Cheap Table Saw Improvements Part 1

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The first in series of videos I'll be making... attempting to improve my cheap table saw, in this first one I'll be making a new top and fence...

If you have any comments or suggestions on anything you might want me to include or exclude for that matter, feel free to voice them in the comment section below.

Also if you would like to see what I will build next, please like and subscribe.

[ryandavies]

Good work mate. Nice to watch videos with blokes making do with normal affordable gear. Too many videos out there with blokes got shops full of Festool, Woodpecker, Kreg and every other bit seriously expensive gear out there. You appeal to 99% of us normal weekend warriors with our mixed combo of cheap tools and hand me downs dreaming about the shops full of the good gear. Keep up the good work!

[tHaHxr]

8:30 you probably know by now, but just for anyone watching this in the future. The kickback happened because its cutting something wider than it is long (a so called 'cross cut'). This configuration of the fence should only be used when something is longer than wide (or close enough to that). Its called a 'rip cut', therefore the name of this regular fence is a 'rip fence'. If you would want to do a cross cut, you would need a cross cut sled, miter gauge or miter sled to do it safely.

In a bit more detail, the kickback happens because the blade gets 'pinched' by the material. Because it is such a wide piece, wider than long, it is easy to put too much pressure on the outside, making it pinch and kicking back.

Nice video anyways. I do think your choice of MDF was good for this project. Mostly because its exceptionally flat. The dust might not be very nice, but once assembled that of course isn't an issue.

[JonesFamilyRanch]

Excellent video and beautiful end product. Special kudos for being a great dad and teaching your kids the importance of hard work.

[OaklandMisfit]

Great job using what you have on hand, that's true DIY. And I love how your kids hang out with you, very cute!

[CharlesNolanArt]

The fact that you do this good with distractions is impressive to me. I, too, have distractions but I don't do as well as you. I watched you awhile back now Im rewatching with more experience and appreciation for what you are doing

[davidgoodwin]

I’m 72 yrs old now and only started to have an interest in D.I.Y. The last few years, I like working with wood and enjoy making things, your video was an inspiration to me, keep up the good work, mistakes as well ( I make them all the time ) take care.

[richardvivian]

I have the exact same table saw, and have the same issues with the table and the fence. Was going to look at an upgraded table saw. Instead I am going to build this project. Most excellent! Thanks (I am very much a novice weekend worrier and loving the new adventure into wood work.) - And also really great to see a woodworking video from a fellow South African.

[toz]

Greetings from 🇿🇲. I'm very new to the woodworking and It is such a pleasure to find your video. I bought the exact same table saw a couple of months back and almost immediately took to the Internet for some tips on solving the few problems I encountered with it including the poor fence and also how best I could use the router and jigsaw slots etc. It got a little frustrating coz it looks like this particular saw is not so popular in the west and this is the first time I've seen it on YouTube. So thank you for sharing your saw improvements, they will definitely come in handy as I explore woodworking further. I intend on making a jig to help me make boxes so thank you for giving me the confidence to keep going.

[MacpanSA]

Greetings from your Neighbours to the South. I am so happy to find a local (Yes, I am claiming you as a Saffer for this comment) who has created a Youtube channel with relevant content to me. People will never know the struggles of trying to find a T-Track in a little farming town in Limpopo, im sure it is even worse for you up there... Keep doing what you are doing

[maplobats]

1:25 The little supervisor comes to make sure you're doing your job. <3

[kevinoneill]

Good job you have great natural engineering skills that will obviously increase with each project. But hope you don't mind I would like to make a couple of suggestions. 1 always wear protective glasses just put them on when your in the shop remember your little in-country with kickback. They can be much worse. You only get two eyes. 2 get in the habit of lowering the blade back to zero and locking it in. Both for self preservation and I noticed you have a couple of young people hanging out. Stay safe 😊

[josevillanueva]

I did that to my Small bosch because the capacity was 18 inches and now is 36 inches cutting. Thanks for sharing.

[warrenrenshaw]

Looks accurate, going to make one. Thanks for blurry vision over the booger situation

[neilforehand]

Good job! I have a cheaper Craftman tablesaw that I purchased back in the 1980’s.
Still works but small top. I am thinking of building it into a work bench so I can make larger
cuts and I got some great ideas from your video. Kudos for the patience you showed while receiving help from the kids. Wished I had that patients when my kids were young.

[thatdiyguyraymondmonk]

Love watching the shop that has nothing, doing something well with only what he was able to find. Rather than shops that have all the toys we don’t have the money or the room for doing just ok jobs.

[CharlesNolanArt]

I am amazed at so many guys and girls who, like me, are drawn to woodwork. I can't explain it but I have to do this craft. I don't think I will ever become as good as you are and so patient with all the kiddies, I would be running them off haha I love the kiddies but my grandson starts with "Poppy, I want to cut something" Playtime for me is over. Keep up your good work!

[reggiesmith]

Very nice. Great instincts when it comes to making your vision come to life. Outside the comments of safety as others have already indicated, seem very patient. Love the fact that your boy was trying to help blow the dust to help you. That was cool.

[GNU_Linux_for_good]

Nicely done. I'd have installed that t-track (or *some* guidance) on the opposite side as well, keeping it solidly square, but maybe that's overkill. *Please* wear a respiratory mask when cutting MDF (carcinogenic dust). And.. of course.. finally - a video with decent background music.

[randolpharends]

I am planing to do the same, but I will cut the top in half and make one side square to the blade and then add the other half and raise the blade to cut the zero clearance slot. I am also going to use a melanite or formica top with the mitre tracks for easy feed. Thanks for the inspiration.

[dottie]

Excellent simple and accurate. I would only add a bit of T-rail on either side so you could make a cutting sled, but that's my only advice. Thanks for sharing!