Sled alignment

joshh · Post by **joshh** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 6:04 pm

I found this long video showing a mathematical way to "perfectly align" a sled. The method also take into account the way your blade actually makes a cut line. It also has instructions on how to build it.

I'm going to build this sled soon unless anyone has suggestions on a "better" version.

http://youtu.be/UbG-n--LFgQ

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:11 pm

Hmmmmm! Why does that seem 'familiar'?:D

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:45 pm

I used this technique to align my sled and I'll have to say it worked quite well. Being an engineer, this method made a lot of sense to me.

One advantage of the Shopsmith arrangement is that you can screw the left end of the front fence and clamp the right end to make the test cuts. The clamp will ride in the space between the main table and the extension table. This was easier than having to screw/unscrew the fence each time an adjustment was needed. It did take me about 4 or 5 tries to "zero in" on the final setting before screwing the fence to the base.

Good luck with yours.

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:49 am

Best cross cut sled building instructions I've ever seen. It may be the best video. Detailed how to information.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 10:23 am

rlkeeney wrote:Best cross cut sled building instructions I've ever seen. It may be the best video. Detailed how to information.

I have not seen any video by him that is not equally excellent.

When he speaks, LISTEN!!!!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 10:26 am

mountainbreeze wrote: . . . Being an engineer, this method made a lot of sense to me.

. . .

I would hope it makes a lot of sense to most folks not claiming to be an injunear even though I r 1!:D

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 10:56 am

Understanding exactly why what he does works is not intuitive. One needs to really think about what he is saying to have it make sense.

Then, as a Shopsmith user, you need to decide whether or not you need to be that concerned.

Realize that just leaving the carriage unlocked during a cut can introduce far more error than a poorly aligned fence is likely to introduce.

db5 · Post by **db5** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:40 pm

JPG40504 wrote:I would hope it makes a lot of sense to most folks not claiming to be an injunear even though I r 1!:D

How did you get your ear injured? Mine was injured in the war. The boudoir that is.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:47 am

dusty wrote:Understanding exactly why what he does works is not intuitive. One needs to really think about what he is saying to have it make sense.

Then, as a Shopsmith user, you need to decide whether or not you need to be that concerned.

Realize that just leaving the carriage unlocked during a cut can introduce far more error than a poorly aligned fence is likely to introduce.

Yes he can be 'subtle' at times.

danr · Post by **danr** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:09 pm

I built a similar sled years ago and always had trouble keeping it square and realigning it. Now I know why! I am going to build another sled using William Ng's excellent instructions.
Dan