SMT: Do you store it off your BT3?

[Tom Miller]

I finally realized (after only 6 years ) that my SMT gets in my way when ripping. With that thing sticking out 6 or 8 inches in front of the saw, I find I have to lean over more than a comfortable amount to maintain control, and complete a cut. And, since I've had a SCMS for the last few years, I'm not using the SMT much, anyway.

So, I made a filler board the same width as the SMT, and mounted it to the front and back rails using Al angle, and t-studs (t-nuts with 5/16" studs welded in, from Jeff's T-nuts). It fills in the spot, between my acc. table and the saw table, for the SMT, which I plan to store off the saw.

Now, I'm wondering if I'll use my SMT even less, now that it's off the saw. I made the filler board as easy to put on and take off as possible -- can't imagine it being much quicker. But it won't be as quick to set up the SMT as if it were still on the saw.

I bet there'll be some interesting things I can do with a blank board just to the left of the blade. Since it was quick and easy to make, I won't be hesitant to drill a hole here or there to attach a fixture. We'll see...

Any thoughts from off-board SMT storers?

Regards,
Tom

[Sawatzky]

I just turn mine around so the part that sticks out, sticks out of the back of the saw. I did not know I could do that until just recently!

[kmk]

I've long rails on both side of my saw. So, before I rip, I move SMT to end of the rail and move the accessory table next to the blade. When ripping wider panels, ofcourse, I completely remove SMT.

[Popeye]

I've got three accessory tables and one removable mdf filler table My SMT only sees the saw when I need to use it...which is seldom. Pat

[Ken Weaver]

When not using it as a SMT, I turn it around and it doesn't get in the way of making rips. You'll note there are two slots to lock the SMT, one is calibrated for the "normal" position where the table is flush to the front of the saw, the other slot locks it flush to the front when its turned around.

[Pappy]

I usually set it aside and move the empty acc table to the left for extra support.

[Tom Miller]

I just turn mine around so the part that sticks out, sticks out of the back of the saw. I did not know I could do that until just recently!

That really is a nice feature -- and while it was easy for Ryobi to do, they went the extra mile with the second lock position that Ken mentioned.

But, I had decided against that for a couple reasons: 1) it would stick out past my outfeed table, and 2) if I'm going to the bother of removing the SMT, I might be better served by a filler board that I can attach fixtures to. Of course, I haven't decided what those fixtures might be. But maybe now I'll consider making a miter slot....

I hadn't considered just swapping positions of acc. table and SMT, and I'm not sure that'd give me enough room to stand closer to the saw. But I could try swapping this new filler board with the SMT. That way, I'd only be sliding the SMT back and forth, and wouldn't be taking a chance on dropping it. I hear that's not good for them.

Thanks for the input, folks, and keep it coming....

Regards,
Tom