I finally finished all the modifications to my new Steel City Cabinet Saw. Upgrades included:
* Increased table top size by adding a one foot extension along the entire back edge
* Outfeed table with roller that drops down when I need to move the saw to its storage space
* Dust collection system with sliding gates that trigger the DC when opened
* Routertable built into the extension table
* Routertable cabinet with dust collection, light, storage drawers
* Homemade router fence that works like a Biesmeyer (easy to adjust & remove) with a Norm-like face for jigs & holddowns
* The entire station sits on a rolling base that locks in place, or rolls away for storage.
* Extra electrical outlets for small power tools, and switches to control the router & light
The entire project took quite a few hours, but it’s now a wonderful station to work at, and handy in a limited space basement workshop. Many of the ideas came from the Knots board, so thanks to all. Here’s some pics.
Replies
Scag_man:
Very nice!
that router cabinet is AMAZING!!!!
It blows the mind man...
why the light though?
Yes, my best friend is a hammer.
Nice job. Perhaps we will see an article on this in FWW.
Every pimped out table saw should have a pencil cup. I think this is the first one I've seen. If I could just remember to put the pencils back in there.
And a lighted router cabinet so you can see to make changes in there without needing a flashlight is very cool.
What is the pull out board to the lower right of the router door?
How to do move this whole assembly with the TS?
Greg
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Exo 35:30-35
Yes, the pencil cup is a handy (albeit geeky) addition. I had some dead space there and figured - hey, good place for a pencil cup! The light is useful both inside and for lighting up the table surface when I'm making fine adjustments...the router insert is clear plexiglass so I get good light all around the bit.
That little wood pullout beside the door is the blast gate for the dust collector. Pulling it out opens the vent inside the box and also automatically turns on the DC. In a different pic, you'll also see a handle right next to the tablesaw on/off switch. This is the blast gate handle for the table saw.
As far as moving it, the entire station is built on a hardwood cart with six wheels underneath, two of them locking. But I've found that the thing is so darn heavy, I rarely need to lock the wheel 'cause it doesn't move much during use.
Hey I wasn't making fun of the pencil cup. Don't consider it "Geeky" at all.Are you getting adequate ventilation from the dust collector? I'm only asking because of the number of bends/fittings in the pipe. Each one results in a pressure drop or in this case a vacuum loss.I don't know what I'm more impressed with : The design or the workmanship.Greg
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Exo 35:30-35<!---->
Cincy...no offense taken on the pencil cup, and I appreciate your kind words. I actually have pencil cups all over my shop...a pencil always at the ready saves me lots of time.
For the ventilation, yes it's aways a trade off between number of bends, and fighting hoses that are straighter but often in the way. After getting it running, I found the vacuum to be plenty strong enough. I figure that as long as it's pulling the dust up the pipe I need not get too concerned about losing a few percent in the bends.
Forestgirl...that black knob is the height adjuster thingy for the router. It fits into a hole in the top surface of the table. I wanted a super-convenient storage location so I can grab it quickly when I need it.
A very clever idea to conserve space with the router cabinet built under-neath the right extension and the dead space created with 50" rails. You did a nice job all around or shall we say, circle the wagons boys. :>)
Regards...
Sarge..
Very nice work!
Is the DC pipe to the router running across the back of the saw (under the extension)? It's hard to tell from the photo.
Thanks,
Boiler
That's exactly correct...it runs across the back and right into the router box.
You have some great Ideas!
The add on's are right on, or DYNAMITE as a certain TV character used to say!
Use them well.
Chaim
Make your own mistakes not someone elses, this is a good way to be original !
Wow! That setup is FANTASTIC! and you have been busy...
What's the black knob for (that's below the pencil holder)?
Very nice. Very fancy. But not overly elaborate. It looks like the router fence clamps the same way as the Biesemeyer fence, correct? How was the locking mechanism to replicate? And what is the black knob on top of the router fence for?
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Yes, the router fence clamps to the TS rail exactly like the Beismeyer. In fact, when I made it, I used the Beismeyer on my table saw as a model. Making it was fairly easy...just a matter of using very straight boards for the fence (three oak boards glued together) and imitating the moving parts from plywood and hardwood, all morticed and glued for strength.
The black knob on the fence is connected to a thru-bolt that fits into an aluminum rail embedded in the table surface (which you can see on the pic). Even though it's a beefy oak fence, it still has a tiny bit of sway when locked in. The knob tightens down the fence to the table surface for zero movement. Before tightening it down, the fence flex gives me a little bit of micro-adjustment, so it works out well. The aluminum rail in the table has an opening at one end for the bolt head to pass through, making it very easy to lift the entire fence out quickly.
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