Looking to build a Rolling SCMS Station - Your thoughs?

[OPJ]

As the title suggests, I'm looking to build some form of station for my monster of a sliding compound mitre saw (Bosch 12") with support tables either side and it must be able to move around the workshop. Like the majority of you, I'm sure, space is very much a premium in my workshop too.

I'm thinking of something along the lines of this:

Click here for more


On this next one, I like the adjustable bed he's made to raise/lower the saw's base to finish flush with the two extension tables:

I'm thinking a simple (1/2" ply) but sturdy (rebated edges, etc.) construction for the main cabinet/base will do fine. But... One other thought that has crossed my mind is whether I can perhaps use the right-hand extension (I'm right-handed, therefore, it wouldn't get as much use as the left side) as a kind of router table...! :shock: :wink:

Obviously, I'd have to leave that side of the cabinet 'open', so that the router itself would swing out of the way when I don't need it. The first problem that springs to my mind, though, is that, depending on the router's position, it could foul the gate leg/supporting leg on that side, or vice-versa.

Then, of course, I have to think about dust extraction below the table and how much noise an unenclosed 1,900w router is going to make...?
I reckon the base for my saw (top of cabinet) needs to be roughly 800mm wide, with a depth between 500-600mm. As for the height, the average 'off-the-shelf' stand seems to set the saw at between 800mm and 900mm from the floor.

So. If I'm looking at a table potentially 760mm x 450mm, that's already considerabley larger than my current Bosch RT 60 setup - and, I still have two-thirds the length of the station to run on to.


I'd also appreciate any thoughts on dust extraction/containment for a 12" SCMS. I saw the article in the last issue of British Woodworking (right next to mine! :wink: ) but that was for a fixed model, not a sliding one, where you'd probably have to cut out for the long bars, giving the dust another avenue to escape from. While my vacum works okay, an awful lot of dust manages to cover the wall behind right now.

So, what do you guys think of the router table idea, please?
Any other thoughts on what I could include to aid the mitre saw would also be welcome.

Thank you. Much appreciated as always.

 

[OLD]

Here is some more info for you
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projectplans_display/?planid=11076
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/upload/contents/334/fea39.pdf
On my saw the bent metal, wood supports will have to be removed but they will not be required.

 

[OPJ]

Thank you OLD. I did see a couple of pictures of this saw when I was Googling earlier but I didn't come across these plans.

I like the look of the hinged supports also. But, if I wanted to make so the tables could be levelled with a bolt and a couple of nuts (thinking back to Steve Maskery's outfeed table extension), it looks like it may not be possible here.

 

[lugo35]

norm made one that looked quite good

 

[OPJ]

I've noticed the plans for it on his website but I cannot find any actual photo's of the finished product - any ideas as to where I should be looking, lugo?

 

[lugo35]

havent got a clue sorry but im sure someone here will help

 

[Shultzy]

Hi Olly, I am going to make a similar workstation for my saw. Instead of making fold up wings I'm going to make a router table, the right height and on wheels, to support the wood on the left hand side. This means that the saw table only needs to be the same width as the saw - a good space saver.

 

[wizer]

Welcome to my world OPJ. I have the same saw and the same need. Firstly, I'm not keen on the router idea. Why not just make a separate roll around router table who's bed works as your side support for your cart? I think I have come up with this basic solution. I'll have the RT on one side and something else on the other. The only thing that is bothering me at the moment is I would have liked a dead-on accurate fence and rule. Maybe even the Kreg flipstop system. Man Flu scuppered my plans to get this going over xmas. I'll be very interested in your solution.

 

[wizer]

Actually another article that I found was on FWW. His whole workshop was on castors.

If your not a member, let me know and i'll see what i can do

 

[LarryS.]

I've also got the Bosch 12 inch sliding saw and have been wondering how to reduce the space it takes up (it came with the free Axminster stand which takes up a huge amount of room).

All the info has been an excellent help here and I'll be keeping an eye on it in case anyone comes up with some other brainwave !


Paul

 

[OLD]

OPJ

But, if I wanted to make so the tables could be levelled with a bolt and a couple of nuts (thinking back to Steve Maskery's outfeed table extension), it looks like it may not be possible here.

It would be very easy to level if the table fixings to the main body had there holes extended into slots, as the main m/c bearer is fully adjustable

 

[Gary]

Olly

Keep us updated when you start the build with some WIP photos. I will be watching with interest as I could use a similar module for my Dewalt. It's very high on the to do list for this year.

 

[OPJ]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

I think I'm going to ditch the router table idea for the time being. I'd love to have a seperate unit for that but I barely had the space for this saw, when I bought it! :roll: I reckon my current Bosch router table should be able to fit inside the saw's cabinet though. As for the base plate problem, I'm gonna find some Tufnol and have a go at making one myself.

Most of my workshop's on castors, also. In fact, I've just finished installing a mobile base (as sold by Rutlands and Axminster) for the cabinet stand I've just made for my Bandsaw. I also made one a year ago for my pillar drill and my planer-thicknesser is on wheels too!

I just need to finalise a couple of design ideas with regards to the hinges I'm going to use and how I intend to level the whole assembly (ie. raise/lower the saw base or the two support tables).

My mum's been talking about clearing out and getting rid of this big, unused chest freezer since Christmas - with that gone, it could pave the way for a router table project sometime later this year! (I just need to find something strong enough to clean all the oil and mess that's somehow covered the top of it without eating away at the surface...!) :wink: