The Super Sled #2: VIDEO - Mitering and Crosscut Sled

Thanks. I need to build one of these ;~)

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

John, I just wanted to say I really like your work and your videos. I especially like that you get right down to business in the videos. They are full of helpful tips and are nicely produced. It seems some of the video’ers like to talk for 9 minutes then make a cut the last minute. I’ve even seen some that are just all talk. I appreciate that you stay focused and try to show as much actual work as possible. Keep up the good work!

-- david roberts, spinning Tales from Topographic Oceans, no, really.

John -

Another outstanding presentation from Eagle Lake Woodworking! I alway enjoy your attention to detail. I especially like your tips and workflow in the shop. After watching both videos I believe my shop will be seeing another crosscut sled in the future! I’m a huge fan. Thanks for sharing!

David

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Thanks Guys! I appreciate you checking out the video and commenting here.

I wanted to show an easy method for two of the things that most people seem to question when building a crosscut sled:
1.) How to get the runners on there and operating smoothly.
2.) How to square the fence to the blade.

There will be a another video in this series about how to build the accessories and use the sled.

David Roberts – I know what you mean about showing the woodworking action. I try to focus on showing as much closeup woodworking action as possible.

-- John Nixon - Buffalo, NY - http://www.EagleLakeWoodworking.com

Great blog John. Very professional explanation.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

John, I have watched your video a couple of times. The only question I have is how to best square up the back fence if you don’t have a planer and joiner?

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

TopamaxSurvivor – without a jointer and planer, I would probably make a torsion box fence. Are you familiar with constructing torsion boxes? Essentially, it’s a grid that skinned on both sides with sheet material (plywood, hardboard, or mdf).

The option would be a lamination of two pieces of 3/4 plywood. If you have some decent plywood that’s flat, this would provide a suitable fence because plywood has a consistant thickness.

Do either of these sound good to you?

-- John Nixon - Buffalo, NY - http://www.EagleLakeWoodworking.com

Thanks John, I’m not familiar with a torsion box fence. Going with the plywood option sounds easy enough.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

John, another question, if you don’t mind. What are the runners made of and where do you find those plastic strips? BTW, Fantastic website you have ;-)

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

TopamaxSurvivor -

I’m glad you like my site…thanks.

I’ve been meaning to put a parts source for this project at my site that will show where to get the things I had to buy.

The runners are UHMV plastic and are available from PeachTree and other places:
http://www.ptreeusa.com/uhmw_list.htm

The 48 inch strip is what I used and cut it into 26 and 22 inch runners.

John

-- John Nixon - Buffalo, NY - http://www.EagleLakeWoodworking.com

The best home made sled I’ve seen. I need to build me one after I get a new tablesaw….....LOL

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

I use sleds to make almost EVERY cross cut I make on the tablesaw. Congratulations on a well designed sled!

Thanks for the first video. Looking forward to the second.
d

-- The best things in life aren't THINGS.

Thanks Jerry!

Thanks donbee.
RE: Shopsmith – you nailed it, it’s a great drill press. In fact, I took mine off it’s stand and made a small-footprint dedicated stand so that I have it in drill press mode all the time. The Shopsmith I have is a 1951 10ER that belonged to my grandfather. I cherish that machine for it’s sentimental value and I’ll keep it forever. It still runs almost like new with the original motor and bearings, although I bet I am about due to change the quill bearings.

The second video is actually accessible from that same viewer up above, it’s just sort of cut off. Check out the upper right hand side of the player, you can see part of the thumbnail for part 2.

Thanks for watching and commenting here, I appreciate it
John

-- John Nixon - Buffalo, NY - http://www.EagleLakeWoodworking.com

Nice video! I use a crosscut sled all the time on my table saw.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Really nice, I like the sled idea. Thanks for the video.

-- Mike, VT