Building a Crosscut Sled with the KM Tools Jig Square
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- I just got the new KM Tools Jig Square in the mail, and figured now was as good a time as any to make a new sled. Does it work as advertised? Is it the second coming for tool setups? Only one way to find out!
Want one for yourself? Go to:
kmtools.com/products/katz-mos...
Want to use the 5 cut method instead? Go here: kmtools.com/pages/five-cut-me...
00:00 - Intro
03:19 - Materials
04:22 - Building the Fence
10:00 - Making the Runners
15:21 - Attaching the rear fence
15:54 - Using the KM Tools Jig
17:55 - Testing the jig's results
20:21 - Calculating the Results
20:47 - Impressions and Conclusion
22:36 - Build Montage Finale - Навчання та стиль
Time is money... bought this thing at first sight! Can't wait to get it.
By clamping a scrap to mitersaw or similar saws. You can set fences square. And making special jigs. I could see it as a huge time saver. Allowing me to even make one-time or experimental jigs quickly .
If you can't find one, like you live in Mombasa, or Canada, just run the sled base (ply and two runners) through the saw, cutting the ply base in half. Then choose one side and align the fence with a square to the side of the kerf. If people think that won't work, I don't know why there is such a market in Woodpecker squares... Once you have one runner, ply base and fence aligned the second half of the base, (ply and one runner) doesn't have anywhere else to go other than perfect.
Thank you for testing out the Jig Square and sharing the building of your crosscut sled 🛷.
It's a unitool (does only one thing very well). If I make a sled every 6 years, my 140 is well spent in something else while I use the online calculator of the five cut method.
Think beyond the jig. I've used it on production pieces to ensure certain other cuts in the final work piece are square or parallel. You have to let go of it just being a thing for making jigs.
I come from a machinist background. I know that woodworking does not require the same level of accuracy, But I will say this. When dialing in my table saw, look to approach that level of accuracy, Why? Because your tool works a lot smoother the more accurate it is. My cheap Rigid contractor table saw cuts like butter because it is dialed in so well. Point being.....while that kind of accuracy is not mandatory, things go a lot smoother the more accurate you are. There is value in that. And sleds while not too expensive to build....the ability to build them quick and VERY accurate and to be reliable for their accuracy....for me there is value in that. Will eventually probably get that tool just for those reasons.
Yep, I totally agree that there is value in accuracy. I think it's up to each person to decide where that tradeoff line is, but hey at least the tool works as advertised, so that's nice!
Absolutely agree. I’ve been woodworking for over 45 years and think I’ve worked out what matters and what doesn’t. In some parts, accuracy (machinists accuracy) doesn’t matter; for instance the bottom of drawers where you might want the bottom to float in dados. For other, for instance, M&T, accuracy is required.
I try to get my machines running as accurately as I can; as accurately as I can measure. I know that blades won’t run true, that wood moves, that temperature affects metal but if I can get the machines and jigs as good as I can, then I take away one part of potential inaccuracy.
If you look at the hidden parts of high class antiques - the insides of carcasses, the backs and all the part we aren’t supposed to see, then you’ll see most are as rough as they could be. Why? Because they reserved accuracy for it mattered and not where it doesn’t.
I used a large rafter square with a wedge in the kerf to hold it. This thing is a square that you put in a drawer for years at a time because it has less uses. Maybe if the flat piece had something else going on. Anything more would make it easier to sell.
Hey, can we get a video on that tape you’re using? I’ve seen it around but would love to know what you think.
I don't think I have enough thoughts to make a whole video for that one. Summary: it's nice having a tape measure with a little screen to record measurements on it, but it's probably not worth what they're charging.
I got it for a good bit cheaper through their kickstarter. My only real gripes other than price though are that it's kind of big, and the battery seems to drain a lot faster than I'd expect. Other than that, it works as advertised
It seems more than accurate enough for woodworking. Is it worth its cost? Everyone will have a different answer to that. I guess factors include how often will it be used for any calibration? How tight is money for me at this time? I have bought one - but haven’t got it yet because it’s my calculation for me that I can justify the cost. To me.
Over the last 45 years, I have bought many tools, many “you can’t live without this” items. In some ways, the bigger the hype, the more useless the article. I’ve given away most of my unforgivable purchases but there are a few that I keep so that I can remind myself that a fool and his money are soon parted - and also I’d be ashamed to admit to another I had bought it.
I don’t put Katz Moses in this category at all. I think he designs very accurate tools and chooses his manufacturer (Hongdui?) carefully to ensure quality. So, the quality of the piece is not a factor for me. Whether it is value for money seems quite individual
Would like to get one but it’s 3 month wait with my money….
Why would you build a sled with the kerf already cut? With two separate pieces of plywood for the base, rather than raising the blade through it once you have runners and the formica top in place?
The runners were already there, but the honest part about the formica coming later was that I simply got overexcited about trying the jig and didn't think it through! Definitely a fair callout
Did you add a 45 degree bevel to the same sled?
What about making the same principle with some scrap wood and some hardware for 5$ ? There is no tech or something so smart in this tool, it seems a simple square with some pin to keep it in place.
Yeah, for the home hobbyist I think this tool is a pretty hard sell. But the main intent is for it to be a trusted, very accurate, 90 degrees. Instead of a scrap wood jig, it'd probably be more precise to stick with the 5 cut method, rather than trying to cut a precise jig by hand, to then square up another handmade item.
I have a piece of thick cardboard that is the exact size as the kerf of my blade and I use that with a square I know is accurate.
A uni-tool for $140 and you then still have to calculate and adjust? Maybe buy a Starrett precision square so you could make the sled and use the square on other projects. Just my 2 cents.
It’s one of those jigs if you belonged to a woodworking club or had a few guys close by that could buy it together it would be worth buying otherwise the price point doesn’t seem sensible to me.
Yep, or maybe you run a shop where jigs get build and rebuilt often?
@@imadeathing91 Sue my mindset was thinking as a hobbiest.
if I understand well, you used a 140$ tool to build a 20$ sled... and that is the only thing you can build with it. Hope you make a lot of money with your woodworking products.
I WISH plywood was that cheap. It's even worse in reality, I spent $140 to build a sled that also cost almost $100 in materials, so that I can make crosscuts for my mediocre projects. As you can tell, my true strength is my financial decision making
I was just joking. Sorry. Didn't mean any disrespect. I just find tools that are only useful to build one item a little too much for a hobbiest like me. But for a professional like you, time is money. And I understand that with this tool, the building of the sled was very fast. And I'm sure you will find other uses for the gadget as it is a true 90 degree. Sorry again if my comment offended you. I don't comment often on social media.
@@amohtash it's all good! I was being a bit cheeky in my response too. I flattered you called me a professional though! Definitely still just a hobbiest who's been lucky enough to sink a fair bit of savings onto his tools
I just finished using my jig square. It's a joke. My framing square would have been closer.
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Woah, yeah I saw your videos, that's wild. I tested mine 2 more times, and still am within hundredths of an inch. I'd reach out to KM Tools for yours, seems like a defect
Yeah not worth it…… I should buy one and rent it out lol
Answer to the title question: No.
Sorry, but IMO KM charges too much for these tools. Perhaps he is channeling his inner Wood Pecker or TSO persona. ?