An idea for the fellow "space-challenged"

[Tom Miller]

During some recent discussions about shop setup, I got to thinking about some wasted space next to my SCMS, and how I'd love to have my Ridgid OS/B sander sitting out and ready for use.

I came up with the following idea to replace this stock support/fence for my SCMS, otherwise known as "BEFORE". This photo shows the stock support to the left of the SCMS, with a fence for holding stops. (The stop in use here can slide essentially all the way to the blade.) The wasted space I mentioned is behind this support.






This is the new stock support and not-quite-finished fence. On the new fence, the t-track is on top to facilitate flip-stops; a sorely-missed-though-I've-never-had-em feature. The stock support consists of the two side pieces which are lag-bolted to the bench top, and a 3" wide spanning piece that drops into cutouts in the side pieces.




This photo shows the fence removed, the short sections of t-track used to hold the fence, and the spanning support pulled out:




And, ta-da!, the OS/B pulled forward between the side supports, ready for use. I replumbed the DC, too, so that I have a branch coming up on the left to serve both the OS/B, and the SCMS.




The only down-side to this setup is that the OS/B tabletop is fairly high; I think about 48". Still, very usable, and much easier to get to.

Regards,
Tom

[gad5264]

Great idea Tom, form and function.

[LarryG]

Looks great, Tom. One question, though: do you find (or, since this is a recent change, do you anticipate) that the CMS being so close will limit the lengths of workpieces you can take to the sander?

[crokett]

Tom

That is a great idea and a nice use of that space.

[RodKirby]

Lookin' good, Tom

[Tom Miller]

Looks great, Tom. One question, though: do you find (or, since this is a recent change, do you anticipate) that the CMS being so close will limit the lengths of workpieces you can take to the sander?

To be honest, I haven't even checked for interference with the SCMS. My intention is still to set the OS/B on it's cart for "real" use, which means either long usage time, or larger parts. It's for the little sanding projects (which could be >50% of its use), where it seems like too much of a PITA to pull out the OS/B and lift it into position, that I did this.

That said, I think if I push the SCMS all the way back, and pull the OS/B all the way forward, it'll clear.

And, I can always rotate the OS/B by, say, 7 degrees.

Regards,
Tom

[ChrisD]

Good idea and nice job, Tom. Before I put my MS, DP, and mortiser on mobile workstations, they shared the wavy top of a 50-something-year-old workbench. I would just pull them up when I needed to use them and push 'em back when I was done. A really crude version of your nice setup!

[charger1966]

Very nice spacesaving idea. I hope that it is not too close to the SCMS.
Keep making that sawdust.
Lance

[SARGE..g-47]

Very clever Tom. If you were to un-lock the SCMS and turn it to maximum right, you would probably pick up some clearance on the sander for larger stock. Just a thought.

Again.. well done.

Regards...