Show Off Your Extension Tables

[JoeyGee]

I need to make an extension table to replace my accessory table that I just sold. I am interested in looking at some examples.

I am planning on using two layers of 3/4" melamine, and hopefully attaching it to the rails with T-Nuts. If there is an easier or better way, do tell.

I will add a router to it.

[DonHo]

Well here is mine. It's 2 layers of 3/4" MDF and edged with oak.

DonHo

[LarryG]

Here's my Dual-Width Extension Wing, which you may have seen when I posted it not quite a year ago.

(This reminds me ... at least a couple of people requested a sketch with the principal dimensions, and I totally forgot about that. I'll put that little job on my To-Do List, near the top. Apologies to those who asked for it.)

[Pappy]

Larry, I didn't remember yours. I am going to download the pics this time. Then to find some silver half rails.

I, too, am interested in the drawings.

[gettools]

Larry,

I missed it as well and I would like to have the dimensions and or drawings too. Thanks

[JimD]

This is mine. It is a single layer of Melamine but it has plywood stiffeners and edging. It attaches by clamping against the rails. The technique is described in a brief article (in that section). The pictures also so the fence I made for this application. It is all just scraps of plywood and melamine and works well.

Jim

[pelligrini]

It's not exactly fancy, but functional.

I made the extension before I found BT3central and T-nuts.com The top is a piece of phenolic ply from woodcraft and it fastens to the rails using some galvanized angle material, the stamped t-nuts and knob bolts from the POS Craftsman router fence, and some T-nuts I cut down to fit into the existing holes in the angle.

I made it from existing materials I had on hand, except for the plywood. I spent a while trying to find out how to attach it and not have to mess with any sort of vertical adjustments if I moved it. Amazingly, the predrilled holes in the angle aligned just right. The cut t-nuts make up the difference from the 1/4x20 knob bolts and the 3/8” holes, and it protects the threads from damage from the angle edges. I still need to shim the plywood up about 2/3 of a 64th of an inch if I wanted it to be exactly level with my saw table top. Right now it’s good enough for me. I attached the angle with some ½” pan head screws into some holes I drilled in the angle.

I added the ½ length extension rails after I made the table. The router-1 pic shows it extending off the ends as I had the accessory table next to the saw top. I also had to add a leg to support the router table with the ½ extensions. The extensions moved the center of gravity over beyond the wheels and the table would tip if I put any force on it. The support leg is part of a roller outfeed support.

I made a router fence that will clamp onto my saw fence. I have since bought a used fence so I don’t have to take the router setup apart to use the fence on the saw.

All in all I really like it. The only problem that I need to fix is to stiffen the table top. One thickness of ¾” Baltic-birch will sag a little bit. I’m not sure if I will add some more angles or laminate another piece of ply to the bottom. I might incorporate the reinforcement into a removable enclosure for the router for dust collection. It’ll have to be removable because I wouldn’t be able to move the saw with it attached. That cross piece for the leg stays attached to the saw and it rests on my chest when moving it in and out of my shop/shed.

[vrbradley]

Here is where I am.

Not finished yet, but just had to share what I have so far. Seems like i went about it a little differently than most have, but so far it seems like it suites my needs.

[JoeyGee]

Don, what finish did you use on the MDF?

[footprintsinconc]

larry, WOW! man i missed your table/router table. real cool!

[drumpriest]

These are definitely nicer than mine was....

[atgcpaul]

Here's my Dual-Width Extension Wing, which you may have seen when I posted it not quite a year ago.

Larry, when you convert your table do you make that sound from The
Transformers in your head (or even out loud)? That's a very clever extension
table.


Paul

[DonHo]

"Don, what finish did you use on the MDF?"

About 5 coats of wipe on polly. I also keep it waxed with johnson's paste wax.

DonHo

[JoeyGee]

Thanks for all the replies. Larry, that is an awesome addition. Do you still have it? You are a darksider, IIRC.

I may actually get to construct mine this weekend--after I build a basement partition wall, replace the floor in our 1/2 bath, mow, weed, visit my parents...so don't hold your breath on seeing pictures.

[HarmsWay]

Wow some very out of the box thinking! I could hear the Transformer sound as well.

I decided to keep the accessory table and build an extension /bench. Sometimes I regret having a lame router table though. I guess I could make one but I don't really have any more space in the garage.

Bob