I made the "not $1200" jig. I got the linear rails from Vevor, a piece of 1/2 plexiglass and a router bit from Amazon. In all it was less than $200. It works great.
Loving your videos! I especially enjoy the parts where you say things like “semi-pro tip” and “I’m just doing this to show you all.” Keeping it down to earth!
This is one of the most simplistic and valuable DIY videos I've come across. More should be like this. I've been wanting to build a slab leveler, but haven't really researched it extensively, assuming it may be cost prohibitive. This has proven otherwise. Thank you.
Second time I have watch this. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. Thank you. I am way grateful for your showing your screwups. Mine don't hurt -as much- when I see somebody else has done the same thing. Again thank you for the video.
Another great video. I like the keep it simple vibe you got going. Looks like your starting to build all the things you’re going need for some big projects coming up!
OMG I have big pieces of walnut and was going try build flatting jig.Thank you so much for the video and the breakdown.I just found you’re channel last week and subscribed.I enjoy you’re channel and videos.Thank you and keep making them awesome videos.Thanks for parts list also.Have a great day
Wow, thanks man! This is sweet! I have seen these jigs on other woodworking channels, but was never able to find the hardware or as detailed instructions as yours. I will be making the "Not $1200" jig, and buying a spare set of rails to design a sawmill.
Great build summaries. I feel like I'm along for the journey and experience the ups and downs, just like I'm building them. That sled will last you a lifetime.
You had me at “iron sharpens iron” …. Great video/project shooting and play by play. You earned my subscription today. Downloading for reference. Looking for more videos and seeing your channel grow wildly. Best of everything…jb…
I really enjoy your style Joseph and I thank you for the time and effort behind this very enjoyable video - just starting up in UK and this will help me a lot!
New subscriber here. I believe I will be learning a lot from you in the near future. I especially like your T-shirt and what it says, my brother. - Rick, USMC
I just built my own with 3/4" iron pipe and off ghe shelf fittings from lowes, the sled runs along the pipe side rails with some u-groove wheels i found on amazon, was roughly $100 in parts and is easy to take apart if i need to get it out of my way.
Thanks for the video , I made mine but for the first option the thickness of slid board can't be 3/4" since the router bit doesn't extend more than 3/4" therefore doesn't have enough travel to make contact with the board that needs to be flattened
Thank you. Hindsight, I should have said that the thickness of the router sled base will depend on your router and router bit. It didn't occur to me to say that at the time I was making the video.
@@fiveduckstudio Joseph, you're welcome. I appreciate your style and savvy. Most UA-camrs are just ham and eggers whom, I don't believe, know a piece of oak from mdf. Anyway, keep driving on.
@@themeat5053 Thanks for the kind words. I'm still learning and trying to get better. Almost done with my next project and working on the next video now. Good journey 🦆
Compressed air and the blower port on my shop vac. 😂 I have a dust separator attached to it, the Home Depot brand. Which does help, but doesn't stop all the dust, maybe 50% of it. 😅 But I really need to build something for managing the dust around the blade. To see if that helps.
Great video. I definitely like the cost of your’s more than the 1200 woodpecker one. Would love to make one. I’m curious…. How much do you remove the sled and how hard is it to set it back up?
I only have the jig set in place when I'm going to use it. I personally just leave the sled and the top rail attached to each other. Then just slide the top rail off the bottom rail. And store the sled/top rail vertically in a storage area. The re-setup time doesn't take very long, no more than ten minutes I would say, but could be done faster. the way I do it is I just dropped the two bottom rails in place and then slide the top rail on. The part that takes the longest for me is reattaching the router base to the sled. I hope that helps answer your question! 🦆
Awesome video again mate. I’ve made the free one before but I think for the next table I do then I might be trading g up to the not$1200 sled. Thanks for sharing.
First, love the video. I need to make one of these and I am also cheap... frugal maybe? Either way you have discovered what we at work call "frupid". It's the act of attempting to save money that has unwanted and easily avoidable outcomes... which makes it a stupid idea LOL!! Don't take it wrong, I have made many, and will make more, frupid decisions in my life.
I just finished making a router sled very much like your second one here. I bought a router plate on Amazon though and it is working fine for me. I did not like the commercial router sleds so I made my own.
Great idea for that second sled! I mostly work on small pieces (9 inches in diameter or less) so I built a small router sled a couple years ago. Slaved the metal rails from an old bed frame, then two pieces of angle iron for the top rail. The angle iron is connected with a piece of scrap wood on each end that also works as a guide keeping it on the side rails. No router sled needed as the router just fits and slides right in the angle iron. Price was "free" as everything was salvaged. But no dust collection. I wish it had dust collection.
Thank you! There are so many Easter eggs in my videos, some super obvious, while others are so obscure you either know or you don't 😂. My mind runs on pop culture references 😅
Good Day 🌅 , I started building mine today, I am using a Mafell 65c , or OF2200 F , I can not decide yet the length, ideally 8X4 sheet, I just need to buy some rails, From France,
@@fiveduckstudio back when I was living in the uk , I had a lot more room, in my work shop, my bench was 1-5 Metres X 3 Metres, with the Festool track and rail all the way round, I used to make very large doors and windows, some doors were 3 inches thick, I was doing a lot of barn conversions and property renovations, I was always given the contract to make set items and then install as well, The table was rigged up as well for a vacuum table, I’m now retired living in France, my workshop is only about quarter of the size that I used to have back in the UK, so I still got most of my tools and equipment, I am interested in doing river tables, and I have some slabs cookies I think they’re called, where the centre is rotted out, I’m thinking of trying to make the table for my slab flattening jig in two sections. I’ve even been thinking of trying to make it so it folds up against the wall, I will let you know in due course what happens, I wish you all the best for the future, from France ,
@@fiveduckstudio Good Day 🌅, I did manage to get my Wadkin EKA yesterday, for the first time in 5 years, I have a lot of timber left over from jobs , so I am using one of my bedrooms to store tools and timber, something that I had to sell, was a very large mortising machine, I could do with that at the moment, however, I do have a Mafell handheld chain mortise machine , the trouble is it’s in the bedroom where I have been stuck in other tools and equipment and timber, It’s gonna take me a month of Sunday to try and get it out of the bedroom, I hadn’t realised that I’d put it in there before I started stuck in other stuff in there, I do have a very large attic, approximately 7 m x 12 m metres, but I’m waiting for my roof to be repaired at the moment and cannot store stuff up there, Got a few leaks, hopefully it’ll be sorted before Christmas, From France.
Hopefully that gets sorted out before Christmas! That's how it always works, you put the thing you need in a spot that makes your life hard.. well at least hard to get to. . Hope all is well with you. Sorry for the later response, being look in editing my latest video these last 3 weeks.
I generally stare for days, weeks, and months at slabs to get them surfaced and flat. Another free option is to negotiate with the slab. Ask them questions like, "Don't you want to be flat and smooth?" or "Wouldn't you prefer to be a table in in a nice climate controlled room rather than living outside?" So far, neither strategy has worked out, but I haven't given up hope just yet
I made rail one after seeing other other video and works really really well. Only thing i screwed up was the router part and thus not so good dust collection. Can you share some dimensions for that portion? I have this exact router
I don't have the exact dimensions written down anymore. But it was the thickness of two sidewalls + the router base + 1/8 of an inch for wiggle room. Hope that helps.
How much time did you spend on either project? Including planning and sourcing the material? After all, that is a big part of the cost unless you are a hobbyist.
It's hard to say as filming adds a lot of time to the build. Neither took me more than a day to build while filming. Neither of these things are new ideas so, planning and sourcing materials would be no more than an hour. But it depends on how quickly someone decides on things. Most hobbyist will have the scrap pile to make it happen. That's true, but if you need a flattening jig, but also need to buy a domino having a cheaper option is nice. 😆
@@fiveduckstudio As I said, not so relevant for a hobbyist. But it is still worth considering. At an hourly rate somewhere between $35 and $70 (salary + workshop + electricity +++) this adds up quickly. No good dust collection == more cleanup time, whenever you use it* == more cost on all subsequent projects. Btw, would love to see the 3 jigs compared in use. *And cleaning is the part of the project we all love the most 🤣
Yes indeed! everything has a cost to it, we just have to figure out the worth to us. Like cleaning.... Horrible and a time waster, but also 100% required 😢.
I made 1 from timber same as your economical jig but I got a friend to cut out a rack and pinion from plywood the reason I did this was cause I've added a motor and back and forth step mechanism after this is cause my set up covers a little over 5foot by 12 I use it for large solid tables and the design is modular so I can make it bigger or smaller and adjust how much it takes off at a time
Thanks it was way over engineered but it is very nice to be able to turn it on and let it run while working on smth else or taking a break but I will be adding a brush curtain to the extraction for some reason never occurred to me 1 thing that is nice tough is I can fold it up against the wall this works nice to both lower it over heavy tops and store it for more room something that is always nice to have the option of
Yeah no doubt about it but I would have to say it is underutilized by me my main job is as a full time carpenter but this is my hobbie slash occasional side job so I get to design and test unnecessarily complex and efficient mechanisms😂
Thanks 5 Duck-I have been wondering how all those components would work and the cost add up. I was contemplating a sled for my current project today! Are you listening to me like Siri or Alexa ? If so, sorry about the language.
Ehh, this is pretty niche. If you found this video you should already know what a flattening jig is. I think this no nonsense straight to the build is perfect.
Nice! Professional woodworkers have just used wood on wood versions of this kind of thing, for over 50 years. Once you fire up the router the vibration makes it seem like the jig is on bearings. Particularly if th ejig isn't too overbuilt. Very similar concept to a chainsaw mill, and nobody uses linear bearings for those. Tage Frid was the first guy I ever saw do this in his 1985 book. He just had a couple of offcuts, of probably pine. When Nick Offerman kicked off the insanity with his unattributed jig in the a 2011 issue of Fine Woodworking, he used a more complex setup in plywood. Maybe some people want to do this kind of stuff every day. For me, it is a more occasional thing, Since I have a planer and jointer for the usual stuff. and I just use what I have lying around. Maybe I wouldn't have that stuff if I had started with one of these. The nice thing about going all linear bearings is that you are most of the way to some kind of CNC machine. Particularly if all you want is a fixed Z axis, at least not a Stepper controlled one.
Thanks! Yup there is a lot of way to get the job done. I do find that the metal rails are to smooth the natural friction of wood make so left tear out.
I've got the exact same table saw. Do yourself a favor and toss that stock insert and build or buy a zero clearance insert. The factory insert on this saw is borderline unusable. Least it was on mine. Just terrible. Made a big difference for me in terms of accuracy and no annoying hangups with the insert not being flush all around on the table, which I could never get despite countless attempts at adjustments
You are absolutely right! The factory insert on the table saw sucks! I have the same problems you had. I plan to make an insert just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Finally, a guy using drywall screws for a woodworking jig! Let the "pros" bitch, they haven't failed me once in over 45 years arsing around in the shop.❤👍
😂😂 Do people really complain about drywall screws? Weird. I wouldn't use them to screw 2x4 together... But to secure the plywood top to a 2x4 structure... Yes...😂
Quality control on drywall screws has plummeted due to need for storm rebuilds and new construction. They’re not designed for vibration or torque. But you guys do what works for your needs and circumstances.
No I have not. I think the biggest problem with that is the grain direction. The router spins so you can handle that... Where as a hand plane, I believe you're not supposed to go against the grain or you get a lot of tear out. Also, it's a lot easier to adjust the depth of the router so you would have to try to figure out a clever way of adjusting the depth plant of the hand plane.
As for the length of the jig: I'd say it's infinitely long? you can always scroll the wood forward and do a section at a time. All you need is tables to support it
Looks like the rail can come off of the aluminum riser? I see the longer rails come with a guid pin to connect rails end to end. But, can't tell if both ends of the rail have this or just one end. If one end, I would like to bore that hole for the pin. Would have to solve other issues with my lathe to accomplish this. But nothing to worry about if the rail does not detach from the riser.
the irony of making a router sled, but not using the router with the templates to cut the dust collection holes. 🤣 edit and you did, after a lot of drilling haha
@Greg1096 probably best to screw a straight piece of wood between the two rails flush with the tops of both rails then use a straight edge on the diagonal to hit both corners. Shim under the rails accordingly till there is not rocking in either direction of the straight edge
@@kevgerst6536 it doesnt need to be square it just needs to be parallel if your side rails are level in relation to one another and parallel with the surface you are placing to piece that you are flattening onto then that is going to be more than close enough for any home shop projects. Technically as long as you have the sled and rails level with one another you can just throw a surfacing bit in the router and use that to level the work surface in relation to the sled which is how we use to square mill work surfaces, the two planes being square to anything doesnt really affect how well it will work
Have any one of you youtubers considered attaching a machine to a jig which is designed to hog out material ... like .. idunno .. an actual planer (electric).
Well I think the number one problem with using an electric planer is with slabs and larger projects, you're going to be going against the grain at times. And electric planers don't do so well with that. And you're not supposed to remove large amount of material with a planer either.
😂😂😂😂 I have no idea why I did that either, I think it was to get as close to the template as I could. As the hole was like 3 in and my biggest hole saw is 2 in. And my pattern bit is dull... Maybe 🤔 😂
I find it a bit ironic (?...maybe it's just his priorities..??) that he builds a couple of "$$ saving" jigs....but has a LASER CUTTER to use rather than us poor folks who would have a HOLE SAW to do that step ! Reminds me of my niece who loves loud music, so she had a $12k(!) stereo system in her $8k Hyundai hatchback....whatever Lori...or this dude...lol.
@@fiveduckstudio Congrats on having a wife who appreciates your "tool needs" and goes the extra mile to enable you to have such an esoteric tool. Does it "make me feel better " ? Naaaah, not really...sorry.
Yeah you could, but I didn't want to. If anyone wants to make the sled I wanted them to be aware that they might need to get screws. If the rails they buy don't come with screws.
I feel like you are going to lose a finger with the casual way you operate that table saw. You’re literally inches away from a life altering injury. Never put your fingers/hand in line with the blade. Bad habits kill.
I make sure to focus on where my fingers are when using the table saw. I'm confirmable with the distance and some of the footage is sped up so it looks like I'm going faster than I really am at times. Thanks for your concern!
@@fiveduckstudio of course, safety first. Ultimately it’s up to you! There is a psychological phenomenon, I think it’s called something like normalization of deviation, particularly important to understand in true life and death professions such as aviation. People have a tendency to deviate slightly, and then when nothing bad happens it gets normalized, and so on until they have crossed the boundary into dangerous behavior without realizing it. Then it’s just one mistake from disaster because there’s no longer any safety margin. Swiss cheese model is another analogy/metaphor. Thanks for the content!
I totally get it. Thank you for the reminder to always focus on safety! That's one good thing about recording yourself, you get a reminder of how unsafe you can really be at times. I'm working on a video right now and I'm just dumbfounded with a choice I made at the table saw. Getting too comfortable around power tools can lead to danger.
Thank you! You don't have to use them... But I will continue to use them for these types of projects. A lot of things in life aren't designed for the purpose that they are used for.
@@fiveduckstudio Totally understand what you're saying. Only reason I commented was I had some snap on a project and it caused all kinds of grief. Prior to the 'make them too fast' quality of drywall screws, I probably used them for 80% of my builds. So I get it.
Thanks for the additional info! I appreciate it. I will still use drywall screws sometimes as I still have some left over, but will consider you advice the next time I'm buying screws. 🦆
Nice to meet you, Joseph. Subscribed. And Thank you, UA-cam algorithm, for bringing me here
Nice to meet you Eitan. Welcome to the flock 🦆
I made the "not $1200" jig. I got the linear rails from Vevor, a piece of 1/2 plexiglass and a router bit from Amazon. In all it was less than $200. It works great.
Awesome! It's a great way to flatten wood. 🦆
Loving your videos! I especially enjoy the parts where you say things like “semi-pro tip” and “I’m just doing this to show you all.” Keeping it down to earth!
😂😂😂😂😂 thank you! They are some of my favorite parts too!
I made my not $1200 sled a couple years ago... gonna give it a couple upgrades thanks to you.. 👍 great video!
Thank you for checking out the video, glad you got some upgrade ideas from it. 🦆
Great ideas and awesome work showing different options! I need a flattening jig upgrade badly!! Thanks!
Thanks for watching! Either is a great option
Great job Thanks for sharing both ways you made these two flattering jigs
Thank you for checking out the video!
This is one of the most simplistic and valuable DIY videos I've come across. More should be like this. I've been wanting to build a slab leveler, but haven't really researched it extensively, assuming it may be cost prohibitive. This has proven otherwise. Thank you.
You're welcome! Glad you got value out of it. 🦆
Those rails are phenomenal! Like the free jig, love the not $1200 and always appreciate the comic book feel and the quips!
Thank you! It takes time to add the comic feel, but it is worth it! 🦆
Another ingenious work tool to facilitate and implement that safety is the main thing in the work area. congratulations
Thank you!
This video is brilliant - love the builds and the editing style! Subscribed.
Thank you!
Second time I have watch this. I'm not there yet, but I'm working on it. Thank you. I am way grateful for your showing your screwups. Mine don't hurt -as much- when I see somebody else has done the same thing. Again thank you for the video.
You are welcome! 😅 better to learn from me than make the mistake yourself.
Another great video. I like the keep it simple vibe you got going. Looks like your starting to build all the things you’re going need for some big projects coming up!
Thank you! I sure am ready to move on to projects that aren't going to say in the shop!
I liked your video. Lots of safety info as well as humor and thinking outside the box! New subscriber! I also like the shirt!
Thank you! Awesome, thanks for the sub! You're not wrong, it's a pretty great 👕. 🦆
+
@@TheMrAshley2010 thank you!
Both are great. I love the stops on the first one. That second one is niiiiiiiice.
Thanks! The stops are very convenient.
Excellent designs! I’m saving this for future reference. Thanks for making and posting it.
Thank you for checking out that video! 🦆
OMG I have big pieces of walnut and was going try build flatting jig.Thank you so much for the video and the breakdown.I just found you’re channel last week and subscribed.I enjoy you’re channel and videos.Thank you and keep making them awesome videos.Thanks for parts list also.Have a great day
Thank you for the kind words! Awesome, glad to have you on this journey with me! I hope you also have a great day! 🦆
Wow, thanks man! This is sweet! I have seen these jigs on other woodworking channels, but was never able to find the hardware or as detailed instructions as yours. I will be making the "Not $1200" jig, and buying a spare set of rails to design a sawmill.
Thank you for checking out the video! I'm glad it was helpful for you. That sounds like an awesome project!
Great build summaries. I feel like I'm along for the journey and experience the ups and downs, just like I'm building them. That sled will last you a lifetime.
Thank you! That's exactly what I'm going for with the videos. 🦆
So glad I found this video!!! Been meaning to make one of these. Thanks for sharing 🫡
Much appreciated. Thanks for watching it!
You had me at “iron sharpens iron” …. Great video/project shooting and play by play. You earned my subscription today. Downloading for reference. Looking for more videos and seeing your channel grow wildly. Best of everything…jb…
Awesome, thank you I appreciate it! I got a lot planned for the rest of this year looking forward to sharing it with you. 🦆
I really enjoy your style Joseph and I thank you for the time and effort behind this very enjoyable video - just starting up in UK and this will help me a lot!
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for checking the video out. Good journey! 🦆
The satisfactory percent for this project is about 99. Thank you mister, much obliged.
Thank you! But that makes me wonder... how do I get that additional 1%????
@@fiveduckstudio sufficient tolerance in woodworking in all areas is 99% so I would call this perfect. 😅☝️
🤣🤣🤣 thank you!
Wow, an actually realistic use for pocket screws!
Even a broken clock is right twice a day 😂
Great options- Chris
Thank you!
Great video. That boom arm is clutch! Definitely going to add that for build. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you for checking out the video! The boom arm is such a useful tool.
New subscriber here. I believe I will be learning a lot from you in the near future. I especially like your T-shirt and what it says, my brother. - Rick, USMC
Awesome, thank you! It is a great shirt, my brother! 🦆
Same
@@TheMrAshley2010 welcome to the flock! 🦆
Love the video. I will definitely be buying one as well.
Awesome! Thank you
Loving your videos. Great ideas and I need a flattening jig. and Thank you .
You are most welcome! Thank you for checking out the video, I really appreciate it. 🦆
Love that shirt, Joseph!
Thank you!
Great video! I really like how you did two different types. Also, loved the Double Dragon plug. 😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣 thank you! I made my kids watch it not too long ago..... Not a great movie 😂
#childcruelty
😂 it was bad .. but not that bad.
I just built my own with 3/4" iron pipe and off ghe shelf fittings from lowes, the sled runs along the pipe side rails with some u-groove wheels i found on amazon, was roughly $100 in parts and is easy to take apart if i need to get it out of my way.
That sounds awesome! Nice work 🦆
Thanks for the video , I made mine but for the first option the thickness of slid board can't be 3/4" since the router bit doesn't extend more than 3/4" therefore doesn't have enough travel to make contact with the board that needs to be flattened
Thank you. Hindsight, I should have said that the thickness of the router sled base will depend on your router and router bit. It didn't occur to me to say that at the time I was making the video.
I love the fact that you buy clamps at H F. At least they look just like mine!!! Keep up the message.
Yes, most of my clamps are from HF. At the time I bought my parallel clamps HF didn't sell any, or those would have been HF too 😂
Well done, sir Duck.
Thank you! 🦆
@@fiveduckstudio Joseph, you're welcome. I appreciate your style and savvy. Most UA-camrs are just ham and eggers whom, I don't believe, know a piece of oak from mdf. Anyway, keep driving on.
@@themeat5053 Thanks for the kind words. I'm still learning and trying to get better. Almost done with my next project and working on the next video now. Good journey 🦆
90 degrees! Then at least your cuts came out square🤔😎🤣 great work btw 👍
😂😂😂😂 nice one!
Love it! I need to build me option one.
Thank you. You wont regret it!! 🦆
How are you managing dust control on that Delta table saw? I have the same saw and dust collection is awful. Thanks
Compressed air and the blower port on my shop vac. 😂 I have a dust separator attached to it, the Home Depot brand. Which does help, but doesn't stop all the dust, maybe 50% of it. 😅 But I really need to build something for managing the dust around the blade. To see if that helps.
Great video. I definitely like the cost of your’s more than the 1200 woodpecker one. Would love to make one. I’m curious…. How much do you remove the sled and how hard is it to set it back up?
I only have the jig set in place when I'm going to use it. I personally just leave the sled and the top rail attached to each other. Then just slide the top rail off the bottom rail. And store the sled/top rail vertically in a storage area. The re-setup time doesn't take very long, no more than ten minutes I would say, but could be done faster. the way I do it is I just dropped the two bottom rails in place and then slide the top rail on. The part that takes the longest for me is reattaching the router base to the sled. I hope that helps answer your question! 🦆
Awesome video again mate.
I’ve made the free one before but I think for the next table I do then I might be trading g up to the not$1200 sled.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Yeah it's a nice upgrade... Just don't install such a long dust brush. I don't know what I was thinking 😂
You should’ve conferred with The Wife, she could’ve told you….
🤣🤣🤣🤣 she did..... I didn't listen 😬
@@fiveduckstudio I learnt a lot of years ago that forgiveness is easier to get than permission!!
Very true 😂
Nice Video man. Where did the idea of that mobile dust collector arm at the wall came from and Do you have measurements?
Best regards 😊
Thanks! The idea came from Lincoln St.
Here's the link to his video:
ua-cam.com/video/PULn3jU1vjg/v-deo.htmlsi=-6EKw3pRNOtIfilD
Great video man. What made you start your channel?
Thank you. The need for money to feed my kids 😆 that's the main one.
Great job on the sledge. Will need to incorporate a few of your details to when I finally make my own, say a few years from now (in my mind)
🤣🤣🤣🤣 thank you! Well in a few years I hope you still remember 😂
First, love the video. I need to make one of these and I am also cheap... frugal maybe? Either way you have discovered what we at work call "frupid". It's the act of attempting to save money that has unwanted and easily avoidable outcomes... which makes it a stupid idea LOL!! Don't take it wrong, I have made many, and will make more, frupid decisions in my life.
🤣 🤣 🤣 This channel is all about laughing at oneself! I am clearly frupid! 😂. Sometimes you have to learn the stupid way 😁.
I just finished making a router sled very much like your second one here. I bought a router plate on Amazon though and it is working fine for me. I did not like the commercial router sleds so I made my own.
Awesome, I thought about buying the router plate, but tried to keep the cost as low as I could for the video.
@@fiveduckstudio Yeah, that makes sense.
I don't always make sense but when I do.... It's a surprise to my wife 😁
@@fiveduckstudio Haha!!!
Great idea for that second sled! I mostly work on small pieces (9 inches in diameter or less) so I built a small router sled a couple years ago. Slaved the metal rails from an old bed frame, then two pieces of angle iron for the top rail. The angle iron is connected with a piece of scrap wood on each end that also works as a guide keeping it on the side rails. No router sled needed as the router just fits and slides right in the angle iron. Price was "free" as everything was salvaged.
But no dust collection. I wish it had dust collection.
Awesome! Can't beat creativity and "free"! Yeah no dust collection isn't fun, I hate to flatten wood for that reason.
😂😂 the "not $1200 jig" is definitely preferable
Right! 😂😆
Great video man - fun, informative, and low key super nerdy lol instant transmission noises and throwback reference to double dragon XD lol loved it
Thank you! There are so many Easter eggs in my videos, some super obvious, while others are so obscure you either know or you don't 😂. My mind runs on pop culture references 😅
funny and informative,
subscribed!
Awesome, thank you! Welcome to the flock 🦆
Good Day 🌅 , I started building mine today, I am using a Mafell 65c , or OF2200 F , I can not decide yet the length, ideally 8X4 sheet,
I just need to buy some rails, From France,
Awesome! Let me know how it comes out. I would have loved to make one that was a 8x4 sheet. I think going as big as you can is always the best idea. 🦆
@@fiveduckstudio back when I was living in the uk , I had a lot more room, in my work shop, my bench was 1-5 Metres X 3 Metres, with the Festool track and rail all the way round, I used to make very large doors and windows, some doors were 3 inches thick, I was doing a lot of barn conversions and property renovations, I was always given the contract to make set items and then install as well, The table was rigged up as well for a vacuum table, I’m now retired living in France, my workshop is only about quarter of the size that I used to have back in the UK, so I still got most of my tools and equipment, I am interested in doing river tables, and I have some slabs cookies I think they’re called, where the centre is rotted out,
I’m thinking of trying to make the table for my slab flattening jig in two sections. I’ve even been thinking of trying to make it so it folds up against the wall, I will let you know in due course what happens, I wish you all the best for the future, from France ,
That sounds like some great ideas, can't wait to hear what you come up with. Congrats on your retirement! 🎉
@@fiveduckstudio Good Day 🌅, I did manage to get my Wadkin EKA yesterday, for the first time in 5 years, I have a lot of timber left over from jobs , so I am using one of my bedrooms to store tools and timber, something that I had to sell, was a very large mortising machine, I could do with that at the moment, however, I do have a Mafell handheld chain mortise machine , the trouble is it’s in the bedroom where I have been stuck in other tools and equipment and timber, It’s gonna take me a month of Sunday to try and get it out of the bedroom, I hadn’t realised that I’d put it in there before I started stuck in other stuff in there, I do have a very large attic, approximately 7 m x 12 m metres, but I’m waiting for my roof to be repaired at the moment and cannot store stuff up there, Got a few leaks, hopefully it’ll be sorted before Christmas,
From France.
Hopefully that gets sorted out before Christmas! That's how it always works, you put the thing you need in a spot that makes your life hard.. well at least hard to get to. . Hope all is well with you. Sorry for the later response, being look in editing my latest video these last 3 weeks.
Wow I didn’t realize you could do that
Now you know! 🦆
I generally stare for days, weeks, and months at slabs to get them surfaced and flat.
Another free option is to negotiate with the slab. Ask them questions like, "Don't you want to be flat and smooth?" or "Wouldn't you prefer to be a table in in a nice climate controlled room rather than living outside?"
So far, neither strategy has worked out, but I haven't given up hope just yet
That's one way to try 😂
🤣🤣🤣
I made rail one after seeing other other video and works really really well. Only thing i screwed up was the router part and thus not so good dust collection. Can you share some dimensions for that portion? I have this exact router
I don't have the exact dimensions written down anymore. But it was the thickness of two sidewalls + the router base + 1/8 of an inch for wiggle room. Hope that helps.
How much time did you spend on either project? Including planning and sourcing the material? After all, that is a big part of the cost unless you are a hobbyist.
It's hard to say as filming adds a lot of time to the build. Neither took me more than a day to build while filming. Neither of these things are new ideas so, planning and sourcing materials would be no more than an hour. But it depends on how quickly someone decides on things. Most hobbyist will have the scrap pile to make it happen. That's true, but if you need a flattening jig, but also need to buy a domino having a cheaper option is nice. 😆
@@fiveduckstudio As I said, not so relevant for a hobbyist. But it is still worth considering.
At an hourly rate somewhere between $35 and $70 (salary + workshop + electricity +++) this adds up quickly.
No good dust collection == more cleanup time, whenever you use it* == more cost on all subsequent projects.
Btw, would love to see the 3 jigs compared in use.
*And cleaning is the part of the project we all love the most 🤣
Yes indeed! everything has a cost to it, we just have to figure out the worth to us. Like cleaning.... Horrible and a time waster, but also 100% required 😢.
Subscribed. Also, a #7 hand plane makes short work of the occasional flattening project
Welcome to the flock 🦆. That's a good point. I have a hand plane I need to sharpen, for that and for a shooting board. Thanks!
Love your videos. Definitely worth doing but rather just watch your videos and criticize you instead. Much easier. 🤷🏻♂️
😂 😂 😂 I welcome all criticism! I may reply with a sarcastic remark, but it's all in good fun. 🦆
😂😂😂😂
I made 1 from timber same as your economical jig but I got a friend to cut out a rack and pinion from plywood the reason I did this was cause I've added a motor and back and forth step mechanism after this is cause my set up covers a little over 5foot by 12 I use it for large solid tables and the design is modular so I can make it bigger or smaller and adjust how much it takes off at a time
That sounds mighty impressive and like an awesome jig! 🦆
Thanks it was way over engineered but it is very nice to be able to turn it on and let it run while working on smth else or taking a break but I will be adding a brush curtain to the extraction for some reason never occurred to me 1 thing that is nice tough is I can fold it up against the wall this works nice to both lower it over heavy tops and store it for more room something that is always nice to have the option of
Over engineering things is just part of that fun! I hate having to use the flattening jig, so a non manual version sounds great to me. 🦆
Yeah no doubt about it but I would have to say it is underutilized by me my main job is as a full time carpenter but this is my hobbie slash occasional side job so I get to design and test unnecessarily complex and efficient mechanisms😂
So many tools are underutilized at times. But that one time you need it... makes it all worth it 😂.
Add a few motors, belts an arduino and some extra bits and you could have a light durty cnc router.
That would be nice... That way I don't have to move it. I'm going to start saving for that now! 😆
Way better than "Good enough" 👍
Sometimes you need more than just "Good enough" 😂
@@fiveduckstudio indeed
indeed indeed
Thanks 5 Duck-I have been wondering how all those components would work and the cost add up. I was contemplating a sled for my current project today! Are you listening to me like Siri or Alexa ? If so, sorry about the language.
😂😂😂 I'm a Google man, so nope. 😂.
It would have been better to show your completed jig first, to see how it works. Then go into the detailed steps.
That is very true, I'll keep that in mind nice time. Thank you for the helpful input!
Agreed! Wish more UA-camrs did that.
@@rrb79 Noted. Thank you!
Ehh, this is pretty niche. If you found this video you should already know what a flattening jig is. I think this no nonsense straight to the build is perfect.
@@JWill6969 thanks!
Nice!
Professional woodworkers have just used wood on wood versions of this kind of thing, for over 50 years. Once you fire up the router the vibration makes it seem like the jig is on bearings. Particularly if th ejig isn't too overbuilt. Very similar concept to a chainsaw mill, and nobody uses linear bearings for those.
Tage Frid was the first guy I ever saw do this in his 1985 book. He just had a couple of offcuts, of probably pine. When Nick Offerman kicked off the insanity with his unattributed jig in the a 2011 issue of Fine Woodworking, he used a more complex setup in plywood.
Maybe some people want to do this kind of stuff every day. For me, it is a more occasional thing, Since I have a planer and jointer for the usual stuff. and I just use what I have lying around. Maybe I wouldn't have that stuff if I had started with one of these.
The nice thing about going all linear bearings is that you are most of the way to some kind of CNC machine. Particularly if all you want is a fixed Z axis, at least not a Stepper controlled one.
Thanks! Yup there is a lot of way to get the job done. I do find that the metal rails are to smooth the natural friction of wood make so left tear out.
That reminded me that I have a very nice slab laying around doing nothing )))
😂😂😂😂 all the dust you are going to create
@@fiveduckstudio yeah, well I will remember now to fit the dust shoe right )))
@@GeometryBuild 🤣🤣🤣 Yes that is important
I've got the exact same table saw. Do yourself a favor and toss that stock insert and build or buy a zero clearance insert. The factory insert on this saw is borderline unusable. Least it was on mine. Just terrible. Made a big difference for me in terms of accuracy and no annoying hangups with the insert not being flush all around on the table, which I could never get despite countless attempts at adjustments
You are absolutely right! The factory insert on the table saw sucks! I have the same problems you had. I plan to make an insert just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Finally, a guy using drywall screws for a woodworking jig! Let the "pros" bitch, they haven't failed me once in over 45 years arsing around in the shop.❤👍
😂😂 Do people really complain about drywall screws? Weird. I wouldn't use them to screw 2x4 together... But to secure the plywood top to a 2x4 structure... Yes...😂
Quality control on drywall screws has plummeted due to need for storm rebuilds and new construction. They’re not designed for vibration or torque. But you guys do what works for your needs and circumstances.
Have you tried using an electric plane instead of a router?
No I have not. I think the biggest problem with that is the grain direction. The router spins so you can handle that... Where as a hand plane, I believe you're not supposed to go against the grain or you get a lot of tear out. Also, it's a lot easier to adjust the depth of the router so you would have to try to figure out a clever way of adjusting the depth plant of the hand plane.
As for the length of the jig: I'd say it's infinitely long? you can always scroll the wood forward and do a section at a time. All you need is tables to support it
That's a great point! I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for checking out the video. 🦆
Forgot about Double Dragon lol. Loving the Dragon Ball sound effects, too lol
Me using the clip is not an endorsement of the movie, it's bad but in a good way 😂
Looks like the rail can come off of the aluminum riser? I see the longer rails come with a guid pin to connect rails end to end. But, can't tell if both ends of the rail have this or just one end. If one end, I would like to bore that hole for the pin. Would have to solve other issues with my lathe to accomplish this. But nothing to worry about if the rail does not detach from the riser.
Yes, they are attached with some socket cap screw from underneath the aluminum risers.
Nice
Thank you
Hey, also, you’re a fast talker, but you kept your pace slow enough for me to follow most of what you said the first time 😅.
😂😂😂 I blame my Mom
Keeping random screws, bolts, fasteners…yup same here.
😂😂😂 that one time you need them it makes it all worth it 😂
the irony of making a router sled, but not using the router with the templates to cut the dust collection holes. 🤣
edit and you did, after a lot of drilling haha
😂😂 my router bits are old and not very sharp at this point. So I wouldn't trust using them without removing as much material as I could first. 😂
I still think you could have got that first slab through the thicknesser at the beginning 😂
I gave up too fast. That's on me 😂
Never mentioned how you calibrate both railings from being un level from each other.
You are correct, I completely forgot to mention that. Thank you for the input! I appreciate it, I'm working to get better with each video. 🦆
With a level maybe? As long as he levels the rails to one another and checks that the table is parallel it should work.
@Greg1096 if you are going for dead flat I hope there is a better way than just looking at a bubble. I would atleast use a laser
@Greg1096 probably best to screw a straight piece of wood between the two rails flush with the tops of both rails then use a straight edge on the diagonal to hit both corners. Shim under the rails accordingly till there is not rocking in either direction of the straight edge
@@kevgerst6536 it doesnt need to be square it just needs to be parallel if your side rails are level in relation to one another and parallel with the surface you are placing to piece that you are flattening onto then that is going to be more than close enough for any home shop projects. Technically as long as you have the sled and rails level with one another you can just throw a surfacing bit in the router and use that to level the work surface in relation to the sled which is how we use to square mill work surfaces, the two planes being square to anything doesnt really affect how well it will work
Dude.. 90 degrees.. $900 Mini split from HD.
It would be a lot more than $900.. I would have to insulate my garage for that too. And I don't have the money for it right now
Have any one of you youtubers considered attaching a machine to a jig which is designed to hog out material ... like .. idunno .. an actual planer (electric).
Well I think the number one problem with using an electric planer is with slabs and larger projects, you're going to be going against the grain at times. And electric planers don't do so well with that. And you're not supposed to remove large amount of material with a planer either.
❤
Thank you
You do realize that you are one Amazon order and about $300 away from a cnc router 😅
Some belts 4 motors and a little controller.
One day hopefully🤞 😂... Flattening wood is the worst process! 😆
Bromo like hmmmm use a hole saw for this big hole? Nah use the forstner bits.
😂😂😂😂 I have no idea why I did that either, I think it was to get as close to the template as I could. As the hole was like 3 in and my biggest hole saw is 2 in. And my pattern bit is dull... Maybe 🤔 😂
BUY A MINI-SPLIT !!!!
Would love too, but you can't make the scene if you don't have that green 🦆
I find it a bit ironic (?...maybe it's just his priorities..??) that he builds a couple of "$$ saving" jigs....but has a LASER CUTTER to use rather than us poor folks who would have a HOLE SAW to do that step !
Reminds me of my niece who loves loud music, so she had a $12k(!) stereo system in her $8k Hyundai hatchback....whatever Lori...or this dude...lol.
Does it make you feel better to know my wife took on a part time summer job to pay for the laser as a gift for me?
@@fiveduckstudio Congrats on having a wife who appreciates your "tool needs" and goes the extra mile to enable you to have such an esoteric tool.
Does it "make me feel better " ?
Naaaah, not really...sorry.
Thank you, she is amazing!
Sometimes i think you deliberately making a mess😂
😂 Definitely not! I don't like cleaning enough to do it on purpose.
you know you can always shorten a screw that is too long.
Yeah you could, but I didn't want to. If anyone wants to make the sled I wanted them to be aware that they might need to get screws. If the rails they buy don't come with screws.
I feel like you are going to lose a finger with the casual way you operate that table saw. You’re literally inches away from a life altering injury. Never put your fingers/hand in line with the blade. Bad habits kill.
I make sure to focus on where my fingers are when using the table saw. I'm confirmable with the distance and some of the footage is sped up so it looks like I'm going faster than I really am at times. Thanks for your concern!
@@fiveduckstudio of course, safety first. Ultimately it’s up to you! There is a psychological phenomenon, I think it’s called something like normalization of deviation, particularly important to understand in true life and death professions such as aviation. People have a tendency to deviate slightly, and then when nothing bad happens it gets normalized, and so on until they have crossed the boundary into dangerous behavior without realizing it. Then it’s just one mistake from disaster because there’s no longer any safety margin. Swiss cheese model is another analogy/metaphor. Thanks for the content!
I totally get it. Thank you for the reminder to always focus on safety! That's one good thing about recording yourself, you get a reminder of how unsafe you can really be at times. I'm working on a video right now and I'm just dumbfounded with a choice I made at the table saw. Getting too comfortable around power tools can lead to danger.
I would like to know what time in the video you refer to. I'm a noob.
Really nice video, but stop using drywall screws. They’re not designed for our applications.
Thank you! You don't have to use them... But I will continue to use them for these types of projects. A lot of things in life aren't designed for the purpose that they are used for.
@@fiveduckstudio Totally understand what you're saying. Only reason I commented was I had some snap on a project and it caused all kinds of grief. Prior to the 'make them too fast' quality of drywall screws, I probably used them for 80% of my builds. So I get it.
Thanks for the additional info! I appreciate it. I will still use drywall screws sometimes as I still have some left over, but will consider you advice the next time I'm buying screws. 🦆
more videos with guys trying to be comedians, so boring
@@walter7372 guys? I'm sure I'm the only person in the video. It's just me being me.