I'm finally at the point that I can think about taking my trusty (8+ years old) Craftsman 21829 off its mobile base and build a permanent cabinet for it - my first modification. I bought it primarily for the stand and SMT. I've not used it much, (just for some rough carpentry and little projects) but now that the house is mostly settled and I have a daughter, I'd like to get my shop arranged to make more finished projects -- you know, the ones that eventually get painted or stained.
I'm curious both on how everyone has their saw cabinets setup as well as what your recommendations would be if you were in my shoes.
My shop area will be under the garage so it's slightly smaller than 20'x20'. It's long enough to cut 8' lumber in the space, but will be a pain if anything is in the way. Thus, I intend to keep the walls clear from about table saw height to 18" above. The ceiling is steel with 2' deep open web metal trusses on 30" centers, so the open area is 7' but the height in between trusses in large part is 9' - probably will be a little less if I'm able to add some insulation up there. Also, I'm 6'4" and will be building *all* the tabletops a bit higher than standard. the only entrance/exit is one 45' corner that's just at 36" with no door - I may also 'aim' the saw toward this to help with long stock.
I'll likely build an Ultimate Tool Stand that will double as outfeed support for the saw (and possibly modified to accommodate dust collection I'd like to ensure that anything built will be mobile enough to reconfigure the shop area and also be able to pass out a 36" opening just in case. Nothing needs to be ultramobile - I wont be traveling with it - just contingency planning.
As I'm considering the saw cabinet, I realize that I often like to work with extra space with the SMT on the left side of the saw, but I also realize that most right handed people seem to prefer the long fence/rails on the right. My saw has 48" rails in total, and with them set to use the ruler, I have 30" of capacity on the right, and only just enough room for the SMT on the left.
I'd also like to add at least one T-slot primarily for jigs and feather-board use (For instance, I have a tenoning jig like this.) perhaps even one slot on either side.
If I am to build a cabinet for this saw, I'd like to not move the rails any, if ever. However, I've gotten into a bad habit of using the flexibility of the saw and reconfigure it on a whim and not sure what is 'best'
So, what is your opinion - Rails long on left or right? Extended rail set or no? How many T-slots & where? Any defacto 'standard' plans that work for most everyone to use as a starting point?
Anyone want to show off what your saw sits on?
I'm curious both on how everyone has their saw cabinets setup as well as what your recommendations would be if you were in my shoes.
My shop area will be under the garage so it's slightly smaller than 20'x20'. It's long enough to cut 8' lumber in the space, but will be a pain if anything is in the way. Thus, I intend to keep the walls clear from about table saw height to 18" above. The ceiling is steel with 2' deep open web metal trusses on 30" centers, so the open area is 7' but the height in between trusses in large part is 9' - probably will be a little less if I'm able to add some insulation up there. Also, I'm 6'4" and will be building *all* the tabletops a bit higher than standard. the only entrance/exit is one 45' corner that's just at 36" with no door - I may also 'aim' the saw toward this to help with long stock.
I'll likely build an Ultimate Tool Stand that will double as outfeed support for the saw (and possibly modified to accommodate dust collection I'd like to ensure that anything built will be mobile enough to reconfigure the shop area and also be able to pass out a 36" opening just in case. Nothing needs to be ultramobile - I wont be traveling with it - just contingency planning.
As I'm considering the saw cabinet, I realize that I often like to work with extra space with the SMT on the left side of the saw, but I also realize that most right handed people seem to prefer the long fence/rails on the right. My saw has 48" rails in total, and with them set to use the ruler, I have 30" of capacity on the right, and only just enough room for the SMT on the left.
I'd also like to add at least one T-slot primarily for jigs and feather-board use (For instance, I have a tenoning jig like this.) perhaps even one slot on either side.
If I am to build a cabinet for this saw, I'd like to not move the rails any, if ever. However, I've gotten into a bad habit of using the flexibility of the saw and reconfigure it on a whim and not sure what is 'best'
So, what is your opinion - Rails long on left or right? Extended rail set or no? How many T-slots & where? Any defacto 'standard' plans that work for most everyone to use as a starting point?
Anyone want to show off what your saw sits on?
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