Optimum Sled Size for Shopsmith

[dynabase]

I was looking at all the post on Crosscut sleds for the Shopsmith. Lots of different sizes and designs. My question is not so much on design of the sled but more on the practical size of the bed. I have the Shopsmith sliding crosscut table but I want something more centered using both of the miter slots. It seems like it would be easier to line up the workpiece on the actual saw kurf and the sled would act like a zero insert and prevent some tearout.

So the simple question for those of you who have experimented with sleds on the Shopsmith. What is the most practical, easiest to work with, size (front to back) for the table base?

Michael

[berry]

I've made two:
1) 48 x 15.5
2) 16 x 10.5

[dusty]

My current sled, which gets used an awful lot, is 36" wide and 22" deep (not including the front and rear fences. If I ever build another, it will be 24" deep. The current size is just too frequently a problem

The concern, however, is with a deeper table the sled becomes a bit unstable. Some sort of supporting table might become necessary on the infeed side.

[masonsailor2]

I have two. The small one stays on the saw most of the time. It is 14" deep and 24" wide. Then I have a larger sled that will accommodate up to 24" wide plywood and is 30" wide. As Dusty said the big one requires using the outfeed table for support. I don't use the large sled that often but it's nice for plywood when cutting down half sheets. The small one gets used constantly as it is my preferred cut off saw and is safer than the miter saw for cutting small parts.
Paul

[algale]

Oh, boy, I hope JSBurger posts his! It is HUGE!

[jsburger]

Oh, boy, I hope JSBurger posts his! It is HUGE!

OK Al I will.

Since I have a large shop now and a Powermatic table saw the full size SS is set up a lot of the time with my big sled. I use it mostly for cross cutting long 4, 6 and 8 quarter rough stock and large pieces of sheet goods.

I also have the SS sliding table with my shop made extension on the left side of the blade for smaller items. The combination works fine for me.

[BuckeyeDennis]

What's the cross-cut capacity on that beast, John?

[jsburger]

What's the cross-cut capacity on that beast, John?

I don't have it mounted right now so I can't get an accurate measurement but it is somewhere around 30-31"

[reible]

What is best is one the meets your needs. I don't think you will find a really large one of that much use unless you have a special project that needs it. I've gone to a guided saw system and find that is a lot better for me then trying to bring a large piece to the shopsmith and then cut it....

For me one that is in the 23-24 inch wide and a cutting depth of say 21-22 inches has been very adequate. I also like things like the incra express that allows very precise cuts at angles. Depending on what miter gauge you mount that can get to 1/10 degree. If you do get one make sure it is for the shopsmith.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... xpress.htm

Please note that you will need a miter gauge to make use of the sled. I have one mounted full time and if you want the 1/10 degree that would be the incra 1000HD (this will not mount in the shopsmith miter slot but does mount on the sled).

For small parts I use an "L" shaped fixture on my miter gauge and would not want to have it any other way. If you need details I have a post here somewhere with the idea explained in more detail.

Ed

[Beave2012]

Oh, boy, I hope JSBurger posts his! It is HUGE!

OK Al I will.

Since I have a large shop now and a Powermatic table saw the full size SS is set up a lot of the time with my big sled. I use it mostly for cross cutting long 4, 6 and 8 quarter rough stock and large pieces of sheet goods.

I also have the SS sliding table with my shop made extension on the left side of the blade for smaller items. The combination works fine for me.

I think a tour of jsburger shop I a separate thread would be very good read. However on topic, I agree with a smaller sled will see more use and larger ones are made when the task arrives if at all.