Everyone has a deep affection for their miter saw. It’s an essential and reliable companion in both professional and do-it-yourself woodworking projects.
Miter saws are undoubtedly a valuable addition to your toolkit, but they come with the downside of being heavy, unwieldy, and not very portable.
Fortunately, the market offers an array of fantastic portable table saws, and my current favorite miter saw is the Metabo HPT 10-inch Miter Saw. This miter saw is perfect for woodworkers, framers, and trim carpenters who prioritize precision, durability, and adaptability.
This 15-amp, 10-inch miter saw (C10FCGS) stands out as the lightest in its class, featuring a spacious table equipped with a vice clamping system to securely grip your workpiece. However, it lacks a dedicated saw table.
If you’ve found your way here, it’s likely because you’re interested in learning how to build a portable miter saw table.
A miter saw stand is an indispensable accessory for miter saw owners, aiding in completing tasks and, most importantly, enhancing safety in woodworking.
However, investing in a high-quality saw table can be quite costly. Instead of making a purchase, you can save money and achieve a more versatile work table by creating your own.
What Tools and Materials Are Necessary?
The initial step in constructing a portable miter saw table involves considering the necessary materials.
It’s crucial to carefully select your tools and materials at this stage to ensure you have everything required for the job before you begin. You’ll need the following:
- Miter saw
- Circular saw
- Clamps
- Cordless drill
- Drill bit set
- Framing square
- Level
- Safety glasses
- Socket/ratchet set
- Table saw
- Tape measure
- One 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/8″ BC plywood (for the base, top, and back)
- Two 8′-long 2x4s (for bottom runners)
- One 8′-long 1×6 (for dividers)
- Two 6′-long 1x4s (for the fence)
- A small box of 1-1/4″ screws
- A small box of 1-5/8″ screws
- Wing nuts and acorn nuts to fit the mounting holes in the saw.
- Hanger bolts
Once you have gathered your materials, you can proceed to learn how to construct a portable miter saw table.
1) Take Measurements of Your Saw:
Before starting, measure the diameter of your miter saw’s mounting holes. You should purchase hanger bolts with wing nuts that match this hole size for a proper fit. Additionally, determine the appropriate bolt length by measuring the height of the saw table and adding 2-½ inches.
2) Prepare Your Materials:
Begin by cutting the plywood into two pieces, one 15-⅝ inches wide for the bottom and another 16 inches wide for the top.
If your table saw can’t cut that width, use a circular saw, and don’t worry about achieving absolute precision. Small differences won’t impact the project.
Don’t cut the top to its final length yet; wait until you’ve positioned the dividers.
Next, cut the 1x6s into six 15-⅝ inch-long pieces for the dividers. To determine their width, measure from a scrap piece of plywood to the saw bed’s surface, considering the top’s thickness by placing a ⅜ inch of plywood chunk under the 1×6 as you mark it.
Start by ripping one of the dividers and placing it next to the saw. Check its height using a straightedge resting on the saw table before cutting the remaining pieces.
3) Construct the Table:
Now, you can initiate the table assembly by arranging the positions for the dividers. Allocate a 22-inch length for the tabletop on the right side of the saw. Next, determine the size of the miter saw bay by carefully examining your miter saw.
Rotate the saw to the right and then to the left, ensuring there’s sufficient space to accommodate all the moving saw components. The remaining space on the left side will be for the top. Then, evenly space the middle dividers on the left side.
Attach the dividers to the base with screws, flip the assembly over, and fasten the base to the 2×4 runners.
Measure the final height of the table, excluding the top, and cut the plywood pieces for the back to fit. Then, trim them to the appropriate size. Secure the back and top of the dividers.
4) Mount The Miter Saw:
Now comes the exciting part we’ve been waiting for when initially thinking about how to construct a portable miter saw table.
Place the saw within the bay and secure it in position using clamps. Create ⅛ inch-deep holes to mark the hanger bolt locations, using a drill bit that matches the diameter of the saw’s mounting holes.
Afterward, remove the saw and drill pilot holes. Then, insert the hanger bolts. Ensure you select hanger bolts that fit the mounting holes’ size.
You can employ acorn nuts or secure two nuts against each other at the top of the machine threads to drive in the bolts. Finally, place the saw over the bolts and secure it using wing nuts.
5) Building the Fence:
Cut two 1x4s to match the length of the left side of your newly constructed worktop. Utilize any leftover material to create four triangular braces.
Subsequently, attach the two 1x4s and evenly distribute the braces. Fasten them to each 1×4.
Align the fence with a straightedge, position it alongside the miter saw fence, and attach the fence to each divider. Employ 1-⅝ inch screws for fence assembly – trust us!
You may not require this fence for your new miter saw table all the time. In fact, during regular cutting tasks, we’ve discovered that it’s rarely used.
The fence serves as a practical rail for stopblocks when cutting numerous identical parts, but skilled woodworkers often prefer working without it. After all, boards are seldom perfectly straight.
Moreover, the fence can hinder precise cutting, particularly if the wood is bent or misshapen. Therefore, feel free to leave the fence off for everyday cutting, and attach it when the need arises.
Bottom Line:
You’ve learned how to build a portable miter saw table. By following these straightforward steps, whether you’re an experienced woodworker or a beginner, you can effortlessly create a sturdy and high-quality miter saw table.
FAQs: about How To Build a Portable Miter Saw Table
Is It Possible to Utilize a Miter Saw Without a Table?
You can operate a miter saw without a stand. You can use your saw on a table or any other flat surface available to you. A miter saw is portable and designed for easy transport to job sites or wherever it’s required.
What Should Be the Depth of a Miter Saw Table?
When deciding on the table’s depth, it’s important to think about how you’ll manage dust. Some individuals propose a minimum depth of 14 inches for a miter saw bench, while others argue that 30 inches is the optimal size. There are even those who opt to secure their benches to the wall to prevent tipping.
Is it possible for a Miter Saw to Slice Through Plywood?
To ensure the best results, it’s essential to begin with a well-honed saw blade. When dealing with smaller cuts, a miter handsaw equipped with a rigid blade can be quite helpful.
For longer, straight cuts, you might want to consider using a sturdy board as a guide for your saw blade. All you need to do is secure the board along your intended cutting line using clamps.
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