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Crosscut sled

2K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  neverenougftackle 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
After buying my new table saw it was time to start building the accessories
I need for it. First on the list was a crosscut sled. After reviewing alot
of different crosscut sleds on the internet to figure out which one I liked
best. When I got home today my wife had this waiting for me.

Rocklers crosscut sled. What do you think about it.
Wood Finger Gas Creative arts Engineering
 

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#3 ·
I havent opened it up yet as it was pretty late by the time I got home yesterday, plan on getting it assemblied this weekend. I do like the fact that it can cut any angle which I would think would make it more versital then a dedicated 45 and 90 degree sled. The only concern that I have is how well does it lock into place to make repeatable same degree cuts.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Several years back I bought the Jointech version of the one that you are showing. Mine appears to be a little more fancy with a grooved cut into handle at the top, and comparably probably cost more too. Never the less I was never sorry I bought mine.
One think I would like to bring up, In Jointech's the base was manufactured wider that the saw's blade cut so as when the owner first ran that base threw the blade he would normally use, to cut the excess off. That new cut's raw edge, registered at the right edge of the base/board, is where the edge of the material you would want to cut should be placed. Ok now what happens if you change blades and do not pay attention to the set of that blades teeth type. If like in making a picture frame, where the four sided 45 degree miter shows any discrepancy,,,,,So pay attention when that first cut is made as to which make, and tooth set you are intending to make as to your using that sled.
That little bit differance threw me for a while untill I figured out what I had done. Even at that a well made 45 & 90 shooting board is nice and worth your time in making, if nothing else it shaves of the rough edges of the saws cut edges.
 
#8 ·
squaretree - Yes she does have a sister…..LOL

neverenougftackle - I think that I understand what you are saying… If I change blades after the initial excess cutoff and the new blade is a different tooth set it could actually cut more material away from the sled base. I just bought a new Freud 80T blade to go on my table saw as I work alot with plywood and trim. This is the blade that I will use the most with the crosscut sled.

Mainiac Matt - I am going to open it up tonight and put it together - and yes I still have plenty of projects to do. Looks like a router table extension just moved to the top of my list
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yelp more of LESS materal, depends on your go to blade and its type of tooth set.

A couple of woodworkers friends of mine, we visit each other shop to see the latest project, and we rass each other over all kinds of issues. One being, is when I cough it on was when I spent this kind'ah money on this type of sled. The reply, " (my name) you are not using a micro scope to build these wooden things just get it close". Well my reply was, what is you defination of close ? I like my sled for when getting that cut, "near the mark" just is not close enough. Thats when off of the storage rack , and up it come. like Multi sides 22 1/2 degree is 22 1/2 degree on the upper side and then swing it down and thats 22 1/2 degree on that mitered side also.
 
#10 ·
It's probably pretty accurate. The "Dubby" is a similar sled that has the degree markings out there at the end of the fence- you can set those angles very close out at the end like that. I've seen the guy that demos the Dubby cut with a cheap saw and a sharp blade and put an octagonal set of miters together with nary a gap.
 
#12 ·
If you decide to build a crosscut sled, take a look at mine. I am using it to cut dadoes for cabinets I am building. The one drawback is it isn't deep enough for cutting the base cabinets, but for anything 20 inches wide or less, I can cut it here with good accuracy, regardless if I am using a single blade or a dado stack. Zero clearance either way.

Good luck and have fun with that new saw.
Mike
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Forgot to menchion,,,you do know that these sleds are acurate enough that you can make a very simple tendon support/cut jig using the sled and its 90 degree arm, as a mater of fact several jigs, becaus of the tightness of the bases miter slides no slop, the arm, and naturally the carring/slide base itself,,,,, I'll see if I can find the one example that was for my Jointech,,,,, Well (*&^%$ ) I wont transfer,,,its in Googles images some where under jointech sled. It will/could be made the same for yours, well really any acurate sled as Mike's is above or the Dubby that's been around for a loooonnng time. My buddie has a Dubby, he likes his also.
 
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