Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 28

Thread: Need help making table saw top

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    16

    Need help making table saw top

    Hey guys,

    I'm new to the wood working world but I am not new to using power tools. My fathers used to have me help him a lot when I was a kid when he would make things using his shopsmith Mark IV. Long story short I biught a house and throughout the process of renovation work it has sparked my interest in fine woodworking. I currently have a craftsman 10" EVO table saw but it just doesn't cut it. The miter guide is wobbly and the fence rarely sets square. So before I go and drop a ton of money on a new saw I'd like to modify this one and get my feet wet first. Can anyone point me in the right direction to try to make my own top for it? What kind of materials should I use? Where should I buy my t-track etc. Also, I've read were people just create and overlay for their current saw top but I want to take mine off and completely build a new top. Any advice or links to how tos would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,619
    Nick, you would be much better off upgrading to a better table saw than trying to turn the EVO into something that you can rely on to make fine woodworking with.
    Please help support the Creek.


    "It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."
    Andy Rooney



  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Newnan, GA
    Posts
    503
    I agree with Bruce. Check Craigslist in your area. You can probably buy something better than what you have for less money than it would take to modify the top on yours.
    "When the horse is dead, GET OFF."

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    16
    Thanks for the comments but I don't see any reason to completely move away from this saw. The guts of the saw are great and it has plenty of power. The only thing I don't like for what I am currently doing is the fence and the miter gauge. I bought a new miter gauge "the incra v27" to try to remedy the situation but it doesn't fit the current track system on the saw top. hence why I want to modify the top.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    South Central Pennsylvania, USA
    Posts
    761
    The problem becomes how to manufacture a more accurate tabletop with the tools that you have…

    I agree with the others, start watching craigslist to see what comes up. My latest score was a Laguna bandsaw for less than 1/3 the price of new. I turned around and sold my Craftsman bandsaw for about half what I paid for the Laguna and am well beyond what I could have ever done to upgrade the Craftsman and at a lot less cost than buying new fences and such for it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    16
    I've got plenty of tools between the other tools I have and the tools available in my dads shop. Just looking for a point in the right direction as far as what materials are best. I can figure out what I want to make from there.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Longmont, CO
    Posts
    810
    if i understand these cheaper direct drive saws, the motor/trunion is attached to the table. to put a new t slot on top you will either have to remove the current table and remount the trunion or put something over it that is at least 3/4 thick. remounting the trunion to a sheet of plywood or similar sounds like a safety issue to me. this will reduce your total height of cut by that thickness. you will spend more than the price of this saw on a new fence, and it is unlikly to mount to this saws table. I am really not sure how you would mount it to a second table that is over the original table and keep everything aligned. whatever you end up doing, good luck and welcome.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    22,492
    Blog Entries
    1
    I think you may be having a hard time getting a good answer because there really may not be one. The direct drive and table mounted trunnion nature of the saw's design make building your own top problematic. I don't think we are trying to avoid helping, it just isn't a very realistic idea IMHO. Maybe someone who has done something similar will chime in.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    South Central Pennsylvania, USA
    Posts
    761
    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Boehm View Post
    I've got plenty of tools between the other tools I have and the tools available in my dads shop. Just looking for a point in the right direction as far as what materials are best. I can figure out what I want to make from there.
    Are you thinking of a wood top? Or does your father’s shop have metalworking equipment?

    Quote Originally Posted by glenn bradley View Post
    I think you may be having a hard time getting a good answer because there really may not be one. The direct drive and table mounted trunnion nature of the saw's design make building your own top problematic. I don't think we are trying to avoid helping, it just isn't a very realistic idea IMHO. Maybe someone who has done something similar will chime in.
    Pretty much this. I couldn’t find a Craftsman EVO tablesaw, but did find the Evolv:

    6955121_3AX17MGES.jpg

    Is that what you’re talking about?

    As Glenn says, you’re going to run into issues replacing the table as the trunnion is mounted to it. Further, the cabinet is pretty lightweight - I’m guessing plastic - with a stamped sheetmetal table. It’s pretty lightweight all around and as you beef up one part, you’re going to start running into the limitations of the next.

    I did a quick search for Craftsman tablesaws on my local craigslists and turned up a dozen of them ranging from $50 to $300. The older ones like this:

    DSCN3153.jpg

    That’ll get you a solid steel table and cast wings, better fence system, and more solid base. Spend some time cleaning and truing it up and you’ll be lightyears ahead rather than trying to cobble together something.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    16
    I looked at craigslist but not a whole lot to choose from in my area. Anyone have any ideas for widening the existing track to fit the incra miter gauge? The craftsman track is about a a 32nd too narrow

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    New Hampshire, USA
    Posts
    240
    Hi Nick,
    I have never seen a shop built table saw before, but a quick look on youtube shows a bunch of people who have built them. Many bolt a new plywood top to an existing saw, like you mentioned, but a couple of them built a full cabinet and top and fence from plywood and MDF. I cant vouch for the accuracy or safety of these saws, but you are not alone in wanting to build one. Search youtube using "make tablesaw top" and there are several videos that might give you the information you are looking for. I hope that it is helpful.
    Thanks
    Scott

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    South Central Pennsylvania, USA
    Posts
    761
    Is your saw the Evolv? It would help those attempting to provide answers to know what you’re dealing with.

    SearchTempest is a good way to go through any nearby craigslist postings: http://www.searchtempest.com/

    It’s probably easier to machine down the miter gauge than try to machine out the tracks.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Charlotte NC
    Posts
    189
    Just make your own miter gauge to fit the size of the slot you already have. Use a hardwood runner and attach it to a shop made fence. You could also make a sled.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Boehm View Post
    Anyone have any ideas for widening the existing track to fit the incra miter gauge? The craftsman track is about a a 32nd too narrow
    Craftsman saws have always had smaller than standard (3/4") miter slots.
    The best thing to do would be to take it to a machine shop.

    If the top is aluminum, though, you could use a router and straightedge to widen it. Just make very shallow passes, and make sure you have a very straight straightedge.
    Gerry

    JointCAM

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    TX, NM or on the road
    Posts
    845
    What are you planning on making? Furniture? Cabinets? ???

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •