Table Saw and Router Plate Distance Question

[Greatwhitewing]

Early design phase of custom work bench. Currently have Dewalt table saw (it's what I have) and a router plate about 21-1/4" apart on the 4 foot end of the table. Is this something I will regret? It's a Jessem Mastr lift and plate. I am also showing a downdraft dust box for the router. My intent is to share the 50" rip aftermarket fence kit between the two tools.

Or would I be better served moving the router to the far end of the 4x8 table? Maybe put the router on the cart that came with the saw. I used a cart from a dead Bosch jobsite saw to mount my table top jointer and works well saving floor space when not in use.

I am part time hobbyist with floor space at a premium. This is would also be my assembly table with 3/4 holes for bench dawgs.

Thanks in advance for constructive criticism

 

[txvwnut]

I have mine mounted on a wing of my table saw. This way I can use the fence from the table saw when needed, I also made T slots in the router table part for specialty needs.

 

[jar944]

I would move it to the center of the outfeed/ bench

 

[cgrutt]

I had one mounted to side of my tablesaw it worked OK but was a PITA I wound up buying a separate dedicated router cabinet that I liked much better for a couple of reasons one being a dedicated split router fence with top mounted hold downs works much better than the tablesaw fence and another being I was able to do a better job at configuring cabinet and fence for dust collection. My space was an issue as well and the side of tablesaw was in an awkward spot for working on router. Overall though it worked just have to workaround its limitations. The cabinet and fence that I had was made by Benchdog not sure if they're still in business or not but you should Google it esp for fence to get ideas of what you may want to adapt for your situation. I've seen shop made devices that fit over and attach to the table saw fence for router inserts that really save alot of time and make router work better when mounted on a saw. Good luck.

 

[cretedog]

I would put it towards the far end of the 4x8 table. Mine is that way and works well (Tho my saw is turned 90deg from yours).

Wherever you put it, consider routing a tee track or two in the tabletop for fences and accessories as stated above. (My next week's project).

Also consider routing or building in slots in the outfeed top inline with tee slots in your saw top- for pushing miter gauges and jigs on through when cutting.

 

[RTM]

One friend who did it was not impressed with the table saw fence for the router either . He liked my older BenchDog split fence better. But he did not change anything

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I would put it towards the far end of the 4x8 table. Mine is that way and works well (Tho my saw is turned 90deg from yours).

Wherever you put it, consider routing a tee track or two in the tabletop for fences and accessories as stated above. (My next week's project).

Also consider routing or building in slots in the outfeed top inline with tee slots in your saw top- for pushing miter gauges and jigs on through when cutting.

I see your table is wider than deep. I can't arrange mine like that so I think I will just move the router 6 feet back. Still a lot of design work to go.

 

[jar944]

I see your table is wider than deep. I can't arrange mine like that so I think I will just move the router 6 feet back. Still a lot of design work to go.

I'd move it slightly towards center to give more infeed support

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I'd move it slightly towards center to give more infeed support

Assuming you mean the router? Good point
Like to get more infeed on the saw but but would make it difficult to access the controls. Might make extensions to the front and left side of the saw for wider crosscuts maybe hinged but certainly easy/on off

 

[jar944]

Assuming you mean the router? Good point
Like to get more infeed on the saw but but would make it difficult to access the controls. Might make extensions to the front and left side of the saw for wider crosscuts maybe hinged but certainly easy/on off

Yes, I meant the router

 

[RMERR]

I'd move it slightly towards center to give more infeed support

My first thought too looking at the drawing. Especially when using a bearing router bit (no fence) and a slightly larger workpiece.