Most of you who have been in the construction industry for any length of time know that a table saw is one of the most important tools in the arsenal. But there are times when having one isn’t possible, and if you don’t make it to work on time, your boss will fire you (or so I’ve heard). So, what do we do? Grab our circular saw and make due. The problem is: Circular saws aren’t explicitly designed for this either.
How To Build A Miter Saw Table
What about getting a miter saw? Miter saws come with their stands, and they’re not too bad to transport (although they’re somewhat heavy), but then we still need to build some platform or tabletop for it to sit on. This is where we turn to radial arm saws and chop saws, but those aren’t as portable as circular saws, so we still have a problem. Read more here How to build a crosscut sled for the table saw.
Assemble the table:
With this easy-to-follow guide, you can have your very own miter saw table in no time! This durable and sturdy table is perfect for any workshop or garage. You’ll be able to get the most precise cuts with ease. With just a few simple steps, you can have this table assembled and ready to go.
Steps for Build A Miter Saw Table
Step 1: Mount the table saw
For this to work, you’ll need a saw that can tilt at an angle. Not all table saws will do this, but most modern models will work with this tutorial. If it’s possible, you’ll want to remove the saw from its existing base. You will be using a different base, which will mount directly onto the miter saw table.Read more here How to build a table saw.
Step 2: Mount the frame sides
Screw your frame slides into place along each edge of your plywood sheet. Make sure that they’re flush with one another and that they line up with the edge of your table saw. This will make it easier to screw everything together and make for a stronger structure overall.
Step 3: Attach handles and front supports
Screw one side of the handle into the underside of your miter saw table. Then, attach another support brace by screwing it onto a place perpendicular to the first one. Screw these two pieces together so that they form an “x” shape near the front edge of your table saw.Read more here How to build a radial arm table saw.
Step 4: Attach back supports
Like you did with the last piece, attach another support perpendicularly to this “back” piece just like you have done before. This must be attached properly so that all pieces are lined up correctly when it’s time to tighten them together.
Step 5: Attach the backside of the handle
Screw this piece into place, making sure it aligns with the pieces you’ve already attached. The screws should fit directly between these other support pieces (the ones you just put in). If they don’t, take everything apart and try again until it works. You’ll want to use wood glue during this step if your pieces aren’t cooperating; that will make for a much stronger structure. Otherwise, you can skip this part if you like.
Step 6: Attach legs
Each leg should form an “L” shape when viewed from the top or bottom of your miter saw table. This ensures that each leg is as strong as possible and that it can handle the weight of your saw (and anything else you might put on the table).
Step 7: Attach lower supports
You’ll need to place one support piece at each corner. They should be parallel to each other, with the outer edges being flush with the perimeter of your miter saw table. You can screw these directly into place or use wood glue for a more permanent solution.
Step 8: Attach upper supports
These will go just behind where your miter saw normally goes. They’re designed to keep your workpiece from tipping over too far while still allowing you room to maneuver around it. Since they’re not attached directly to the underside of your table or directly to the table saw, you can adjust their position quickly depending on what kind of work you’re doing.
Step 9: Attach the back braces
These will help to hold everything together and provide additional support depending on how it’s positioned in your workshop. The exact angle that they sit at is up to you; the only important part is that they line up with the handles in order to form an “X” shape when viewed from behind. These are very useful if your table will be used for anything other than the miter saw itself (such as a chop saw or band saw).
Step 10: Make sure everything fits appropriately.
Take some time to get familiar with all of the pieces before screwing them into place permanently. You want to make sure that everything is in the right spot and lined up correctly before applying the adhesive (if you choose to do so).
Tools:
- Power drill with screw bit
- wood bit
- Circular saw. If you have access to a table saw, that will work even better since it doesn’t require making crosscuts simultaneously. Otherwise, you’ll need to use your circular saw for that too. It also helps if you have an extra pair of hands to help hold the pieces in place while you screw them together.
Materials: 2′ x 4′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood 1 box 2.5″ screws 1 can wood filler (or similar product that can fill in screw holes) Wood glue (optional) Miter saw (recommended like the one below)
Also, check this video for more clarification
Conclusion
And there you go! Your own DIY miter saw table that fits on top of your miter saw or on any other flat surface. You can adjust the angle of the legs to match whatever height suits best for your workspace, and you’ll always have a flat surface available when working with wood. This is also useful if you’ve found yourself wanting a better way to store your circular saw or workbench.