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TS/RT Extension; Cast or other?

1K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  jamesamd 
#1 ·
Hello all. 1st question. Should I mount a Cast iron table extension on my old Craftsman table saw or build one out of plywood/ particle board? I have a home built RT, but am limited with my space. I would really like to find an old cast iron TS extension for my saw as I know craftsman had them, but they are hard to find. The Benchdog and others are really expensive and I have read mixed reviews about them fitting my saw. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tim
 
#2 ·
This is really a matter of preference. The cast iron, like the Benchdog is very heavy. This is a mixed blessing. On one hand it is hard to mount and difficult to modify. On the other hand, the sheer weight can be a benefit to the saw, in that the additional weight will reduce vibration. They are, as you mention, a bit pricy. One made from MDF like Incra's more easily installed and modified.

I was going to add a router table to my Rigid table saw. My choice was going to be the Benchdog table. I was also considering the Benchdog lift kit for the table. As it happens I am now going to build a stand alone router table. Moving forward, I plan to install a Incra Conbo kit. But for now I am going to stick to just the one router table because, as I like to point out, I have to still feed the little black and white fella you see to the left of this post.
 
#3 ·
Hi Tim

This just my 2 cents , just make one out of some good plywood but forget the particle boards that stuff is just nasty to work with and to use for a router table...
You don't need a tank of a TS extension to hold a router..or a aircraft table top for just a router............

=====
 
#4 ·
I guess I have kind of decided to do both but not at the same time. Like one of the other posters, I also have the Ridgid 3650 TS. I am actually going to be building an entire mobile TS workstation with a router table extension. What I am planning to do for the first phase of the project is to put a laminated MDF top between the fence rails to the right of the saw. It will rest on top of and be fastened to a router cabinet below it, not to the rails or TS top. All of that will sit on a mobile base. Then when I have a little more budget I do plan to replace the left side TS extension wing with the bench dog cast iron top.
 
#6 ·
I would not try to use a TS extension as a mounting place for a router.The ribbing under the table,will make the effort almost impossible.
Even if You have access to a mill to create the mounting surface and the opening,removing any part of the ribbing,will likely cause the extension to warp from the stress that was contained,being relived.
Jim
 
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