Shuffling deck chairs on the Titantic?
Hello all,
I have a good problem. My incra fence is too big for my shop and i’m having to chase my tablesaw (along with a bunch of other tools) all around the shop every time I need to make a cut.
I have an old powermatic 62 contractors saw that I upgraded with an incra TS/ fence /wonder fence/router table system (see picture). I think the incra’s great EXCEPT it makes the saw nearly 7′ wide, and then requires another couple feet for the fence bar to extend on wide cuts. At the time I bought the system, it was the only major power tool in shop (a 10′ x 22′ garage that is also the garage, though it remains unsullied by an actual automobile). Rolling it around a bit was no big deal initially, but now the shop is crowded with other tools and foreign objects (bench, bandsaw, jointer, planer, dust collector, freezer, etc.) beyond the point of annoyance to the point of danger because I can’t walk around the saw when “deployed”. I’d like to get to a set up that is stationary with an outfeed table, or at least one that has enough clearance so I don’t have to move it to retrieve cuts…. The plan was to upgrade a used cabinet saw with the fence after I moved to a new house (with the new 2-car + shop) when I bought the fence. That was a couple of years ago…
I’m currently looking for less expensive fixes than moving (an expansion of the garage is not easy because of the siting of the house). I’m considering: buying a short fence for the powermatic and selling/storing the incra, buying a new cabinet saw with a shorter fence (~30-36″ rip cap.), going bandsaw-only, or by some miracle, making the current space/saw combination work. I’ve even considered cutting a hole in the side of hte house with a little door for the fence extension to pop out (like my uncle did when the tongue of his speed boat trailer didn’t quite fit all the way into his garage–he cut a mouse hole in his garage door..).
Soo… i’m calling on the collective wisdom for suggestions on how to do magic with deck chairs. Alternatively, what’s a reasonable price for the TS/fence combo (or the fence by itself) in the event I have to bite the bullet and go with a new saw (still cheaper that a move, right?…). I’d say quit whining and get on with it, but it really is at the point that I’m either not doing work because it’s such a PITA or it’s not feeling safe …
Thanks all,
Chris
Replies
IMO, additional tool purchases will NOT solve your problem. The Incra will allow you to return to an -exact- cutting position so there is no reason for you to try and manuever around the tool with the fence bar extended. I used to have a small garage and had to deal with similar problems that you're encountering. I feel that you need to do two things:
- Focus on cleaning & organizing the shop (loose boxes sitting around on the floor, etc.). Ensure that all tools are stowable and/or on wheels. You may need to build some tall rolling storage shelves for "small" tools like your planer, etc.
- Plan your projects carefully. Ideally, you will use the planer & jointer and then put them away (stock prep done). You'll then wheel out the TS, make all your cuts, and then put that away (dimensioning done). You'll then use the router (profiles, groves, etc.) & then the sanders (pre-assembly finishing). Assemble everything & then finish. Time spent planning will save time and materials in the long run.
deck shairs
Working within a small space requires good organization and a willingness to move tools into and out of working position. The owners of the Titanic tried making their deck look bigger with buying smaller deck chairs. That didn't work, because full-size people still required full-sized deck chairs, if you get the analogy.
The other option is to take up making miniatures until you move to a larger space. ;-)
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