Table Saw Accessories

Professional woodworkers, expert hobbyists, and home improvement enthusiasts, all share a common memory: the thrill of buying that first table saw. It is amazing that passionate do it yourselfers will put in as much time reading and researching the wonderful world of table saws as will the professional cabinet maker. But despite the fact that so much time and effort is invested in comparing different types, models, and manufacturers of table saws, the posts in woodworking forums are filled with comments like "If only I had known", or "I wish I would have." What happens is that many of us change our conception of how we will use these marvels of woodworking. And as we see new possibilities our beloved saws may not be up to the task. To expand the capabilities of our saws we turn to accessories. Let's look at some of the most commonly purchased aftermarket accessories.

Rip Fences

While some might not consider this an accessory since all table saws come with one, many experts feel the fence is actually as important as the saw itself, and few OEM rip fences are worth keeping. You can see that on the woodworking forums where a newer table saw user is describing the lack of consistency in his or her cuts and considering a new saw. Frequently they are told to keep the saw and get a better rip fence, even if it costs more than the original saw itself. If your rip fence moves with the slightest vibration of the saw, replace it with a better one. Fences that hook over the back of the saw table and clamp only over the front of the table will rarely do the job.

Saw Blades

Once again, why should you think of this as an accessory if the saw comes with one? The better you get at using your saw the more you will realize the need to change blades for different types of cuts. And this means having more blades than the one you got with the saw. Many OEM saw blades are of such inferior quality that expert reviewers suggest tossing them in the trash heap right next to the OEM rip fence! While a general purpose or combination blade will do an adequate job with ripping and crosscutting, if you want superior results you need to have a quality blade designed specifically for ripping wood as well as one for crosscutting wood.

Jigs and Fixtures

If you find yourself getting into basic cabinet and furniture joinery you’re going to want to look into both tenon jigs and dado heads. Miter gauges are another one of those included accessories many users replace. If you find yourself loading up on such accessories, you may want to give the quality of these pieces of equipment more consideration when you upgrade to your next saw. On that subject, another thing to keep in mind is the accessories the saw will accept. The more accessories you can add the more things you can do with the saw. Many savvy buyers will look at the listing of available accessories for a given saw as well as at the specifications and features of the saw itself.

Extensions, Tables, and Mobile Bases

If you have a stationary saw, a mobile base is a great add on which will allow you to move that table around when necessary. They’re great space savers, letting you push your saw into a corner and unlock the wheels and pull it out for use. Extension wings and sliding tables increase the functionality of your saw a lot and some sliding tables double as accessory tables, letting you add a router to them.