Workshop Tip: Table saw rack holds rip fence and miter gauge

The rack holds both items securely under the side of the table—out of the way yet close at hand.

#288-Mar/Apr 2021 Issue

Before I came up with this small rack, I didn’t have a good place to store the miter gauge and rip fence near my tablesaw. The rack holds both items securely under the left side of the table—out of the way yet close at hand. If your saw rolls on a mobile base like mine does, the rack and its contents go wherever the saw does.

The miter-gauge runner goes into a rectangular hole at the front and then through a closed slot formed between two mating boards. The fence rests securely in a notch on top.

Mount the rack slightly proud of the front side of the saw cabinet so the fence and miter gauge won’t hit it. Since the rack attaches to the thin sidewall of the cabinet, I added a wood block inside to create a better attachment point for the front end of the rack, which bears the bulk of the load. At the back it can be attached more simply, with screws driven from inside the cabinet.

I’ve provided dimensions that suit my saw cabinet and rip fence. Adjust them to suit yours.

—STEVE FIKAR, Shalimar, Fla.

Illustrations by Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking issue #288

Bob Van Dyke’s Essential Stop Blocks

Stop blocks help you cut parts more accurately and more consistently. Bob shows you why you need to use stop blocks more often in your shop.

Shopmade Tablesaw Throat Plate

Using some scrap plywood, create a custom throat plate that guards against kickback and prevents tearout of sheet goods.

Shopmade Tenon Jig

Build a plywood jig for cutting square and accurate tenons on the tablesaw

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Incra Miter 1000HD

One of many extremely accurate Incra miter gauges, this model offers 180-degree adjustment to 1/10 of a degree, and a long, straight fence with a telescoping stop system.

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