Left Side Router Table Extension

[todd1814]

I've been researching this issue on the group all morning and decided I just need to post and ask for specific advice.

I've been modifying a contractors saw and started by putting it on a mobile base that's about 3ft x 5ft. The base is actually a steel tube frame (rectangle) that I found behind a store. The steel tubing is 2in x 2in square so it's really sturdy. I put a couple of shelves on the frame and mounted my saw on there, cutting a hole under it for dust collection. I also made 2 extension wings (right and left) out of a sandwich of plywood, MDF and formica.

So here's where I get confused. I wanted to make one extension into a router table. The right side has the tilt wheel for the saw so I decided to use the left extension. I cut the hole, mounted my router lift (Woodpeck model) and then started designing a router fence that I can attach/remove easily from the table saw fence. That's when I started thinking about where I'd prefer to be standing when using the router table. I'd prefer to stand in front of the saw, because the fence clamps in the front. That would mean that my router fence would have to sit to the left of the bit. (Operators left from cutting position).

Would it be a PITA to use the table with the fence setup like that?? Should I setup the fence to mount on the right side of the bit and use the router extension from the back of the saw?

Would anyone who has a router table extension on the left side of their saw tell me how they work specifically with the router?

Photo is posted at A.B.P.W under same heading.

All advice is appreciated.

[todd1814]

I've been researching this issue all morning and decided that I should just ask the group for specific advice.

I've been modifying a contractors saw and have put it on a mobile base. The base is a steel tube frame (rectangle) that I found in a dumpster and is about 3ft x 5ft. The steel tube is about 2 in x 2 in so it's really solid. I put casters on the frame and installed a couple of shelves. I put my saw on there and cut a hole underneath it for dust collection. I also made a couple of extensions out of a sandwich of plywood, MDF and formica. The extensions are held to the saw with angle iron and supported underneath by 2x4 posts (very solid). One extension is intended to be a router table.

So here's where I'm getting confused. The left side of the saw has the blade tilt wheel (left tilt)so I decided to use the left extension for the router table. I cut a hole for my router lift (Woodpeck model) and mounted it. Then I started dsigning a fence that would attach to my table saw fence. Now that the extension is on the left side I'm wondering how I want to use the router table. The router fence would have to be sitting to the left of the router bit if I were to use it from the front of the saw. If I put it to the right of the bit, I'd have to use the table from the back of the saw. The table saw fence only clamps from the front so that's not as convenient.

So, where should I put the fence??? To the left or to the right of the bit? Does anyone have a router table extension to the left of their saw and would give some advice on how they use it?

I've posted a photo of my saw (give me a break - it's all I can afford) on A.B.P.W.

All advice is appreciated.

[Max Mahanke]

[todd1814]

Doh!!! I told you I was confused!!

This is my first router table. I've been using a shaper for several years (given to me) which turns clockwise (like a router). The shaper is already upside-down. I didn't make the connection that turning a router upside down would reverse its rotation!!