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Message |
    
wei
Citizen
Username: Liweilun
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 5:44 pm: | 
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I have a basic carpentry tool question.
Is it possible to get a table saw that also doubles as router table? I'm plan on setting it up in my garage and don't want to take up too much room. Also, from what I have seen the routers tables do not come with the router, can I just buy a regular router and attach it to the table?
Can someone suggest a decent place to purchase these tools other than Home Depot or Lowes?
Thanks. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1286
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 7:17 pm: |
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I think almost all routers can be mounted; you take off the plate and bolt it underneath the table.
Frankly, I've never heard of a 'convertible' table saw/router table, but it DOES sound pretty cool.
I think there's a tool place on route 22 East, right after you pass Costco. Tool rental places sometimes sell tools also.
Personally, I'd look at Sears for home tools. |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4484
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 8:11 pm: |
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I have never heard of something that will do what you are looking for.
You can use the table saw as a table and take a router mounted in a table top holder and place that holder on your table saw, now a table, but that is it.
Oh, I do remember some unit sold on very late night cable for a few years that converted to 101 shop tools. Shop smith comes to mind and I seem to remember that it cost several thousand dollars. Perhaps that would do it, however, it takes an hour to change from one configuration to the next.
Good luck,
George |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4485
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 8:14 pm: |
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Oh, I have a 1960's vintage Sears Craftsman table saw for sale. $300 and it is yours.
Call me at 973 953-0781 |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10939
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 4:52 am: |
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The place on Route 22 is, I believe called, Forge.
Both HD and Lowes have extensive lines of table saws , ranging from 100 bucks to 600 or so. It depends on what you are going to be using it for. If you are planning on ripping sheets of plywood get the biggest base you can afford.
HD has two in house brands, Ryobi and Rigid. Ryobi is bargain priced and made in China. Rigid seems to have a good reputation and is a little cheaper than DeWalt.
A lot on what you should buy depends on the use you will be giving it.
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gj1
Citizen
Username: Gj1
Post Number: 314
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 12:27 pm: |
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Bob...that's Force. It's a good place.
Force Machinery Company, Inc.
2271 Route 22 West
Union, New Jersey, 07083
908-688-8270
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RAK1
Citizen
Username: Rak1
Post Number: 9
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 12:59 pm: |
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Like this?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=0 0921829000 |
bill671
Citizen
Username: Bill671
Post Number: 360
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 1:38 pm: |
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What you're thinking of is an accessory that attached in place of one of the wings of the table saw, and they are widely available. The router would be a seperate purchase.
Here are some examples:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002CTKA2/qid=1142445813/sr=1-12/ref=sr_1_12/1 04-7580991-3231962?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=hi&v=glance&n=228013
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2212
Many saw manufacturers such as Delta, Jet and Powermatic also make them to complement their product line.
Something to consider:
You should look again at a bench top router table. There are many types available, and depending on what you're doing with it, a basic one is likely less expensive and about the size of a milk crate. I think almost all of most of us can fit another of those into our garage - LOL!!! - so the impact on your space should be minimal. I have one mounted to a two foot square piece of plywood that I can hang on the wall when it's not in use.
The reason I suggest it is whatever system you use, it takes a little while to properly mount a router, adjust the bit height and line up the fence correctly for your project. If you're using a table saw extension, and then realize you forgot to make just one table saw cut before going into router mode - you likely need to pull out the router bit, and move the fence. Resetting the bit and fence to perfectly duplicate the original settings is not easy - there's sure to be some variance.
With a bench top router stand, even if you're clamping it on top of your saw to use it, you can easily move it aside, make your cut and bring it back. The fence and the bit position haven't been moved.
Have fun making sawdust! |
Brett Sahler
Citizen
Username: Brettsahler
Post Number: 40
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 6:09 pm: |
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Sounds like a trip to sears to me! |
kevin
Citizen
Username: Eloso
Post Number: 86
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 1:16 pm: |
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On the other hand, if you mount your router in your table saw wing, you get to use the entire wing of the table and your fence. So in essence you get a full size router table and a real fence without taking up more space in your shop.
I will admit that ocasionally you have to change your setup when you use the table saw to cut wide wood, but I live with it. In a perfect world one would have a space and money for a full size router table and fence, but we all have to compromise.
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mark halliday
Citizen
Username: Markhalliday
Post Number: 20
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 3:51 pm: |
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I'm a contractor so I have more saws than limbs. And because I am lazy I try not to have tools do dual duty especially if there is too much setup time. I'll come up with the lamest excuses to not do it and usually wind up choosing a more cumbersome, time consuming way to do something. I pretty much have one tool for one job. If you are knee deep in a project and have to keep switching setups between routing and cutting you'll be talking to yourself in 5 minutes. Again, I can be pretty lazy in a weird kind of way.
I have three table saws - JET, Sears, and RYOBI. I've owned a couple of sears saws over time and they do not last and are not even close to being precise, fine pieces of machinery. they don't have the legs for the long haul. I was pleasantly surprised last year when I bought a RYOBI portable/collapsable table saw for $200 at HD. It folds easily, is accurate, and the right wing slides out on rails to give you greater capacity. The wheels are permanently attached and the thing is not a hernia in the making to move around. I have put a lot of miles on it and it has not failed me yet. The JET is a great tool, I've had in 8-9 years and its also got a lot of mileage. Its got a cast table and strongly resists any attempts to move it around. Good luck |
Travis
Citizen
Username: Travis
Post Number: 376
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 6:00 am: |
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Perhaps the EZ Smart Guide system fits your bill.
http://www.eurekazone.com
Force Machinery on Rte 22 is a distributor.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10970
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 7:48 am: |
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Mark, thanks for the info on the Ryobi portable saw. Everytime I stroll through HD I look at those saws, which seem a bargain.
If you don't want to spend the money for the saw guides Travis linked to just get yourself an eight foot length of 1/2 inch plywood and the straightest 1x2 you can find. Glue and screw the edge of the plywood and then run your circular saw down the plywood while making sure the base of the saw is against the 1x2 and you have an instant custom saw guide. |
mark halliday
Citizen
Username: Markhalliday
Post Number: 23
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 6:38 am: |
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I've used the RYOBI on a number of jobs and its paid for itself a number of times.. it collapses and rolles around as if on a handtruck. good luck |
wei
Citizen
Username: Liweilun
Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
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Thanks for all your responses.
I'll will probably pick up a table saw that has a router wing attachment on one end. I'll also go with a portable so I can easily store it away when I am not using it.
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Proud Daddy
Citizen
Username: Proud_daddy
Post Number: 16
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 12:37 pm: |
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It is very common for woodworkers to attach a router table to the extension wing (right or left). When the router is lowered, saw capacity is increased. You can also use the table saw fence as a guide for the router. You do not have to get this fancy but INCRA tools has a packaged set-up. They are only one of many. Rockler and Woodpecker, and Amazon tools would be your best bet for your saw.
For a cheaper but more labor intensive route, I believe WOOD magazine had an article how to make one yourself. |
kevin
Citizen
Username: Eloso
Post Number: 88
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 12:54 pm: |
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I'm not sure that a portable saw is the best if you aren't going to take it to the job site, nor will they have an extension wing for your router mount.
The Best Value 'contractor's saw' in Fine Woodworking was the Rigid. http://www.taunton.com/FWN/toolguide/toolguideproduct.aspx?tab=_editor&id=5709
I saw it at HD last week. It has some cool features like built in rollers so you can move it around.
In any case - I'd look around on the FWW site and read all the reviews before you decide.
I bought the rockler extension for my table saw and it works fine.
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kevin
Citizen
Username: Eloso
Post Number: 89
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 1:05 pm: |
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I don't want to start a flame but I feel obligated to explain the different levels of Tablesaws.
You have portable - which has the smallest table, fence and motor, but you can carry it to the jobsite.
The contractor - bigger table, fence and motor, but still not as accurate as a cabinet saw.
The hybrid - lighter duty fence and motor but has a real trunion for the motor which makes it more accurate.
Cabinet saw - very big fence (up to 50"), big motor (up to 5HP) and all cast iron so it is very stable and accurate. But it is very expensive (1500 - 3000) and takes up alot of floor space.
If you look at the contractors saws at sears and HD and then look at the cabinet saws at force machinery you will quickly see the difference.
It all depends on what you are planning to make and how much money and space you have.
My sad story is that I have a sears contractor saw that I've upgraded the motor and fence so that it works for my woodworking, but it would have been cheaper just to get a cabinet saw. They didn't have hybrids then but I'd take a long hard look at them now.
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Proud Daddy
Citizen
Username: Proud_daddy
Post Number: 17
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 2:17 pm: |
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For a home made router table attachement, size and saw type should not matter. 3/4" Plywood with a hole for the router plate can be secured to a wing or to the table itself with a piece of angle iron. Again, check recent issues of WOOD or Workbench magazine for a simple how to. This is a frequent topic and probably gets an article at least a couple times/year.
P.s You do not need a super duper cabinet saw to do most projects. A cabinet saw can make it safer and more accurate but a little know-how, a bunch of jigs and a good splitter can narrow the gap significantly. |
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