16' Miter Station - Split Evenly or Unevenly?

[Bugsysiegals]

I've a 16' wide space for my miter saw and I'm wondering if I should split it down the middle (8/8), more to the Left (10/6 or 12/4), or more to the Right (6/10 or 4/12), etc.  Are there any advantages of doing it one way or the other?  What do you recommend?

 

[afish]

I think that has a lot to do with what you cut or plan on using the station for and if the ends are open past the 16' or is there an obstruction that would prevent material from projecting past either way?  A lot of trim comes 16' so thats a big consideration. 

 

[nvalinski]

Could make it rearrangeable. Make one larger counter for the miter saw and outriggers to sit on, and you can remove them for a lower worksurface or rearrange them if you need more splits in the middle vs. ends depending on the project.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I think that has a lot to do with what you cut or plan on using the station for and if the ends are open past the 16' or is there an obstruction that would prevent material from projecting past either way?  A lot of trim comes 16' so thats a big consideration.

I'm limited to the 16' wide in the basement wood shop with regards to a miter station; however, I've the Kapex on the mobile stand and have the wings so I'm able to pull it out if I need to make a longer cut.  I've also a Dewalt on a mobile stand which is in the garage and can be used if needed for longer stuff I don't need to be as precise with.  At some point I'll want to do crown moulding which comes in 12' length max.  The miter station will be 8020 benches with mobile cabinets which slide underneath.  I considered to put the 8020 on casters also but then I can't adjust the height so will likely not do this and thus it would not be easy to swap the 4' and 12' benches if I want to keep the good side on the opposite side ... maybe not really needed if I add a zero clearance back fence to the Kapex but on the Dewalt I have to switch so the bad side faces backwards where I have the tearout...

so maybe it will be good to split it so I don't have to re-adjust and can set it and forget it.

 

[CeeJay]

I guess for me the question would be how often am I cutting 16’ boards in half?

I built mine offset (smaller space) so I could get 75” to the left and 40” to the right, as most work I do doesn’t require anything longer than 70”.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.

so maybe it will be good to split it so I don't have to re-adjust and can set it and forget it.

Split it, since you have alternatives to handle much longer stock.

 

[semenza]

Snip.

so maybe it will be good to split it so I don't have to re-adjust and can set it and forget it.

Split it, since you have alternatives to handle much longer stock.

What he said ^^^

    Offset split.  I'd do 12' 1" on one side and the remaining 4 ish on the other. That will give you quite a bit of length on your good , precise set up.  If you are going to be cutting crown you might need to choose the 12' side accordingly so that you can make the 12' cuts on the correct end easily as you go around a room with moulding.

    You can always rough cut longer or 16' to 8/8 splits with your other options.

Seth

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Thanks guys, should work well this way!

 

[Mario Turcot]

You have to take into account the width of the miter saw too. I have 9' on each side of my blade, so technically I cannot square a 12' end. However I put my 2x 5' cabinets on French cleats and can move them on 3 walls.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

You have to take into account the width of the miter saw too. I have 9' on each side of my blade, so technically I cannot square a 12' end. However I put my 2x 5' cabinets on French cleats and can move them on 3 walls.

Very nice!