Replies

1. 
   john_c2 | Oct 10, 2019 05:37pm | #1

   You want to mount a skilsaw underneath a table, to make your own table saw. And then use it to make box joints. And use a dado set.

   Please don't do any of those things. Please.

2. 
   Coreysan | Oct 10, 2019 06:56pm | #2

   John_c2:

   If my plan is bad I won't do it. Why did you advise against it?

   I ask because there are hundreds of full time wood workers who have done this.

   Is it primarily for safety reasons?

3. 
   _mj_ | Oct 10, 2019 07:06pm | #3

   Circumventing the safety devices built into your tool IS a bad idea. If you have a router the same arrangement would be far safer as kickback would not be an issue.

4. 
   Coreysan | Oct 10, 2019 07:33pm | #4

   Thanks for the good advice. I am persuaded to go with a router instead.

   Makes more sense and I don't feel like losing a finger.

   Again, thanks for this advice!

5. 
   rob_ss | Oct 11, 2019 05:37am | #5

   You have made the right decision - you could make a good and useful router table for the same cost and effort as a bad and dangerous table saw.

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G01hhn-kQnc shows you how to do box joints on the router table.

   It is possible to mount a skilsaw below a table, and Triton offer a table designed for the purpose (and their saws) but you will get better results from the cheapest, nastiest purpose-built tablesaw. Even https://www.fruugo.co.nz/scheppach-hs80-table-saw-210-mm-30-mm-1200-w-230-v/p-8439010-18175731 will be better than a shop-made option and to be honest is more than enough for even quite decent sized boxes. Even so, I'd still suggest a bandsaw would be a better investment first...

   On dadoes, there is a reason why the EU does not permit them. They are potentially quite dangerous. Certainly not something to be using on a machine that was not designed to use them, and does not have the power to wield them effectively.

6. 
   chipsawdust | Oct 18, 2019 12:09pm | #6

   Well a bandsaw isn't ideal for making finger joints although you could make initial cuts then chisel out the waste. I don't know of any circular saw that could handle a dado blade, thankfully. Router table is the best idea, well done.

   Rob, why doesn't the EU like dado blades? They seem quite safe to me, but then I'm a daft Yankee :)

7. 
   chipsawdust | Oct 18, 2019 12:10pm | #7

   Never mind I googled EU and dado blades *shrug* I'll continue on now :)

8. 
   mikaol | Nov 06, 2020 10:56am | #8

   I have a circular saw mounted underneath its own workbench. Built it about 10 years ago after a stroke for cutting sheet goods. The bench is 4' wide on each side of the blade. It was a bear to mount but I've never, repeat, never had a problem. A safety foot pedal switch makes it easy to turn on/off. The only downside is reaching under the bench for height adjustments.
   Dado sets won't work on it but as I said it's only for sheet goods. And for your box joints, I agree a router's your best bet.
   Mikaol