Mobile Outfeed Tables

A tablesaw is a lot safer and
easier to use when it’s
equipped with an outfeed
table. Whether you’re ripping long
boards or crosscutting big sheets of
plywood, you really need more support
than just the top of your saw.

Lots of folks have a huge outfeed
table that sits permanently behind
the saw, but that’s impractical in my
compact shop. I’ve gone small and
mobile instead.

I built two tables, which offer a lot
of flexibility. I can butt them right
up to the back of my contractor’s
saw because the folding wings span
the saw’s motor. When I rip a long
board, I can put one table in front
of the saw and one behind. When I
crosscut a big piece of plywood, I can
roll one of the tables to the left side
of the saw. When I need more open
space around the saw, I fold down
the wings and push the tables out of
the way.

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Folding Outfeed Table

Pivoting Outfeed Support

These tables are great
shop carts. They’re perfect for wheeling
project parts from
machine to machine. I also
use them for glue-ups and
assembly. Sweet!

Click any image to view a larger version.

Simple face-frame and box joinery makes this
project easy to build. Build the face frame
slightly oversize, glue it to the cabinet and
trim it with a flush-trim bit. This shortcut is a
lot easier than trying to build a face frame that
exactly fits the size of the cabinet.

Position each drawer slide with a wood spacer.
It’s a lot easier to use a scrap of plywood than a
tape measure to level a slide. Install the top slide
first with a wide spacer; then use a narrower one
for the bottom slide.

Install the drawer fronts with the cabinet on its
back. Drive temporary screws through the pull
holes into the drawer boxes underneath. Remove
each drawer and permanently screw the box to
the drawer front from the inside.

This story originally appeared in American Woodworker May 2005, issue #114.

May 2005, issue #114

Purchase this back issue.