Mini-Tablesaw / Router / Shaper for Dremel rotary tool

Mini - Table Saw / Router / Shaper
for Dremel rotary tool.

Now that the Dremel contest voting is over I guess it's ok to update this instructable. Here is a "supplement" video showing the table saw extension in action. :)

Step 1 Get templates here!

I am attaching a PDF that includes the templates I made for this project.  Open the PDF and save it to your computer.

Print out the templates (I suggest using 100 pound card stock for the templates).

MAKE SURE... that you select None in the Page Scaling option when printing!

If you fail to do this the printer will scale the pages to a different size and the templates will not be correct.

Comments

[WroblewskiWrocketry]

Has anyone used the dremel brand router table, #231? Is it a sturdy piece?

[jeditanker72]

Truly awesome design. Thanks for giving me some inspiration to get back into the garage and make something.

[dmanmoka]

Really good plans and design! love it.
I will post pictures along the way :)

[bricabracwizard]

I will be making one of these from my triton mini drill! I have a question not related to the Mini-Tablesaw but your video. Did you use iMovie? And if so how did you manage to slow down the titles in your 'Star Wars' exiting credits? My shoot past like there's no tomorrow - otherwise I may have to get a more professional video editing suite. Sorry this isn't a question about your build, but in that you've covered everything!

[davidneth]

Good plans and design, I built this in a day, and enjoyed using it!

[CNYAP]

Did you make sure the Dremel bit is "perfectly" (or close enough) to perpendicular to the table? I figure a long rod and a square would be the way to check squareness.
Also, instead of mounting the Dremal horizontally, maybe the Dremal right-angle attachment would work? Would need a second hole in the table or course. Maybe this method would allow the tool to stay below the table while at the same time keeping the bit perpendicular or parallel to the table.

[elbardalet]

Excellent instructable. Thanks.
Just a tip for next time you will saw an acrylic sheet. Cover all the line where you are going to cut with box sealing tape. The box sealing tape will work like lubricant.

[sdudley]

Thanks for the information. I usually find that masking tape works well, but will definitely give the sealing tape a try. I assume you mean the clear tape correct?

[elbardalet]

Yes, it works perfect with clear or brown. Next time I will try also with masking, to check which one works better.
Again thanks for you excellent ideas.

[hms1018]

BRAVO! You are sweet with this project. TTYL gotta go make me one now!!!

[Geosync]

5 stars! Amazing concept, design and construction. Thank you for posting. The video is also top-notch. What do you use for editing? And are you using some custom music, too? Excellent all-around production!

[sdudley]

Well thank you for the kind comments. I use an old version of Adobe premiere elements. It's a great video editing software if you are on a budget.

I also use Sonicfire Pro by SmartSound for the music. It's kind of expensive but you pay once for the music and you can use it anytime and as much as you like. You can also remix each song many different ways to fit many different moods. It's a great production tool for any amateur (or professional) videographer.

[imajem]

Hi...I've tried three times to download your templates but the message is that the content is damaged and can't be repaired.
I would so like to build this table. Could the link be fixed or could you send me the templates in an email. Thanks

[sdudley]

I am at work and just tried it. It works fine for me. Do you have Adobe acrobat reader on your computer? If you still need it, send an email to [e-mail] and I'll send you the PDF directly.

[Sfcatlvr224]

Omg ive been trying dozens of techniques and soo many dremel bits wasted, just to cut a clean line in my plexiglass. But it never feels, or looks good enough. I found this instructable and instantly ran to my local hardware store. I'm currently making it now. Just stopped to look at more pics. So I can get it right. These templates and list of supplies are amazing man. And I actually spent that exact amount,crazy. Less then 20 bucks. (to make). Thanks for the instructable .... I'll post pics when complete.

[sdudley]

Great, can't wait to see it. I still use mine all the time and it has come in quite handy for several small projects where a big table saw is too much.

[rclotworthy]

Hi you have listed the timber used as 8 x 4 and 2 x 4 is that 8inch x 4 inch but it looks smaller than that to me. I live in the uk so you might list your timber sizes differently. If possible could you convert these timber sizes to metric for us brits
Thanks
Rosko1964

[sdudley]

Scroll down through the comments and you will find this question has been answered (including conversion to metric).

I believe it is on page two of these comments (between 41 - 80) so you will need to click the "next" button.

Let me know if that helps.

[wilb]

Thanks. That certainly sounds easier than what I was proposing.

[sdudley]

Here are a few pictures mounted to my bench vice (hope it helps):

[markgtz]

sdudley,

I'm making mine today for a Black and Decker RTX. I'll post some pictures when I'm done with it!

Great tutorial! Thanks!

[markgtz]

sdudley, I got my Black & Decker RTX today from Amazon, and yesterday I bought all the material so that I could start as soon as I got it today. Well, needless to say I got it kinda late but this is what I did. I should be able to finish it tomorrow. There are a few differences. The top is very contour for easier holding, so I had to sand it to that specific shape.

[sdudley]

Dude that looks great! I hope you find it as useful as I do. I still use mine all the time.

Enjoy

[wilb]

First, excellent instructable plus docs.

One thing I guess I have missed,when the Dremel is in the vertical position, what provision is made to attach it to a table-since the Dremel extends below the sides? Do I just add length to the sides and back and put a 1X2 along the bottom edge of the sides to either bolt/screw or clamp it to bench? (Seems reasonable)

I tried to see how you had connected yours but I didn't a clear enough photo to tell.

Again excellent instructable with both video and pdf docs.

[sdudley]

I use a standard 4" bench vice. Mine is mounted on the corner of my bench and the mini-table saw/router is designed to be clamped in the vice by the back plate.

In the second of the two imbedded videos on this page, you can see the vice is at the edge of the bench and the mini-table saw/router is some what off the edge of the bench.

I realize that is a poor explanation so I will try and get you a picture when I have time this weekend.

[j8g8j]

This is a great idea!

I have not been a big fan of rotary tools. (Bad experience with my first: a RotoZip tool... too damn noisy and hard to control, not to mention the dust!) But, I recently decided to try again and bought a Dremel tool. I like it much more than the RotoZip and I love this idea of a versatile and small form factor table-tool that I can use on small pieces of wood where a table saw or table router is overkill and sometimes just too powerful to use safely. I'd like to see how the flex cable-based setup that TheGeekFather puts together since I was thinking of buying one of those for my Dremel tool anyway.

[fanatimovi]

your amazing, thanks for the instructable.

[TheGeekFather]

I have a black and decker "Wizard" rotary tool. I also have a flex shaft attachment for it. I think I'll have a go at making a similar work station.What I like about the flex shaft is that it is smaller. And I'm thinking I can make One clamping system that moves WITH the flex shaft from each station. That way there will be no need for the intricate sanding and adjusting needed to seat the tool in the different positions.

Great Project 5 stars from me. I hardly ever rate 5 but when something is this well thought out, usefull AND inspires me to run out and start one I give 5.

[sdudley]

Thank you very much for the kind comments. I like your idea. Please do keep us posted as to the results.

My original intention was to design this table using the flex shaft. If you make an instructable out of your design, I might just have to run out and buy one!

[brunder]

Hey,I want to ask can I use this blades saw's http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6Pc-Mini-HSS-Circular-Saw-Disc-Blades-Hobby-Drills-/170608188163?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item27b90a5b03
with this table?Can someon tell me?

[sdudley]

Unfortunately these will not work for this table design.  I purchased these and had intended to use them when I originally designed the table.

You would need to add some kind of extention to the mandrel (part that the blades screw on to).  The reason the Dremel mini-tablesaw attachment works is because it is angled and the rotary tool doesn't get in the way.

I am not sure that makes a lot of sense.  I can take some pictures that might help explain it better if you want.

[brunder]

IT will be bether to take picture :)

[sdudley]

Basically the blades you want to use will not allow the Dremel to cut flat surfaces that extend beyond the length of the madrel. 

The pictures below should explain this quite well.

By sdudley1 at 2011-04-03
By sdudley1 at 2011-04-03
By sdudley1 at 2011-04-03
By sdudley1 at 2011-04-03
Stacy

 

[ghemmady]

How about using the mouth of the flexi shaft restrained in the table for all mandrel based accessories?

[sdudley]

I would love to see how that would work. Unfortunatley I have not yet purchased a flex shaft so I never got to see how well it would work with this table.

Let me know if you ever get to experiment with it.

[ghemmady]

Mine is not a dremel. Though available these days in India its expensive and nobody really stocks it. A bit of a pain to actually order it and Bosch doesn't help at all.

Mine is a woolworth, cost a quarter of what dremels do with masses of accessories and a flexible shaft. No attachments like the saw or right angle or cutting guides of course, at least not available here.

The only two times I needed to use it as a table saw (with HSS saw blades on a mandrel) I just mounted the shaft it in my vice with adequate protection and lowered a thin surface with a slot held in position with all manner of clamps and supports. Another crude piece of smooth straight wood, clamped acted as the adjustable fence. Worked very well as a temporary set up but seriously ghastly looking. Just required the set up to cut some 10 quarter inch boards fairly straight against a fence.

All this was about a year ago and I didn't know of this site, but will surely photograph and share my next temporary mounting if I ever get around to doing it.

I plan to build a more formal table like you have and some really lovely things that this site describes as soon as I find a "formal" work place.

I can only thank all you guys for the lovely ideas and support that this site offers and have decided that in time I will also begin to share some of my efforts.

Thanks again.
May be all this will only happen after I retire!

[sdudley]

When I retire I will NEVER be bored, that's for sure.  Unfortunately I doubt I will have the money to support all my expensive hobbies!

I made my tablesaw so I could have a combo router / tablesaw.  I still plan to adapt it to fit a mini-disc sander using the right angle attachment )someday). 

Here is a link to something that might give you a more simple solution if you want a more permanent setup but still quick and easy (see image at the bottom of the post):

http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/75w_newrings.htm

Maybe it will spark a few more ideas for you.  I am sure you can make the table any size you wish if you can figure a way to incorporate the flex shaft.

Good luck and please do share any ideas you might have!  Enjoy.

[ghemmady]

Thanks, Very much like what I did. The photos I have taken now are a rig just to show what I had done. The shaft is in a vice and a surface is positioned and held where I need it. I hope to make a thin largish table and fix the shaft firmly underneath with a slot shaped to take a variety of accessories. With apologies for the fuzzy pics...

[lab7654]

I'm almost complete with this project. I'm only able to work on it on the weekend, since most of my woodworking tools are at my 2nd home in northern Wisconsin. Will post pics when i get the acrylic on!

[sdudley]

I know it's a late reply but did you ever get finished?  I am curious to know if anyone has made anything useful with theirs.   I use mine all the time.