Hide-Away Planer Table
I built a flip-up table for my portable thickness planer right into the auxiliary outfeed table of my tablesaw. I can swing the planer up into working position and then down out of the way when it’s not in use. This arrangement not only saves space but it also gives me several feet of supporting table on the outfeed side.
Most of the parts are made from 3/4-in.-thick plywood.
When it is up, the platform is supported by a plywood leg that bolts to the front of the fixture. To install the leg, I prop up the table with a support that’s slightly longer than the leg, giving the leg plenty of clearance to slide into place.
The planer’s outfeed table must be aligned with the auxiliary table, so take that into consideration as you calculate the axle location and swing-arm length. A simple approach is to design the platform so that it sits below the auxiliary table. Then mill up two cleats to a thickness that will bring the planer’s outfeed table level with the auxiliary table.
When I’m through using the planer I install the temporary prop, remove the support leg, remove the prop, and rotate the platform and planer down.
The temporary prop is stored between the auxiliary table legs and the planer to keep the planer from swinging out. Finally, I replace the removable table insert, and I’m ready to use the tablesaw.
Drawings by Jim Richey.
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