Replies

1. 
   zolton | Aug 02, 2008 12:26am | #1

   I've got that saw and router table combination. I reversed the orientation though, and hung the router table on the left side of the saw instead of the right. It's a tight fit between the router base that I keep under the table and the motor cover, but it works just fine. I've got the outboard end supported by some adjustable legs that also support my outfeed table.

   The table is nice and flat (I don't have a straightedge large enough to check it end to end, but I've noticed no problems on cuts). The router is held in place by the use of clamps that are kind of T-slotted to the underside of the cast iron table. This allows for a lot of adjustment for different sized routers and also for adjustment of a router to get it centered in the opening. My theory on this is to just mount a spare router base under the table, tighten it down, and let it hang there pretty much forever. That's where my Porter Cable 690 lives these days. It has adequate power for the things I do.

   I made a router table fence that attaches to the Shop Fox fence on the saw, so I can use the fence's clamping mechanism to secure it. That works just fine too. Nice and sturdy.

   In all, I'd say it's a reasonable setup. One of the drawbacks is that there's not a miter slot close enough to use (though that might not be the case if I had hung the table where it's supposed to go). Another is that the clamping mechanisms are a little crude - though I've never had the router base loosen. It just seems sort of odd to not be able to screw the router in place.

   Also, look at where your closest 120 volt electrical receptacle is in relation to your saw. Until I get the time to wire up a recep close to the router table, I'm having to string extension cords for both the router and the Shop Vac (for dust collection). Though a hassle, it only takes a few minutes to do. But having a nearby recep - especially one of those that turn on the Shop Vac at the same time as the router - would be a great convenience.

   Zolton

   If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

1. 
   zolton | Aug 02, 2008 03:42pm | #2

   <thanks so much for your response! Questions-Why did you reverse router table?>

    I reversed the router table's position because of the way my shop is laid out. I have no room to the right of the saw. So, it made more sense for me to locate the router table on the left of the saw. It was merely something that might be unique to my shop.  

   <You said 120V outlet-Don't you have the 3 horse unit? which is 220?>

   I do have the 3hp saw. I don't recall if it is a 120/240 motor, but I do have it on a 240 volt circuit.

   <Do you like the plastic shop fox fence?>

   The Shop Fox fence is all right. I don't like it as well as the Biesmeyer I used to own. It seems to go out of adjustment from time to time, and the HMW plastic material on the fence's face seems to not be perfectly even. It might be my imagination, but it seems to buckle a bit in the heat - like vinyl siding that hasn't been properly installed. I haven't checked it out with any measurements though, as it hasn't really been a major issue. I can see possibly replacing the plastic with plastic laminate on a plywood or MDF substrate at some point though.

   <Do you know the difference between single phase and 3 phase? Should I just buy a 5 horse unit? not much more-would that be better for work and for resale?>

   I do know the difference between single phase and 3-phase power. You need to have 3-phase power available in your shop in order to run a 3-phase motor. I don't.

   I don't know whether or not you should buy the 5 horse unit. That's up to you, and depends on what you're cutting and how much of it. The 3 horse motor is plenty for me. I got along for 20 years with a saw that had a 1.5 horse motor and I never overloaded that - and I did a lot of work with it. Keeping a sharp blade in the saw and an ear tuned to overloading the motor can take you a long way with even a moderately sized motor. Keep in mind that a larger motor is heavier, more expensive when it needs to be replaced, will require a larger capacity circuit, and will cost more to run (though you might not be able to tell any difference unless you're really running the saw a lot).

   In terms of resale, I don't have facts or figures to back this up, but I suspect a 3 horse saw might be a little easier to sell than a 5 horse one - for the reasons spelled out above. If nothing else, it would likely reduce your pool of potenially interested customers for the saw. Some might perceive the larger saw to be more dangerous or "industrial" than one with a smaller motor. On the other hand, I wouldn't let this question guide your buying either one. If you need the power of a bigger motor, buy it.

   <Also-did you buy any addons with this?>

   No add-ons. I don't know what you're referring to. But I bought nothing else with the saw.

   <Thanks for your Help!&#160;2 more- Don't you have a dust collection system and have you ever used a stand alone router table and how do you compare it to this one?&#160;&#160;>

   I do have a dust collection system - a Penn State cyclone - and it's hooked up to the saw via the bottom dust port and also through the over-blade guard. It works pretty well, though there are a lot of holes in the saw's cabinet that I have yet to seal up to improve the collector's efficiency. I use a Shop Vac on the router table's fence to collect dust when I'm using the router table. That works just fine.

   In the past, I had built and used a couple of stand-alone router tables, but never put much time or effort into them. They were usually just single-board units that I'd clamp or set on something. The router table on my saw is my first really good router table surface. Yet I don't use it much. Not because it doesn't work or isn't convenient to use; I just don't need a router table that much.

   ZoltonIf you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

1. 
   WoodNicheWorks | Aug 03, 2008 12:52am | #3

   Thanks for taking the time Zolton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!