Hi all Happy New Year,
I am about to start putting the final touches on the work table that will also be used as the outfeed table for my table saw. My table in its past life was a cabinet that held maps back in the late 1800’s ,I have modified it into a great work table with 12 drawers for starage . Now I need to mate the top of my tablesaw to the top of my work table and I have 3/4 ” to work with. What would be the best material to use. Thank you ALL. Rick
Replies
I used Melamine on mine. It's 3/4 inch thick and already has a finished surface that is clean, durable and minimizes friction. Works great.
Mardon,
Do you work on this top also,how does it hold up. I guess if it really gets beat up one could always pull it off and replace it with another sheet. Thanks.
Built my outfeed table top using 3/4 inch mdf with plastic laminate.
W.S.
Never thought of MDF, this stuff can really take a beating. I need this due to the fact that it will also be used as one of my work benches. I will look into this thank you. Rick
I also use an MDF substrate with laminate -- but this is more expensive, and more work that a melamine surface. But it is also more durable. If you want the experience of working with laminate, this would be a great opportunity. Otherwise, I would vote for melamine (with wood edging), and just replace it when it is too damaged to work with -- which will be a long time, unless you are beating it with a sledge hammer.
Nikki,
Melamine sounds like a good choice,strong,light color.replaceable. And as long as I leave the sledge in the trailer life will be good. Rick.
You can give your cheap melamine a coat of paste wax to make stuff slide even better -- and glue drops will just flick off if you use it as a work table for glue-ups.I would edge band it with wood strips, since the edges are very fragile.
Funny you should mention that. I use mine as an assembly/work table too. Don't forget to extend your miter gauge slots.)
It seems that a good outfeed table would be slippery, but a good work table wouldn't be since clamps and hold-downs need friction to work. I'll assume that you're leaning toward slippery, which is what I have a suggestion for:
There's a material called phenolic-faced birch plywood. I bought a few sheets of it from a local (Michigan) lumber dealer. They sell it mainly for industrial concrete forms because it's strong, flat, and like teflon on the surface so concrete doesn't stick to it. It's definately more slippery than plastic laminate. As for durability, I can't say for sure. I've only used it for a few months now. I also built a miter saw station top with it. I can slide 8/4 maple along the fence with two fingers. I'd never use it on my bench, but I'd consider using it on an assembly table. Depending on what you use the work table for, it might be something to consider.
Good luck.
Tony
Adesigns,
I used the melamine because I had it...works well, especially when I need to remove glue drips from the surface after panel glueups. One issue you might want to consider..mine is wide enough to line up with the full length of the TS...every inch comes in handy...helps keep my workbench free to work on ....
BG,
Do you have a extension table on your saw,if so one would have to have a seam. My saw with table is 7' wide. When I get everything moved around and in its place I will look at a wide table as well. My shop is only 18' wide so space may be an issue. Rick
Adesigns,
Opps ! I did not think about your TS having an extention; Mine does not. My outfeed table is a drop down and is about 48" wide. I too have a very small shop...and the outfeed table made the world of difference, hope you have the same experience with yours.
BG,
I was thinking of using a 4x8 sheet of ? and ripping it to 3' wide from the saw down 6' and back to 4' on the end so I will create a place for a wood vice. It would look like an L shape when done . Rick.
Adesigns,
I know you have space constraints, but I'm not a big fan of using my workbench as an outfeed table for the TS..although many do. The reason is the workbench is forever getting cluttered with stuff and all that needs to be out of the way everytime you want to use the TS. Also, I like to use my outfeed table to stage the milled up pieces that are awaiting the joiney phase....and using the outfeed table for glue-ups the workbench is available to continue doing other parts of the project. Over my workbench I have a cabinet with boxed doors which hold all the hand tools and portable power tools(drills, sanders, etc.
Anyhow, if you putting a vise on that outfeed table i suspect you'll need a much thicker piece of stock to support it...maybe two or three pieces of 3/4" stock under that portion...I'm not sure...
BG,
For me it is a constant struggle to create my various work spaces in such a way that they can be used for more than one thing. When I built my shop 3 years ago in a limited space(backyard) I thought that 18x36 would be the nut's ,and when I decided to go with a second storie for my art studio and storage I was way beyond happy. It diden't take to long before I realized the new spece had to be planed out very carfully. Your input is a big help and if you or anyone else in woodworld has any pic's they would like to share showing how they worked through a small space problem That would be worth a thousand words. I like everyone else out there would like to get as much bang for my buck,I also know there are woodworkers out there who dare to color outside the lines. As soon as I find the patch cable for the camera I will post some under construction pics of the shop. I was waiting to get it finished first ,but like that is ever going to happen. Rick.
Adesign,
Yes, I know what you mean about the juggling in a small space. My space is 17x12 with a 275 gal oil tank in the corner. I struggle with the space layout to generate efficiency and maintain an egress...lol. My shop is so small I can't get far enough away to take a decent digital picture...lol
BG,
Yes 17x12 is indeed small. Any space like that requires one to clean up almost after every cut. I know in my shop it seems like it gets messy even if I am not in there, how can that be . Tell me if you heard this one . I am not going to move one tool or stick of lumber into this shop till it is done and I mean it ?. YAAAAAAAAAA Right. Those words came out of my big yapper 3 years ago. Its going to be big fun now when I find time to trim the windows,paint the walls,paint the floor, ahhhh but as you all know when I go out there and see all those tools calling my name and I have my XM radio kicking out some old Neil Young tune, The temp. is at 62 deg. My outfeed table/ work table is close to being done and there is a pile of Q.S.white oak begging to be worked up, I could give a rip about the trim or the paint ,While I am out there I am in woodworker heaven. Now as far as the top for the outfeed table I am liking the idea of building something that I can replace down the line a spell. I was at H.D. today and was looking at some 3/4 birch ply ,this can be sanded and varnished and it might just be the answer. Rick
Adesigns,
Your correct, the small space requires frequent clean up, I've tried to organize the work areas so that clean up is facilitated and quick. I do a lot of hand planing..those curls can get out of control. Making effective use of the walls and the room height is the only way.
Last year my wife bought me the Taunton Workshop book which is full of beautiful shops built on the side of mountains with huge windows...my walls are poured concrete ...she has a real mean streak....lol...
Rick,
Regarding the shop you've been working on for three years, it does sound like a dream. I loved your comment..."I was waiting to get it finished first ,but like that is ever going to happen."
As an architect for over 30 years and an emerging full-time woodworker, I've just had to accept the fact that "a good shop is never done." At some point you will start working in it and actually become productive, but finished? Never!!!
John
Knothead,
Boy you hit the nail right on the head (bad bad pun). I slid out to the shop this afternoon after my honeydo projects were done and once again started wondering if I will ever really see the paint on the walls much less get all the crown molding put up,it still a joy to have it, done or not. We were at H.D looking at bathroom fixtures for the down stairs powder rm. Trying to fit a small shower,toilet and a pedistal sink in a room that is 4'6" x 8'6" (not including the room taken by the doors) This will put to rest any plans to work on the shop this winter. Rick
BG -
I would love to have a workbench (or two) separate from my outfeed table but space considerations prevail - lol.
Dealing with that clutter also forces me to work more neatly - or shut down for a cleanup. - lol
I used a sheet of ACX plywood with a couple of coats of polyurethane on it. About once a year, I scrape off the "goobers" and give it a new coat of poly. If it ever gets too badly beaten up, I'll just replace it and start over. - lol
Good Morning Dave ,
What may I ask is ACX plywood. is it like MDF. How hard is it to get. Need to look at all options. Rick
ACX is just common plywood with one good (A) side. The other (X) side will probably have several defects that make it look ugly but don't affect the strength of the sheet. Home Depot or any big box store should have it. You could also look for birch or maple ply. I just bought some maple plywood from my local HD for $41/sheet. It isn't top grade, but it's for a paint grade job
Some folks really get into making really nice workbenches but I'm into function. My pretty work goes to the paying customers. - lol
My outfeed table was my secondary bench which has an ash top with a shellac and wax finish. It is really better than no outfeed table at all. I think an outfeed table is a vital safety tool- especialy if you work alone.
Frank
My work table is 7' X 8' with the table saw and router integrated into one end. 4" X 4" legs and the top is 3/4" plywood with what started out as a reasonably smooth surface. I figure when it gets really bad, I'll change the top and use the old panals and make some shelves. Can always use some shelves.
ASK
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