? cross cutting? what tool do you use??

all of the above ,
more ways to cut things ,
is better all around

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

I actually use all of the above, depending on what I’m doing. I like the table saw sled for more acurate cuts.
It’s also safer for small pieces if you use some kind of hold down. I prefer the radial arm saw for production.
I probably use my sliding compound miter saw the most, because it’s convenient.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

i dont have an RAS or chop saw, but i use the sled on the TS. You should probably make one anyway since it has other advantages, some of which were mentioned already…

I use the radial arm saw for rough cuts and the table saw for detail/precise cuts. They all work well. Keep safety in mind, use hold downs. Safety, safety, safety.

-- jato, Houston Texas

I use an Incra 5000 sled, I love the repeatability and precision of angled cuts. It cost a few bucks but it saves me a ton of time, naturally there are other ways to accomplish the same processes but I wouldn’t trade my 5000.

a mitersaw is much safer than using a TS (with a miter gauge) for cross cutting. when you think about it , the purpose of the TS is for ripping, and the purpose of the MS is for cross cutting… I Think the miter saw would have better control for that operation. you could add some jigs to help with precision, but usually people get miter gauges and sleds when they don’t have access to a miter saw to begin with. not the other way around. (although sleds can be custom tailored to specific operations very well-esp. with small parts)

if I were you, I’d keep the crosscutting on the MS, and add some fixtures to it perhaps.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Thank you for all your input ….the reason I asked this ? was I do alot of crosscutting but it seems that the miter saw is not as accrate as the table saw and when cutting small pieces in red oak I’d rather use the table saw but I see how a cross cut sled would be safer…what might be better to set my miter saw on its own table instead of the portable miter stand I’m currently using and make some stop blocks and sometype of hold downs for small pieces…Im using a 12” dual bevel compond miter saw by ridgid and ridgids portable miter stand as well…I dont really have room for anything much bigger as well…

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

I use table sleds of varying sizes, a sliding compound miter saw, miter gage, a circular or jig saw, or hand saw, depending on the accuracy needed, number of identical parts, angle(s) involved, and the physical dimensions of the part. I don’t own a radial arm saw.

My first choice is usually the table saw and sleds, then the miter gage.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Without a doubt, if you are planning on cutting small pieces, a miter sled with hold downs is the way to go. Like everyone else has said I use my miter saw for most crosscuts but for those pieces that are less than 6 inches in length I always use my crosscut sled.

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

#1. For narrow crosscuts, my first choice is the compound miter saw. Very fast, easy to set up, and accurate. #2. Crosscut using the sliding miter table on my BT. Once I got used to the SMT, I started really liking it, now I can’t imagine not having one. #3. For cuts that are using stock narrower than is safe or comfortable with the SMT, I have a dual slot miter table on my BT aligned to the blade, and an old Delta miter gauge off of a friends burnt up benchtop saw. It works well enough but I have to check and double check that cheap gauge. A nice Incra would be a good improvement… #4. Edge Guide and circular saw with good finish blade. #5. Crosscut saw as a last resort. Sometimes as a first resort when it’s just a small cut. I would really like to try those Japanese saws soon… I like the idea of cut on pull instead of push.

-- Trying to follow the example of the master.

I have a table saw with sled and a Rockler miter sled. I also have a radial arm saw. I use all of the above, depending on the project. My favorite cross cutting saw for small pieces is my Hammond Glider Trim-O-Saw. This saw was originally used to cut lead type blocks for printing presses. It has a precise sliding table and a clamping system that securely holds pieces down to 1/4” x 1/4” for cutting. It is also dead on accurate. I picked mine up on Craig’s List for $50. The table was badly rusted, but everything, including the 1 HP motor worked well.

-- CutNRun - So much wood, so many trails, so little time

If you have a good Miter Saw with a sliding head you could probably get away with not needing a radial arm saw for rough cutting. I use a shop made sled for larger sheet type gutting where I don’t have to fight the piece as much (i.e. long wide piece that I want an accurate cut on) and I use a miter gauge for smaller stuff. I do all my accurate cuts on my table saw and just rough cut with my radial. I have two miter gauges that I use, both are Accumiter. One I keep set to 90 degrees and has an extruded aluminum fence that can have a stop set for multiple cuts of the same length. The other I put a piece of 3/4” plywood on it and set it to whatever angle I need at the time.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

I either use the Dewalt compound miter saw, or a Incra 500 sled, depending upon need.

For rough cuts I use my Hitachi miter saw. For finish work I use my table saw with an 80 tooth cutoff blade and a Super Sled that I built myself.

Table saw with a crosscut sled

-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com

Yeah I think I sould still built that supper sled…Maybe that will be my next project of jigs…It seems I do way to many small pieces and would come in handy

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

or even looking for a radio arm saw what would you choose and why? thanks…

get the AM/FM! Am for talk shows..FM for boogywoogy music!

seriosly a table sled and a 12” compound slider are both handy.
I have 5 different ways to do everything…. If only I had something to do!

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I think I spend too much time making jigs…the projects keep getting pushed off while I make the jig to accomplish the cuts…

I would recommend using the compound sliding mitre…I have the Bosch and it is pretty accurate if I pay attention….plus it is quick and easy to use as all the controls and adjustments are up front. I only use my TS for very small items that need a cross cut…..but I have been known to sneak those on my bandsaw…I have an excellent jig for making small cross cuts for the bandsaw….and it is dead on everytime…

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

Rockler has a real nice one that allows you to set miters as well. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21487

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

I use a SCMS for rough cuts up to 12”. Once the panel is together or if the piece is above 12” I use my sled. If you make a couple of sleds you can make due with out the miter saw. Before I got my sliding miter saw I used a sled for everything. Cross cut sleds are worth their weight in gold, for repetability, accuracy, and saftey.

All the above…sleds, table saw, miter saw…..and a very fine tuned RAS

-- Don S.E. OK

Sleds, sliding or other miters saws or even a circular saw with guide.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

All of the above, sliding compound miter saw, band saw, but for the small pieces or the perfect fit a crosscut sled is my weapon of choice. Everyone has there own opinion though. !

-- Mike

sled’s no the table saw have worked best for me
with the sled you have a built in 0 clearance insert (less chip out)
you can add fences as the 1 i made for angled cuts stop blocks are add fast
i have 3 sleds 1 is for box making is for 45 deg. cuts 1 is streight cuts of large material
and 1 is set with a abjustable fence for angles look here lots of them made by fellow jocks
they are very easy to build just my $o.o2

I use all of them. I tend to use the radial arm saw for cross cutting stuff like 2X4s, 2X6s etc, I use the miiter saw for cutting small pieces and of course miters. I use the TS and a sled for cross cutting panels.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN