Wood Working Guys: Mitre Saw/Router Table

[huntercustomleather]

Hey gus,
I'm fairly new here. Been lurking for awhile but this is my first post. I hope this is in the right place. I'm getting ready to build a table to mount my mitre saw on. It's a fairly large, heavy compound mitre saw and I need the table to be mobile (on casters) because I generally do all of my wood working just outside of my shop doors. I've considered buying a good dust collection system but I weld inside a bunch and just feel better about having sawdust outside rather than inside. I am starting to get into wood work more and want to figure out the best way to set this up. I am going to be buying a router soon and I'm wondering if I should mount the router on the same table as my mitre saw or if I should mount the router to my table saw ( I have seen it done on the same model table saw that I have). Space is not as much of a concern as mobility. I like the idea of one big saw/router station but I want to think it through all the way before I dive in. Anyone have a set up like this or foresee any issues?

Thanks,
CJ

 

[skcj213]

Hunter,
I have my router mounted in one of the wings of my table saw and find it to be very convenient. You can use the movable fence for you table saw for the router as well. I you mount it in the miter saw table you will have to figure out a fence or do without. Is your table saw mobile?

 

[skippy24]

I'm sure you can find something on the internet but I would build a larger cabinet and build an inset for the miter saw where it is lower than the cabinet top but the cabinet top and the miter saw table are even. Also build a rail along the cabinet that is even with the miter saw fence. This way you can put larger board on the cabinet and chop away. As for the router you could go either way. One idea would be to install the router on one side of the cabinet and put some T-tracks in the top and build a removable router fence. The funnest part of woodworking id there is usually multiple ways to reach your end goal.

 

[RickP]

Welcome!

Personally, I'd use two different tables -- the way those two tools are used is very different, IMO. I like using a specialized miter saw stand, which is available with wheels. My miter saw is a big one, but it's still easy to remove it from the stand (the portable stand came with quick-detach levers for the saw and carrying handles).

I also have a portable router table that folds up for storage.

 

[fred d]

A while back sears carried a thing called Tooldock
http://www.cabinetmakerfdm.com/Products/Waterloo_Industries_Inc__Tool_Dock_modular_workstations.html

It is a storage cabinet with multiple shelves where you could store different tools mounted on a board. Then the board would mount onto a rolling cabinet and you could swap out as necessary.
I made my own version of it with an old kitchen cabinet as the base.

I have included a pic of the Tooldock system. My setup does not look quite so fancy ....but just as effeciant

I use it for my
Belt/disc sander
Scroll saw
Miter saw
Bench grinder with buffing wheels
Kreg Jig

 

[Garage Dog]

CJ - Check out a StableMate Plus100 uon Amazon. It is a universal miter saw stand that should work with any miter saw. I have had two of them for years and think they are well thought out and sturdy.

It is very portable, your miter saw can be removed quickly, folds up and can be easily transported or stored when not in use.

I would mount your router on your table saw if that is an option that would work. That is how I have mine set-up, drops down out of the way when not in use and you don't take up any more space in your shop.

Just one approach that works for me,

GD

 

[ford33]

If available space is not an issue, mount the miter saw on a separate stand and the router in its own table or attached to the table saw table.

There are several good wood shop layout plans available that you can review. Think about how you use the tool and when you use it and that will help you decide which tools can be placed together which leads to greater efficiency in your shop.

If you want to build a large table, check out the "Ultimate Tool Stand".
http://christophermerrill.net/ww/plans/UTS/Tool_Stand_1.html

 

[huntercustomleather]

Thanks for the input guys. Good advice all around. Seems like mounting the router on the table saw might be the way to go since I can use the existing fence and the table saw is already on wheels.

ford33, that "Ultimate Tool Stand" link is great. That might be the way I go for a miter saw stand.

 

[Jackfre]

As room is not an issue, I'd keep them separate. I used a sheet of 3/4 plywood to build my router table. I used a 3/4" top and put a layer of laminate. I built my own fence and included dust collection on it. I used the track for miter gauges from Lee Valley, an excellent source for woodworking/hardware items. I had it set up for dust collection and drawers for 1/4 & 1/2" bits. I set it up with a could sliding handles and only two casters mounted the back so I could pull the handles out and wheel barrow it around the shop. Stored nicely when out of the way too. It did not make the trip west with me however, so I get to do it again once the garage/shop is enclosed.

 

[LX-Markham]

I have my router mounted in one of the wings of my table saw and find it to be very convenient. You can use the movable fence for you table saw for the router as well.

This is why I love this site. ^^^this is brilliant!
storing this idea for later.

Does it look similar to this?

 

[rice rocket]

Have you seen the Paulk workbenches? He sells the plans for 20 bucks if you want to just make one w/o thinking. Or you can make one yourself. The router table is hidden behind the fence iirc, and all the extensions/legs break down to fit inside the 3x6' table.

http://stores.modularmarket.com/paulk_homes/paulk-total-station-p5.php

 

[rsanter]

If it was me I think I would buy a 27" wide toolbox
Mount the mitre saw and the router table each on a piece of plywood that snugly fits the top of the box. Put the tool to it you want to use and roll outside.
Store on shelf when not in use

Bob

 

[cagullett1]

It's not a common practice to see router tables and miter saw stands together. If you want to combine a router with another tool, the most common thing to do is add the router on the table saw like the picture you posted. You need a fence with a router, so by adding it to the table saw, you are able to utilize your table saw fence. If you add it to the miter saw stand, you still have to add a fence. If you are adding a fence, you might as well separate them.

It also depends on what table saw you have and what router you plan to use. If you are using a contractor saw with a heavy router, I would be careful leaving it there when its not in use. I've seen saws that have started to sag because of the constant weight of the router on a lower-end saw.

 

[huntercustomleather]

It also depends on what table saw you have and what router you plan to use. If you are using a contractor saw with a heavy router, I would be careful leaving it there when its not in use. I've seen saws that have started to sag because of the constant weight of the router on a lower-end saw.[/QUOTE]


This brings up a good point. My saw is a Ridgid 4512. It seems like a well built saw but I'm no expert. Any issues mounting a router on this saw? It seems like I saw an aftermarket router table that bolts right in on the right hand side???

 

[huntercustomleather]

Jackfre- Thanks for the tip on Lee Valley. I'll check them out.

Rice Rocket- That table is nice but might be a little above my skill level at this point. I'd get lost just reading the plans!

rsanter- I actually thought about something like that but I really like the idea of having the miter saw mounted on a table so that I can use stop blocks when making numerous cuts the same length.

 

[VersionOne]

I'd suggest mounting your router to the table saw if anything. Typically, after material is ripped to a certain size, a woodworker will then router the edge (or edges) to his liking. So, having the router right next to the table saw makes sense.

 

[lilredex]

I made this up to mainly cut up firewood. You could easily mount other things on the back of that, to suit. I like the mobility and there is no set up time.

 

[gungatim]

I've tried a few different setups for my mitre saw, and what I ended up with is just a shop-made plywood box type cart on wheels. Since my router table is next to the saw, I adjusted the height of the cart with the saw on it to exactly match the router table top, so it serves as extra support. I have a second cart that is a little lower, with a short roller section I can set on to also match the saw for a 2nd outfeed support. This cart stores under the tablesaw outfeed table and has my planer in it.

Since you're a woodworker, you should make something to suit rather than buying something. it will help build your cabinet making skills!

here's the basic cart:


and my setup

 

[skcj213]

This is why I love this site. ^^^this is brilliant!
storing this idea for later.

Does it look similar to this?

Yep, very similar. Except my saw is a Ridgid R4512. I made the router table out of a piece of 1/4" phenolic with a wood frame underneath. I have a Bosch router (1617 I believe is the model) that came with a fixed and plunge base. I mounted the fixed base to the table and use the plunge base for free hand work.

 

[wasfast]

This is why I love this site. ^^^this is brilliant!
storing this idea for later.

Does it look similar to this?

I had this same setup and it works excellent. Note the blue insert plate. If you have multiple routers, this makes a great universal adapter. The insert plate stays with the router and then just in/out as needed.

 

[skcj213]

[/QUOTE]This brings up a good point. My saw is a Ridgid 4512. It seems like a well built saw but I'm no expert. Any issues mounting a router on this saw? It seems like I saw an aftermarket router table that bolts right in on the right hand side???[/QUOTE]



Look in your manual for the 4512. I have the same saw and there are directions on how to add a router on the right hand side of the saw. It goes in the opening to the right of the stamped steel wing.

 

[huntercustomleather]

Cool. I'll do that. Any problems with sagging? Do you leave your router attached to the saw most of the time or do you remove it when not in use?

 

[skcj213]

My shop is also the home to 2 cars. When I am not working in the shop, all of the tools have to be stowed in their home against the wall. The wing of the table saw that has the router overhangs my workbench when stored so I can't leave the router in place all of the time. I typically remove the motor from the base and place it on a shelf below my workbench and then hang the insert with the base attached on the wall. I takes less than a minute to drop the motor into the base and the insert into the table. However, no heavier than my router is I would be surprised if there was a problem with the saw table sagging. The hollow aluminum rails on the table saw are pretty strong.

 

[skcj213]

By the way. Look at page 44 in the manual for the extension. It just shows an extension without the router. All you have to do is cut the opening for the router insert and drop it in.

 

[huntercustomleather]

Will do. Thanks man.