Crosscut Sled

Dave, this is a nice sled. It is not only functional but it is also a nice looking piece of woodworking. Too often we, as woodworkers, tend to settle solely for functionality and don’t bother with how the project looks since it is “just a shop tool”. I really like to see projects like this. They serve as an advertisement of the craftmanship that goes even into the “routine” projects that come out of a shop.

Well done.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

I tend to be selfish with my Oak and especially Walnut, but this looks really nice. Everyone that uses a table saw should have a sled for it.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

Very nice job. I really need to make one these. Thanks for the motivation.

-- Scott in Texas

I, too, need to build a sled like this! I like the idea of the threaded inserts for the hold downs. This project looks well thought out, and I appreciate the use of finish wood instead of just shop plywood. Good job!

very nice…i want to build one…so this is going in my fav’s…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...sanity...has arrived...JUNE-JULY-AUGUST...

Why don’t you guys buy a table saw in America with a sliding table for cutting built into it they are all the rage here in Europe.I suppose a sled is good if you don’t have a sliding table but seriously whay are they not so poular in the United States were everyone inc Norm Abram has a wooden sliding table such as this .
Hrrmmmm On a better note very well made and it looks good,but not as good as the real thing i m h o .Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Alistair, I’d never heard of a sliding top table saw, until you mentioned it, then I went looking for them, and found very little info on them. THAT is probably why most of us are having to make sleds for our table saws, they just don’t seem to be available in the States.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

ric, check out grizzly. They make a saw with one, I also think they have an add on for most cabinet saws. The big disadvantage of a sliding table is space. It hangs out there on the left side like the fence does on the right. Now with a 50” fence and a 24” slider, your table saw is 10feet wide.

sorry didn’t mean to be offensive just can’t understand what is going on heres mine notice the sliding table comes right up to the blade I wouldn’t be without it for safety now you can stand to the side and make all your cuts once the wood is held down.Alistair.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Alistair:
There are several available here in the US, namely the Rikon and the Grizzly. I think the main discouraging factor is the price. Even at $2100 (which is cheaper than I thought it would be), the Rikon is about $1000 more than I’d be willing or able to pay. If you’re talking about a Felder, it’s much more. Also, these saws have just recently been available here in the US. I know the European table saws have offered these features for years and like most things, it takes a while to catch on here. Another thing could be that the footprint of a slider looks to be bigger than most standard cabinet saws that are mainstream in America. Until I can afford one, I’ll stick with my $20 wooden cross cut sled. Just my 2 cents.

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

If I didn’t have access to the saw I have I would definitely make a sled great Idea but then the sliding saw is my preferrence another thing in nany Europe we are not allowed dado blades on a table saw see how my saw sliding table comes all the way to the blade plus the arbor is purposely made far too short for one. The health and saFETY authorities say it’s too risky to remove the saw guard that’s why.We can of course always buy from America and many do but not to be used for staff or coworkers just for the home shop you won’t be insured if you allow your coworkers to use one but you can take the chance yourself European rules so it’s swings and roundabouts some things you have better also planer thicknessers all in one read jointer planers in the states they are very common here now.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Nice sled you have there. I built one a few years back that is completely utilitarian looking, but does it’s job perfectly. You have just given me the motivation to build a nice new one. Thanks for sharing.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

Nice heavy duty looking sled!

You might want to think about increasing the length of your block at the rear of your sled.
Kind of like this:

I find that I pay more attention to my cut rather than the back of my sled. A lot safer this way.

Scotman – I thought the reason for no dado blades was that, with your requirement of the saw stopping fast when the power is shut off, the mass of a dado blade would loosen the nut holding it on. Possibly making a blade or two fall off.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Gary,
Thanks, that’s a good idea.

-- Dave McCoy

A few tips for sled makers:

- use quartersawn stock for the runners. This will keep them fitting better over the seasons. You don’t need to actually BUY quartersawn maple, walnut, etc… Simply read the end of the perspective part and look for nearly vertical grain in relation to the width of the runner.

- Think of clamping stop blocks and hold down blocks, when building the fence closest to the operator. This will quadruple the usefulness of the sled. Nothing fancy for a stop, just a scrap block to make identical parts. The hold-down block is just another scrap clamped down against the keeper side of the stock. Again, nothing fancy at all.

- Balance long items by placing weight plates, sand bags, full finish cans, etc… on the opposite side of the sled. Weights can also be placed on the work to stabilize it.

-- - Don't Panic!

Great looking sled!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Very nice! Functional and elegant! I bet its a pleasure to use!

-- Regards, Norm

Great looking sled. That will be by next in shop project.