Who else uses their BT3xxx as a WORKBENCH?

[Modfatha]

I have limited space; certainly not enough for a nice big work bench.

So..

Just drop the blade, take off the fences and you got yourself a mobile workbench. Anyone else do this as much as I do?

[rickd]

can't say i ever have. i just looked at the top of my workbench and tried to imagine how my bt3100 would look if i treated it that way. i do a lot of gluing on my bench and even with a temporary 1/8 hardboard top clamped on i still seem to get a little glue in places i don't want it. so, i keep away from my bt3100 except for sawing!!

do you put a piece of mdf or something on top of the table?

[dkhoward]

Since my bt and its attached outfeed table sit in the middle of my rather small shop, I am sometimes forced to use it as a work surface, mostly when I am gluing up large projects. I always make sure that the saw is covered. Lately I have been in the habit of throwing a furniture moving blanket over the saw and the outfeed table if I am doing glue, sanding or finishing. THe blankets are cheap at HF, are good padding, absorb spills or drips and protect both the saw and my work piece.

[Modfatha]

quote:Originally posted by rickd

can't say i ever have. i just looked at the top of my workbench and tried to imagine how my bt3100 would look if i treated it that way. i do a lot of gluing on my bench and even with a temporary 1/8 hardboard top clamped on i still seem to get a little glue in places i don't want it. so, i keep away from my bt3100 except for sawing!!

do you put a piece of mdf or something on top of the table?

Wow.. good call on both suggestions; mdf and padding. I think I will start to do this.

I currently dont place my workpieces directly on the saw. I usually put them up off the surface of the saw by using two lengths of 2x4 or 4x4 to minimize surface contact with the workpiece. I figure the less I have anything touching the workpiece the less chance I have to F it up.

[Modfatha]

BTW.. this is the project I am working with on my saw. http://www.solutionsic.com/weblogs/j...working_posts/

[dkhoward]

Great looking bed . . . . I am a real fan of mission style furniture!

[Hellrazor]

My saw is a workbench when not being used. I've already thrown butchers paper on it, a few slats and used it as a drying rack for some stain and poly projects.

[LarryG]

I avoid doing glue-ups atop my BT, but I do sometimes use it as a work surface for stuff like drilling holes and driving screws, and cutting biscuit slots. I also use it as a "staging table" for pieces I'm shooting through the thickness planer or jointer, since both of these tools are immediately adjacent. But in general I keep the top clear, so it'll be ready for use at a moment's notice.

[monte]

quote:Originally posted by Modfatha

BTW.. this is the project I am working with on my saw. http://www.solutionsic.com/weblogs/j...working_posts/

Nice looking project you're working on there. Be sure to post the finished pictures.

[Bulkley]

I use my table saw for glue ups. The saw is flat! Of course, I cover it. Also, I have a spare piece of plywood which I lay over the saw when doing a variety of projects.

The one thing I never do is hammering on/or near the saw or extension table.

[maxparot]

With a wide table kit and a solid core door running the full width as an outfeed table the saw is just to handy to use as a work surface.
I try to keep it to the outfeed table for the most part but not always. Any time there is a chance for slop whether glue, paint or another chemical I cover it.
For assembly padding material I'll use a couple of coregated card board sheets taken from large boxes. If it's wet or spray I keep a roll of painters plastic (disposable drop cloth)

[scmhogg]

I used to. One day I was routing a channel for a tambour using the SMT with a non-slip pad. Seems the bit came loose and I didn't immediately notice the aluminum shavings on top of the wood. It doesn't affect the operation, but it is ugly.

Now I use the sled as an extra surface if needed.



Steve

[Tom Miller]

This probably doesn't count so much as using it as a workbench, but I definitely set a lot of stuff on it; especially with the wide table end of it being really close to my lathe.

With a 2.5' x 4' outfeed table, though, I know I have a total of ~4' x 6' to use as an assembly table if I ever end up making anything that big. Should be a hoot when I realize it won't go out the door, though. [B)[:0]

Regards,
Tom

[Modfatha]

quote:Originally posted by scmhogg

I used to. One day I was routing a channel for a tambour using the SMT with a non-slip pad. Seems the bit came loose and I didn't immediately notice the aluminum shavings on top of the wood. It doesn't affect the operation, but it is ugly.

Now I use the sled as an extra surface if needed.



Steve

wow! nice gouge!

[John Hunter]

Mine has the table extension and an outfeed table so it gets used as a work bench all the time.