Semi-OT: Table saw upgrades.

[johnnyrichards]

I remember reading on here a while back that there is a company that sells upgraded tables for bench top saws.

Who are these guys? What is a typical pricing? Are they universal fit? Assume that I have been watching local Craigslist for awhile looking for a better saw, and nothing ever shows up

I have a Craftsman 137 series saw, which is a bench top saw on a kind of cabinet. It has extendable wings to either side allowing a wider rip, but effectively I am limited to 13" no matter what since anything even approaching precision goes out the door when the wings are unfurled.

The fence is also quite mediocre.

This saw has gotten me through a lot of projects, but now that I want to build bigger speakers it just ain't gonna "cut it" any longer.

So was I imagining the aftermarket table top upgrade?

[mattk]

I can't say that I remember seeing anything about a replacement table, either here or in magazines/stores, etc. However, when I put a Biesemeyer fence on my Craftsman contractor's saw, I made a right-side table extension based on Biesemeyer's plans that came with the fence. I can't remember now if I cut down a sheet of melamine-surfaced plywood, or if I just bought some formica and applied it myself. I made a frame out of oak, attached the plywood, and it is supported between the Biesemeyer rails and the main table. The drawback of course is that my table saw takes up a lot of space in my garage, but I park my lawn mower under the extension table.

[johnnyrichards]

Something that actually came with a fence and table legs I think is what it was. Not really a whole new top by any means.

[greywarden]

I fortunately have access to some really nice SawStop table saws on base, but I'd like to eventually buy a nice big one. My wife bought me a $130 Skil for xmas, bless her heart, but the darn thing is as wobbly as a newborn foal.

My dad has a Craftsman model that older than I am and it's in perfect working order still.

[waynew]

Johnny,

You can build an outboard table that encapsulates your saw if you want to. I did that with my old craftsman for awhile. Unless you are married to your bench top, I would suggest scanning craigslist in several close by cities for a used Powermatic, Jet, Delta, or Grizzly.

Should you want to go with the outboard table, as I recall, I used a double thick layer of MDF and cut out for the table saw. I placed it all on 4x4's with adjustable levelers, and an inset table for the saw to sit on. It lasted for almost a year before I got so mad at the crappy fence that I sprung for a Powermatic. That was before I knew that you can put a different fence on a small saw.

Good Luck. If you get down to Lincoln, you are welcome to sweat in my shop and cut some stuff up!

WayneW

[Steve Henry]

This one was floating around awhile back.
http://www.amazon.com/Trojan-RM-36-5.../dp/B0000224RF

[lucasa.miller]

Keep looking, I found a Dewalt DW746X in the local trading post for $300.

[thor61]

Here is a good table saw for the money, its also got a built-in router table.... See link > http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...u=00921829000P Here is the Ryobi version of this saw and review > http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/bt3100rvu.html# Good for entry level or small shops ect...

[Paul Carmody]

Do you mean these, Johnny?


http://www.rousseauco.com/model2700xl.htm

I wouldn't mind one, myself.

[bobbarkto]

Don't ever remember seeing a replacement top upgrade/accessory...
Plenty of fences and miter gauges, which can help. But if your saw ain't flat, they won't help much!

There was (maybe still is but their web site is gone) a company that catered to us woodworkers. They would blanchard grind machine surfaces to very flat. If I recall they sold some extension wings and maybe replacement tops, but these would be saw specific.
Quality Grinding was the name.
Probably not worth the few hundred it would cost to do a contractor or homeowner grade tool.

[johnnyrichards]

Do you mean these, Johnny?


http://www.rousseauco.com/model2700xl.htm

I wouldn't mind one, myself.

That's the one, Paul. Thanks!

[Paul Carmody]

That's the one, Paul. Thanks!

If you get one, I'm very eager to know how you like it.