Being an engineer I am good at following plans and drawings. I purchased the plans for the “Best-Ever Outfeed Table” and the results were an extremely valuable shop fixture that is also a thing of functional beauty.

 

I must complement Mr. White for an excellent step-by-step article; however, it would have been impossible to construct this table without purchasing the plans. In fact, one needs both article and plans. Following the plans and cut list precisely is essential; especially for ensuring the drawers fit.

 

Here are some lessons I learned that may be helpful to you:

• The use of baltic birch plywood is essential to the construction of the table. There are several butt joint where large connector screws are used to join various pieces. Without the number and  consistency of the plys, it would not have adequate strength and rigidity. 
• I found that the sheets of baltic birch plywood to very square as purchased and I did not have to perform a squaring cut as outlined in the article.
• The plans specify one sheet of phenolic plywood. I searched high and low and never found a distributor for such. In the end, I laminated a 4’x8’ sheet of baltic birch plywood with Wilsonart laminate to achieve the required look, toughness and smoothness. It would have been helpful if Mr White had specified a source for the phenolic plywood as he did for the connector screws.
• If I were doing this project again, I would not cut the tabletop slots as long as specified in the plans (>20”). All of my miter and sled runners go just a few inches past the end of my table saw once it pushes the piece past the saw blade.
• The front/back drawer panels must have the groove for the bottom on the opposite side of the rabbets. I learned this the hard way. A note in the article would have helped.
• This is not an inexpensive project. Baltic birch plywood costs around $90 for a 4’x8’ sheet. I would imagine phenolic plywood would be equally as expensive. The laminate I used instead of phenolic was $75. The two runners require an 8’ 4×4 Douglas Fir board which is about $60. Add to that connector bolts and four pair of drawer slides.

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