Do you use your table saw as a work table when you are not sawing with it? If so, how do you protect the surface? Do you cover your cast iron table saw top for table use? ... or do you apply a coat Johnson's Paste Wax and use it as a table without worry?
(I know that some people have special fabric/plastic covers to protect against rust from condensation, but that isn't an issue here.)
I am thinking about covering my cast iron table saw with a hardboard top to protect it so it can be used as a table surface to hold stuff (maybe even a can of soda?) or as a work table for projects, crafts, etc. The top would be easily removed for table saw use, of course.
Would a hardboard top cause problems to a cast iron table saw top? Could it leach or trap moisture and rust the cast iron? Is there a better solution?
I use mine as an assembly surface all the time. Not the best thing to do if were being honest, but im not beating and banging on it and im sure not to let anything wet sit on it. I just keep it uncovered and clean it up afterwards
Yes. In my small space the saw surface gets used for everything. I have cut sheets of cardboard I use for protection if I am painting or assembling on the surface. If I am not using the saw for any work it ends up a collect all in the shop.
If I had a larger shop I wouldn't consider using it that way. The saw would be clean, clear and ready for use but, my space is so small I just don't have the luxury.
When I had a small shop, I use a 3/4" piece of plywood with "keeper" rails on front and back to keep it from sliding around. It was about 4 ft square, so kinda heavy and the fence had to come off to install it. This kept the paint and other contaminants off the cast iron which got a few coats of wax to protect it.
absolutely !!
I usually keep a piece of plywood on the top of the saw table
as the work surface (most of the time).
people that worry about a scuff, a few drops of paint or glue,
a little rust now and then - - - have some really deep issues
that they need to seek professional help with. (and you know who you are).
and since this subject has come up again, I ran across this drawing
on the net about making the wood top for the saw. I modified it a bit
with gluing a penny on the underside to help the cast iron top to "breathe"
and the penny will not rust. (you can use any item of your choice).
a hole punch and a piece of 1/8" thick plastic PVC would work well.
[this is my project for today ~ after I chisel some epoxy and paint off the saw].
I use my table saw top all the time for projects. I cover it with cardboard or a piece of plywood. I use Boeing T-9 metal protectctant on the cast iron.
Mike Hawkins
Every day. But I don't pound on it. If I need to pound on something I use the floor or the bench on the other side of the CNC. One reason I like using the table saw extension is that I can get all around the sides whereas the bench against the wall is only accessible from the front. When I spray lacquer I cover the table saw top and extension with cardboard.
Not me. Nearly always when you do that one part or another will need to be trimmed a little and then you have to move everything to use the saw. The only thing I assemble on a saw is chairs or small tables where If it sits flat on a machined saw top it should sit flat anywhere where the floor is flat.
Being the largest flat surface centered in the middle of a small shop, my TS turns into the "main bench" on a daily basis (never hammer on it though).
Under one end, I've got a large roll of brown paper (1500' I think?) that I can pull over to protect it. Think of it like the roll of paper on the table of the chair/bed in a doctors office. I have thought about a 1/4" plywood or luan with 1x2 border to keep it from sliding around, but just haven't gotten around to it.
I bought a roll of freezer paper and tear off what I need and lay it down on my table saw, slick side up. When I am through I hang the paper up for next time.
Never. All my stationary power tools are in one room of my Grouch Cave, & my assembly table, workbench, clamps, glue, & hand tools are in the other. I, fortunately, have enough room to be able to use the saw only for its intended purpose.
Never. All my stationary power tools are in one room of my Grouch Cave, & my assembly table, workbench, clamps, glue, & hand tools are in the other. I, fortunately, have enough room to be able to use the saw only for its intended purpose.
an after thought on the cleats to hold the plywood to the
saw top . . . . make the cleat the same thickness as the wings.
that would enable easy edge clamping should you need it.
[my small shop is not dedicated to just woodworking.
the table saw often sees yard power tools, plumbing projects,
potting plants, as well as boat motor repairs, glue-ups and painting].
your shop = your call.
When one has a small shop just about any flat surface will be used to put something on, just use common sense when painting or staining and protect what is under it.
Nope. I use a portable. It has to stack against the wall unless I'm using it because there's not enough space. I have a 4'x4' sheet of 3/4" plywood that I lay across horses if I need a big surface, and mostly work outside if I need a space that large.
heck no! it's a cardinal sin to put anything on my table saw, the whole neighborhood knows that
i don't have an expensive saw either, i have a cheap craftsman ts, bought new in 1982
I have my primary workbench, and one of those job site work benches, the other two I use for assembly and layout are my table saw and radial arm saw table, those I cover if needed with plywood, plastic, or craft paper depending on what I'm doing. For larger projects I will use saw horses with plywood.
Always glad when you put your two cents in. Currently my table saw is supporting my power ventilated spray booth and my buffing station. Later it will be supporting some cherry and the high speed circular blade accessory that I found projects through the surface. Seems like it could be dead useful for cutting some wood.
I am very limited in floor space. I do use my TS top for a lot of things but don't pound or do anything that might harm the top which is aluminum- Ryobi BT3000. I use another work bench for that.
I keep a sheet of thick cardboard on top my table saw. Not so much to work on but our cat loves to lay on top of my tablesaw. If I don't keep something on it I get rusty paw prints and rusty where he lays spots...
I bought a "white coated panel" at Home Depot. It is 3x7, not 4x8. The 3x7 size is larger than I need. It is painted white on top and a smooth, hard, light brown on the bottom (tempered?). I hope that the white paint coating will keep moisture from going through. (I will run a few tests on cutoffs.)
I wish it had that fibrous bottom of regular hardboard, which might keep it from slipping around. I may add thin miter strips to lock it to the miter slots.
Photos:
* View of the cover with an inverted cut-off piece to show the bottom.
* Closeup of the cover and bottom.
I tested a cutoff piece, which I put on a silicone work mat. I put an ice cold can of soda and a large (quarter-size) drop of tap water on it. I could feel the condensation forming on the soda can as I put it down. I left the test overnight in the dry, warm air.
When I checked this morning, the test piece was dry and flat with no sign of swelling or bulges. The test piece seemed unaffected by the previous day's water that was left on its surface. There was no discoloration on the back side or anywhere else on the test piece. The soda can was at room temperature and dry. There was no ring on the surface of the test piece below it. The water droplet left an ordinary mineral ring when it evaporated, which our hard water does on any surface.
I will glue two thin strips underneath for the miter slots, to keep the cover from floating around as much. I may cut it in two someday, so I won't have to lower the blade and remove the riving knife/blade guard when the the cover is in place.
I have a small shop and my table saw is also my project hangout
The outfeed table has a Festool MFT top and Kreg clamping top integrated into it
It’s the go to spot in the shop
I have a SawStop job site saw I’ll open up if the table saw is being used as a bench and I have that “One more cut” to do
LOL
Has happened way to often
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