router/saw table build

[jesserettele]

I want to build a router table and table saw in one 4'X8' table. THe router part should be easy enough but does anyone know of a table saw kit that is sold with just the frame and motor without the table? I have looked in grizly tools and harbor freight catalogues and haven't found anything for a DIY table saw kit.

[txav8r]

You will probably just have to build the table around a standard table saw.

[rcasiano]

No one sell's a table saw kit, best bet is to hit up the pawn shop looking for a deal. Its better to have them separate..

[fs40reef]

Make sure you put casters on the table so you can wheel it around. 3/4" or 1" MDF will make a nice table top but be sure not to get it wet. I can't think of a table saw kit available. I would just try and find a deal (as stated above) and work around it. I made a router table using MDF and 2"x4"s about 7 or 8 years ago and it is still going strong.
Will

[d3rryc]

+1 for the pawn shop suggestion. However, if you end up permanently installing a router in a table of any size that's not a dedicated router table, make sure you reinforce the table immediately surrounding the router to prevent sagging. I used a piece of 3/4" melamine to extend the table of my Rigid table saw and mounted a DeWalt router under it so I could use the saw's rip fence with the router. Even though I ran a piece of 1-1/2" aluminum angle stock to support the melamine, it has still sagged over time. Now, each time I want to use the router, I've gotta whack the melamine from underneath with a deadblow hammer to get the middle level again.

[jesserettele]

I found an old table saw for free, will need some buffing and polishing but is heavy duty with a good metal base. Thanks for all the input on personal experiences.

d3rryc, did you run the fence rails down the melamine too or does it get close enough to the router bit while staying on the stock rails of the table saw?

[d3rryc]

I figured it would be easier to show you than tell you. On the first pic, you can see how far past the right edge of the table deck that front rail extends. I can rip a full three feet on the right side of the saw blade, which gave me ample room to drop in an 18" router table. On the second pic, you can see the two angle stocks I used to reinforce the melamine. I'm using a Jessem router lift, which is a bit pricey but really nice functionally if you're going to be using the router a lot. However, on my old table, I just bought an inexpensive Wolfcraft tabletop router table, which has an MDF table. I cut the Wolfcraft table down to fit the opening between the table saw rails and threw the legs away. I had to take the router out of the table to change bits, but it wasn't difficult. One nice feature was that it came with an angle iron support and a built-in miter gauge track.

Hope that gives you some more ideas!
Derry

[jesserettele]

Thanks for the pics they are more than a thousand words. I can't believe that 3/4" melamine sags even with the angle supports running front to back. I appreciate you sharing; it does give me a better idea.

[ReefOne]

Hey Jesse,

Have you been looking for any used table saws? What about this?
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3749/dn3090close1.jpg

If all you ever plan on building is small tanks or sumps, a benchtop saw is more than enough to cut 1/4". Melev started out with just a benchtop. Besides, the setup above is clean, easy, and a great workstation.

Wanna meet up this weekend? Have you started your 75? Got side tracked for while, need to get my 50 cube up man. Hopefully i can start building the sump in the next two weeks if the weather clears up, otherwise i'm gonna wait till warm weather really gets here.

Ram

[jesserettele]

thanks for the pic, is this your setup?

I hear you about the weather. This weekend sounds good, I'll PM if things work out.

[ReefOne]

Na, i though about trying to do something like this with my tablesaw but i have a cabinet saw. It's awesome though, has a small outfeed table on the left.

Sounds good.

[jesserettele]

I am stealing my Dad's old table saw and will try to fix it up.

Any tickets yet Mr. M3?

[ReefOne]

lol...na, i'm not a speed demon. Dont have a single ticket on my record.

[FireWater]

Also, check out woodsmith over off 281 and www.rockler.com for stuff. I didn't look, but I seem to remember an add on for table saws.