Build a Miter Saw Table - I Made It at TechShop

This instructable will show you how to build a miter saw table so it's easier to cut long pieces of wood. It is customizable to your miter saw, but for this instructable I'll be using a Dewalt DW715. It has four compartments and can be placed on two sawhorses wherever you need it. I made this at TechShop, so all of the tools required can be found there. The table in this instructable is based on instructions found at Family Handyman.

Tools Required
Panel Saw (If you don't have access to one, the place you buy your wood should be able to do these cuts).
Table Saw (If you don't have one you can use a hand saw).
Miter Saw
Drill with Bits
Safety Glasses
Ear Plugs
Pencil
Square (Speedsquare or Combination square).
Tape Measure
Clamps (optional)

Materials Needed
4 x 8 plywood (I used 1/4" but 3/8" would work great too)
1 x 6 x 10 wood board
2 or 3 2 x 4 x 8 wood studs
4 hanger bolts and nuts (use the size that fits your miter saw. Mine uses 1/2")
Nails or Screws for fastening

Step 1: Measure the Miter Saw

The first step is to measure the width, depth, and height of the miter saw.

The width is just the width of the entire saw. You might want to include a little extra so it's easier to take the saw in and out. For mine, I used 24.5 inches.

The depth is the minimum depth of the table. It should be at least deep enough to for the base of the saw to be firmly on the table. I wanted a some extra space, so I used 18 inches.

The height is the most important measurement. Here you will measure from the base on a flat level surface to the miter saw surface (where you put your material when cutting it). To get the divider height, you can either subtract 2x the plywood thickness or just measure the height directly using some scrap material.

Step 2: Cut the Plywood

For this example, I'm making a table 18" deep, 8' wide, with a 24.5" spot for the miter saw. I put 46.5" on the left side and 25" on the right.

The first thing to do is rip your plywood into an 18" strip and a 17.75" strip for the bottom and top of the table. You want one strip of plywood thinner than the other to account for the back piece. Since I used 1/4" plywood, the top piece is 1/4" thinner. You'll also need to cut the back to the height of the miter saw, remembering to account for the thickness of the bottom. You can do this on the table saw.

The next thing is to cut the top piece of plywood (the shorter one) so you have a spot for your miter saw. Depending on the width of your plywood, you may need to do this on a panel saw or use a circular saw. Make sure to cut a section out the same width as your miter saw. Cut the back piece in the same way, but using the miter saw.

Step 3: Create the Dividers

Use the table saw or a hand saw to rip the 1 x 6 to the height of the miter saw. Take into account the bottom and top of the table.

Measure off the same width as the top of the table. In this case, 17.75". Then create a stop block by clamping a piece of scrap that so you can cut the 6 dividers quickly. If you don't have a place to do this, you'll need to measure off each divider individually.

Mark the ripped 1x6 with the tape measure and draw a line using your square.

Cut 6 dividers to be used as support for the table.

Step 4: Assemble the Table

The last main step is to assemble everything together. Make sure not to nail anything until you've made sure that it's all the correct height. Once you've done that nail or screw the pieces together.

I first nailed the bottom piece to the studs and then nailed the dividers to the top pieces. I then flipped the whole thing over and nailed the top to the bottom. Nail on the back and you should be ready to put fasten the miter saw.

With the miter saw in place, mark and drill the holes for the miter saw. Use the hanger bolts to keep the saw in place while you're using it. Use a rough grit sandpaper to soften everything up and you're done!

For more DIY tips on things we've built, check out our website at Soft Puppy Warm House.