge is in the right hand slot, the fence is usually just taken off the saw completely.

   For certain miter cuts, and other applications, having the miter gauge in the right hand slot on the saw is more practical, the slot is also used for many cutting sled designs.

   The miter slot on your router table should be located so the near side of the head of the miter gauge you plan to use is about 2 1/2" (60 cm) from the center line of the router, which will leave you comfortable clearance for the largest diameter router bits.

   John White

2. 
   integrity_woodworks | Feb 23, 2008 06:03am | #2

   hello ,

   what is a jigsaw table? do you mean the blade will be sticking up through a peice of ply or some thing? Table saws have two mitre slots # 1 because some opperations such as rabits against a short fence or half fence are best done with your mitre guide on your left side ,with a sacrificial fense tight to your daddo blades . #2 when making say a cross cut or mitre sled ,two mitre slots will stay perfectlly peralell to the blabe, while one will wonder. There are many other things that one can do with the slot to ones left but, I must ask again what the heck is a jigsaw table that  replaces a band saw????? so far it sounnds dangerous . please explain how this works & what type of jigs is it your are making to acompany it?

1. 
   Jimurock | Feb 23, 2008 07:35am | #3

   You can buy jigsaw tables commercially.  Triton has a kit that attaches to its router table.  It seems to be intended for jobsite work.

   Jim

1. 
   integrity_woodworks | Feb 23, 2008 08:02am | #4

   Really , I have been doing custom wood work for over 20 years & have never heard of  it ,I will try to ckeck it out ,though it still sounds weird to me! but thanks !

2. 
   integrity_woodworks | Feb 23, 2008 08:20am | #5

   Jim

   just checked out a quick vid on triton about the commercial unit, do'nt know what it cost  but I think its a crock of salesman bullpucky .But then again I own a resaw, 2 bandsaws &2 scrollsaws. A home made version sounds like a waste of time &money.

   Dan the woodbug

1. 
   Jimurock | Feb 23, 2008 10:38pm | #6

   I'm not too enthused about it myself.  For me a jigsaw is one of those tools you think you need and hardly ever use.  Mine came with 40 blades a few years ago, and I think I'm still on blade #2.

   Triton has a whole system that seems aimed at DIYers or small contractors.  There's a basic open bench with add-on tables that support router, circular saw, jigsaw, etc.  It's good for business, I suppose, because in order to justify buying the bench (not cheap) you have to keep adding on the other stuff.  That kind of concept doesn't seem to have legs in North America.  I suppose in Australia it makes antipodean sense to have all the machines upside down    ;^<)

   Jim

3. 
   Steinmetz | Feb 24, 2008 05:11am | #7

   I built one for a friend using an older saber saw inverted and attached to a drop-in insert for the router table (which I also made)
   AND, I made a stand alone one for myself for wood and metal cutting.

   Been using it for years. I just clamp it on the bench when needed and then put it away.

   To use the tool safely, I hook it up to a foot pedal switch, so I can control the cut with both hands, Steinmetz.