Opinions on miter saw stands...

[e-tek]

I've been wanting to move all my wood-working stuff into our attached garage, to separate woodworking (house and rental-home repair mostly) from my automotive habit.

My dilemma is whether to build a fixed miter saw table (over some storage), or something I could move if needed. While movable sounds good, I'm not sure how often I'd actually need to move it - and how much of a PITA it would be to move.

Anyone else built separate spaces, or have an opinion on fixed or movable?

 

[1/2 Cup]

I have a Makita unit which is normally stored with all my other power tools in the storage section of the shed, when I need to use it I mount it to a fold up Dewalt unit and then set it up outside. My shed is not big enough to have it set permanently, which suits me fine and keeps the dust out.

 

[captain14]

How much room to you have? Dedicated Space for each side is quite long unless you can combine it with something else. Would you be taking it on the road to your rentals defeating the purpose in your garage workstation?

Family Handyman magazine has a couple of plans on their site for portable setups.

 

[rharman]

If you have enough unused space and enough use to justify it, building it in is very handy.

I don't have that much space. I bought the DeWalt rolling stand early this year and I love it. Easy to move out of the way and setup when I need it. Collapses and stores vertically.

$199 and free shipping (48 states only) from Acme Tools.

 

[1/2 Cup]

If you have enough unused space and enough use to justify it, building it in is very handy.

I don't have that much space. I bought the DeWalt rolling stand early this year and I love it. Easy to move out of the way and setup when I need it. Collapses and stores vertically.

$199 and free shipping (48 states only) from Acme Tools.

Thanks for posting, that's a great idea.

 

[boiler7904]

I built a rolling cart very similar to this one for a few reasons:

I didn't have space to dedicate to a large station in a fixed location.

I didn't have the budget to build a large station the way I would want to.

I knew I was moving within 5 years and wanted some degree of portability / ease of moving it out.

Adding a collapsible router table on the back of the cabinet gave me multiple functions while taking up minimal extra space.

The rolling cart allows for storage of about a dozen portable power tools in cases below the saw - at last count I had a DeWalt Track Saw, Milwaukee Circular Saw, Bosch Jigsaw, Bosch 2 1/4 hp router kit, Bosch 1hp router kit, PC stapler, Hitachi stapler, Hitachi 18 ga nailer, Hitachi 15 ga nailer, two Bosch sanders, Kreg K3 pocket hole kit, PC biscuit jointer, and an extra 12" saw blade all crammed into the cabinet.

When cutting long trim - 16 ft sticks of base or crown, I can move the saw to work in the garage regardless of weather. When I'm done, the saw goes back against the wall.



Now that I've moved, I'm in a similar garage situation except I have a bit more storage so one of the open shelves may be converted into drawers (still undecided) and we don't plan to move again anytime soon.

I'm thinking a DeWalt portable stand will be on my shopping list when I start finishing the basement in a couple of years to avoid constant trips back and forth.



Changes made to the cart I linked are that the pull out drawer at the bottom wasn't built and I used a Kreg Precision Trak & Stop System for the fence. The saw is mounted on long carriage bolts that allow the saw to be leveled on nuts and washers in all directions and positioned straight to the fences if removed for some reason.

I also mounted two 20 amp receptacles in a metal junction box on the side of the cart and wire them to a 25 ft extension cord so the saw is never more than 2 ft from an outlet. Also lets me plug in other tools if needed without having a mess of extension cords all over the place.

I also mounted an iVac switch near the outlet that would allow my shop vac to automatically start and stop when tools are used but I don't really use it that often.

I originally had basic 2 1/2" casters from Home Depot on the cart and dreaded moving it for the first two years I had it. I've since upgraded to 3" double locking polyurethane casters from Woodcraft at each corner. Night and day difference so that is the only caster I'll buy for the garage now.

The challenge this spring is to figure out some sort of inexpensive dust collection for the saw that actually works - I'm open to anyone's ideas.

 

[Kevin54]

Ditto on the DeWalt stand, and I need one myself. Right now I resort to portable plastic sawhorses and a sheet of MDF

 

[borgdog]

In my old garage I used some heavy duty shelf brackets and mounted it to the wall with shelves extending either side at the proper height for board support. Worked great and allowed me to tuck my table saws underneath to maximize the room in the garage. My new shop with dedicated wood shop room I built a cabinet that put the bed height at the same height as my band saw that sits on the same wall so it can be used for support on one side and use a roller stand on the other side when needed.

 

[Thumper68]

I have a dedicated built in bench for the one in the shop, but I had this designed into the build from the beginning, I recessed a portion of the bench along one wall so the saw table would be at bench hight with some room for shimming since I knew that the saw would not last forever and all saws are different.

I also have the older saw that I use when needing to take a mitre saw elsewhere.

It's nice having one saw set up with dust collection always ready to use.

 

[Thorky]

If you have enough unused space and enough use to justify it, building it in is very handy.

I don't have that much space. I bought the DeWalt rolling stand early this year and I love it. Easy to move out of the way and setup when I need it. Collapses and stores vertically.

$199 and free shipping (48 states only) from Acme Tools.

I picked up a very similar Delta stand from Acme a few years ago and I must say, it was worth every penny!

I don't have an abundance of room, so I like how it can fold down then be stood up out of the way. I built my saw horses to the same height as the saw deck for when I need to support anything long.
It also comes in handy if you have to move the saw around a lot, quick to load and unload into a truck or trailer and sets up in seconds.

 

[pfctblu]

Went through same dilemma and settled on a built in unit but also bought a port a mate stand for setup on projects elsewhere. Very happy with it for the price.

 

[rharman]

Ditto on the DeWalt stand, and I need one myself. Right now I resort to portable plastic sawhorses and a sheet of MDF

Before I bought that, I kept my saw on top of a cheapo Craftsman rolling 2-drawer cabinet. Hated it. Get the rolling DeWalt stand - you won't regret it.

The only drawback is lack of an adjustable length stop but I'm planning my build for that.

 

[NUTTSGT]

This started out as a rolling base for my step-dad's 40" Cman bottom box. After I got his bottom box, I decided to use this and build a rolling base for my miter saw. After I picked up my floor model drill press, I moved the smaller model onto the other side. When I cut longer pieces, I just move a a roller stand over to where I need it.



In case you're wondering about the tubes welded on both ends of the cart, they're to hold spools of wire. My step-dad is a retired electrician and they would push their cart around the shop (GE) as they worked on something. If he was running wire in conduit, he could pull the rod out of the tube slide on a spool of wire and shove the rod back in.

 

[bww_mnm]

If you have enough unused space and enough use to justify it, building it in is very handy.

I don't have that much space. I bought the DeWalt rolling stand early this year and I love it. Easy to move out of the way and setup when I need it. Collapses and stores vertically.

$199 and free shipping (48 states only) from Acme Tools.

A second opinion. I had this one (delta version) and got rid of it. It's clumsy and the arms sag. Worst of both worlds ... Big and clumsy without great portability. Rharman has a different opinion which I respect but also wanted to share my experiences.

Given room, go permanent, homemade install and if you need portability, buy the dewalt 723 or 724 later. I have the 724. I think I paid $125 for the 724 on sale.

Also, Bosch gravity stand is well reviewed but pricey.

 

[IGO2XS]

I have a Dewalt stand and I like it because I can fold it up and put it away. I can also use it off site if I need to because it is easy to move....light weight made out of aluminum. Garage guys like us have enough stuff set up in our garages and it is nice to be able to store some of it away when not in use.

 

[Boomer343]

I got a package deal on the Milwaukee 12" sliding mitre saw and stand. I am very impressed with both units. Very stable and good supports. You may find someone just selling the stand on Kijiji.

 

[e-tek]

Thanks guys.
Now here's what I'm working with. I have about 16" on one side of our 2-car attached garage where I want to but the bench. As my auto-shop is so full (and I don't need sawdust in it too), I have my wood - and home repair - tools out here. If I need to make or fix something, I'd like to just pull out my van and viola! - ready to work! It's a crappy photo, but there's a small compressor, my mitre saw, small table saw and the skill saw sitting out here, as well as the pressure washer and generator. The ladders will go in an outside shed next summer, so I may even put cupboards above.

 

[Sureshot]

I have the Ridgid saw and stand. I like it for the portability and I try to take it outside to keep the mess down. If doing a larger project I use my 32' gooseneck and leave the lumber on it and have the saw on it or beside so the picking off the ground is all but eliminated.

Those other cabinet models are very nice and if I did more in the shop I might go that way but I like the way this parks and takes very little room.

 

[e-tek]

Here's my issue with all the stands that can be "folded up and put away" MY BACK! - it's BAD! So the more things I can have set up already (and at a correct ergonomic height!), the better. I just want everything set-up and ready to roll - as it where.

But I can see having a rolling base - like NUTTSGT, etc. This could be part of a mitre/work bench, but be pulled out if needed too. I guess I'd definitely have to do that with the table saw - as having it on a workbench would render it largely useless.

 

[e-tek]

Sureshot, sometimes I can't hear a word you're saying....

 

[Sureshot]

I am with you on the back thing. That is why I work off the trailer. The stands are very easy to set up(at least my Ridgid is) and take down.

 

[Sureshot]

This is different from mine but

 

[e-tek]

That is cool for sure...shot - tons of features.

I was thinking of a design like this, but with only 16" to work with, I'd likely need to build some kind of slide-out feature, to pull the saw away from the wall (it's a sliding arm):

 

[KANSASBOY]

I'm looking into making something like for my tools . http://christophermerrill.net/ww/plans/UTS/Tool_Stand_1.html

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If you are going with a wall unit, make an opening in the back that allows most of the dust to fall into a removable bin.

I personally think a roll away unit is what you want. Make some matching side cabinets if you want, and push them all into the wall when you are not using them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The only way I would want it "permanent" in a bench is if I had a long wall for it. Doing that, it would have to also incorporate my radial arm saw into such a design.

 

[383 240z]

I keep telling my self that I'm going to build one of those.

Problem is I drag the saw all over the place. Sometimes in the shop. Sometimes in the house, sometimes on the porch or deck. For that I usually have it on 2 sawhorses with a 3'x3' sheet of 3/4" plywood I keep just for that.

When I'm using it at the barn it's on my tailgate running off the generator. One of those fold up deals would be awesome, but I just can't justify $200 for a cart, when I could have 2 more benches for the same cost. Seems I always end up in this decision paralysis, so many good ideas around her, not enough space or $$$ to use 1/2 of them. Keith

 

[KELLHAMMER]

Check out the Ron Paulk Miter stand

 

[mayday0017]

I bought the Dewalt rolling stand too been watching it hoping one day it would go on sale. Last week it did, $149.99 shipped from Amazon...

Really impressed with the whole design and the stability. It adjusts quick and easy, and it takes up very little space with the saw on it standing on end. I was also shocked at how easy it is to roll, it doesn't feel heavy at all when you are rolling it.

 

[Modern Jess]

I have a similar dilemma. My shop is mostly for mechanical work, and I certainly don't have room for a dedicated miter saw stand along a wall. My solution is to keep the saw permanently on this Ridgid miter saw stand, which folds up and sits in the corner when I'm not using it. When I want to cut something, I wheel it out to the patio or driveway or even the yard, unfold it, and voila! I have a full-size miter saw stand with generous wings.

I've been impressed so far with this model. It's really well thought-out, right down to the little tray on the left-hand side that's exactly where you want to set down the tape measure after marking a board.

 

[e-tek]

I personally think a roll away unit is what you want. Make some matching side cabinets if you want, and push them all into the wall when you are not using them.

I think you're right! NUTTGT's roller bench, between a couple cabinets, would be about perfect for me.

Another spring-time project!

 

[Ray-CA]

I have an older version of this one: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200394879_200394879. Been using it for several years and it's been really nice to have. Probably wouldn't hold up to industrial use, but for homeowner/diy type stuff it's done really well.

Ray

 

[darwyn]

FWIW, my miter saw is on a fixed bench. Having a Kreg fence makes it worth the space. Accurate cuts every time, takes 20 seconds - just set the fence and make your cut. I love it!

 

[Sureshot]

I forgot about this guy. I have talked to him at a couple shows. Nice stuff.

http://www.powerbench.com/

 

[MFolks]

I'm thinking of building a similar dust collection hood for my miter saw: