Replies

1. 
   oldusty | Oct 02, 2007 04:05am | #1

       For the cost and ease Melamine makes a good bench top , regular old particle board will last 10 years or better , rub some paste wax on and the sheet goods glide right on through which ever one you use .

                Here is a look at how my saw table is set up.

                         dusty

   
1. 
   JMartinsky | Oct 03, 2007 03:33am | #4

   Dear Old,
   Two things that I REALLY like:1) Your TS setup is beautiful!2) Your shop has SAWDUST!!!!!!! I actually looks like it sees some work. I love it!!Best,John

1. 
   oldusty | Oct 03, 2007 05:19am | #5

   Hi John ,

       Thanks , I'm glad you like it .

             I have had 2 or 3 similar saw table setups , one had a 3 section space for 4' X 8' sheet goods .

      I have never been one to spend extra on laminate work surfaces or fancy jigs, I learned to make them accurate and while not spending much time creating them  , because often times when the job is done I may toss the taper or arch jig or template into the round file .

      The particle board tops in the picture are 14 years old , I wonder how much longer laminate would last ?

        I typically work alone this type of support along with a well waxed surface allows one person to crosscut and rip full sheets in a manageable way .

     The saw dust is the real thing , sorry I only shoveled a few layers away for the photo .,,,,,,,hence my nick name .

                          dusty

                

2. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 03, 2007 09:23pm | #6

   2) Your shop has SAWDUST!!!!!!! I actually looks like it sees some work. I love it!!I use a leaf blower to get most of my dust out!

1. 
   JMartinsky | Oct 03, 2007 11:57pm | #7

   Dear Will,
   I do as well, but a lot of the posts seem to have these pristine shops that I could never achieve. It's just nice to see one that looks like mine.Best,John

2. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 04, 2007 02:31am | #8

   Old I agree with you.. I use 3/4" MDF. With Wax often. OK till you put something wet on it. My wine glass makes it bubble up and I have to 'smooth' it down with a plane!. Back to almost as it was..NA. I use 3/4 MDF and a tempered hardboard surface. Works fer' years!

3. 
   Woodman880 | Oct 06, 2007 01:29am | #10

   I like your setup. You could cut a house on that large table saw.

1. 
   oldusty | Oct 06, 2007 02:42am | #11

     Woody ,

                       Maybe a small house .

2. 
   tmaxxx | Oct 02, 2007 09:12am | #2

   i like laminate as i seem to use my outfeed table as a work bench a lot.  i can scrape glue off, use thinners to take off any paints or stains.  melamine would not stand up as well.  i guess it depends on what else you might use it for.

    

   Tmaxxx

   Urban Workshop Ltd

   Vancouver B.C.

   cheers.  Ill buy.

3. 
   BOBABEUI | Oct 03, 2007 03:01am | #3

   I built the outfeed table for my Unisaw using Formica.. The Biesemeyer side table that came with the saw uses Melamine. Both seem to work ok, I would guess that the Formica is slightly more durable..

   The outfeed table is a must have in my opinion

   Good luck

1. 
   dougmeyer | Oct 12, 2007 02:17am | #13

   When did you get your saw? Mine (about 2 years ago) came with a laminated extension (yes I know the dif).

   Doug

4. 
   Woodman880 | Oct 06, 2007 01:26am | #9

   I just made an outfeed table that I attached to my table saw and I’m pleased with it. I didn’t know what material I was going to use until I walked through the isle at Lowes, so I guess you can say the selection is somewhat jury rigged. I glued a piece of that white panel stuff that is used as a marker (chalk) board to a piece of MDF. To clarify I’m talking about the smooth board that you can write on with magic markers and then wash it away later (like a chalk board). It is slick/smooth and seems to hold up to abuse.

   I tried to take a picture of it for you but the battery in my camera just died.

5. 
   brownman | Oct 08, 2007 04:42am | #12

   Cmiltier,
   If your still with this thread, I have a few suggestions or ideas for you. You can often get free pieces of plastic laminate from local cabinet shops in your area. When a job is done most cabinet shops donate or dis-guard their leftover pieces, which are often large enough to cover our small out feed and side tables. I've never paid for a sheet of laminate that I've put to use in my shop. I recently came across a sheet of stainless steel that someone was throwing out. I took it to a sheet metal shop and they cut it to size for free. I laminated it to the top of my side table. Really trick looking!

6. 
   RLW1 | Oct 12, 2007 05:36am | #14

   Woodcraft has Phenolic Faced Plywood (http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=3958). It makes a wonderful surface for outfeed and side tables. I used it for my extension table for my miter saw and will be using it for more surfaces.