Workshop Tablesaw Accessories

Safety is the most important thing in the workshop. Here are two options for building table saw jigs to keep your hands at a safe distance.

Recently, I was building a project that required cutting inch wide grooves centered on the edge of some thick frame pieces. I mounted an inch dado blade in the table saw, and installed a dado blade insert. The only problem was the opening around the blade seemed huge. So big, in fact, I was concerned that the workpiece might actually tip down into the opening. That led me to build an L-shaped accessory that attaches to the rip fence on the table saw.

Table Saw Sleds are great for making accurate cuts. They are also really good for making set ups for repeatable cuts. We think you will find this an easy yet great addition to your woodshop tools.

A table saw sled is a must have jig for the table saw. Paired with a stop block it lets you make repetitive cuts with ease. Use the free plans and step-by-step instructions at the link to make your own table saw sled.

If you own a table saw, you know it works great for ripping long pieces. But did you know that you can crosscut wide pieces with the same ease and accuracy? All it takes is a table saw sled.

This is a really handy jig to have in the workshop. The crosscut sled offers safety and precision.

When it comes to cutting tenons on the end of a workpiece, I usually use the table saw fitted with a dado blade. The problem with this method is that the cheeks of the tenons can end up pretty rough.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for crosscut sled for your tablesaw. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Build this auxiliary wood fence and mating saddle for supporting stiles and other workpieces, as shown in the photo.

Follow along at the link and build your own wide sliding featherboard.

To use it with your tablesaw, set the level platform height to match your tablesaw top, and then tilt the platform toward the saw.

Get perfect miters with this table saw sled. It is a pretty straightforward build. Here is how I built this one.

This pair of handheld blocks will provide an added measure of safety and even increase your productivity.

This mobile platform combines a tablesaw and router workstation--a handy companion for a small shop.

Here is a quick-to-make miter sled that I use all the time (it tookabout 5 minutes to make this one). It is a snap to set the fence accurately. And it always cuts perfect case miters.

While using a pushstick to rip some thin strips, I realized that there must be a better, safer way to get the work done. This fence-riding pusher provides downward pressure on the workpiece and keeps your hand well clear of the blade.

What do you do when the length of the cut extends beyond the face of the miter gauge?

...I solved the problem with an auxiliary fence that is simple to build, fast to put on and take off, and gives a neat way to collect dust at the source.

To make the standard miter joint connection stronger you can add what are called splines which also add a decorative touch. Here is how to build a jig.

Portable power tools, like a table saw or router, are great when you are working away from the shop. But once they are back home, the challenge is to make them perform like hard-working stationary tools. This workstation provides the solution. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

Build this unit to store your saw blades when not in use. Great for keeping organized in the workshop.

Build this table saw sled to rip small parts.

This table saw workstation provides a feature-packed home for your saw. It extends to create a large work area to tackle almost any size workpiece. To top it off, the whole thing folds up into a compact package you can store in any corner of the garage or shop. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

Making cross-cuts or trimming panels is much easier to do with a sled, it does not have to be fancy, just accurate. There are two basic designs, one runs beside the blade, like this one, the other runs on both sides of the blade. I like this one because it is simple to build and I think safer than the other style, the blade guard can still be used.

I needed a number of same-length dowels for a recent project. To keep my hands away from the tablesaw blade while cutting these, I made a dowel-cutting sled that allows me to make multiple cuts of identical lengths safely and accurately.

Follow along at the link and build your own wide panel crosscut jig for your table saw.

At a glance, this table saw workstation looks like it is supported by a single, long cabinet. But it is not. Actually, there are three separate cabinets. Each one is built as an individual unit. Then the cabinets are set side by side like giant building blocks and fastened together. The cutting diagrams and materials list are available to download in this Online Extra.

Build a handy outfeed support that you can adjust to fit your table saw, planer, band saw, or router. Build it from scrap wood and some casters.

Cut plywood sheets and long boards easily, accurately and safely on a portable table saw with this fold-up, jobsite work table. Construction is simple, and you can set it up and break it down quickly.

A Sliding Crosscut Table is one of the most useful accessories you can add to your tablesaw. With good outfeed support and an accurate crosscutting system, your saw will be as safe, accurate and versatile as any in the business.