cross cut sleds

[dlbristol]

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.

[heathicus]

A cross-cut sled is high on my list of shop projects, but I haven't made one yet.

Have you watched The Wood Whisperer's video on making a cross-cut sled? I found it pretty informative - especially regarding how to make sure the fence is square to the blade (the "5-cut squaring method").

http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/ ... s-projects

[dusty]

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.

I made my own. The fence is adjustable. I used two miter bars mounted to mate with the two slots on the Main Table.

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[putttn]

I made my own. The fence is adjustable. I used to miter bars mounted to mate with the two slots on the Main Table.

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Dusty,
I like your setup. Where didbyou get the miter bars?

[dusty]

Dusty,
I like your setup. Where didbyou get the miter bars?

On the one in the picture, I bought miter bars from Shopsmith. For the previous version, I made the miter bars.

If I do another one, I will make the miter bars so that I can cut them to the length I want.. I will make them so they protrude beyond the back edge of the table to gain stability when I am just beginning a cut (on a wide piece).

[fjimp]

One of the first items I added for my Shopsmith was the sled shown in the following link. At that point in time I felt the need for squarer cross cuts. This sled paid for itself many times over and although I followed instructions from Nick and modified it, I still use it frequently with excellent results. It also served as the basis for several sled jigs I have built since.

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

Good luck, Jim

[dusty]

A cross-cut sled is high on my list of shop projects, but I haven't made one yet.

Have you watched The Wood Whisperer's video on making a cross-cut sled? I found it pretty informative - especially regarding how to make sure the fence is square to the blade (the "5-cut squaring method").

http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/the-cross-cut-sled/?category_name=tool-setup%2Cthe-shop%2Cmarcs-projects

This was an excellent video (as are all of the Wood Whisper's productions).

I would suggest that everyone view this. His instructions on building the crosscut sled are as good as any I have seen.

[robinson46176]

Here is a shot of one I made several years ago. It was a bit of a quickie and I intended to make another nicer one but just never got there. The one feature that I was most proud of on this one was that the exiting blade was never exposed. I have cringed many times watching guys on TV using one and holding the wood to the rear fence with their thumbs resting on each side of the saw slot in it sometimes clearing the suddenly exposed blade buy less than 2 inches. This one was made for my old tablesaw that was mounted in a large 4' X 6' table. The extended mitergauge slots out into the table top served as stops for the sled (two wood miter slot bars). The wood guard sticking out off of the back of the rear fence is about like a quarter of a circle with a slot cut in it for the blade. It's been a long day, my description may be a little wobbly... These old pictures could be a lot better too.

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[dlbristol]

Thanks all, I guess this all boils down to whether or not I can get it square.

Dusty, how do you adjust your fence? I saw a plan some where that used 5 , 1/4 in bolts to fasten the fence to the sled. all but 1 hole (in the center I think) was a bit over sized to allow movement. Several of my research examples are "squared up and screwed in place" which is what I am worried about. most just use a square on the blade and then fasten it. If I use something like the 5 cut method, how do you keep things from moving during the adjustment? I could see myself with hundreds of little pieces of wood and no square fence! I will look at the Wood whisperer again, he always does a good job teaching.

Jim, I think I am leaning toward your solution unless I can get lots more comfortable with some other issues. My precision squares are very accurate, but my technique is sometimes less so.

Francis, I like the idea of stopping the sled with the runners, If I go that route , I will do that. I like your blade cover as well. together they are the best safety feature I have seen.

[edflorence]

Lots of good ideas presented so far and I think the recommendation to go on line and watch a few demos of how others have built sleds is a good way to go. Its not that hard to get the sled square to the blade, so don't let that be a show-stopper. My first two sleds were home-made and they worked pretty well.

That said, I am now going to put in a plug for the SS cross-cut table. I got one about 3 years ago and I use it all the time. It is well worth the $. Last weekend I used the 45degree position on the adjustable fence and it worked perfectly. I took a 1 x 6 of clear western cedar and cut 4 triangles that fit together to make a square. With a sharp blade and making sure to cut to "leave the line" the triangles fit together perfectly. The SS cross-cut table works really well. This weekend I will glue up the triangles and use the square as a turning blank for a lid for a compost bucket.