Next, rip two 10 1/2-inch-wide legs from a pine 1 x 12. Adjust the table-saw blade to 15 degrees and crosscut the legs to 17 1/2 inches. Lower the blade for a 3/8-inch-deep cut.

Assemble the base with four four-by-four posts cut to length with a table saw or power miter. Place these pieces on a flat surface and drill pilot holes.

Building a few custom jigs to guide your cuts will unlock the potential of your table saw, and the most important may be the crosscut sled. A crosscut sled provides a stable platform for you to ...