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out feed table thoughts

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:19 pm
by farley
I'm being honest here.

I have a problem with out feed tables. They often seem more trouble than they are worth. If I have to cut a couple of boards it seems easier to just shoot the board off into the air than to bother setting up the out feed table.

I use to have a table that was easy to set as a out feed table, but that was another shop ago and I am not able to duplicate that set up.

I'm not sure I want to have one that permanently hooked to the SS.

There are roller stands which would work but then you have to retrieve the board before the second cut.

I was thinking about:

using my SS router table that has tubes on it and getting an extra base or headrest, and with the locking handle that would make it adjustable in height.

Bolt the headrest/or base to a three foot step ladder.

Slide the SS router table into it, adjust height and then I would have a table for out feed. I don't mind the wood dropping and inch, but dropping to the ground does bother me.

or, to be even more economical.

Just get a four foot later, cut it a little, put the SS router table in two drilled holes, put a stop under the top at the average height for most cuts (table saw height)

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:52 pm
by robinson46176
Besides another Shopsmith my second favorite out-feed table is an old hospital bed table that I can lift the latch and adjust instantly to what ever height I want.
It is about like this one:
[ATTACH]11363[/ATTACH]

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:07 pm
by dusty
If you do very little work on your table saw that would produce pieces that end on the outfeed table, then setup may be more trouble than it is worth.

However, I can install my outfeed table in the time it takes you to fetch that ladder. Furthermore, it is set up and ready to use in about the same time it takes to fold out the ladder and put it in place..

When I am all done setup, the table is at the height of the main table and adjusts with it as you change depth of cut.

[ATTACH]11364[/ATTACH]

This is the old table and the pictures were taken before it was completed (no miter slots and no t-track).

To each his own but I can not imagine being without an outfeed table.

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:31 pm
by 8iowa
I've never used an outfeed table, in a 1/2 garage shop there isn't much room to use such a thing, or store it. My rockler Hevi-Duty "flip top" stand ( their #43399) has given me wonderful service. Unlike stands I've used in the past, this one is really rock solid and cannot be tipped over. I even use it set precisely level with the jointer outfeed table in order to joint long boards.

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:22 pm
by farley
dusty may have a point

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:14 pm
by charlese
farley wrote:dusty may have a point

Absolutely! Dusty has a good point - AND so does 8iowa and farmer! these outfeed methods are good!

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:14 pm
by JPG
farley wrote:dusty may have a point

May? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? So does Farmer. So does Ralph. Whatever works for you, but keep it simple!(and quick)

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:58 am
by Ed in Tampa
8iowa wrote:I've never used an outfeed table, in a 1/2 garage shop there isn't much room to use such a thing, or store it. My rockler Hevi-Duty "flip top" stand ( their #43399) has given me wonderful service. Unlike stands I've used in the past, this one is really rock solid and cannot be tipped over. I even use it set precisely level with the jointer outfeed table in order to joint long boards.
Right on 8iowa!!!! ......... What did he say??????? Did Ed just agree with 8iowa? Run the sky must be falling! :D

Seriously I love the Ridgid flip Top stands they are so so very useful. They make perfect infeed and out feed tables for both the saw, jointer, mitre saw, planer, anything that needs extra support. Plus they also serve as saw horses, table supports, tool stands and etc. Love them.

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:04 am
by 8iowa
What............Ed agreeing with me..............I'm about to faint!

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:03 pm
by JPG
8iowa wrote:What............Ed agreeing with me..............I'm about to faint!
Don't get used to it!:D