My version of a Table Saw

I needed to rip up a lot of timber for some roofing joists in my workshop. They were to be filleted into some plastic boards, so I needed to do them accurately. As a saw table would be around £90 minimum and probably wouldn't get used after the workshop was completed I decided to see what was on offer in Instructables. What I found was a number of excellent designs which used everyday workshop tools. As my workshop is still being built these weren't at my disposal. I have my trusty old B&D circular saw and decided to make a table out of laminate flooring. This medium is thin, so I won't need to router out a recess, I can just build the area around the saw plate up with further layers. It is very square and has a tough polished surface. I popped down to the local Homebase and found a pack that was damaged. The original price was £25 ($40) I got it for £13 ($20). An acceptable price for a temporary job. I also bought a NVR on/off switch as the saw trigger will have to be held open and under the table. The one I bought has a three pin plug in and out so no additional wiring is required. This cost £20 but will have many uses in my workshop.

So far I have used 1 pack of Laminated Flooring 
                                  1 tube of no more nails fast grip glue
                                  1 No Volt Release on/off switch
                                  1 unsuspecting pallet
                                  1 load of 2" and 3" screws
                                  450mm 20mm square box  mild steel
                                  3 m6 x 90mm carriage bolts, m6 nuts etc

Step 1 The raw materials

Before I start My 'able. A word on safety. I always use the relevant safety gear. Even then I have still managed to end up in the ER. Saws and electrical weapons don't often give you a second chance. Protect your eyes, ears and hands. The laminate sheets are MDF and prodice a fine dust when cut, so a mask is a good idea too but I was wearing it when I took these shots.

Comments

[aideym]

I just want to thank everyone for commenting and to Instructables for the membership. Awesome.
I am looking forward to posting some of my other projects,

[nanosec12]

I think it would/could be a bit safer if your 'blade' cut out made room for the guard to come up when you are not cutting. Looks pretty dangerous without a useable guard.

[aideym]

Yes I did consider trying to utilise the guard but it would either have meant butchering the guard or opening the slot to 25mm. As the wood needed to be 20mm thick on one of the cuts I worried that the wood may dig in and jam on the blade. Ultimately I used what I had as safely as I could but I do understand your concern

[yoyology]

I need to do this in reverse. Can you post an instructable on how to convert a table saw into a handheld circular saw?

Just kidding! Great instructable. Love to see this kind of ingenuity mated with good sense and attention to detail.

[pfred2]

My version of this has a radial arm saw on the other side.

[vincent7520]

yes but how do you adjust the blade height ?…

[aideym]

The saw has adjustable depth lever, which can be accessed by placing the table on its side.

[feistydonut]

Man do I need to do this. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[embochner]

great work, very cool