How to Build an Assembly Outfeed Table

In this video I show you how to build an assembly outfeed table. You can kill two birds with one shop project if you build a combined assembly and outfeed table. The table is sturdy yet mobile and has a fold down extension to save some space and is designed to work with any table saw.
Jay Bates clamping trick: • Modified Paulk Workben...
Music by: David Cutter Music - www.davidcuttermusic.com
****BUILD ARTICLE:
www.theaveragecraftsman.com/p...
****PLANS:
www.theaveragecraftsman.com/p...
****MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT
4’ x 8’ sheets of 3/4” MDF - tinyurl.com/yavs2qw6
1/8” sheet of hardboard - tinyurl.com/y7c2vpj7
8’ - 2x6 - tinyurl.com/y7fn8cw6
8’ - 2x4 - tinyurl.com/y9wa8dzl
8’ - 1x4 hardwood - tinyurl.com/y9due5u2
1/4” contrasting dowel
4’ x 8’ sheet 1/2” plywood - tinyurl.com/yajafghg
4 Pack Workbench Casters - geni.us/vd1PzR
4 Pack Levelers - geni.us/5UBmQB7
48” Piano Hinge - geni.us/g8eg9OR
3” bolts - tinyurl.com/y9r4wtp9
Nuts - tinyurl.com/y8nrufp7
Washers - tinyurl.com/yalwmxpp
1 Pound Boxes #8 3” Deck Screws - geni.us/B4m846g
1 Pound Boxes #6 1-1/4” Drywall Screws - geni.us/V3Dd
#6 x 2 drywall screws - geni.us/mmAb0
Box #10 x 3/4” Sheet Metal Screws - geni.us/ffGBSoN
Box #6 x 3/4” Countersink Sheet Metal Screws -
geni.us/oVOVMny
1 Gallon Bottle of Wood Glue - geni.us/Mhuy
****TOOLS USED IN THIS PROJECT
Craftsman Circular Saw - geni.us/zafCAP
Flush Trim Saw - geni.us/gQAAlR
Craftsman Drill and Impact Driver - geni.us/yzREx2
Bosch Router - geni.us/CqVydG
Ridgid Trim Router - geni.us/J8zOhJs
WEN 10" Bandsaw - geni.us/U6u28xA
WEN 12" Drill Press - geni.us/u0X3QB
SawStop CNS Contractor Table saw - geni.us/bropyjj
WEN 4" x 36" Belt/Disc sander - geni.us/DkASCk
WEN Oscillating Spindle Sander - geni.us/hEBa
Dewalt Random Orbital Sander - geni.us/ebPt
Craftsman 10" Miter saw - geni.us/jMfdW
****SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL - / @theaveragecraftsman
****FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: / theaveragecraftsman
Twitter: / avgcraftsman

[@scottryker4888]

That first 14 seconds, quick and to the point, people could learn from that sir. Excellent job.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dudleyraybon6541]

really like the attitude and simplicity, thanks for the journal entry as well

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks!

[@GregCameron2008]

i appreciate the honesty about mistakes made. it looks great!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks, Greg!

[@XSAoRAD]

Good build, and an enjoyable video to watch, definitely one of the better outfeed projects on KZbin. Subbed!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks!

[@tomas6700]

Nice build. And very nice channel. The honesty and integrity make it so!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@kamarkamakerworks2039]

Great video. Well explained and easy to follow. Thanks for the little tips and tricks here and there!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

My pleasure. Thanks!

[@just-dl]

Like the table. Looks nice and solid.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks, DL!

[@pamelaporto5458]

Really nice set up, Tim. Im so jealous of all your tools

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Pamela Porto thanks, Pam!

[@billwhite6743]

Good job, and you seem to have a good collection of equipment.Glad to have you on Lumberjocks.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thank you very much. I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@vnelsontx]

Great build video and good flow. It's nice to show your mistakes, no one is perfect. Subscriber #117

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! And thank you for subscribing. More videos coming soon!

[@jcpettit1028]

Oh man, I can very much relate to your woodworking M.O. of >1 no-brainer mistake per project. You're a better man than me doing youtube vids. Your outfeed table finished nicely. Good job!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks, Jaysee! Try as I might, I can avoid the brainfart.

[@jessehood6285]

Keep up the good work, that is a great plan.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Will do! Thanks for watching!

[@ALEXAWRIGHT]

Great build and camera shots!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks!

[@markforrestsm]

Subbed! Greetings from South Africa! Great build! Like the down-to-earth approach. Great production on the video. Your shop layout looks great. Personally, I'm not a fan of MDF, although it's very stable... but, the mess!! Felt your pain and agree with Barry Roberts' comment. Looking forward to seeing more from you. Regards, Mark

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks, Mark! Yeah, MDF sucks but it has its place like on this table.

[@johnhutton7708]

Keep em coming.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! Working on it!

[@blakeloke5586]

Nice job! Appreciate you sharing.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

My pleasure, Blake. Thanks for watching.

[@ixobelledotcom]

great video, thanks for posting

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

My please, Richard. Thanks for watching!

[@kennethrand4877]

Just made the drill press table. Thanks for the video

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Awesome! Hope you like it!

[@barryroberts6470]

Brilliant Build. It's always useful having an Outfeed/Assembly Table, when you have a small area to work in. Next time you use a Router especially with MDF, try connecting a Vac to the Router that way you won't have as much dust flying around, you will still get some but not as bad as you had there. Keep up the good work and once again a great build, and now you have number 54. Barry (ENG)

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! I would have used dust collection but I did't have an adapter for my router. Lesson learned!

[@Stephens8x6Workshop]

An excellent build and brilliantly filmed. Thanks for this🙂Already subbed but liked and rang your bell my friend. Greetings from the UK!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thank you! Appreciate the sub. More videos on the way!

[@jaykepley5238]

Nice job!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! I appreciate that!

[@msgajhimelret9496]

Great job even with mistakes, thanks for posting... How many of you out here have thought of having a corner (3X3' or a3x4') set aside as a sanding area? Using pegboard with a honeycomb support under the pegboard, upper 1/2 of the depth and channel the dust toward a vac opening for the lower 1/2 of the box?

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! And thanks for watching! I know a lot of people like and use downdraft tables but I don't think I'd get much benefit out of one. I use a vac on my sander and most of my sanding is larger, flat surfaces so it does a pretty good job.

[@brettm1118]

Nice end result. It boggles my mind how many makers dont have a vac attachment for their routers.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I didn't then but I do now. It doenst help much with MDF though. That stuff is awful. Thanks for watching!

[@shawntaylor1254]

Thank you for the inspiration 🙏. I am a new woodworker i started mine this weekend and I just have to finish bottom shelf . I like the videos . And mdf dust is awful lol 😆 I just got new dust mask and it sat on table I forgot all about it I definitely need to get that habit going .🤧

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks for watching! Get an RZ Mask. It's not as good as an M3 respirator but you'll wear it a lot more.

[@shawntaylor1254]

@@TheAverageCraftsman i got a new Basecamp mask seems the same i just need make habit

[@RAMSOGTactical]

Good job. Saw your post about this on Sawmill Creek.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@mikejames663]

Enjoyed that.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks!

[@billonthehill9984]

Nice build here & thanks for sharing. Personally, I'm not a fan of MDF. I am willing to spend a little more & go with some sanded plywood, that's just me. I like how you sometimes make a mistake but manage to find a workaround! Much of this video is emblematic of what I go through on some of my bldg projects. Your honesty makes the experience feel realistic, good job. :-)

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! I appreciate the comments! I loathe mdf but when all you need is weight and flat then mdf is the choice. I put hardboard over the top which I will replace as it gets chewed up. 👍

[@stevek8170]

Great video. In general I prefer good plywood, but for work tops MDF is flatter and less prone to warping.

[@PaulWhyte505]

Subscribed, nice, straightforward, no shit talking. (sorry, I am Irish)

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Ha, thanks!

[@patwheeler3045]

I would have loved to see how you built the drop-down extension on your outfeed table

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Hi Pat, it's all in the video. More info on my website as well: www.theaveragecraftsman.com/projects/assembly-outfeed-table/ Thanks for watching!

[@withthesehands5799]

I built a desk in my bedroom using cube storage from amazon and a whole sheet of MDF cut down to the right depth for the dest portion. Not having anywhere else to do it, I cut the mdf in my bedroom. I’m still cleaning up the dust months later! I feel your pain!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

It's the worst!

[@richjones6987]

Just purchased a saw stop and discovered it is 4" lower than my out feed/ work bench. This will be perfect for what I need to do.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks for watching, Rich! Enjoy that new SawStop

[@martinbly8155]

@@TheAverageCraftsman ⁹

[@bigjerm9657]

Great video, thanks for making it. I am making the same thing, without the fold down part. Have you added anything to the table? Looked like in your shop tour vid you added a vise? How much does your top overhang the frame. I am going to do 2" overhang but with only 1 3/4 MDF and 1/4" hardboard.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I did add a vise. Just a simple pipe clamp vise but it's been extremely helpful. My top overhangs 3" on the sides and front. Thanks for watching!

[@vallejokid1968]

Nice job man. After watching an old wood whisperer video on the same project I’m wondering if you plan on adding some finish to the top for glue protection? I’ll support you and subscribe. You came up as a suggestion.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks for the sub! I havent put a finish on it yet. I usually throw down some contractor paper before glue ups because I am extremely messy and I figured even with a finish on it the glue would get all over the top.

[@Simonfrios]

Hey great stuff. I'm planning to make one for my new table saw. One question -- the 2 sheets of MDF seem a bit overkill... Would one be enough? Thanks for your good work!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I wanted my table to be heavy which is why I added the second layer. It’s up to you to decide how heavy you want the table. Thanks for watching!

[@Simonfrios]

@@TheAverageCraftsman Makes sense. I'll probably put one on then decide from there. Thank you sir!

[@lukeskywalker5418]

Great video! I don't know squat about woodworking or carpentry, but I was looking for a tutorial on how to make a super strong table and this seems to be the closest type to what I want by far! I grew up in a house that's as fragile as a museum, so when I move out on my own I plan on building at least a table and chair where I can craft and heck, even sleep on if I so please, that can follow me wherever life takes me. Does anyone recommend any types of wood that can endure heavy weight? I really want to build something that can handle at least half a lifetime of shenanigans.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Just about any solid wood should suffice.

[@IgotHeliFever]

The outfeed table looks Great but how do you like the WEN 4 x 36 Belt/Disc Sander?

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! The sander is nice. After using it a while I wish I would have gone bigger but it’s good for the price. All of my WEN tools have worked out well.

[@just-dl]

@@TheAverageCraftsman Agreed. I've got a couple of wen devices (including the sander) and for the price, they're hard to beat. For a budget operation (that's me), it's a great addition.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Agreed, DL. I havent had any problems with mine yet.

[@seanparish1192]

Brilliant! I’m wondering what you sealed/finished it with?

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I actually didn't. I planned to but never got around to it. Mainly because I figured I'd replace it in a year or two. Three years later and it's still here! Thanks for watching!

[@jc51373]

Which size WEN Drill press do you have? I am about to get the floor standing model and there isn't alot of reviews on it. Nice first YT build. Gotta get yourself some legit dust collection.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

It's the 12" model. Does a good job for me so far. Thanks for watching!

[@kitchenscience324]

Good job with your first video. I’ve been thinking about putting a channel together, too. What pushed you to finally do It?

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks! I watched a lot of videos before doing one and just thought it looked fun. I always wanted to do video editing so this felt like a good outlet. Go for it!

[@michaelp.caputo8190]

Tim, How did you finish the table? Did you stain/poly the trim/hadboard? How are you protecting the top?

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I actually didn’t do any finish. The top is replaceable and I didn’t really think I needed it on the edges. If I was going to finish it would have just spray on some water based poly. Thanks for watching!

[@rexseven93]

Very nice looking table. A little extra work on the legs would have made it look a little better. The top just looks so nice and the rough 2 X legs just look out of place. I built a similar assembly table and jointed and planed the construction lumber I used for the legs. Smoothing the surfaces and laying out screws makes a nice, finished look. Again, great job and I bet it makes sawing and assembly tons better. Another thought, the leveler feet might not be hardy enough if you ever have much weight on the table.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I didnt even have a planer at the time! lol. The levelers hold a lot of weight. I've stood on that table many times and I am not a small guy. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@travisfrench147]

A SMALL dab of wood glue in the predrilled hole makes them hold MDF better

[@ryanthomas3186]

Nice build. After 4 years have you replaced the hardboard top? Because that would be a pain after gluing that trim on.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I haven't yet and it need it. I will probably do it when I get some downtime over the next month or two. I plan on just using the current top as a template. We'll see how it goes.

[@rhuynh]

I had an issue with the hardboard having waves in it and not laying flat. Putting screws where it popped up didn't help as it mushroomed and broke thru. Did you come across that? Seemed pretty easy on yours.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Mine had a really small amount of wave to it but screws have kept it down.

[@patrickmurphy4916]

great job its a lot easier cutting 6 foot wide sheets of plywood

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks!

[@watcherdude1330]

Hey from 🇨🇦. I like the idea of being on wheels when space is limited. I have to say that it was kinda hard to feel sorry for you the SECOND time around with the MDF dust. LOL. Just kidding . Question if I may. Do you think you went a bit overboard on the use of 2x6 for the legs? Maybe just gluing a couple 2x4 ‘s together would have given plenty of strength and cut down on cost? I’m asking as I am admittedly a frugal person, but if money isn’t an issue then I guess go with what you really want. Take care

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

2x6 may have been more than necessary but it maybe only added $5-10 to the project vs going with 2x4s. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jamesdickson3616]

That’s why a vacuums is so important but nice job

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Yeah, I have dust attachments for my router now. Thanks for watching!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Why did you use MDF for an assembly table top? It warps from moisture in the air plus pretty much falls apart after a year. Would it have been worth the few extra dollars and got two by fours laying on their side giving you an extremely tough and straight surface? I know that some don't care as long as it lasts a few years. Where I want my top to be as heavy and straight as I could so it will last for decades. A straight flat top is crucial for the most import surface you can have for a shop.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

"A straight flat top is crucial for the most import surface you can have for a shop" - That's exactly why I used MDF. My shop is climate controlled. There is nowhere near enough moisture in there to warp that top. I wanted flat and heavy and that's where MDF excels. I have a hardboard top that covers the MDF. As that gets beat up, I'll replace it. This table is a year and half old and it's as flat now as it was when it was built. Thank you for watching and thanks for the comment!

[@lordrichard8184]

You should get stickers that say “The Average” and put them just above the craftsman logo on your tools. Would be good self promotion to stick into the videos. Great job!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Thanks, Billy Bob! The Craftsman tools are on their way out. Just ordered a few more DeWalts to be totally yellow for my cordless tools.

[@michaelsteakley3898]

Did you attach the outfeed table to the saw? How?

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

No, it's just next to the saw. No reason to attach it. Thanks for watching!

[@dash8465]

The levelers are screwed into the end grain, its likely to split at some point... could have raised the top instead of lifting the legs.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

They are only screwed into end grain on one part. Three years later and they are still fine. Thanks for watching!

[@jason4547]

From the looks of your tools. You had to sacrifice everything in-order to get that SawStop.

[@stoatystoatson5717]

First butt joint is shocking. Rest of the build is sweet

[@DarkTouch]

get a dust shroud for your router...

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Have one now, didn't at that time.

[@ClintonCaraway]

Anything worth doing is worth massively overdoing. Anything worth building is worth massively overbuilding!!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Ya got that right!

[@Javmtzsls]

9:15, I hope that arrow didn’t get you!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Haha. Nope, always stand to the side of the workpiece, Javier. 👍

[@dafazda3]

I winced when I saw you place a stop block on the same side as the off-cut. NEVER do that. A slight wobble in that small off-cut will catch a tooth and bullet that block back towards you. Shop safety is important and we're all responsible for safety!

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

I didn’t realize it when I was making the cut but see the issue now. I actually caught myself about to do the same thing the other night and remembered this comment. Thanks!

[@themeat5053]

Perhaps you should have left the glue on the mdf for 20-30 minutes so that the mdf (which sucks glue in like a sponge) could skin up and then re-apply some more glue and then clamp everything up with cauls. Just saying, but I'm an old guy who didn't have KZbin in my day to teach me my craft. I went old school: first, working for a woodworker, then apprenticeship, journeyman, etc. Nice table, some of your techniques could be refined; if it works, that's all that is important for shop furniture (but not finished work). Good luck!

[@regibson23]

You all go for serious overkill on your tops on assembly tables. A single 3/4" sheet of anything is plenty.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Depends on what you're going for. I wanted mine to be heavy. Thanks for watching!

[@bartden9668]

Amaturistic. I skipped it after a few minutes. Bey bey.

[@lapalomas]

You cover the screw holes but you butt joint the trim, SMH

[@farnorth7314]

You people really have to get Robertson screws...it makes us Canadians cringe to see your US friends having to use %$#&!! Phillips fasteners.

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Eh, I don’t mind them. Thanks for watching!

[@QTofLBF]

I gave up the old Phillips when I found torx....

[@heartscards6335]

that annoying music sure sucks

[@andylopez3763]

Wow what a waste of time and money....why MDF?? Not good for much but jigs....stupid move for somebody that is really showing off his new tools....

[@TheAverageCraftsman]

Flat and heavy. That was the requirement for my table top. Nothing better than MDF for that purpose. It's covered with a replaceable hardboard top. It's just as flat as the day I made it almost two years ago.