Mounting a router in table saw extentsion table

[Mcluma]

I’m considering putting a router in my table saw side extension

I own a dedicated router table (record RPMS) but due to its weight and position of the table within my workshop is it not really accessible – hence I cannot use it optimal

However the table saw is right smack in the middle of the shop with plenty of room all around it, so easy to get long pieces of wood to it, and being in the middle of the shop has plenty of light

My table saw is a EB PKF255 with sliding table and side table extensions
So I was thinking of putting a router in the table extension. I was contemplating in buying either a Dewalt 625 with a router raiser attachment or a Trend T11

Has anybody else done something like this before? What are the pros and cons

Thanks

 

[marcros]

I tried this but on a kity 419. Many others have successfully done so on that saw but I took it down after a few months.

1. I found that the big freud router I had was too much leverage on the stand and if there was a heavy piece of timber on top too, it could have been dangerous. I could have overcame that but...
2. Space- i was constantly having to walk round the thing. This was the same with the extension tables and is a shorcoming of my workshop. I would have been more forgiving if the extensions were useful to me- ie infeed and outfeed, but as a width extension didnt offer me much benefit. (I do have a cross cut attachment)
3. Probably a peculiarity of the Kity and blade combo, but it doesnt quite go below table height at minimum projection.

If you have the space I think it is a good mod. I could have made a cabinet to overcome my first point and the 3rd probably wont apply.

 

[custard]

Interesting question. I looked at dropping a router into the spindle moulder cavity of a Felder combination machine, the objective was to have the benefits of a big, accurate sliding table but with the 22,000 rpm top speed of a router.

I didn't go ahead with it but you can find an excellent write up here

http://davidpbest.com/RouterAdapterUserGuide.pdf

 

[mbartlett99]

I've been thinking on this too. Have a pretty solid cast iron saw with side extension and a not particularly useful Triton router table. Seems such a shame to not use that whacking big cast iron table to the max.

Be v. interested in seeing some photos of people who've tried it.

 

[Mcluma]

The table saw (PKF255) is rock solid, even with another 100 to 200kg on the side extension (i have tried it with a large quantity of wood) the side extension is actually not much extending over its foorprint, hence it being very solid and not likely to tipping over

I looked at triton but they are expensive routers - my choice will be a dewalt or Trend

I already have a Bosch POF600 and a Bosch GOF1300 - these are lovely for handheld applications

 

[marcros]

i think it is a good mod. Again on the Kity, but I am sure there were a couple of WIP's if you do a search on the forum- probably under "kity mod"

 

[Mcluma]

I will look into it

 

[monkeybiter]

I've temporarily bodge-fitted a router into the outfeed of my AW12BSB2, easier to pop a thick piece of mfc on the brackets than graft a piece in place of the cast side table. Are there any benefits from using the side table other than using the fence?

 

[Mcluma]

for me the fence is not that important, but space and access is important, the table saw is in the middle of the workshop the router table against the wall nearby a corner.

I have to prepare a lot of oak for skirting, and the table saw is can handle that easy as i always work with the garage door open so pieces of 4m are not an issue

Cutting a hole in my aluminium table isn't going to be pretty, so maybe i will take the table of and replace it with some mdf or other very sturdy material.

 

[siggy_7]

I've temporarily bodge-fitted a router into the outfeed of my AW12BSB2, easier to pop a thick piece of mfc on the brackets than graft a piece in place of the cast side table. Are there any benefits from using the side table other than using the fence?

Several benefits spring to mind. Length - most saw tables are over 800mm in length and not as wide, so by having the router on the side wing you have more length for infeed and outfeed (unless you have a very long outfeed extension on your saw to fit the router into!). Also your shop will be set up for passing material front to back of the saw, so working with a router extension along the same axis as this means that the geometry will likely work better.

Personally I think an extension wing table is a great idea. I've designed one to go on my Record TS250-RS, putting the finishing touches to the design at the moment before I get the steel cut.