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Shop-Made Mobile Outfeed/Downdraft/Assembly Table (2003)

Features:

½ is an outfeed table that doubles as an assembly table.
½ is a downdraft table powered by my dust collector.
Large storage shelf underneath. The extra storage is nice, and the added weight makes the table that much more stable.
Added a 7” Record quick release vise
Used a slick white top (high gloss white masonite from Lowes - $9.99 for a 4’x8’ sheet!) that is slick for the outfeed and highly reflective to keep the shop bright. Glue doesn’t stick to it either.

Dislikes:

Should have chosen better casters.
Register boot works well but occasionally gets in the way.I changed from a straight boot to a 90 degree boot and this has helped dramatically with accessability.
The white top is scratchable, but it's takes some effort.

Here’s a picture of the internals of the downdraft table. On the left you can see the opening for the 4”x10”x6” register boot. I added a piece of 1” aluminum flat bar down the middle to add support for the table top. The bar had kept it from sagging even when I place my OSS on top of the downdraft table. Also notice the “baffle” that extends from the far end of the table to a few inches from the inlet. This has dramatically improved suction to the end of the table furthest from the inlet, and I now have much more uniform suction across the entire table surface.

And here’s a detail closer shot of the top of the downdraft table. I hook a hose up to the register boot when its in use. It works GREAT!

Credits: The design of the downdraft section was inspired by Terry Hatfield. He has a good description of his benchtop downdraft table on his web site. I changed the design by building it into my outfeed table and adding an internal baffle to improve airflow to the holes furthest from the inlet (see pics above).

Minor upgrades: After using the table for a while I decided to add a roll of builder's paper to the side of the table. I use the table to assemble and sometimes finish projects, and I find that the roll of paper makes it very easy to protect the surface of the laminate from damage. Since builder's paper is super cheap at any Big Box store, I use it often, and it's nice to have readily available. Here's a pic of the table with the paper roll: