I am planning to add an outfeed table to my table saw. I am wondering
how wide I should make the outfeed table.

My table saw has three sides: The center that is where the saw blade
and the two tracks are, the left wing, and the right wing. I can
understand the benefit of having outfeed table to cover the center
area, and the left wing. But I don't understand why I may need to
extend the outfeed table to cover the right wing of my table saw. Is
that mainly good for left handed people?

I guess I can use the large outfeed table to double as an assembling
table. But I don't have a pressing need for such a large assembling
table.

I may need to run a flex hose over that area. That is the reason why I
don't want to extend the outfeed table to cover that area. But I want
to know what I may miss in order to know the trade-off.

Thanks.

Jay Chan

make it wide enough to stabilize the largest panels you expect to cut at
the TS. and then add plenty of "fudge factor" for future use. or just
make it as large as space allows! You can't go wrong, as it'll double
as an assembly table.

dave

Jay Chan wrote:

I am planning to add an outfeed table to my table saw. I am wondering
how wide I should make the outfeed table.

My table saw has three sides: The center that is where the saw blade
and the two tracks are, the left wing, and the right wing. I can
understand the benefit of having outfeed table to cover the center
area, and the left wing. But I don't understand why I may need to
extend the outfeed table to cover the right wing of my table saw. Is
that mainly good for left handed people?

I guess I can use the large outfeed table to double as an assembling
table. But I don't have a pressing need for such a large assembling
table.

I may need to run a flex hose over that area. That is the reason why I
don't want to extend the outfeed table to cover that area. But I want
to know what I may miss in order to know the trade-off.

Thanks.

Jay Chan

"Jay Chan" wrote in message
om...
I am planning to add an outfeed table to my table saw. I am wondering
how wide I should make the outfeed table.

I may need to run a flex hose over that area. That is the reason why I
don't want to extend the outfeed table to cover that area. But I want
to know what I may miss in order to know the trade-off.

My outfeed table is 24" wide. So far it has worked OK for me. If you are
cutting very wide sheet goods the extra width is needed. If you want to cut
a 48" wide sheet of plywood to 47", you need a wide table to handle it. If
you rip a 9" wide board in half, you don't need much width at all. Only you
know what your projects will be.
Ed

Jay,
Your choice of outfeed tables boils down to, basically, one question: What
kind of work will you be doing?
If you're working with large sheet material, an out feed table extending to
the right and rear of the saw will help immensely. In fact, once you work
with a large outfeed table, it's hard to go back.
If you're going to be making small projects, then you may not need an out
feed at all. BUT, you will almost invariably find the need for an outfeed
(at least directly behind the main table) at some point.
In summary, if you can spare the room, build the biggest outfield table you
can.

Larry

--
Americans

"Jay Chan" wrote in message
om...
I am planning to add an outfeed table to my table saw. I am wondering
how wide I should make the outfeed table.

My table saw has three sides: The center that is where the saw blade
and the two tracks are, the left wing, and the right wing. I can
understand the benefit of having outfeed table to cover the center
area, and the left wing. But I don't understand why I may need to
extend the outfeed table to cover the right wing of my table saw. Is
that mainly good for left handed people?

I guess I can use the large outfeed table to double as an assembling
table. But I don't have a pressing need for such a large assembling
table.

I may need to run a flex hose over that area. That is the reason why I
don't want to extend the outfeed table to cover that area. But I want
to know what I may miss in order to know the trade-off.

Thanks.

Jay Chan

"Jay Chan" wrote in message
om...
I am planning to add an outfeed table to my table saw. I am wondering
how wide I should make the outfeed table.


As others have said, it is really up to you and depends on your
preferences/needs.

I have a Unisaw with two cast iron wings, as well as the side table for the
50" Biesemeyer fence. I made a folding outfeed table using a sheet of
melamine. It covers the full width of the cast iron (40") plus 8" more to
the right. I don't recall the exact depth, but I have 12", IIRC, of fixed
outfeed table, and the rest folds down, but is bout 6" off the floor.
Anyway, this has been invaluable, as I often rip down full sheets of plywood
or MDF.

Mike

On 15 Mar 2004 18:53:38 -0800, (Jay Chan) wrote:

I am planning to add an outfeed table to my table saw. I am wondering
how wide I should make the outfeed table.


Think what the OUTFEED TABLE actually does...it supports the work
AFTER it has been run thru the saw blade....

So to determine just how wide that outfeed table is all you have to do
is determine the widest piece of work you are going to cut...IF you
are cutting to the center of a 4 foot piece of pluywood the table
should support 2 foot on BOTH sides of the blade...

Bob Griffiths

Plywood, Plywood, Plywood.

The outfeed should be bug enough to support your workpiece (not allow it to
fall off). Since arguably, a full sheet of plywood is the widest thing that
you will pass through your saw with any regularity, I would aim for 24"
support in either side of the blade and 48" past the blade.

That's the best starting point I can suggest, and adjust from there as shop
space allows.

You can also use a saw hosrse with a waxed board on top (set to the height
of your saw) as temporary additional support. IMHO this is *better* than a
roller stand as it will not pull you work if the roller is not perfectly
aligned.

-Steve


"Jay Chan" wrote in message
om...
I am planning to add an outfeed table to my table saw. I am wondering
how wide I should make the outfeed table.

My table saw has three sides: The center that is where the saw blade
and the two tracks are, the left wing, and the right wing. I can
understand the benefit of having outfeed table to cover the center
area, and the left wing. But I don't understand why I may need to
extend the outfeed table to cover the right wing of my table saw. Is
that mainly good for left handed people?

I guess I can use the large outfeed table to double as an assembling
table. But I don't have a pressing need for such a large assembling
table.

I may need to run a flex hose over that area. That is the reason why I
don't want to extend the outfeed table to cover that area. But I want
to know what I may miss in order to know the trade-off.

Thanks.

Jay Chan

Barry,

Any chance you can post more pics of the structure of your table. I plan to
do one in the near future and have come up dry looking for plans. I don't
want to re-invent the wheel if I don't have to. I'm just trying to get some
idea of how much structure is needed for adequate support. I plan to use it
as an assembly and perhaps a router table, as well as outfeed.

SteveP

"B a r r y" wrote in message
...
On 15 Mar 2004 18:53:38 -0800, (Jay Chan) wrote:


extend the outfeed table to cover the right wing of my table saw. Is
that mainly good for left handed people?

Wide panels will twist and turn if not properly supported under the
left side.

I made my outfeed as wide as the entire saw and fence table, and as
wide as required to support an 8 foot board after it comfortably
clears the blade.

http://www.bburke.com/wood/images/outfeed.jpg

Remember, the space under, and in many cases, over the table is
perfectly usable. A large outfeed table can create more space than it
uses. Shelves and/or cabinets can be built over and under the
outfeed. Weight added underneath will make the table more stable.

Barry

Thanks for all the information that I have received from follow
newsgroup members.

Yes, you are right to point out that this depends on my projects. The
fact that I don't see any benefit of a wide outfeed table now
indicates that I will probably not likely to gain benefit from
expanding the outfeed table to cover the right wing of my table saw in
term of cutting large plywood.

After saying this, a large outfeed table to be used for assembly looks
like a better and better idea (despite what I said in my previous
message). Currently, I do assembly on the floor that is neither level
nor smooth. I probably alter my design to allow the flex hose and the
extension of the outfeed table to co-exist.

Thanks again.

Jay Chan

Barry,

Thanks for the pic. How are the mitre slots worked in? You said 1 1/2 of
MDF (BTW how is that finished, just paint?) Is that one solid layer then
the wood used for the mitre slots and panels of MDF on top?

Thanks for putting up with my questions.

SteveP

"B a r r y" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 09:59:47 -0500, "Steven P"
wrote:

Barry,

Any chance you can post more pics of the structure of your table. I

Posted to a.p.b.w

Nothing special and not fine wooddorking, the frame is simply
tubafours glued and screwed together. The top is 1 1/2" of MDF with
ash edging. The top is attached to the frame with a few pocket holes.

Barry