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Table Saw Extensions

Sooner or later every first time table saw owner discovers that his or her prized new toy is just not big enough to cut larger stock. They need table saw extensions, both on the sides for cross-cutting and in the rear for ripping. If you’re in this camp don’t kick yourself for not investing in a table saw that was originally equipped with table extensions and outfeed support. You have two ways to increase your saw’s ripping and cross-cutting capacity: buy an aftermarket extension or build your own. If you opt to “do it yourself” you don’t have to come up with your own design. There are a wide variety of table saw extension plans available on the Internet, many of them free. Let’s take a look at these options.

Aftermarket Table Saw Extensions

If you’ve been in the home improvement or woodworking game for awhile you probably know that as a general rule of thumb an accessory made by the manufacturer of the tool on which the accessory will be used performs better than “one size fits all” generic accessories. This is especially true when it comes to table saws. Even the better generics are frequently meant to be used only with a few specific table manufacturers who use similar design in their construction. For example, Rousseau is a highly regarded manufacturer of aftermarket table saw accessories of many types. They make a table saw stand with outfeed and side extensions that only works on Makita, Hitachi, and Delta Saws. Rousseau stand extensions get good reviews but they are expensive.

If you check Amazon you’ll see that there really aren’t all that many table saw extensions out there. DeWalt makes the DW7463 but it is meant for DeWalt saws, although it is adaptable for another manufacturer’s saw of the same height. Bosch makes the TS1003 left side extension and the TS1002 outfeed support table, but again, they are designed for use with Bosch saws. True generic table saw extensions are hard to find. Rockler has one for about $110 designed for most contractor and cabinet saws. Since they may or may not fit your make of table saw, you should probably contact Rockler directly for assistance. The Shop Fox D3108 is supposedly a true generic which sells on Amazon for around $170. MLCS makes router table saw extensions that can be mounted to most table saws and can serve as an extension when the router is not in place. Peachtree woodworking has an extension kit that provides the necessary hardware to build your own extension with whatever type wood you prefer. Reviewers have noted that the modifications needed to adapt the kit to certain table saws render the kit almost useless. Their recommendation is to get a table saw extension plan you think you’re capable of making and do it on your own.

Table Saw Extension Plans

Considering the lack of choice in generic aftermarket table saw extensions it is no surprise to see the abundance of table saw extension plans are out there. Check the Internet and you’ll see. Many of the free plans you’ll find have step-by-step pictures but they can be difficult to follow. There are plans for sale as well but it would be a good idea to spend some time on an Internet woodworking discussion forum to get some advice on the best plans. Woodworking magazines are another great source of plans but a trip to your local library might be needed as many of these magazines have online subscription fees. If you don’t have a lot of experience using woodworking project plans, make sure you thoroughly understand what you’re doing before you start. Again, the woodworking forums are a great source for help if you get stuck. Finally, you’ll see some sites on the net where expert woodworkers explain how they designed their own plans to ensure a perfect match with their particular model of table saw.