Router extension wing TS 3650

[johndi]

I would like to make an extension wing for my router on my Ridgid TS 3650.
Has anyone here made one, or know of a "how to" online?
I have never done any type of tapping into metal, and it is very intimidating to me.

Thanks

[museumguy]

I made one for my TS 3660, the next generation of yours. It was quite simple actually. I can take some pictures if you like.

[johndi]

That would be great if you wouldn't mind.

[Baumholder]

Johndi,

FWIW I bought this router table when it was on sale

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-RA1181-Benc...uter+table

I assembled it and later realized that it was the right dimensions to fit my 3650 table saw.  I think I drilled a couple holes for bolts in the cast iron wing of the saw, and that was the extent of the modifications. 

It's aluminum and seems to work fine for my purposes.  However, I'm sure it's not the cheapest solution. 

Michael

[Lynden]

Johndi,

FWIW I bought this router table when it was on sale

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-RA1181-Benc...uter+table

I assembled it and later realized that it was the right dimensions to fit my 3650 table saw.  I think I drilled a couple holes for bolts in the cast iron wing of the saw, and that was the extent of the modifications. 

It's aluminum and seems to work fine for my purposes.  However, I'm sure it's not the cheapest solution. 

Michael

I mounted a Bosch RA1181 router table on the left side of my Rockwell contractor's saw. It's a nice table and a good value for a hobby woodworker. It's larger (27" x 18") than it looks in the Amazon link above, has a decent fence with dust collection, comes with an aluminum mounting plate and gets mostly-positive reviews. Here are some pictures I found which show the RA1181 mounted on table saws.

https://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/power-...-table-saw --  (the Craftsman router table is made by Bosch and is almost identical to the RA1181)

https://i.redditmedia.com/wNCADPoQxmIe2T...0d54bdb921

https://www.google.com/search?client=saf...8&oe=UTF-8

[Steve N]

I have no experience with this saw, but if it has cast tables they are usually tapped on either edge, so the edge you aren't using against the saw is likely tapped already. Then check your rails, many have holes already tapped for doing exactly what you plan to (look on the back side, putting bolts through inhibit movement of your rip fence). If not drilling a hole into aluminum and then tapping it isn't that daunting. Pretty sure you will find holes on the edge of the cast table, makes sense, if they aren't tapped both ways it requires having both a left, and a right table, much simpler to make them ambidextrous.

[doobes]

I would like to make an extension wing for my router on my Ridgid TS 3650.
Has anyone here made one, or know of a "how to" online?
I have never done any type of tapping into metal, and it is very intimidating to me.

Thanks

Do you mean like this:



or like this:



I drilled holes in the side of the table and used through bolts to mount the top. There isn't enough material to hold threads in either of the tops of my saws. The tops are cast iron which isn't the strongest thing in the world.

Drilling was fast and easy as the CI is fairly soft.

The top is two pieces of 3/4 plywood wrapped in oak.  I put stiffeners under the second one as the top one distorted a bit when I cut the hole in it.

You can buy cast iron extension tables for router usage, but they are a bit spendy.

Let's talk about usage. If you are like me and think you will use the fence from the saw for router usage, you will soon find that this is a decidedly "suboptimal" solution. I find it very difficult to make small adjustments on mine and am in the process of adapting the fence published by Pat Warner in an issue of FWW way back when.

Here is a repost of the article:

http://woodarchivist.com/1049-micro-adju...ter-fence/

Good luck

[AlanBienlein]

I went from this om my TS3650



To this.

[johndi]

I would love to have the room for either of those!
I'm in a one car garage and everything is on wheels.
since I posted and did find a few old posts with links to CI wings.
Thanks for taking the time to post pics.