Ye of little faith. How is it possible to create a crosscut sled for a Craftman “professional” portable tablesaw?
First, I’m not liking the fact Craftman called it a “professional” model since one has so many things to tighten and adjust to make it comfortably accurate. And then the two grooves are on just one side of the blade where on most “professional” models there is a machined groove on either side of the blade. So one has to put two runners for a crosscut sled on the one side and possibly, just possibly put a runner (where there’s no place for a runner) on the other side…but this picture doesn’t show that…partly because I’m still thinking about adding that runner. The $499 table saw has become a huge headache in the accuracy department…but perhaps this sled will work to make it so.
Yeah, I wish I had a pocket full of cash and the space for a large table saw…a table saw worth somewhere between $1600 and $2500? say. Oh, that I could saw…er…say. But one makes due on limited budgets when one’s cash has run out. So anyway, the challenge of making an accurate sled for such a table saw. I might add that the grooves are not machined…they are stamped. Ugh. So one has to sand the runners and wax the grooves to make the sled slide smoothly. So far so good. It’s a work in progress. (If you’ve seen one sled you’ve seen them all?) Lord, let my crosscut sled not be boring. The picture will provide the next 1,000 words:
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ http://thecreekviewwoodworker.blogspot.com
9 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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7752 posts in 209 days
posted 72 days ago
Hi Barry,
This is an interesting sled. It should improve your cutting on the saw. I can empathize with you about the Craftsman saw. I have one as well and it is going to be the first major tool I replace (when my wife gives me an advance on my allowance) :)
I like your blade guard on this sled. Once comment I will make is that there does seem to be a consensus toward putting another guard on the backside of the sled to cover the blade exit from the rear of the sled. Just something to consider.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Coondog
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19 posts in 107 days
posted 72 days ago
Very creative!! I’m sure that it WILL increase your accuracy.
Dadoo
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1398 posts in 378 days
posted 72 days ago
I’ve got the same saw and haven’t had any real problem…yet. As a matter of fact I just used the mitersled yesterday to crop the edges off some 22” wide shelves. First thing I did was to place my frame square on it and insure it was exactly 90 degrees to the blade. So I really don’t know why you want a seperate sled??? You are right on the fact that it has the two “T” slots on the router table…definately would be better having them on the blade table instead. Or at least one slot! I’d also like to find a way of clamping items to the miter fence….and just what are those little annoying plastic sliders on the miter fence for?
My router table attachment is also cast, not stamped so maybe yours is an older model?
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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302 posts in 186 days
posted 72 days ago
Nice job Barry, it will definitely improve your accuracy as long as the back fence on your sled is truly square to the blade. Did you screw the back fence AND glue it in place to remain integral to the cutting board?
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ
jjohn
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397 posts in 101 days
posted 72 days ago
I would think about the blade coming out or the back side. Maybe just a board just over the height of the blade to protect your hands a little. Looks like a well built sled.
-- JJohn
GaryK
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8182 posts in 376 days
posted 72 days ago
Looks good!! Like jjohn says I would worry about the blade poping out the back.
I would think about adding something like this for safety.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Justin R. Miller
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7 posts in 26 days
posted 26 days ago
At least your Craftsman is a “professional”! mine is amateur to say the least :)
-- Scouts Out Front!
Grumpy
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3775 posts in 238 days
posted 25 days ago
Looks good but watch those fingers.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
CaptnA
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72 posts in 200 days
posted 25 days ago
I hear thy words and appreciate thine effort…..
I also have a Craftsman circa-1980+/- the best? well certainly the best I could afford at the time
acceptable – most definately considering the option of continuing with a 1974 era black and decker circle saw (which still cuts as well…. well it still cuts lol)
I have a chance at an almost new delta saw and somehow can’t find the $ for it (its in my truck in the last 2 repairs ONE which should have fixed the problem and one to fix the “fix”) sigh….
deal of a lifetime and I’ve cleaned the couch, chairs, and jars out – still a bit short ; thestory of my life
Nice sled. Me thinks I may have to replicate it
-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "