Using table saw as a workbench?

[myredracer]

I have an 800 sq. ft. attached workshop that I've been working on for a very long time as I've been building the house and the attached workshop, parking garage and inlaw suite and my toy shop has had to wait. The building process is basically now all done and I've now been setting up the workshop.

My table saw takes up a lot of floor space and it's in the way and a nuisance. It's 2'-8" x 6'-2" overall. I have 4 small cars in there which doesn't leave a lot of space for the saw. I won't be needing it much from now on but want to have it available for cutting the occasional piece of material or the occasional woodworking project. I could remove the motor and guide rails to reduce the footprint, but it would be a pain to re-install just for a small amount of cutting.

So I'm thinking of using it for a move-able work surface. It already has flip-down casters. I would make up a top from maybe 3/4" plywood that could be easily removable. I'd have to make some kind of flip-up or easily removable legs for the ends of the guide rails so the saw won't tip over. A galvanized sheet steel top would be nice but would add weight unless it can just sit on it (no glue or screws).

I was also thinking it could be used as a welding table of sorts as I otherwise just have a 12' long workbench with sheet metal top that I will NOT weld on (zinc and/or damage). Wouldn't need to be a real welding table made from thick steel. I'm thinking of maybe just say 1/16" thick or so that I could lift it off by myself when my lovely assistant isn't home.

Has anyone done this and how did they do it?

 

[Neppo1345]

I'm currently doing something similar in my small basement shop (no garage yet ).

I kept the top small, (just 6" bigger than the saw table itself on each side so it wouldn't need any external support). I pin-nailed/glued some 1/2 inch strips to the bottom to keep it from shifting around.

I don't use it for any 'heavy' work though, it just serves as a flat place to sit tools and parts while I'm running the lathe or mill, and as a work surface when I'm working on R/C projects since I can pull it away from the wall to help with bulky plane builds.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

I wouldn't do it. You'll put a lot of wear and tear on the saw. Can you instead make a non mobile workbench that's slightly taller than the saw you can just store the saw under, while still keeping all the usable space up top?

 

[zcar751]

I did this to allow me access to the saw when I need it and still have a usable work bench.
View media item 43451

 

[myredracer]

Mine is like the one in this photo (General International) except my guide rails stick out a lot farther. It's a pretty robust contractor grade saw. Not sure how it could be damaged using it as a work surface? Although building a structure around/over it is a great idea, I want something that I can lay over it and easily lift it off when I need to use it as a saw. Won't be used for heavy items or pounding on it.

 

[sleepy127]

By just laying a top over it you are limiting what you could use it for. I wouldn't hammer or put anything real heavy on top of it and I really don't think I would weld on top of it even with something covering it. Not sure how it could be damaged but Murphy can be a pain. If you build a table that was over it you could use it for more things.

 

[myredracer]

Problem with building something that goes over it is that there are then two large things that take up a lot of floor area. Am trying to reduce floor space taken up. I can really use a second work surface for sheet metal body parts and laying out various car parts and the table saw makes perfect sense to use for much needed work 2nd surface in my garage.

 

[Aberdale]

Gil, there is nothing wrong with what you are proposing. You don't mention what brand or model saw you have. If it's a super valuable collectible saw, you may want to reconsider, but if it's a general purpose saw, you really aren't risking anything.

I have 2 saws, both of them are 10" Delta cabinet saws. One is in the wood shop, where it is kept as an accurate finish saw for woodworking. The other saw is kept in my auto shop and has two cast iron extensions. Although I make sure not to do anything heavy or abusive on the saw table, it does sit next to my welding bench. I use it as a poor man's surface table for a little better accuracy than measuring from my workbench. I use it for the occasional cut off of wood blocks and trimming radiator and heater hose to length, and cutting plastics. It also becomes an excellent catch-all when I need a place to put stuff.

I think that if you protect the surface, and don't put too much weight on it, it should be fine, and still be available to you for the occasional cutting chore you may have.

Dale

 

[CTyankee]

I have an 800 sq. ft. attached workshop that I've been working on for a very long time as I've been building the house and the attached workshop, parking garage and inlaw suite and my toy shop has had to wait. The building process is basically now all done and I've now been setting up the workshop.

My table saw takes up a lot of floor space and it's in the way and a nuisance. It's 2'-8" x 6'-2" overall. I have 4 small cars in there which doesn't leave a lot of space for the saw. I won't be needing it much from now on but want to have it available for cutting the occasional piece of material or the occasional woodworking project. I could remove the motor and guide rails to reduce the footprint, but it would be a pain to re-install just for a small amount of cutting.

So I'm thinking of using it for a move-able work surface. It already has flip-down casters. I would make up a top from maybe 3/4" plywood that could be easily removable. I'd have to make some kind of flip-up or easily removable legs for the ends of the guide rails so the saw won't tip over. A galvanized sheet steel top would be nice but would add weight unless it can just sit on it (no glue or screws).

I was also thinking it could be used as a welding table of sorts as I otherwise just have a 12' long workbench with sheet metal top that I will NOT weld on (zinc and/or damage). Wouldn't need to be a real welding table made from thick steel. I'm thinking of maybe just say 1/16" thick or so that I could lift it off by myself when my lovely assistant isn't home.

Has anyone done this and how did they do it?

I can't imagine what you're planning on building in future that will require such a large saw. Unless one is doing cabinet type production work, I consider a saw that large a luxury. While it might be nice having it, it would seem like the cons out weight the pros in your situation.

I'd ditch the saw, and buy a compact one.( Dewalt makes a very capable "table top"). There is no reason, limited high quality work cannot be duplicated on a good smaller saw.

JMO...YMMV

 

[Gary in NY]

I use my saw as a bench. My saw is stationary and has an extended fence. I usually just put a good size piece of plywood on it and I will use it as an assembly or dis-assembly station, a cleaning station, or whatever else needs to be done. I do have other bench area available in the shop, but sometimes it runs low. As long as I don't plan on using the saw, it is useful space to have.

 

[RickP]

Problem with building something that goes over it is that there are then two large things that take up a lot of floor area. Am trying to reduce floor space taken up. I can really use a second work surface for sheet metal body parts and laying out various car parts and the table saw makes perfect sense to use for much needed work 2nd surface in my garage.

I'd recommend building a heavy table over the saw, with a steel top of decent thickness for welding. You could store the table on the ceiling when you need to use the saw. If you need extra legs to support the table surface, you could make them removable.

A hoist system will hold a lot of weight, as long as your ceiling joists can handle it. I picked up this one on sale:

It will hold 200 lbs, but you could put together a beefier one pretty easily.

Here's a link to the manufacturer's specs: Harken Hoister

Amazon sells that kit for $166, but you can find them cheaper: