BD Router Wing Extension and Jessum Lift
Well I bought the Jessum Router FX lift from Woodcraft and have built
a plywood/melamine extension for my table saw (Jet Supersaw).
However I would like to be able to replace it with a cast iron extension
from Bench Dog(40-102). I’ve read whatever docs are available for this
extension. My table saw is a left tilting saw…but the motor and belt
are totally contained within the cabinet. So I don’t know why that
would even be an issue. I notice that Bench Dog describes this as a
“wing extension” not a “left/right wing extension”. The measurements in
the available docs seem to indicate a fit for my saw…but I’m not sure.
Now the other complication. Will the Jessum Router FX lift that I have
fit this extension? Anyone out there have this combination or anything
close to it?
Jim
Mt Juliet
Replies
Cast-iron router wings can be an issue for LT saws which have a protruding access door at the right hand side, to allow for blade tilt. I believe the Jet doesn't, so you might be OK. My Steel City does, so I couldn't fit my router wing (not a BD) directly over the access door. I could have fit it in the rt. extension table spot. Opening the access door would cause it to hit the router, but you rarely have to open it, and you could always lift the router and plate out. In the end I put the router wing in the left wing spot. There was just enough clearance between the router and the tilt handle -- on some narrower router wings the tilt handle fouls the router.
Jim
Well...I guess I've answered my own question. The specs on the
BD table extension say it is machined for a 8 1/4 by 11 3/4 inch
router plate and the Jessem plate is 9 1/4 by 11 3/4 inches.
Oh well.
Jim
I believe Peachtree has cast-iron router wings that include one at 9 1/4 by 11 3/4: http://www.ptreeusa.com/tablesaw_products.htm#1066
They're not as fancy as the BD, e.g. only one miter slot, but they're not as expensive either, and pretty solid.
Jim
Sir..
I have the Cast Iron Bench Dog with a hand fitted Rockler (rebranded) lift. I think the lift is a Jessum XF lift (I like it). Anyway, the lift did not fit the table opening because it is is a bit smaller. I made the insert from some old MDF that seems to be much more compressed than most of the MDF I get these days.
Not sure I understand your problem but the iron table will fit onto either end of the saw. Maybe have to drill some mounting holes into your saw's table? My saw is left tilt. A Ridgid Big Box that will do almost anything I ask of it. Sure wish the motor did not stick out of the back of the cabinet!!!!
I would say, IF you have the patience to make the insert, you have a very useable set-up.
The router is a, yes, a small PC with speed control and soft start. I only mention that because somebody bum-rapped the PC. I'm OK with his frustration and have no problem with that. All I know is I have two PC routers that I use every day, for several years. Miles of wood (I assume# through them.
By the way.. If I had to do the install again I would have thought more about the handle that sticks out of the saw's hand wheel for blade tilt. It hits the lift so I just pop out the router a bit. Maybe, someday, I'll get around to sawing off a bit of the plastic handle. Maybe...
Making the insert is a bit of a challenge but doable! My insert is sort of beat-up but still useable. If I have to make another I will use some laminated tempered hardboard or Poly-Carbonate.
EDIT: I forgot to mention. The cast-iron is nice but for my use #WHICH IS EVERY DAY) I see no distinct advantage to the cast iron over my other wood router tables. I only got the cast iron cus' I thought.. I just had to...
Dang.. Second EDIT: I forgot to mention, for my saw no drilling into the saw table was required to mount the additional wing.
Edited 11/14/2009 7:50 pm by WillGeorge
Edited 11/14/2009 7:54 pm by WillGeorge
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