Synopsis: After Carl Spencer offered his cupboard enterprise and moved throughout the nation, he needed to match a brand new woodworking setup in a single bay of a storage. A key technique of his design was to place all of his gear on wheels. On this article, he demonstrates how he constructed a cupboard that homes clamps and benchtop instruments and that serves as an outfeed desk for his desk noticed. As a result of it’s on wheels, it might probably help each ripcuts and crosscuts. Product of MDF, the cupboard has solid-wood edging and a laminate prime.
After I offered my cupboard enterprise in Washington State and moved to a small city exterior Nashville, my private woodworking setup downsized from a ten,000-sq.-ft. industrial store to a single bay in a storage. So I put all of my gear on wheels, which lets me transfer the automobiles out of the remainder of the storage and increase my woodshop as wanted.
One factor I missed from my industrial store was the big outfeed desk that wrapped across the cupboard noticed, supporting ripcuts and crosscuts on materials of any measurement. I spotted that my finest equal within the new house can be a cellular model of that desk, with storage beneath it.
Whereas alternate options exist which can be extra compact than a giant desk or cupboard for outfeed help, they have an inclination to fall quick for me. Curler stands might be awkward to arrange and use. And folding extensions that connect to the again of the noticed are restricted in size by the peak of the noticed desk.
This compact cellular outfeed desk is simply the suitable measurement for the job, however no greater. Assembled with dadoes, rabbets, glue, and screws, it’s simple to construct but very robust and purposeful.
The cupboard is about on smooth-rolling casters, so the 32-in.-wide prime might be positioned behind the noticed to help either side of a big panel lower, or positioned beside the noticed for lengthy crosscuts. And its 48-in. size will help the longest boards I rip. That mentioned, be happy to adapt these dimensions to fit your circumstances.
I made a decision to color the cupboard black to match my SawStop cupboard noticed, finishing the look with black laminate on prime. The laminate will not be non-compulsory on this venture, however the paint is. Whether or not sprayed or rolled, it makes the venture a bit extra sophisticated.
Development methods
I selected 3/4-in. MDF for the cupboard materials as a result of it’s flatter than plywood, harder than particleboard, has a really constant thickness that produces tight dado joints, and is simpler to stick to plastic laminate. As a result of MDF panels are normally 49 in. broad, you’ll be capable to get the 48-in.-long components out of it effectively, whereas slicing off the manufacturing facility edges. You’ll want roughly two and a half sheets of MDF to construct the venture.
Slick, multifunction prime
When it’s not supporting table-saw cuts or benchtop instruments, I’ll be utilizing the highest of this cupboard for venture meeting. So I utilized countertop laminate to the highest to withstand glue. The three-in.-dia. casters create a 4-in.-high toe house underneath the cupboard, making it simple for me to face on all sides of it. And there are brakes on all 4 wheels to lock it in place.
Simply as importantly, the laminate additionally covers the meeting screws uncovered on the highest of the cupboard field. And final however not least, it helps the desk to do its foremost job even higher, by eliminating friction underneath sliding workpieces.
Versatile I-beam development
The cupboard and its contents are very heavy, so I designed the construction to help lots of of kilos with out sagging. The vertical members carry masses on to the casters, they usually mix with the highest and backside to create an I-beam of kinds, which isn’t solely very inflexible however leaves open compartments on three sides.
For added reinforcement, I added hardwood cleats to the highest and backside panels. The higher ones additionally function handholds when I’ve to maneuver the desk, and the decrease ones preserve contents from falling out. On the closed aspect of the cupboard, which lacks any handholds, I mounted a hefty 24-in. seize bar.
Constructed-in storage
The open compartments settle for any association of adjustable cabinets. Additionally they make it simple to clamp issues on prime of the cupboard, they usually make good kneeholes for seated work.
Be at liberty to adapt the structure to fit your personal storage wants. I organized mine with open ends to carry my clamp assortment, and open compartments up entrance for storing jigs and benchtop machines.
Modify the peak on your noticed
The highest of the desk ought to be 1/8 in. decrease than the floor of your desk noticed. This offset will permit for minor ground irregularities and forestall sagging workpieces from getting caught on its vanguard. I deliberate mine for my SawStop cupboard noticed, fitted with SawStop’s industrial rolling base. In case your noticed is completely different, measure its working top, in addition to the peak of the casters you buy, and alter the peak of the cupboard components accordingly.
As a result of my noticed’s cellular base stands out 6-1/2 in. from the noticed cupboard, it retains the outfeed cupboard a minimum of that distant. Which means I didn’t want to chop clearance slots within the tabletop for my miter gauge or the sliding runners underneath my crosscut sled. However completely different saws, miter gauges, and crosscut sleds may require shallow clearance dadoes within the tabletop.
You received’t see them within the images, however I’ll be including bolt holes to the highest of my desk to lock down jigs and machines for secure operation utilizing bolts, washers, and wing nuts.
-Carl Spencer is a retired cabinetmaker in Nolensville, Tenn.
| From Superb Woodworking #314
To view all the article and to see how Carl constructed his outfeed desk, please click on the View PDF button beneath. |
 |
Superb Woodworking Really helpful Merchandise
Ridgid R4331 Planer
Priced almost $300 lower than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is a superb worth. Its three-knife cutterhead left splendidly clear surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It didn’t carry out almost as properly on curly maple because the 735X.
Woodriver Rechargeable Desiccant Bag
Positioned in a drawer, cupboard or closet, the bag instantly begins to soak up moisture from the air, which reduces corrosion.
Veritas Precision Sq.
This precision sq. is extremely versatile, from checking squareness to dialing in machine setups.
Join eletters in the present day and get the newest strategies and how-to from Superb Woodworking, plus particular gives.
Obtain FREE PDF
if you enter your electronic mail handle beneath.