Re-purpose the cast iron band saw table

[reubenjames]

I am upgrading one of my two SS band saws to the aluminum table, and I got to thinking that there must be some good use for the cast iron table I'm swapping out. It's a nice, heavy, flat surface with a hole in it. Would make the basis for a good, shop-made....[your idea here]

I'm not very creative when it comes to building tools. Any ideas on what to do with this thing? Fry eggs on it?

[dusty]

OR...you might want to talk to forum member putttn who is in need of a cast iron table.

[rjent]

Why don't you use the table for a small router table. You could make inserts for the bits and mount a router underneath it.

Or, like dusty says, find someone who could benefit from the table. I personally like the cast table for a number of reasons. If I have a chance to get an aluminum table BS someday I wouldn't turn it down

Anyway, a couple of ideas ... one new.

[ERLover]

Not to be argumentative, I think it is too small for a router table. I have looked at many good bench type router tables, they are just too small, and they are bigger then the bs table in length. Finally got a top 24x32, pretty much the standard size bought and going to make my cabinet for it starting next month. I guess it is all in what you need. Plus putting in a router plate, and it is too thick to mount the router underneath and try and extend a bit above the table.

[reubenjames]

I think ERLover is right insofar as it is too thick to mount the router underneath--I don't know how feasible mounting a router would be, although that was my first thought in looking at it. If I used it as such, it would be a drop-in plate on a larger surface, as it is a bit small to function as the full table, I think.

I do like the cast iron, in some cases, Dick, which is why I'm glad my second BS still has one.

Helping out a fellow SSer might be the best course of action, long-term, anyway. I'll drop them a line.