Convert a circular saw to a table saw

Since writing this update I have made a better and safer table saw

I have seen videos on the web and instructions on how to do so and decided to try this out. Having seen so much on push sticks and feather boards and the dangers of careless use of a table saw, I decided to treat the project with a lot of respect and caution.

I have a skil circular saw. The table is made of one inch block wood.

Step 1 :  Drill holes into the base plate of the saw. The base plate of this saw cannot be removed. Therefore the holes are not symmetric

Four holes drilled at the edges of the base plate 

Step 2. Place the saw on the underside of the wood and mark out these holes. Drill through the wood at these points.

Step 3. Mark the position of the blade.

4. Using a router and many passes, make a long linear hole in the wood.

5. Using a router rout out small counter sink holes on the upper side of the wood.

The table showing routed groove for the blade, holes with routed counter sink holes.

6. Using nuts and bolts fix the table saw on the board.

7. Using a clamp, hold down the switch of the table saw so this can be kept on all the time.

8. Positioning the table saw. The only place that I can position this well enough is the kitchen. Instead of saw horses or a real table I position the plank of wood over two identical bedroom shelves.

The table saw placed on two shelves of identical height

9. Guide. Given that the saw blade is not exactly parallel to the routed groove, the edge guide has to be placed parallel to the blade. To do so just insert a block of wood of the desired thickness and place the edge guide flush with it. I use a small piece of left over wooden decorative beading. I plan to upgrade this to an aluminium piece later

Positioning the guide rail parallel to the blade

10. Push sticks : Though not very pretty these serve the purpose. I never get my fingers anywhere near the blade.

Always use push sticks to feed the wood when near the blade

11. Feather board. I still have not exactly thought about how I would attach it, but I am building a feather board using strips of veneer wood
12. Extension box. The on off switch is near me in case of an emergency. This is the final assembly after I had cut a one inch thick strip of veneer wood.

The table saw with a cut piece of veneer placed  next to the blade

CAUTION  :  Although this is simple to use the design is potentially extremely dangerous. Please use push sticks for feeding the material in and wear appropriate eye protection. There is no blade guard. I plan to add these in due course.
Upadate : June 6th 2012 Although the saw can work in this configuration this is not something I would use at all for routine cutting in its present configuration. Many of the readers have contributed safety necessities in their comments.  I would probably just use it in its present configuration for just a few cuts until I install a proper table fence, splitter and blade guards. I will add updates to this post as the safety features are installed.

My experience with the table saw.
It is very noisy for someone in an apartment. But it cuts so clean. I always thought one had to push the wood with a lot of force. I was surprised as to how easy the blade cuts through wood and very little pressure is needed to feed the wood in. I was delighted to be able to get accurate cuts in thin veneer. I managed to get a five foot piece of veneer just 4 mm wide.  This would have been impossible with the circular saw. Trimming edges is now very easy. I have not tried any serious wood cutting with this as I am still making feather board and will do so after that is installed and I have a better guide rail. Later additions may perhaps be a portable saw horse, blade guards and a table extension. I may also replace the base wood with slightly thinner wood to get a bit of height on the blade. However if used with care I think this will be an alternative to a commercial table saw once all safety features are added.