Introduction: Mobile Table Saw Stand With Storage Drawers and Folding Outfeed Table
This was my table saw stand. (Please don’t laugh.) I got a great deal on my table saw when I bought it, but the optional portable stand available for it seemed flimsy and overpriced. I opted instead, to repurpose this old aquarium stand by adding a 2’x2’ sheet of plywood on top. It worked for a while. (Kind of)
Overtime though, I realized, it wasn’t level, the footprint was a little too narrow, and the joints were getting wobbly from dragging in around. I decided it was time to build something better with more functionality. I needed something sturdy with increased storage, and an outfeed table. I needed it to be mobile, and easy to fold up and put away. Lastly, with the price of wood these days, my goal was to build it using either scrap, or repurposed wood that I had on hand.
Supplies
I was fortunate enough to be able to scavenge the wood needed, but here is an approximate list of materials needed if you want to build this.
Dimensional Lumber:
(12) 2"x4"x24" (Cube Frame)
(2) 2"x2"x10" (Outfeed frame)
(1) 2"x2"x24" (Outfeed frame)
Plywood: (Preferably 3/4" sanded surface, 1/2" will work, Pine board also works well for drawer components)
(3) 24"x24" (Cube Top, Cube bottom, and Outfeed table)
(2) 24"x35" (Side panels)
(1) 25"x25" (Rear panel)
(2) 2"x10" (Outfeed frame cover)
(1) 2"x24" (Outfeed frame cover)
(4) 7"x20" (Drawer Sides)
(4) 7"x18.5" (Drawer front and rear)
(2) 7"x24" (Drawer Facades)
(2) 18.5"x18.5" (Drawer bottoms)
Blum 18-in Drawer Slide in the Drawer Slides department at Lowes.com
Step 1: Build the Frame.
I cut 12 pieces of 2”x4”x24”. I assembled a 24”cube frame. I built the tops and bottoms first, with the sides inset by 1 1/2” to allow the legs to sit at the outer edges of the cube. I added 2’x2’ plywood for the top and bottom.
Step 2: Build the Enclosure
I cut the side panels 35”x24” to allow support for the outfeed table, but cut out sections to leave the table saw accessible from the sides. With the sides in place, I built a frame in the rear using 2”x2” to support the outfeed table. Lastly, I cut plywood pieces to enclose the rear.
Step 3: Mobility
With the frame and enclosure built, it was time to add mobility. I wanted it to be easy to move around, but also wanted the ability to lock it down firmly and level it on uneven terrain. I felt that just simple casters would be too wobbly. I decide to go with these retractable casters and adjustable feet. This way, I can flip down the casters when I need to move it, and anchor down firmly when I’m cutting.
Step 4: Mount the Outfeed Table
Next I mounted these folding brackets to support the outfeed
table. I added a 2’x2’ plywood board, with spacers to locate it 1/8” below the table saw surface.
Step 5: Build the Drawers
Lastly, it was time to build the drawers. I used combinations of ½”
and ¾” plywood, and pine boards to build the drawers because it’s what I had on hand. I cut the pieces to fit the inside space of the enclosure, leaving 1” clearance for drawer slides.
I decided to join the sides with simple butt joints, using brad nails, screws, and glue. Using a corner brace really helped keep things square. I added ½” cleats at the bottom so I could drop the bottom plywood in from the top, fastening it with a generous amount of glue and brad nails.
Step 6: Mounting the Drawers.
These European style roller slides were surprisingly easy to line up and mount. Once the drawers were in place, I cut two façade panels out of pine board and attached them with screws and glue.
Step 7: Finishing Touches.
Throughout the build I did a lot of sanding to get things smooth. For a final finish, I sanded to 400 Grit, and applied three coats of hand rubbed polyurethane. Lastly, I drilled and mounted the drawer handles. I had to use slightly longer screws because my fronts were about 1 ½” thick.
Step 8: Results
I’m extremely happy with the end result. I have a rock-solid stand. I can pack all my wood tools in the drawers, the outfeed table pops up easily when I need it and folds down easy for storage, and the retractable wheels are just great.
Feel free to build on this and make improvements on the design. Please post your results here if you build a version of this.