Crosscut Sled: USE BOLTS

Gary’s a very good woodworker he’s a good guy to get advice from.

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

I agree completely. His video, “Router Joinery” is still one of my favorites. The router table design he used in the video is as simple and effective as they come.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

Amen to the bolts. For a really easy way to see if the fence is square (and fix it if it isn’t) check out this video:

http://www.garagewoodworks.com/video.php?video=v9

—Russ

-- My table saw laughs at hot dogs. http://thesorteddetails.blogspot.com/

Adjustable fences are always better and you have accomplished that with your sled. Looks like a winner.

Just to mention another easy option that doesn’t require bolts (not necessarily better). You can use a double fence. The front fence secured to the base and a second fence secured to the first fence. The idea is that the second fence can be shimmed to the perfect angle before screwing it tight, and it can also be easily readjusted.

-- Mike, American in Norway

Excellent job.
My sled has the swiss cheese holes in the bottom as well.
I will use your method the next time for sure.
Thanks for posting.

-- Close to Ottawa Ontario Canada

Nice work.

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"

Good work and thanks for sharing

This is such a good idea. I just had to buy a new Table saw and the old sled wont work on it. The new table is larger and the tracks are further apart and they have the little extra groove at the top. I may have to make all new ones or maybe I will get to remove the old ones and modify them a little then mount them to a new sled. I really like the deisgn you used, and I am thankful to see it so I can use the same. I hate swiss cheese – holes on wood and the cheese.

Thanks for sharing this. ...mike…

-- Michael TX, Not even my wife understands my sense of humor.

I also had to build a new sled this weekend. After getting the runners right I got them attached to the base. Slid it onto the saw and sliced through with the blade getting it about 2 inches out (no fences installed at this point). Then using about 3 or 4 small dabs of quick curing epoxy set the rear fence square using my steel square. Waited 5 minutes, slipped it all out and turned it upside down on my workbench and clamped it for good measure. Drilled some pilots and screwed the rear fence down.

Downside is that its not adjustable.

-- “There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.” ~ JRR Tolkien

@GW, I saw your video and intended to true up the fence that way, but I don’t have a magnetic dial indicator base. :(

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

I have been a part of this community for less than two months. You guys and gals have literally built a woodworking COLLEGE here. I am simply astonished at the know how and resources available. Last year I was thinking it would take me forever to pick through all the internet trying to find what I needed to improve my
work. I have a police officer friend that told me about LJ’s, I thought, yeah another jumbled website I’ll lose interest in. I am so very thankful for all of you and your willingness to share your skills so freely. I’ve been on the internet almost since its inception, talk about paying off!

God Bless Ya Folks!

-- DaytonHM Dayton Va.

How did you get the base with all the holes out of my garage. My dog is slipping…

Thanks for the ideas.

-- Thank You Veterans!