Comments on: Customizing a Table Saw Stand

By: Tom Gensmer

Tom Gensmer — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:20:12 +0000

Hi there Joel! The belt set I’m wearing in the photos is a Occidental Leather 8098 set. I’ve been extremely pleased with is. The literature describes it as being well suited to framing and form work, but I’ve found it works well for just about everything I’ve thrown at it. I’ve had great luck with the set and would recommend them in a heartbeat. Thanks for reading the article, I’m excited every time Gary posts a new write-up!
Best,
Tom

By: Joel

Joel — Sun, 02 May 2010 15:25:31 +0000

Thank you for writing a great article! I know that this is a little bit off topic, but I was just wondering if Tom could tell us about his tool rig… I’ve been looking for the perfect pouch for a while now and his looks extremely practical and comfortable… More info please…

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:59:55 +0000

This has truly inspired me to do some mods to my Rousseau setup. I have a separate Rousseau router table that I think will now combine into the table saw setup. I wish the Rousseau router extention had the T-trac but I like the idea of adding in the clamp down for the Kreg. Too much to do now. Great article.

By: Gary Katz

Gary Katz — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:33:09 +0000

Jim,
Were it so easy! From my experience, every time a manufacturer (at least most ever time), sees an idea made by another manufacturer that fits with their product, they start thinking about how they could make something similar themselves. And then someone in their organization–an engineer, I believed they’re called–tries to come up with a way to make it for less money. And then some one else in the company–an accountant or someone trying to maximize profitability–pushes to make it even cheaper. Or maybe they decide its best not to make it cheaper, but they find ways to ‘improve’ it (if you know what I mean). The results aren’t always satisfying, for us or them, but still, that’s the way it seems to always happen. I’ll never forget the airless nail gun with the little compressor on top! I wish I still had one, just to show as an example of poor engineering.

I believe it’s up to us to invent new ways of using these tools. Tom did a nice job. I’d love to hear from more of you. Shoot some pictures. Write something about your workbench/jobsite setup!
Gary

By: Jim Hackett

Jim Hackett — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:51:32 +0000

Great ideas, but where are the manufacturers in this discussion? What I’m the most surprised by is that less than a handful of companies who produce “job site” tools produce any useful add on components or create workable “systems”. I love my Rousseau table with it’s optional outfeed table, wheels and extensions, but it could have easily been a “system” that offered so much more. The featured Rouseau table has been in production now for well over a decade, where is the follow through product development? Why does it take someone like Tom to partner Rousseau with Kreg, those two companies should have figured that one out years ago and produced the product that Tom built. I wonder if the product designers at Rousseau have even read this article? Again, I don’t mean to pick on Rousseau as they produce the better products in their category, but it could be so much more. Gary we need you here. You’re the perfect person to be our spokesperson and give companies like Rousseau and Kreg a call.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:55:35 +0000

That is a fantastic Idea. I would love to see more job site set up as well. I have the same saw as in the article but I do not have the cash to buy the items mentioned. I would love to hear from anyone that has built their own systems similar to this one. Lets face it these days cash is tight for a lot of tradesmen so making something would be more cost effective for a lot of us.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:26:09 +0000

Great article. I agree with Alex’s comment concerning getting on and off the job site. I find myself in a similar situation, I live in an apartment and use a storage locker, but can’t leave tools in the truck over night. Have been tinkering around trying to find a way to arrange my tools in the bed of the truck for efficient on/off loading. The last picture (the bed of your truck) captured my attention. Would be interested in seeing additional pictures/info on the storage system you built. Specifically, the challenge for me has been coming up with a design that organizes tools, but also can be removed for materials, etc., while at the same time not breaking my back to disassemble/remove it.

By: Gary Katz

Gary Katz — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:21:25 +0000

Alex,
I agree! I like to see more articles on Jobsite Setup, too! Why don’t YOU write one!
Gary

By: alex mangels

alex mangels — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:32:18 +0000

great arcticle guys! this was a nice change of pace from the regular how-to columns. i would love to see an expansion of this article, or others similar to it. i have a lot of friends and aquaitances who are very talented in their craft, but when it comes to basics, like how to get on and off a job, i see very few of them with a system that works. most simply toss their tools in the truck or van, then hunt for them when they need them again.

By: Christian M. Whalen

Christian M. Whalen — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:13:23 +0000

I’ve used a Rousseau saw stand with their extension table for almost 20 years. I modified the top to accept a drop-in router and use the fence for the saw and the router. I have the same setup on my shop saw. Works very well and provides lots of options. The only way to go.