Router Sled to flatten large slabs.

Nice setup

-- If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!

nice idea

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Like to see the final project. Might need to build one for myself.

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

Great idea.

-- Whether You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, YOU ARE RIGHT!!!

Interesting….are you using this as a precursor to a planer….or in lieu of one?

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

great rig ,
where do you ge the ’ linear bearings ’ ?

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

Nice jig!

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

what kind of bit are you using?

-- Antonio

Simple and effective.

Linear bearings are expensive, unless you find an auction on e-bay at the right price… I have another set, but they aren’t “open” bearings to slide on the duplicator frame. I’ll replace the scrap wood on the sides with a bearing platform when I find the right auction. I’m also going to replace the plywood base with some 3/*” lexan that I have in the shop. I’m a lot more comfortable when I can see the cutter and what’s happening to the wood.

The bit I used was just one that was handy. It’s a 3/4” straight, plunge cutting bit. It left visable ridges from the sharp edge of the bit, (you can see ‘em, but you can’t feel them and it only takes a few passes with a cabinet scraper to remove them) I’m going to try a bowl cutting bit with rounded edges and a 3/4” flat bottom when I flatten the next slab. The finish was so good that if the ridges weren’t there, I’d start sanding with 100 grit.

-- Hal, Tennessee http://www.first285.com

Good job.

-- If I had only known, I would have been a locksmith. - Albert Einstein

Looks like an expensive alternative to just using a piece of plywood with hardwood edges to keep it from flexing.

-- Julian, Park Forest, IL

I already had the base (Gunstock duplicator) and everything else was just spare stuff in the shop. So my total outlay was zip. And the main reaon I built the router sled was to have a way to quicky flatten a raw slab. It opens the number of potential customers to those who don’t have a way to flatten a slab to make a bench or table. I’m going to make a bench, a table and an office desk out of some of my slabs for the sawmill office and line the wall with slabs ready for customers to buy for their own projects. oh, the 1” stainless steel was scrap from a local machine shop where the owner, said: “Take anything you want, it’s just scrap” I’m going back this week to pick up some 3/8” stainless sheet steel (cutoff from a CNC plasma cutter) and some 1/2” 6061-T6 aluminum. I’ll find something to do with it!

-- Hal, Tennessee http://www.first285.com

Nice, and yes an expensive alternative to something like what I have here – my router thickness planer

BUT, if it works and is right for you, then that’s what counts the most.

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

Nice Job very useful.

-- Scott JoBurg MI The More you know the less mistakes...........