Appalachia Tool Work Sled Review

[reible]

This is a review I did about 5 months ago but since I have seen several posts relating to this genre of tool. Again if you read the post else where there is nothing new here so save yourself the time...

Part 1:

Hi,

This is a review based on just having received the sled. I hope to add more information as I gain more experience with it.

First a few words about about the price of this item. I heard several people express that this is really over priced and you should make your own... or words that amount to that. It is true you, with a decent skill level and your shopsmith would be more then up to such a project. However if you are like me it is often a project you think you are going to do and the years go by and you still haven't made one... or you keep seeing new designs and say to yourself boy am I glad I didn't make that one as this new design is so much better, but if I wait for a while an even better one will come along...

There is no shame in buying things like this! I make a lot of my own jigs and fixtures but I also buy things. This is my hobby and I'd do as I want and you should do the same!

Now a bit more about worth. I have also purchased the shopsmith cross-cut sliding table (Now $107.30) along with the auxilliary table ($47.21). Those two items together are $154.51... not all that far from the $169.00 of this sled. Of course the sled comes with a provision that lets you cut miters much like the famed shopsmith miter pro that will run you another $111.08... so you see maybe this is not so expensive after all. And by the way I own all three of those pieces which I really could have made had I wanted too, of course you already guess that right?

OK now we can move into what ownership is like. First the package weighs in about 26 pounds or so it said on the label. It was packed well and uses a LOT of newspaper for packing. All the parts are in a shrink-wrap sort of plastic wrap with nothing loose banging around or getting damaged. Good job on the packing!

Once you have the parts out you will find instructions, you can read them in a few minutes but it is reasonable clear how things go together so if you are like me you will like the level of details. If you are one that has to have everything spelled out and pictures/diagrams and "a" goes in to "aa" you might want to study and sleep on it as those type instructions are not included. Contact information is provided if you have questions.

One of the nice features of sled are the replaceable parts. They include a spare of some of the parts and you can use that to make extra's. All that is pictured at:
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/12199425@N02/sets/72157605619969653/
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These pictures are no longer at Flickr but rather posted below 12/29/08
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The bad news is that I was so busy using it today I never got around to taking any more pictures. So stay tuned and the second part of this review will be coming up in a few days.

In case you can't wait... a couple of quick comments. I'm very very happy with the sled. It is made well and well thought out. I put it together and went to do an alignment only to find it was right on the money!!! I used it to cut up several parts and even tried out the clamps that came with it... as well as some of the other attachments. I just wish I could go out and spend the day cutting up more things it was such fun.


Part 2:

This should be the last of this early evaluation. I'll see about a follow up in a few months.

First the pictures are in the same location as the first posting and I added 16 more shots. If you see something that is unclear or read something that you want to here more about please contact me and I'll see what I can do.

First I thought I should back the truck up just a bit and address fact that I am showing this as a cross cut/miter sled in what I think of classical sense. It has two miter bars and uses both of them in all of my pictures but, just to be clear you can use it with just one bar have it sit as the shopsmith cross-cut sliding table (555535) does (panel sled). I wasn't planning on using it that way but it sure can be.

One of the nice features of this system is the replaceable MDF inserts. If you wear them out or if you want to use a dado blade you have not wrecked the table... you have only used up a 1/4" MDF insert. As I mentioned before it comes with a few extra parts and the parts are simple to make so you can do up as many as you think you need... The base inserts have a screw mid way down and then you need to take out one of the base mounting screws to slide it out. Got a couple of pictures of that process.

The fence insert is held in with two screws and can also be flipped over and reused as long as you have some material left. I have that pictured as well.

If you are cutting off to length you have two built in ways of doing that. Along the fence a rail provides an attachment point for a stop. In the fence there is an extending rod with stop that provides you with some added distance if you need it. Check out the pictures of that part of the system.

Now to turn things over... no really... the bottom side of the sled has two UHMW plastic runners. On the shopsmith model they come mounted and they seem to fit fine on my machine but they do have instructions if things are too tight. The picture of the runners or if you would rather call them miter bars show how they are mounted and that should clear up any confusion in that area.

The left and right base pieces mount to the fence and front support as shown. The detail picture shows the slotted detail that is provided so you can square up your system. The slot is on both ends.

On some systems they have a thin fence and then add a shield to keep the blade guarded. Here they simply have a glued up block that contains the blade. As you can see the block on mine has not been cut very far and there is no reason that I can think of to cut any farther into it, quite the opposite in fact as it is safer that way.

I showed an INCRA clamp being used on the table but almost any clamping system will work. Note how the miter channel is designed to allow you to inset the bolts. I have also included a photo of one of the two clamps that came with the system. They work really well!

Since it was mentioned this is also a miter sled. I mounted the miter piece included in the package so you can see how that looks. I have not tried it so I can't comment on how it would work. Keep in mind this one is for 90 deg. corners but there is no reason why you can not make your own piece with other angles.

So far I am very pleased and happy with my purchase. If you are thinking about getting one of these I'd say do it.

Part 3
Making replacement parts for Appalachia sled

I'm stilling enjoying the sled but thought it was time to make a few spare parts between other tasks.

I decided to make a few extra sets of the parts that set in the table "base inserts". I am still using the original ones and the spare set was used as a model for the new sets.

They are made with 1/4" MDF so I purchased a 2' x 4' piece in order to make several sets and a few material left to do some fence inserts. Since it came 2' wide I left it that way and ripped 10 parts to width. I also ripped 3 strips for doing fence inserts at some time in the future. I still have material left that I will just store for a while.

Since the critical dimensions are not all that critical but still need to be done with some care and since I love to build jig and fixtures....

OK, so what seems to be most critical is the hole placement. I decided to use the pin drilling fixture as presented in a past post of mine. (I know some where over 100 of you did at least look at it but of the 100 only 13 looked at the pictures???? Since so few looked at the pictures I have to assume lack of interest in the subject but if you want to get with the program it is not to late.)

[I might post this information here in the future if anyone is interested now let me know and I work it in now.]

I will not go into details unless someone is interested in why I did "this or that". And for those of you who like the pictures they are at:
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/12199425@N02/sets/72157606337722704/
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Pictures are no longer on Flickr 12/29/08
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The main part of this post to remember is this was an easy job and now I have plenty of parts for awhile. A+ to the sled people on a good design that makes it easy to make these duplicate parts!

Ed

[reible]

This sled has been my favorite tool of the summer. I didn't even get my shopsmith version down off the storage area all summer. I have found it so handy that I don't know how I got along without it. I haven't even found a storage location for it!!!

I have a couple plans in the works for attachments, they will sadly have to wait for spring as my shop is now closed for the winter. I also never had time to finish making the other replacement parts... at least they are not that far from being done and I have not needed them this year so spring will be in time as that is when I'll be out cutting again.

I have not seen this listed on ebay for a while so good luck with that if you want one now. I think they do batches of them so of course they could show up again any day but???

If you have any questions about any of this ask away and I will answer as best I can.

Ed

[dicksterp]

Ed,
I've been looking at these for the last 6-7 months. What is the widest piece you can crosscut on it?

Thanks

[reible]

I'll have to go and measure to be sure but I think it's just under 22" between the supports... right now it's midnight so check back mid-day or so tomorrow.

Ed

Ed,
I've been looking at these for the last 6-7 months. What is the widest piece you can crosscut on it?

Thanks

[foxtrapper]

Are they even around any longer? I haven't seen them list an item on E-bay for some time, and I can't bring them up via Google.

I think I dawdled too long.

[wdelliott]

Could I trouble someone to direct me to a site selling or describing the Appalachia sled? Thanks.

Bill
Ravenna Texas

[reible]

The actual measurement is 21-3/8 so I wasn't to far off.

Ed

I'll have to go and measure to be sure but I think it's just under 22" between the supports... right now it's midnight so check back mid-day or so tomorrow.

Ed

[reible]

Hi,

These sleds seem to be seasonal, I ended up putting off my order last year (I budget and ran out of money way before the end of the year) and had to wait until spring to find one. As far as I know they are only sold on ebay with the listings being done under the shopsmith heading.

If you wish to check here:
http://stores.ebay.com/Appalachia-Tool-Works_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsxQ3asstQQtZkm

The store is presently empty but I see from the feed back that a shopsmith version did sell in Sept. I have written a message to them as to when they might offer these again, I'll post any response I get when I get it. Feel free to contact them on your own if you are really interested.

Ed

[fjimp]

Are they even around any longer? I haven't seen them list an item on E-bay for some time, and I can't bring them up via Google.

I think I dawdled too long.

Rick Woodburn makes these. He often shuts down for months at a time when his work takes him away. If someone wants a phone number for him email me privately. fjimp

Oh yes I have that has never been unpacked I guess I get to try it once we move, someday, perhaps.

[reible]

From the horses mouth as they say:

"Hello Ed, Glad you are happy with your sled. I have my shop winterized right now and haven't made any more sleds for about 5 months. I plan on offering some more in the spring on ebay and our own web site. Still trying to get a small business "kicked off" in some difficult times. Please look for us on ebay and soon at appalachiatools.com Thanks and have a good holiday season.
--Rick"

Ed