Outfeed Table

[Jason Martin]

I am getting ready to build an outfeed / assembly table for my tablesaw.. I have almost no drawers for storage in my shop, and plan to put a bunch under this table. I have the opportunity to get some Ash lumber for cheap, BUT it hasnt been kiln dried. Is this a bad idea because of bugs, or could it be sealed or treated to take care of this? Not a huge deal, as I can get Maple instead, at a higher cost... All thoughts appreciated!

 

[DLJeffs]

I can't help you with the bug question Jason. But a couple lessons I learned when I built the outfeed for my table saw are:
1) get a close to level with the table saw table as possible and make it just a hair lower, that way you don't have the leading edge of the board your cutting hang up on the edge of the outfeed.
2) if you use sleds, think about the runners and how far you need clearance in the outfeed; I routed dados in my outfeed to allow the runners for my sleds to extend out fully
3) make sure the outfeed won't bind up or interfere with the rear attachment for your fence
4) my outfeed is attached to my table saw with ratchet brackets for a collapsible shelf (so it rolls out into the driveway with the table saw and folds up and down as needed); as such it is only 18 inches wide, so i used melamine for my outfeed, and what i like about that is how slick it is and whatever I'm cutting slides right across it smoothly

 

[Mr. Peet]

If it is good clean ash lumber, why would you have any bugs? If it is for the shop, why can't you use the shop as a low temperature kiln? Ash has very minimal shrinkage for length. If you build the frame out of 1/4 sawn stock, you could use stuff not quite dry. However, dry is better.

 

[Jason Martin]

If it is good clean ash lumber, why would you have any bugs? If it is for the shop, why can't you use the shop as a low temperature kiln? Ash has very minimal shrinkage for length. If you build the frame out of 1/4 sawn stock, you could use stuff not quite dry. However, dry is better.

I guess I assumed all Ash that was cut recently would be because it was killed by the Emerald Ash Borer. Is that not a concern, to have that in my shop? Or does the bug die after the tree is cut? I dont really know anything about it...

 

[Mr. Peet]

I guess I assumed all Ash that was cut recently would be because it was killed by the Emerald Ash Borer. Is that not a concern, to have that in my shop? Or does the bug die after the tree is cut? I dont really know anything about it...

They do not go in the wood, just destroy the cambium layer (between the wood and bark), thus starving the tree. Just inspect the wood for bore holes, questionable, stays outside the shop.

 

[Jason Martin]

They do not go in the wood, just destroy the cambium layer (between the wood and bark), thus starving the tree. Just inspect the wood for bore holes, questionable, stays outside the shop.

I see. I would be cutting all the bark edges off, so if there are no holes I should be ok...
Thanks for that info!

 

[woodtickgreg]

Air dried ash is just fine. When the ash borer came through here I salvaged as much as I could. And like Peet said, it's only in the outside layer, once you cut the live edge off it's fine to use and transport.

 

[Jason Martin]

Thanks for all this information. I think I will be using Ash for my table, as there is a good supply close to home!

 

[Jason Martin]

I can't help you with the bug question Jason. But a couple lessons I learned when I built the outfeed for my table saw are:
1) get a close to level with the table saw table as possible and make it just a hair lower, that way you don't have the leading edge of the board your cutting hang up on the edge of the outfeed.
2) if you use sleds, think about the runners and how far you need clearance in the outfeed; I routed dados in my outfeed to allow the runners for my sleds to extend out fully
3) make sure the outfeed won't bind up or interfere with the rear attachment for your fence
4) my outfeed is attached to my table saw with ratchet brackets for a collapsible shelf (so it rolls out into the driveway with the table saw and folds up and down as needed); as such it is only 18 inches wide, so i used melamine for my outfeed, and what i like about that is how slick it is and whatever I'm cutting slides right across it smoothly

I will probably make it a bit lower and use levelling feet, and am planning to route grooves for miter guage. Mine will not actually be attached. I have the basic idea, but will be doing a lot of adjustments on the fly!

 

[woodtickgreg]

I think I did a thread here somewhere on when I built my outfeed table.
AH, here it is, I found it. You might find some info useful.

Table saw outfeed tables

This will be my version of table saw outfeed tables. The back one will be pretty big for two reasons, extra support when ripping long boards and for cutting sheet goods. And because I also use the table as a workbench for glue ups and finishing etc. The tables will also have formica tops. I just...

woodbarter.com

 

[Jason Martin]

I think I did a thread here somewhere on when I built my outfeed table.
AH, here it is, I found it. You might find some info useful.

Table saw outfeed tables

This will be my version of table saw outfeed tables. The back one will be pretty big for two reasons, extra support when ripping long boards and for cutting sheet goods. And because I also use the table as a workbench for glue ups and finishing etc. The tables will also have formica tops. I just...

woodbarter.com

Oh, ive been following this thread! This was part of the inspiration for my outfeed table!

 

[woodtickgreg]

Oh, ive been following this thread! This was part of the inspiration for my outfeed table!

Very cool, that's why I do those threads. To inspire people and give them ideas.
Except for the plywood and laminate all the lumber in the outfeed tables was salvage and dried pallet wood.