’t matter how large the Woodstock is or how dense the material. Blending motor power with the right blade will make cutting stock into required sizes and shapes seem so trivial. So, if you still wonder what to use a table saw for, I’m pretty sure you have your answer.
Some Awesome Table Saw Projects You May Try!
People tend to ask, ‘what can you do with a table saw?’ Surprisingly, you can do a lot! Woodworking is so versatile; there are so many items you can create. And the fun part is you don’t even need to be a professional. Once you’ve gotten the hang of operating the table saw, you’ll be surprised at how much stuff you can create. And in very little time too!
To make it easier, we have generated a list of basic projects that usually seemed hectic with general tools. Try them out with your table saw, and I bet you’ll see how exciting crafting with it can be.
1. Build a Basic Sawhorse
Saw horses are a welcome relief in the workshop. They are great for setting up emergency workspaces. Plus, they’re also mobile. A good sawhorse can serve a wide range of functions for woodworkers- seat, table, worktable, step stool etc.
You will need the following tools; carpenter’s square, drill and of course, the table saw. A good sawhorse must have a solid stance, mobile-friendly weight and be workstation-friendly. This depends on the materials and techniques used to make them. The following are suitable for making one that meets those criteria;
- 2×8” dimensional lumber, 2 feet long (Top)
- 1×6” pieces of lumber, 2 feet long x 4 pieces (Legs)
- 2×4 wood pieces x 2 (Braces)
- Polyurethane Glue/Polyurethane Constriction adhesive
- 3” deck screws x 26
The first thing to do is to make a jig cut to 15-degree on one end out of 2×4 scrap wood. This makes it easier when measuring 15-degree angle, which we will do at least 8 times. To use, simply lay on wood piece requiring 15-degree cut and mark out.
Next, take the wood for the top rail and measure 6 inches in from the end. Mark across the top. Then, mark 15 degrees from the bottom outside corner of the top rail end. Draw a line on top rail from top to bottom. Then, connect the end of the top rail line with the angle previously marked. Cut the angle with a table saw. Repeat process for the other 3 corners.
Mark spots for screws and counterbores the holes halfway through the top rail. Take the wood for the legs and make a 15-degree bevel cut on the end of each wood piece. Bevel the top and bottom of the legs. Next, mark the center of the leg bottom and measure the length of the non-tapered part of the top. Connect the two ends and taper by cutting along the line.
Make a 15-degree cut on one end of the bracing piece and line it up with the top rail. Mark the length, mark 15-degree and cut out to get your brace. Apply glue to the contact surfaces, attach and screw in. Next, align the legs and glue the contact surfaces. Then, run 2 screws from the leg into the top rail and 3 into the brace.
And voila! You have one solid, work-friendly sawhorse! You can have as many of these babies as you want. Feel free to apply paint or wood finish if you wish, though this would help extend its longevity.
2. Make a Door Table
Why throw away an old hollow core interior door when you can convert it into a pool table? With a few materials and the table saw, this project can be completed within minutes! An extra piece of furniture can come in handy around the house or the workshop. And what’s cooler than making one by yourself?
It’s so easy, you can make one using just a table saw, brad nailer and orbital sander. You will also need the following materials;
- A hollow core interior door, preferably smooth
- A 10″ length 2×4 construction lumber, preferably straight and clean
- An 8″ length 2×4 construction lumber
- Deck screws
- Wood glue
- Wood Filler
- Paint (optional)
First, rip the 10’ length lumber into two pieces of 1×4’s and the 8’ length lumber into two 2×2’s. Miter one end of the 1×4 and measure it against the edges of the table, then mark and cut. Assemble pieces on the door to form the edges. Hold in place with wood glue and brad nailer.
Cut two pieces of 2×2’s and fit inside the table underside to form cross braces. Cut the legs out and fit next to the table edge and cross brace. Glue in place and brad nail, then screw into the edges the cross brace. Cover the hole from the bottom with plywood and fill from topside with wood pieces.
Fill and holes with wood filler and sand to satisfaction. If you prefer to paint, now is the time to do that. What you end up with is one broad sized, a lightweight table that makes you feel like a pro.
3. Make a Folding Wooden Stepladder
Imagine being able to make your very own step ladder from scratch instead of hitting a hardware store. I bet it’s a pretty cool picture. Now, follow this set of tips on how to actually do it! Any die-hard DIYer would love to be able to brag about making a folding step-ladder that one time. Plus, it adds to your table saw mastery skills.
All you need to create this interesting piece is a table saw, drill press, drill, sandpaper, square and of course, PPE! The last part is very necessary.
Next, you gather your materials. To accomplish this surprisingly easy task, you will need;
- Eight dome-headed M8 carriage bolts, each 55m long
- Eight M8 washers
- Eight M8 lock washers
Cut the leg pieces to size and make 60-degree angle cuts on each end. Rip the boards in half and cut ripped pieces to length, putting an angle on the supports at the top. Make a dado joint in the top slats to fit into the supports. Make a rounding template from scrap wood and use to round the ends of the step and side supports.
Measure the positions for three steps on the step supports. Cut dado joints in the step support and fix steps into joints. Fit the stretchers between the back supports with blind dowel joints. Then, dry-fit the pieces to confirm they work perfectly. You might need to have a folding mechanism template made out of scrap wood to guide you.
When confirmed, drill in the bolt holes. Make sure the ones in the back stretchers are much closer to the wood edges. Once done, sand the pieces and edges thoroughly, then glue up the pieces of the back support, steps, and top slats. Make sure the top slats are evenly spaced when gluing. Now, test fit the pieces to make a complete stepladder.
Adjust the pieces where necessary and upon final satisfaction, disassemble solid pieces and apply finishing to taste. Once they’re totally dry, reassemble the stepladder, making sure the washers and lock washers are fixed while bolting. And, your folding stepladder is complete!
4. Build a Scrap Table
Many times, we have tons of unused wood lying around and throwing them out tends to be the obvious choice. But there is another option- one that would appeal to the craftsman in you. You could fashion an entire table using nothing but scraps of wood around. This process mostly employs laminating the wood but besides that, it’s pretty simple.
To make the scrap table, you need the following tools- a belt sander, magnetic power drill or impact driver, mallet, hand plane, drill bits, and a table saw.
Also, you need the following materials;
- Salvaged scrap wood
- Five threaded rods
- Nuts
- Washers
- Screws
- Wood glue
- Polyurethane
- Sandpaper
Of course, this isn’t as simple as a project as you’d expect but t it’s a pretty interesting one.
First thing is to build two trestles. To do this, you must first lay out the trestles. This is by placing two wood pieces- one big and one not as big- at right angles to each other. Measure from the baseline your preferred size to get the table top. Pull a straight line parallel to the baseline across the measurement.
Now, measure and cut out eight wood pieces, then draw a line connecting the four opposite edges on each one. The result is a long, sharp triangle outline. Cut out and lay the fat end of the legs on the two-foot mark on the table top layout line. Pull the end of legs so it is in line with the end of the table top. Mark lines on the legs and cut.
In each bottom end of the table top, cut a taper from around 2” down to where the legs overlay. Next, glue and screw the legs opposite each other on the trestles with at least four screws. Rip lots of wood and sand both sides thoroughly. Then, apply wood glue, place on the trestle and screw it in. Continue stacking up wood, making sure to let the pieces vary.
Drill five holes; one through each set of legs,