Updated 3/10/2023
Miter saw tables are an essential but expensive tool for carpenters. The good news is that most carpenters can save money by building one at home instead of buying one.
A miter saw table supports longboards and acts as a fence that can be fitted with stops to make identical repetitive cuts.
It secures your saw and prevents it from budging while you work on your woods. The table also serves as the ideal workbench for more than just cutting.
It is a great platform that can be used for carpentry tasks in any project you work on.
The tutorial below is going to work for just about any miter saw. Furthermore, it can be customized to fit the exact specifications of your saw.
As is true for every DIY project, the final product is only as good as the tools and skills you use.
Refer to the end of the blog to check out all the necessary tools and materials, as well as an instructional video breaking down exactly how to make a miter saw table at home!
How to Make a Miter Saw Table at Home
For this project, you will need a table saw to cut the dividers and plywood to width, a screw gun to put all the woodworks together, and a miter saw to cut the wood boards to length.
1) Buy All Materials
Start by measuring the dimensions of the miter saw mounting holes.
You will have to buy bolts with wing nuts that have the same dimensions as the mounting holes for a tight fit, and a hanger.
To find a matching bolt, measure the length of the saw table and add 2 ½ inches.
Once the size of the bolt has been figured out, you can start work on the rest.
2) Cutting All Parts
Start by cutting the plywood to a 16-inch wide strip for the top and 15 5/8 inch wide pieces for the bottom.
If your table saw is not powerful enough to rip wide enough, you can make do by snapping lines, and ripping with a circular saw while keeping your hands as steady as possible.
You don’t need perfect cuts because tiny differences won’t affect the project’s structural integrity.
Try not to cut the top to length until you get the dividers in position.
For the dividers, cut the one by 6s to six 15 5/8 inch pieces. measure their size for width using a measuring tape.
Before you cut the other five, start by cutting one divider and place it next to your saw to check the height with a straightedge.
3) Assembling the Table
Start assembling the table by arranging the divider positions properly. For the tabletop, plan a 22-inch length towards the right side of the saw.
Next, measure the bay of the miter saw by comparing it with your compound miter saw.
Pivot the saw left and right, making sure to plan a bay that’s broad enough to clear all the moving parts of your saw.
Try spacing the dividers in the middle in equal proportions on the left side. Now bolt the base to the dividers with screws.
Turn the assembly over and screw the 2×4 runners to the base.
Find out the actual height of the table without the top in place and then cut the plywood pieces so they fit before cutting them to size.
Screw the dividers to the top and back.
4) Mount the Saw
Place the saw and secure it in its bay. Paint the hanger bolt positions using 1/8 inch holes using a drill bit with the same radius as the mounting holes on the saw.
To drill the pilot holes, remove the saw. Now you can place the hanger bolts in place.
Make sure to only use hanger bolts that perfectly fit the dimensions of the new mounting holes.
Either tighten two nuts against one another or use acorn nuts above the machine threads to place in the bolts.
Now place the saw over the bolt and secure it in position with wing nuts.
How Tall Should a Miter Saw Table Be?
Most saw tables have a height of around 34″ and should be deep enough for the base of the saw to sit firmly on the table.
Setting Up the Fence
Cut two 1 x 4s to the same size as the top’s left side. Use any leftover wood to create at least four triangle braces.
Attach the two 1 x 4s in place, then space them evenly with the braces before screwing them to each 1 x 4.
Use a straightedge to line up the fence with the miter saw fence, carefully screwing the fence to each divider.
Use 1-5/8 inch screws for the fence’s assembly.
Although your new fence will provide a reliable rail to stop blocks when you are cutting many identical parts, you may realize early on that you’re better off without it.
Wood boards are seldom, if ever, straight.
If you try to cut a longboard bowed in your direction, the fence prevents it from tightly fitting against the miter saw fence for perfect square cuts.
So make sure to use it only when you really need it.
Required Tools to Make a Miter Saw Table
These are the tools you need for this project. Collect them before you begin work on the project to save time.
Here’s what you’ll need…
- Clamps
- Drill
- Drill bit set
- Circular saw
- Level
- Miter saw
- Safety gloves and goggles
- Framing square
- Tape measure
- Table saw
- Ratchet set
- Socket set
Required Materials
It’s very important to have the materials with you before starting the project. This will save you those last-minute trips to the market.
- Wingnuts
- Acorn nuts
- Hanger Bolts
| Item | Quantity |
| 4’x8′ chunks of BC plywood (for top, base, and back) | 1 |
| 8′ long 2×4’s (bottom runners) | 2 |
| 8′ long 1×6’s for dividers | 1 |
| Box of 1- 5×8″ screws | 1 |
| 6′ 1×4’s for the fence | 2 |
| Small box of 1-1/4″ screws | 1 |
See the Miter Saw Table in Action
So what are you waiting for? Use this handy guide to make a miter saw table at home today!
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