Replies

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Jul 01, 2003 08:16am | #1

   Brian

      You could build a platform for underneath to raise the height. You could build a wooden block to put underneath each leg to raise it.

      My solution to getting my old junk-saw to the exact height I feel comfortable with was to build a custom maple cabinet for the saw to set on. Killed 4 birds with one stone. Gave me the exact height I wanted. Added storage space underneath and with the door in front I can open it and vacuum the falling saw dust that escapes the DC from the shroud under my blade. I put a custom drawer in the top portion below the blade. I just slide it out and vacuum it out with a Shop-Vac. No saw-dust escaping everywhere from below. And last, it added weight over-all to the saw that dampens vibration. I shimmed between the saw itself and the base cabinet with a 1/4" piece of rubber. That acts as a shock absorber.

   Just some thoughts and .... Good Luck..

   sarge..jt

   
1. 
   johnnyinbda | Jul 01, 2003 01:13pm | #2

   What kind of sliding table is that on your saw,  been looking at the accusquare m1, I have a mobile base so I need one that mounts on my unisaw without touching the floor, do you know of any other models.   thanksJohnnyinbda

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Jul 02, 2003 03:27am | #6

   johnny

      The slider came with the saw. I modified it with a heavier ball-bearing set up underneath with a help of an engineer friend. Just beefed it to take out the slack and support heavier stock.

      I'm not familar with all the brands of sliders availabe. Not sure if one is made that is self-contained on the saw in an after-market. I would start a new thread and ask that question.You will get more exposure to someone that might read the thread title that is knows of one that doesn't have to be supported by the floor.

   Good Luck...

   sarge..jt

2. 
   DougF | Jul 01, 2003 04:31pm | #3

   Brian,

   I too am 6"2 and raised my cabinet saw by using a combination of a mobile base and spacers to get it to the desired height.  One thing to bear in mind is reach as you are working wood through the saw.  You don't want it so high that reaching becomes uncomfortable.

   Doug

3. 
   Lazarus | Jul 01, 2003 09:29pm | #4

   Why not increase the height of the saw by adding a square frame made up of MDF or CDX to the joint between the saw assembly and the leg assembly? You said you already have the legs off, so this would be a practical solution.

   I would get some 3/4 MDF and cut it to the same dimensions as the bottom of the contractor saws housing, then route out a center square to allow the dust to fall through. Laminate several of these "squares" together and drill holes where the legs attach to the saw. Buy some longer carriage bolts and reassemble the table.

   If you get really ambitious, you could always build in a shelf for the miter guage and fence when not in use and incorporate a drawer for storage.

   Take a look at this and see what I mean.

   Lazarus
   Remeber, "Wisdom is the toughest of teachers! She gives the test first and the lesson after."

   
4. 
   musick | Jul 02, 2003 01:39am | #5

   Eh, them XXX engineers. They always design stuff for the masses based on the average persons size. Depending on which source you use the average US male is usually listed as 5'8" to 5'10" tall and of course the average female is shorter. I'm 6'3" and wholly agree that my tools need to be raised up. Same with kitchen cabinents. My childhood home had custom cabinents that were about 4" shorter than normal. Talk about a back ache doing dishes. My future house will have cabinents built by me and they'll be 4" taller than normal.

   Made my workbench 40", I like it that way. Under my 24" bandsaw a made a mobile base whose frame raises the saw 4" off the floor. Some people feel their is one correct (proper) height to use. Those people are idiots, size of the tools should be relative to the size of the person using it.

1. 
   Midnight | Jul 05, 2003 02:30am | #8

   I was reading David Charlesworth's book the other day... chapter on building a workbench. The rule he uses to determine best height is to make the bench 4" lower than the height of the operator's elbow, forearms horrizontal....

   Makes sense when you think about it....

5. 
   SCFrankland | Jul 03, 2003 04:07am | #7

   Brian I am 6'3" and have raised my saw for comfort.  The table is sitting on a 2'x2'x4' boox with casters so it can be wheeled around the shop when needed.  The top is about 40" high.

   Scott C. Frankland

   "This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

   
1. 
   BG | Jul 05, 2003 03:01pm | #9

   Scott,

   I'm 6' 3" also...or at least used to be.  I'm also extremely good looking...and therefore keep my TS at normal height so good looks don't get blocked.....lol.

   Seriously, I don't think it makes a tinkers damn what level unless your doing extensive repetitive cuts...then the ergonomics comes into play and careful analysis should be applied.  When we worked with Ford and others on the assembly line to managed repetitive injuries...we would film their activities and with special devices and feed it into the computer to discover where the real stresses were.  Some fascinating stuff came out of those studies.

   I think for our home shops it's more important to maintain a balanced posture when working...and give ourselves the opportunity to shift work onto our big back and leg muscles in such activities like planing and hand sawing.

1. 
   SCFrankland | Jul 06, 2003 02:25am | #10

   I find I do a lot of repetitive cross cutting on my saw and at the height it is now gets rid of a lot of back pain.  But then again to each his own what works for me may not work for you.Scott C. Frankland

   "This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

1. 
   BG | Jul 06, 2003 02:32pm | #11

   Scott,

   I whole-heartedly agree..and have the lathe slightly above normal heights for that same reason. Did not mean to sound judgemental or anything else..

   My only concern is with a workbench to high and planing....can cause a lot of stress on the shoulder joint...but, again, if its only occasional....I just thought people should be aware.

6. 
   foghorn | Jul 07, 2003 12:34am | #12

   I built a mobile base under my Delta contractors saw which brought the table height to 39". This height works great for me (at 6'2'' with a couple of back operations behind me).

   It's really a personal choice.

   Good luck with your's.