Comments on: Tools I use – My Table Saw http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tools-i-use-my-table-saw part of the wood whisperer network Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:00:42 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Tom http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-9799 Tom Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:29:01 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-9799 I'm glad you had success with your saw, Angela. I have heard a lot of good things about that setup. I’m glad you had success with your saw, Angela. I have heard a lot of good things about that setup.

]]> By: Angela http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-9729 Angela Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:07:49 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-9729 I also have the same ridgid table saw, I purchased back in '01. Its a great saw I installed a bench dog router table onto the table which wirks great. The Bench Dog is made up a solid cast iron which involves removing one side & placing the new solid tale in place, exactly the same size, also came with a fence & mounting plate as well. I have my ridgid router attached to the plate which has predrilled holes & also purchased a bench dog easy switch for the router on/off. Very nice to use. I also have the same ridgid table saw, I purchased back in ’01. Its a great saw
I installed a bench dog router table onto the table which wirks great. The Bench Dog is made up a solid cast iron which involves removing one side & placing the new solid tale in place, exactly the same size, also came with a fence & mounting plate as well. I have my ridgid router attached to the plate which has predrilled holes & also purchased a bench dog easy switch for the router on/off. Very nice to use.

]]> By: Tom http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-1021 Tom Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:30:25 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-1021 Carl - The plans were all kinda done on the fly - basically, I have aluminum angle around the three sides that meet with the table and rails, and I ground the heads of some bolts down to fit inside the rail track. I also drilled out the cast iron table to make holes that worked for the aluminum angle that bolted there. I epoxied two pieces of plywood around the table cutout, and screwed a diagonal brace from the stand to a point near where the router sets in. So far (Knock on wood), no trouble with the table or rails sagging.... It's held up well! Carl -

The plans were all kinda done on the fly – basically, I have aluminum angle around the three sides that meet with the table and rails, and I ground the heads of some bolts down to fit inside the rail track. I also drilled out the cast iron table to make holes that worked for the aluminum angle that bolted there.

I epoxied two pieces of plywood around the table cutout, and screwed a diagonal brace from the stand to a point near where the router sets in. So far (Knock on wood), no trouble with the table or rails sagging…. It’s held up well!

]]> By: Carl http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-1019 Carl Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:59:51 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-1019 I have the sears model table saw which is identical to yours. I've had it for several years and I agree on the dust collection, however they did sell a dust chute/bin which has an orifce for a shopvac. Unfortunately they do not sell it anymore. On to the real question. Do you have plans for your router extension. I see you already set the fence up to be longer on the right (as I have mine set up.) but I struggle with the idea that particle board will be able to withstand the stress of being bolted to the table and fence. I have the sears model table saw which is identical to yours. I’ve had it for several years and I agree on the dust collection, however they did sell a dust chute/bin which has an orifce for a shopvac. Unfortunately they do not sell it anymore.

On to the real question. Do you have plans for your router extension. I see you already set the fence up to be longer on the right (as I have mine set up.) but I struggle with the idea that particle board will be able to withstand the stress of being bolted to the table and fence.

]]> By: Tom http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-678 Tom Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:58:18 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-678 Ya know, Andrew, the fence for me has been one of the most pleasant surprises on the saw. The T-Track built in has really helped attach fixtures for specialty tasks. I've been able to keep the fence aligned very well through the years. In fact, just last night I was ripping some 1/4" strips and and they were coming out beautifully... good blade, good technique and a good fence! Ya know, Andrew, the fence for me has been one of the most pleasant surprises on the saw. The T-Track built in has really helped attach fixtures for specialty tasks.

I’ve been able to keep the fence aligned very well through the years. In fact, just last night I was ripping some 1/4″ strips and and they were coming out beautifully… good blade, good technique and a good fence!

]]> By: Andrew http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-677 Andrew Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:24:13 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-677 2 posts in 2 days. Well I went to purchase a delta after market fence and while looking at it and the $150 purchase price I decided to get a little more use out of the old fence. I had always sort of ignored the fence as useless due to it's flimsy appearance and all of my t-track hardware did not work with it so I assumed it was non standard t-track that I could not really take advantage of without buying some accessory kit from rigid. When I got home and started playing around with it and looking at the t-track it dawned on me that I could use standard #18 hex head bolts and after about 1 minute of searching I found one and lo-and-behold it works perfectly. All of those times I wanted to use the t-track on that fence have now come rushing back to me and I see unlimited potential in what I can do with some #18 bolts and the existing fence. 2 posts in 2 days. Well I went to purchase a delta after market fence and while looking at it and the $150 purchase price I decided to get a little more use out of the old fence. I had always sort of ignored the fence as useless due to it’s flimsy appearance and all of my t-track hardware did not work with it so I assumed it was non standard t-track that I could not really take advantage of without buying some accessory kit from rigid. When I got home and started playing around with it and looking at the t-track it dawned on me that I could use standard #18 hex head bolts and after about 1 minute of searching I found one and lo-and-behold it works perfectly. All of those times I wanted to use the t-track on that fence have now come rushing back to me and I see unlimited potential in what I can do with some #18 bolts and the existing fence.

]]> By: Andrew http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-658 Andrew Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:34:36 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-658 Thanks, this is a very good review of what I consider a very good saw. I really have nothing to compare it to since this is my first table saw but overall I am very pleased with the performance so far. Well besides the factory miter sled which is terrible cheap and like you I replaced mine as well with one I made from some plans. I spent a few hours cleaning up my saw and doing routine maintenance today and found the blade and fence alignment to be super easy once you get the hang of it. Having looked at other more expensive and feature rich saws the one place I would argue that needs improvement is the rip fence. Most of the bigger saws have a much beefier rip fence. I also do not care for the rip fence's requirement to clamp onto the back rail which makes it much more difficult to add on an extension table. I have considered replacing the rip fence and front rail with an after market fence to eliminate this problem. The only other issue I see which has been resolved in the newer model of this saw is that the miter slots are not t-track. There are so many t-track miter accessories available that would sure be nice to use but alas. At least rigid was on the ball with the newer version. Thanks, this is a very good review of what I consider a very good saw. I really have nothing to compare it to since this is my first table saw but overall I am very pleased with the performance so far. Well besides the factory miter sled which is terrible cheap and like you I replaced mine as well with one I made from some plans.

I spent a few hours cleaning up my saw and doing routine maintenance today and found the blade and fence alignment to be super easy once you get the hang of it.

Having looked at other more expensive and feature rich saws the one place I would argue that needs improvement is the rip fence. Most of the bigger saws have a much beefier rip fence. I also do not care for the rip fence’s requirement to clamp onto the back rail which makes it much more difficult to add on an extension table. I have considered replacing the rip fence and front rail with an after market fence to eliminate this problem.

The only other issue I see which has been resolved in the newer model of this saw is that the miter slots are not t-track. There are so many t-track miter accessories available that would sure be nice to use but alas. At least rigid was on the ball with the newer version.

]]> By: Tom http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-307 Tom Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:11:41 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-307 Not entirely sure I want to rip all my boards by hand... ;) Not entirely sure I want to rip all my boards by hand… ;)

]]> By: Tom http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-261 Tom Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:20:04 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-261 sell that thing at buy some old Disston's or some new Wenzloff's hand saws and truly feed that handtool addiction. I did and never regretted it. sell that thing at buy some old Disston’s or some new Wenzloff’s hand saws and truly feed that handtool addiction. I did and never regretted it.

]]> By: Tom http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/comment-page-1/#comment-255 Tom Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:06:46 +0000 http://tomsworkbench.com/2008/03/31/tools-i-use-my-table-saw/#comment-255 Hmmm, is it held on to a fixed post off the back of the saw with a fitting secured with a set thumb screw? That's how mine is set up, and it goes back on aligned perfectly. Hmmm, is it held on to a fixed post off the back of the saw with a fitting secured with a set thumb screw? That’s how mine is set up, and it goes back on aligned perfectly.

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