I have a pretty small workshop and i’m trying to work out the best way of building a workstation for a sliding mitersaw DW708 (I think!). My problem is really that it doesn’t get used all the time (but if it gets put away I catch myself being too lazy to get it out as often as I need it!) but I can’t really afford the loss of space needed to accomodate the full 90 deg crosscut.
I would like to build one that has extension wings to take long pieces of lumber and I suppose an option is just to make it so that it can be pulled away from the wall when needed but I am sceptical about the ability to retain accuracy / prevent racking of the table plus wings when doing so – i’m not sure how consistently flat my floor is for a start!
Has anyone got a suitable solution please? or even a picture?
I’m not even going to start on the dust collection issue from these things!!
Thanks
Tim
Replies
Tim,
I have a tiny shop too and one of the very first things I built was a rolling cabinet with flip up wings that could accomodate both the compound miter saw and the planner. I got the design idea from a paperback called 'Jigs' (I believe) at Woodcraft. It's worked very well but I do have to swap out the planner/MS on the cart. Because the base of the MS is higher than the planner, I attached some ply to the base of the planner so the wings would be flush for either tool. good luck
I also have the Dewalt 708 in my small shop. Your right, it does take up alot of space when set up for 90* cuts. I recently got the Ridgid Miter Saw Utility Vehicle from Home Depot after reading reviews on the Breaktime board. I'm really happy with it.
Picture a metal frame that has the saw bolted to the top. It has 2 retractable 4 foot rollers that pull out from each side. The whole thing uses pneumatic assistance to fold up into what is no larger than a hand truck with the still attached saw. The wheels make it easy to stash the whole thing away when not needed. Setting it back up takes less than a minute.
This thing has allowed me to reclaim half of one wall in my garage.
Rich Knab
People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit.
This is one that I plan on building for myself if I can ever get some time to spend on shop projects.
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1021
Garry
Tim,
Most of my cuts in my shop can be handled by my DW703 10" miter saw. I have a miter station against the wall on top of my cabinets (16" deep) with a fence & adjustable stops. I have a DW706 saw on a cart I can also take to the jobsite & use in the shop. For wide cuts I have the Festool ATF55 and multi Function table, so I can cross cut up to 24".
Before getting a slider for the shop, I'd consider how much you'll use it and how you'll use it. It takes up more space than a non slider. DC seems to be an issue for some on sliders as well.
For DC, I have a box behind my 10" CMS hooked up to my DC system, and it works well. The Festool DC is great. For how much I use my 12" CMS in the shop, DC is not an issue. At the jobsite, it is impractical to use DC, since most cutting is done outside.
Thanks for the ideas and tips - that plan looks great and I have to say I have also considered getting a second fixed mitre saw as well for space and DC reasons but it just seems extravagant given the cost of the big DW.
I'll let you know how I get on!
Cheers
Tim
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