Okay - 2 saws, now what?

[hobkirk]

I will take some pics tomorrow if I can of the dual BT saw rig I just assembled. It's quite different than all the others I've seen here (the base is a recycled computer server rack) but it might contain a few ideas that help you.

[hobkirk]

Boy it's HOT... too hot to deal with rolling the sled out (2 of the wheels need to replaced - moving it is a PITA). But, with credits to LOTS of regulars, here's a few details...

The arrangement from left to right is:

1. SMT
2. Saw #1
3. Router Table top - 32" wide (20" access from below)
4. Saw #2
5. 2 accessory tables (over miter saw platform)

I used a computer rack for the chassis instead of building a wood box. The rig is about 7' long, 39" high (I'm 6'2").

The miter table "platform" under the two accessory tables on the right side is set so the MS deck is even with the table deck height. The miter saw is stored in a custom bin in the area under all the saws.

I plan to -

1. plumb all 5 dust collection ports into one (2 saws, router fence and under-box, miter saw) so I can hook it up to an overhead pipe
2. wire all the devices to one "power strip" so one power feed will run everything (only one at a time, of course)
3. Fix the casters
4. Add 1 or 2 large drawers
5. Enclose the router area
6. Add a fence for the miter saw
7. Add a couple T-tracks and fence for the router

It's depressing to see all the "to do" stuff - I need to get going on wiring and DC plumbing!

[wwday3]

Here is what I was thinking....

I have the old style Bt3000 saw stand. Attached to it currently are the original rails plus a wide table kit sticking out to the left. The WT rails are attached to an adjustable leg "kit" on the end that I believe were intended to be used for an outfeed table on the back (from Ryobi - I picked the leg kit up on closeout a couple years ago).

I figured the easiest - and cheapest - route for me to take is to add a couple shelves with one end supported by the saw stand and the other supported by the leg kit (not quite sure how that end will be built-up yet). The two saws will set on the upper shelf in an orientation where I will be able to use one SMT for left hand cuts on longer boards, and the other for right hand cuts (nice to have 2 SMT's now). Sweet. How the rest of the accessory tables will fit I'm not yet sure. But, I think I have enough to fill most of the work surface. What they don't cover I can fill in with miter slots (if I can find some).

I'll do open shelves because I have plenty of cabinets (I believe I mentioned I did a rolling cabinet for my CMS instead of the table saw), but I need some open shelving to put tool boxes, etc, on.

I'd also like to hinge the saws somehow so I can flip them up and clean inside them without taking everything apart. Not sure of that setup yet. I had that on the saw when I was originally just working with the original rails, but it flips up in the wrong direction now for the WT rails. Planned that part poorly.

I will use the same caster setup I have on the CMS cabinet. I picked up seme ball-bearing casters (each caster is made up of one big steel ball that can move in any direction), plus some flip-down doorstops to keep it from moving when I don't want. I find that setup way less cumbersome than the so-called "locking" casters with wheels.