An outfeed accessory is vital when working with long boards on a table tool such as a table saw or a jointer. An outfeed support gives the board stability as it moves out of the tool. You can purchase one or make your own. Rolling outfeed tables catch and support a work piece on its way out of a table tool, keeping the outfeed level with the cutting surface. The table should be adjusted to the exact height of the table saw (figure A). A rolling outfeed table may not work correctly if the work piece has a divot or an uneven edge. A homemade plywood springboard can handle those imperfections. Here are simple steps for making one. Materials:
24" x 6" x 1/4" piece of plywood
6" x 3" x 1 1/2" wood block
Dry-wall screws
Drill
Worktable
Table tool (table saw, jointer, etc.)
Work piece
- Use dry-wall screws to attach one short end of the plywood board to one long end of the wood block (figure B). Countersink the screws so their heads are flush with or recessed into the board's surface.
- Place the block and plywood on the center of the worktable with the wood block on the side closest to the table tool. Adjust the height of the worktable so the highest point of the plywood board is even with the table tool (figure C).
- When the work piece passes through the table tool, it will slide onto the plywood board and slightly bend the board (figure D).
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