Table Saw & Router Table combination...not sure about that

[dzblack]

Ok, we've got our Bench Dog Router Table and TS3650 TS ready for marriage. We were originally planning on mounting the router table to the right side table saw extension. It will work and is not much of a problem fitting the two together. However...

...I'm not so sure this is a good idea. We have plenty of room in the shop for both a TS and router table. So why put the two together?

Gentlemen, what are the PROS and CONS of having the two together?

[ironhat]

The only 'con' that I can come up with is if you had one or the other tools set up and you found that you needed to disturb it in order to use the other one. I can't see that being a very common problem, though. The pros are that you have floor space savings and an expanded table top on the saw, both of which I need and use on a regular basis. Are dedicated router tables nice? You bet, and I'd have one if I had the space. If nothing else it would be a place to centralize all of my router accessories.

[BadgerDave]

In my opinion there isn't a yes or no answer to that question. Both scenarios will work well and it really boils down to individual preference. But, that's just my opinion.

[hewood]

It's a space savings tradeoff that's great if you're short on space. The space savings of mounting to my TS have worked out great for my tiny shop, but the functional advantages of a stand alone usually outweigh the advantages of blending them if saving space isn't an objective. I wouldn't do it if I had ample area for a stand alone, which is easier to make larger, easier to get good dust collection from, and tends to offer more storage.

There are some nice "work arounds" if you're going to mount it to the TS, but that option typically appeals to those who are challenged for space.

[CWSmith]

For me, it's a tradeoff. I'd much prefer a separate router table. As I plan out my shop, their are certain restriction to space and I like to keep some of the tools, like the table saw, mobile so I can move them into the larger garage area if needed. Having the router table separate allows (in my mind anyway) some additional versatility.

I do realize that any shop and any tool setup is a very personal choice and most always a work in progress.

CWS

[Gofor]

No vote because I don't know what you are using it for.

Pro:
1.: You can make dual use of the fence by putting a router face on one side and a straight or dado fence on the other. (ie the router feeds back to front and the TS feeds front to back)
2: You get an extended table on one side of the router, but to take advantage of it, you have to use the same side of the fence that you use for the TS blade.

Cons:
1. You lose some mobility of the saw, or
2. You give up the storage area you could put under the router table for router accesories.

If space is not an issue, I would go separate.

JMTCW
Go

[biscuit]

Since you have plenty of room for both, I would keep them separate.

This is just my preference, I see not advantage to attaching them together unless space is the issue.

REgards,