| Project by MickeyD | posted 77 days ago | 1024 views | 12 times favorited | 16 comments |  |
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I have finally finished our cross cut sled. After a few false starts (Chinese plywood) and miss turns it is finished and cuts square. I thank Kelly Mehler for inspiration. Whenever I would feel frustrated or unsure I would watch his video and feel calm and confident again. Jed (Kindlingmaker) was ever patient and supportive….I think he just wanted the sled finished and usable. ; ) We bought a saw blade just for cutting plastic to make the safety cover and it worked well. The front fence was not quite square after sitting around so long, but a couple of passes through the drum sander fixed that. The base is 1/2” Baltic birch plywood and the fences are 5-4 red oak. The safety block is several pieces of red oak glued together. The sled is 20” x 34” and has a fence height of 4 1/2”. The plexiglass safety cover reduces the amount of sawdust being thrown into the air besides helping to hold down the wood and keeping my fingers away from the blade. The guard is made of 1/4” plexiglass and I dado cut the groves in the fences to hold it in place. Johnson’s paste floor wax was applied to the bottom for smooth sliding action. I am very happy with the project and I am looking forward to years of use. : )
-- -Willing to try
16 comments so far
Innovator
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3125 posts in 308 days
posted 77 days ago
Congrats, Nice job
I really like the lexan saw guard.
-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
Scott Bryan
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20651 posts in 716 days
posted 77 days ago
This is a nice sled, Mickey. I like the addition of the blade guard as well. I put one on mine because I have a bad habit of reaching inside the sled for the offcuts before the blade stops spinning. But I only put a shield in place and, you are right, it does throw off sawdust. I like the enclosed guard that you built not only for safety’s sake but also for controlling dust.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
cabinetmaster
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8533 posts in 452 days
posted 77 days ago
Nice job. Looks like the same size one I had at my cabinet shop. Cut many a cabinet part with it. Wish I had never parted with it or the saw.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
BarryW
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872 posts in 801 days
posted 77 days ago
that’s an excellent sled…and from the sounds of it is very smooth…and I like the guard…excellent.
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
GrainTrain79
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19 posts in 78 days
posted 77 days ago
Nice!
I recently built a sled and I love it. It makes cutting a joy. I find that it really helps to control the dust too.
-- West Seattle, WA
GrainTrain79
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19 posts in 78 days
posted 77 days ago
what do you use for runners beneath? a piece of hardwood? or a piece of aluminum or brass? is there any play? One runner or two?
-- West Seattle, WA
socalwood
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968 posts in 498 days
posted 77 days ago
A really useful jig ! Good deal-
Matt Vredenburg
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47 posts in 309 days
posted 77 days ago
Congratulations on completing your cross cut sled. I know how projects can drag on and being able to say you completed something is a great feeling. I have build three cross cut sleds in my lifetime and each one gets better and better. Great job – i love the Plexiglas idea for safety.
-- Matt, Arizona
MickeyD
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28 posts in 421 days
posted 77 days ago
GrainTrain79 I used 2 steel miter bars from Peachtree. They have spring plungers that can be adjusted to stop side to side play.
~Mickey
-- -Willing to try
upperwoodsman
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35 posts in 240 days
posted 77 days ago
Hey I like the hole idea very useful Congrats
Nice Plexiglas idea
-- Scott JoBurg MI
Big_Bob
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97 posts in 603 days
posted 77 days ago
Nice. I like the plexiglass safety cover. I may need to scrap mine out and make one like yours.
-- Bob Clark, Tool Collector and Sawdust Maker
woodworm
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8243 posts in 485 days
posted 77 days ago
Nicely built sled.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
HarleySoftailDeuce
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154 posts in 314 days
posted 76 days ago
Very nice sled! Every time I come on this site, I add things to my to do list, and this is one of those items I really could use.
-- Paul, Bristol,Rhode Island
panther
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36 posts in 137 days
posted 73 days ago
outstanding sled,very glad to see plexyglass shield cover the blade, the first time your fingers bump it instead of the spinning blade they will thank you
Woodlander
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10 posts in 222 days
posted 58 days ago
Wow – this is great!
I saw the one you based it on in a fine woodworking video – and yours is superb!
Great job!
-Woodlander
-- "Government "help" to business is just as disastrous as government persecution... the only way a government can be of service to national prosperity is by keeping its hands off. " - Ayn Rand
reggiek
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712 posts in 164 days
posted 58 days ago
Cool Sled….one of the most useful jigs IMHO….that one is a keeper for sure…
-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!