Multifunction work table

Abstract

Some embodiments include a work table. The work table includes a frame having longitudinally extending opposing side members and a tool guide retention member, multiple support members configured to be removably and lockably coupled to the longitudinally extending opposing side members such that the multiple support members extend between the longitudinally extending opposing side members, and a first tool guide. The tool guide retention member extends along at least a portion of the frame, the multiple support members are configured to support a work piece in a working plane when the multiple support members are coupled to the longitudinally extending opposing side members, the first tool guide is configured to be coupled with the tool guide retention member, and the first tool guide is configured to receive a tool. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A work table comprising:
 a frame comprising longitudinally extending opposing side members and a tool guide retention member, the tool guide retention member extending along at least a portion of the frame;   multiple support members configured to be removably and lockably coupled to the longitudinally extending opposing side members such that the multiple support members extend between the longitudinally extending opposing side members; and   a first tool guide;   wherein:
 the multiple support members are configured to support a work piece in a working plane when the multiple support members are coupled to the longitudinally extending opposing side members; 
 the first tool guide is configured to be coupled with the tool guide retention member, and the first tool guide is configured to receive a tool; and 
 when the first tool guide is coupled with the tool guide retention member, when the tool is received at the first tool guide, and when the multiple support members are supporting the work piece in the working plane, the first tool guide limits movement of the tool with respect to the frame and permits the tool to be operable on the work piece while the tool is received at the first tool guide. 
   
     
     
         2 ) The work table of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 opposing end members configured to couple together the longitudinally extending opposing side members.   
     
     
         3 ) The work table of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tool guide retention member comprises a channel in the frame.   
     
     
         4 ) The work table of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tool guide retention member is configured to receive one or more attachment bolts, each attachment bolt of the one or more attachment bolts comprising a shoulder and a fastener, the shoulder being disposable within the tool guide retention member and the fastener being configured to selectively secure the shoulder in place within the tool guide retention member.   
     
     
         5 ) The work table of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the first tool guide comprises a first guide member, a second guide member, and a tool track;   the first tool guide is configured to be coupled with the tool guide retention member via the first guide member and the second guide member;   the first guide member and the second guide member are configured to be movable when coupled to the tool guide retention member; and   the tool track is configured to be engaged with the first guide member and the second guide member such that the tool track extends between the first guide member and the second guide member.   
     
     
         6 ) The work table of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first guide member comprises a first post and the second guide member comprises a second post, the first post and the second post being configured to engage the tool track with the first guide member and the second guide member and to maintain the tool track in a relative position with respect to the work table when the first post and the second post engage the tool track with the first guide member and the second guide member.   
     
     
         7 ) The work table of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first tool guide comprises a cantilevered tool track and a base member;   wherein:
 the cantilevered tool track is configured to be coupled to the base member; 
 the base member is configured to couple the first tool guide with the tool guide retention member; and 
 the cantilevered tool track projects outward away from the base member when the cantilevered tool track is coupled to the base member. 
   
     
     
         8 ) The work table of  claim 7 , wherein the first tool guide further comprises:
 a pivot member configured to couple the cantilevered tool track to the base member and to permit the cantilevered tool track to be rotationally positioned with respect to the base member when the cantilevered tool track is coupled to the base member by the pivot member.   
     
     
         9 ) The work table of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the pivot member permits the cantilevered tool track to be rotationally positioned in a work position and an auxiliary position when the cantilevered tool track is coupled to the base member by the pivot member;   when the first tool guide is positioned in the work position, the cantilevered tool track is coupled to the base member, and the base member is coupled with the first tool guide retention member, the cantilevered tool track is positioned substantially parallel to the working plane; and   when the first tool guide is positioned in the auxiliary position, the cantilevered tool track is coupled to the base member, and the base member is coupled with the tool guide retention member, the cantilevered tool track is positioned outside of the working plane.   
     
     
         10 ) The work table of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first tool guide comprises a side member and an arm;   the side member is configured to couple the first tool guide to the frame; and   the arm is configured to pivot in an arc about the side member.   
     
     
         11 ) The work table of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the side member is configured to be slidable along the frame when coupling the first tool guide to the frame.   
     
     
         12 ) The work table of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a drop-in tool configured to be positioned between two support members of the multiple support members.   
     
     
         13 ) The work table of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the drop-in tool comprises one of a router, a table saw, or a miter saw.   
     
     
         14 ) The work table of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one support member of the multiple support members comprises a groove extending along at least a portion of the at least one support member.   
     
     
         15 ) The work table of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of:
 the groove is configured to receive a second tool guide;   the groove is configured to receive a clamp, the clamp comprising an attachment member configured to be received at the groove and a clamping member operatively coupled to the attachment member and contactable to secure the work piece to the at least one support member; or   the groove is configured to remain accessible when the at least one support member of the multiple support members is coupled to the longitudinally extending opposing side members.   
     
     
         16 ) The work table according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one support member of the multiple support members comprises a work piece contact surface; and   at least one of (i) the work piece contact surface comprises a material having one or more physical properties of the work piece or (ii) the work piece contact surface is replaceable.   
     
     
         17 ) The work table of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an indexing member attached to the frame;   wherein:
 the indexing member is positionable in an extended position and a retracted position; 
 when positioned in the extended position, the indexing member extends through the working plane; and 
 when positioned in the retracted position, the indexing member does not extend through the working plane. 
   
     
     
         18 ) A work table, the work table comprising:
 a frame comprising longitudinally extending opposing side members and a tool guide retention member, the tool guide retention member extending along at least a portion of the frame;   opposing end members configured to couple together the longitudinally extending opposing side members;   multiple support members configured to be removably and lockably coupled to the longitudinally extending opposing side members such that the multiple support members extend between the longitudinally extending opposing side members;   a tool guide; and   an indexing member attached to the frame;   wherein:
 the multiple support members are configured to support a work piece in a working plane when the multiple support members are coupled to the longitudinally extending opposing side members; 
 the tool guide is configured to be coupled with the tool guide retention member, and the tool guide is configured to receive a tool; 
 the tool guide retention member comprises a channel defined in the frame; 
 when the tool guide is coupled with the tool guide retention member, when the tool is received at the tool guide, and when the multiple support members are supporting the work piece in the working plane, the tool guide limits movement of the tool with respect to the frame and permits the tool to be operable on the work piece while the tool is received at the tool guide; 
 at least one support member of the multiple support members comprises a groove extending along at least a portion of the at least one support member; 
 the indexing member is positionable in an extended position and a retracted position; 
 when positioned in the extended position, the indexing member extends through the working plane; and 
 when positioned in the retracted position, the indexing member does not extend through the working plane. 
   
     
     
         19 ) The work table of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:
 the work piece; or   the tool.   
     
     
         20 ) A work table comprising:
 a frame comprising a slideable side member, a stationary side member, a first end member, and a second end member; and   multiple support members;   wherein:
 the slideable side member is coupled to the first end member and the second end member; 
 the stationary side member is coupled to the first end member and the second end member; 
 the slideable side member is configured to be positioned at different times in a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration while the slideable side member and the stationary side member remain coupled to the first end member and the second end member; 
 the slideable side member is configured to be (a) positioned opposite from the stationary side member and between the first end member and the second end member when the slideable side member is in the extended configuration and (b) proximate to the stationary side member, between the stationary side member and the first end member, and between the stationary side member and the second end member when the slideable side member is in the collapsed configuration; 
 the multiple support members are configured to be coupled to the frame when the slideable side member is configured in the extended configuration; 
 the multiple support members are configured to extend between the slideable side member and the stationary side member when coupled to the frame; and 
 the multiple support members are configured to be able to support a work piece in a working plane when coupled to the frame.