cross cut sleds

dlbristol · Post by **dlbristol** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:45 pm

I looked at that, and found a supplier, Peach Street I think, that has smaller pieces and even some cut to runner size. If you goggle UHMW you will find a bunch of places to get it. I decided not to use it for the same reasons that Dusty and Farmer stated. The apparent advantages are stability and slickness. I might consider it if I had issues with humidity, but here, we seldom have any problems. Some where I saw a sled with the bottom covered with it.
As for fastening, I assumed that it was just screwed in since it is machined just like wood.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:49 pm

dlbristol wrote:I looked at that, and found a supplier, Peach Street I think, that has smaller pieces and even some cut to runner size. If you goggle UHMW you will find a bunch of places to get it. I decided not to use it for the same reasons that Dusty and Farmer stated. The apparent advantages are stability and slickness. I might consider it if I had issues with humidity, but here, we seldom have any problems. Some where I saw a sled with the bottom covered with it.
As for fastening, I assumed that it was just screwed in since it is machined just like wood.

I think you can put a screw through it but I am not sure that you can screw into it and expect it to hold.

2bits · Post by **2bits** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:23 pm

I must confess my ignorance in the workings of this P..eckin C...ontraption. I have tried to check out the video on the Woodwhisperer and I have not been able to make it work. It appears that I need to download it prior to watching. There were 2 formats(?) one of which would take an hour plus to download and the other about 30 minutes (I know I need a faster internet service). Anyways I downloaded the short version and it went into a widows media player program but I was unable to get it to open. It said something about about the file may be corrupted. Any suggestions as to what I did wrong and how to do it correctly:o
I am using Windows Vista.

dlbristol · Post by **dlbristol** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:32 pm

I defer to your thoughts Dusty, as mine were based on an assumption. I did look at this site, http://www.plasticsmag.com, and it seems to say you can screw the stuff like wood, but it really doesn't answer your concern. You apparently can't glue it due to the surface. perhaps it will work because there is not any real pulling pressure on the application for the sled.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:08 pm

Now I ask a question that I will likely regret. Assuming one has checked squareness of table to blade, would it work to cut the left edge of what could become a sled and then measure for the miter bar to be square to the first cut (left side) and located at proper distance from blade. I assume one would need to be very careful to install the miter bar squarely. In fact what if the reverse were done. Install the bar first then set the table or quill to make the square cut on left side. Then my simple mind finds it easier to locate and install the rear of sled squarely. I can't wait to be picked apart on this hair brained scheme. Jim

dlbristol · Post by **dlbristol** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:18 pm

If I understand you correctly, I think that could be done, but probably not by me! As I researched this, I found several ways to get the runners and edges correct. I have to go back to my original reason for doing a sled, and that is because I have difficulty getting, keeping and repeating square cuts! I am just now beginning to think I might work the first method out! Do you see some reason to do it another way?

camerio · Post by **camerio** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:49 pm

2bits wrote:I must confess my ignorance in the workings of this P..eckin C...ontraption. I have tried to check out the video on the Woodwhisperer and I have not been able to make it work. It appears that I need to download it prior to watching. There were 2 formats(?) one of which would take an hour plus to download and the other about 30 minutes (I know I need a faster internet service). Anyways I downloaded the short version and it went into a widows media player program but I was unable to get it to open. It said something about about the file may be corrupted. Any suggestions as to what I did wrong and how to do it correctly:o
I am using Windows Vista.

You could get Quick Time Player, it works on window and some plugins make its able to play all. There is also Real Player that you can get and those are all free. QuickTime 7.7.1 for window 7, vista and .... so on
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:47 pm

fjimp wrote:... Install the bar first then set the table or quill to make the square cut on left side. Then my simple mind finds it easier to locate and install the rear of sled squarely. I can't wait to be picked apart on this hair brained scheme. Jim

This is exactly the method I used (post #14) following Norm Abrahm's method. Except I used two runners.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:38 am

When building a cross cut sled, there are only two critically important steps.

1. Make (use) miter bars that fit without slop in the the miter tracks. Slop later translate into lack of repeatability in your cuts.

2. Align the fence to he blade with the level of precision that you expect to get for all of your cuts. Remember: the Shopsmith Main Table (thus miter tracks) must be properly aligned to the blade for any of this to work.

Beyond those two requirements, it really does not matter what the sled looks like or how you put it together.

It is nice, in the end, if the rear fence can be realigned periodically. To do this, you need to facilitate FIRM reattach of the fence to the sled.

The sled can become either a work or art or a utility tool - suit yourself. Either way, I think ever shop that cuts panels needs a sled.

ss50th · Post by **ss50th** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:43 am

dlbristol wrote:I have decided that I need a good cross cut sled for some projects I have in the works. I have researched all manner of designs and ideas, and have come to the conclusion that I "just ain't real sure" what to do!
I like the idea of the shop made two runner designs for cheap and function. BUT, one reason I need a sled, is because I have difficulty getting things square, which is required to build a sled! I would want some adjustment capability and that may be difficult for me to execute. I hate to buy what I can make, but I have some concern about making this well enough to be any better than what I am able to do now. ( I use a longer miter gage extension. )
I like the SS sled for square, the 45 and 22.5 degree adjustment, and for the use of the guard. Cost is an issue, but not a deal killer.

Questions, How hard is it to get the fence square on 2 runner design? Has anyone made one with an adjustable fence? (Adjustable to 90 degree)
If you have the SS sled, can you make the cut off table yourself? are the 45 and 22.5 functions really accurate? I have seen the Appalachia tool sled, any thoughts there.

I have read other threads, but I am not sure about the best course of action. Thanks for your thoughts.

A home made sled which straddles both sides of the blade also will have the advantage similar to a zero clearance insert. With the SS sled you lose this function .