If you are going to use a table saw you definitely want to make sure you have an outfeed table, extension table, or folding outfeed table that is going to work for all of your projects. Keep in mind you want something large enough that it will help you with the things you need to build, but not so large that it’s going to take up too much space in your workshop so you can’t do anything else.
Make sure you’re paying close attention to the different options out there and choosing something that will work for you. Also, whether you are going to cut plywood, MDF, wood, or High-pressure laminate, you also need to ensure that the tablesaw outfeed table has numerous safety features, such as a blade guard for safe practice against dangerous blades, fence, dust collection, sturdy legs and stand, and a miter gauge.
If you choose an outfeed table that’s already built you have a whole lot of choices because you can choose different materials as well as different sizes and styles. You can get something that fits really well with the table that you already have and may even be made by the same company that made the table you already have. You can also get a table that is inexpensive but still made to a very good quality, which is definitely going to be important if you plan to use the table frequently and want to create a lot of different projects.
If you really want to get something customized to your own specifications, however, you may want to look at building an outfeed table for yourself. That way, you’ll be much better prepared for whatever it is that you specifically want to do. After all, you don’t want to purchase something that isn’t going to work for the type of projects that you want, right? So building something can take away a little of the guesswork and the uncertainty about whether or not what you have is going to be the ideal thing for you and your next project.
Building An Outfeed Table
The truth is, building a table isn’t really going to be that difficult. You can use only a small amount of time and a small amount of effort to get something that is your exact specifications. That’s definitely going to be a benefit for you. Just make sure you measure everything exactly right and get all the information you can about what you really want before you even begin. That’s how you’re going to build it just right instead of getting part way through what you’re doing and realizing that it doesn’t work for everything you want.
You can build your own table quite easily as well, starting with two pieces of MDF table core. These pieces are going to be glued together and then bradded together in each corner. This keeps them from separating or sliding when you clamp them together. You want to keep each piece clamped together so that the edges are even. Use contact cement and a J-roller to apply the plastic laminate over the top and bottom and then trim down the pieces with your trim router and piloted laminate cutter so it matches exactly to the core pieces.
You’ll want to use a filler strip along the front edge that has two dadoes in it to create pockets for your leg brackets to fit into. You’re also going to want the leg brackets themselves with rounded edges and a drilled out center for bolt holes. These brackets will help you figure out just how wide the dadoes should be since you’ll want them to fit nice and tight together. You’ll also want to use glue and screws to put the pivot brackets in and you’ll want the filler strip attached to the top in the same way.
If you really want to keep this safe you can even use hardwood edging all the way around the outside. You’ll also want to install a leg that can hold up the outfeed table. These can be purchased separately if you’d prefer not to build your own or you can set it up relatively easily on your own. The great thing is that you can get something that will fold right up along with your table (remember you used pivots) so you can lower the outfeed table if you’re not using it so that it conserves some space.
Using Your Router
You can always adjust the specifications of your outfeed table before you build it by checking all the specifications of your actual router. You want it to fit perfectly, after all, so make sure that you look at everything you’re using and how the table is going to extend the capabilities of your router instead of just being the same thing. Remember, not every router is created exactly the same and you may not want to get a specific outfeed table because of the way it’s going to interact with your specific router. That’s the whole point, after all.
When you’re ready to select an outfeed router the most important thing is making sure that you look at each of the features before you do anything. Look at your router and make some important decisions. You may be surprised just how many different options there are when it comes to buying an outfeed table and even when it comes to building your own. Of course, choosing the perfect one is going to be entirely up to you, but you can definitely accomplish a whole lot more than you might have thought. It’s just about looking at all the options and building off of that.
Make sure you take a look at even more information on the specific router outfeed table we’ve been talking about right here. That way, you’re definitely going to have something high quality because we really like this router outfeed table too. You’ll have something that you can feel comfortable with and definitely something that is going to keep you a whole lot more interested in pursuing your woodworking projects. After all, anything that is going to make the job easier is going to make it a whole lot more fun as well, right? Why not take the initiative to get things going?