I have done some woodworks in the past but this woodwork plan ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxZF0EMnrujZvqHhGkxiz559uIABJWR9TG helps me do much in a far lesser time than i used to do i have already built several projects with this plan and i intend to do many more soon. Thank you so much!
I used a UHMW polyethylene bar that comes in 3/4" x 36" pieces for the runner. Very slick and not subject to humidity changes. I bought the on-line plans and they were very good. Keep up the great work Woodsmith Team.
Same. I agree that's a really neat feature. But it also limits you to using just the one runner in the left miter slot instead of both slots for better accuracy/stability. I think I'd rather use both and instead create swappable inserts similar to your zero-clearance inserts for your table saw. A woodworker on UA-cam had this for their sled project but I can't recall who so I can't give proper credit, but you get the idea.
@@Warkive it can be made using both runners, but they needed one more guy to come out explain how, and everyone knows that it only takes 3 guys to build a crosscut sled .
"Well Dan, it's a nice sled but with the addition of this vacuum pump, outrigger, tow hitch, roll cage, ground-to-air missile guidance system and CAT-6 port, it will work even better."
I may decide to build that sled, although it looks a bit more than I'd really need. Great features that would make the table saw much better and fun to use.
I just finished building a crosscut sled very similar to this one. I included the adjustable opening base for the blade size from thin kerf to Dado set. I wanted the fence to be extendable but wasn't too keen on having to add on a second piece like in this one so I used Grin's idea and integrated two aluminum bars that could be pulled out a variable distance as needed to extend the fence. It turned out great...compact yet very flexible. I may still add a couple of T-Tracks to the base to do miters with hold-down clamps or other added capability. It was a fun build. Thanks for the ideas.
I"m 5:00 in to the video and my fingers are crossed there's at least another three guys with different colour shirts that make an appearance and take over presenting the video. Subbed.
@@Myrkskog - I literally LOL'ed at these comments! You win the internet! I know it's a little corny... gather all your friends put on matching shirts and build this Table Saw Sled. :)
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine I'm glad to have made you laugh. Seems like most people take offence nowadays. Hopefully in another video you can have a full house - I'll keep watching!
@@Myrkskog - We don't take ourselves too seriously, so it made for a good laugh here. This is an older video and we've ditched the matching shirts since but now I want to bring them back, so we look like the Wiggles of woodworking. :)
Coincidentally, enough.... it originally aired on the PBS Woodsmith Shop TV Show which aired on Saturday mornings. It was closer to 2010, but more of a 90's feel like you said. :)
Hi, thanks for the great Video & Sled design. I've been searching & looking at endless numbers of sled designs and yours is by far the best I've seen & love all the features! I'm a 70 yr old novice when it comes to table saws & recently bought a SawStop I absolutely love. Is there anywhere or possibly a way I could purchase the plans already reversed that would be drawn for my left tilting blade? Unfortunately I have a hard enough time concentrating on simple original drawn plans without making mistakes and would love to have your plans already converted for left tilt. Thanks, Jim
Hey Frank, Do you have a right-tilt table saw or left-tilt table saw? I just spent the weekend re-drawing this sled in the mirrored version for a left-tilt table saw (which is a lot more common now) to add to the premium plans. I'll get those uploaded to the website this week, but if you need them I can just e-mail you the PDF. does your e-mail start with fdmckinney? Thanks, John
Yes, we do a little woodworking there, but because we use it as our video studio we aren't allowed to make a huge mess because the dust doesn't cohabitate very well with the video equipment.
Bought the plans and made my first one, then I realized that I made it on the wrong side. So started all over again. Then my back fence became warped. So, hopefully I'll have it finished this week.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine - Yeah, you already sell rulers, card scrapers, etc. (I should know; there are a few Woodsmith branded items in my workshop.) So, you have the system in place to sell the kits. 👍
That's one of the best woodworking videos ever. By far you describe the advantages of your sled the best! Thanks for all the help and this great video. I'll sure be hanging around your site!
I've built this and it's great, but I have to remove Sawstop Dust Collection Blade Guard. I only wish this sled have vacuum port. It makes a mess at the front of the table edge.
We have the Floating/Overarm dust collection for our SawStop and we have to swing it out the way when using a sled. It would definitely be interesting to add dust collection to the sled itself. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hello Sir. I love your presentation. I have a Dewalt table saw that the surface is 19 X 19 what do you suggest the available working space to be excluding the thickness of the fences ? I appreciate your input.
I love the extension idea; definitely want to incorporate that into my sleds. The problem with the dado option is that now the fence has a bigger cutout, so on common crosscuts, there will be splintering. Can't think of how to resolve that without having a separate sled.
This is exactly what I was thinking. The first time you use this on a dad you won’t be able to prevent chip out on the fence portion when you go back to standard blade. I am in the process of making my cross cut and I can’t think of a solution other than having a separate sled.
Did you ever think about putting a 3/4" piece of wood against the inside of the sled and your work piece in front of that ?! You won't be cutting a Dado through your sled, and you can keep it tight for no tear outs when Dado is not in use.
@@rickkyriakopoulos1103 Sure, that works, but I would just use a different sled for regular cross-cuts; if I'm switching to a dado set, I'm taking the sled off anyway, might as well grab another sled. I'm talking about how to incorporate it into the design.
It mentions this in the plans a little, but the original sled was built for a right-tilt table saw. The one in this video is for a left-tilt table saw. On a left-tilt table saw the spindle is mounted on the left, thus the dado blade will stack towards the right. To make the opening portion of the sled you will want the base to open to the right, as well, so for a left-tilt saw you will want to mirror the construction of the sled from the original plans to look like what is shown in the video. The last couple of pages of the plan show what the left-tilt construction looks like. All of the parts will remain the same size they are just flipped. I also upgraded you to the Premium Shop Drawings. Just go to this page: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/ , log in and there will be a "shop drawings" link right above the "Download" button. Those drawings should give a little more detail. Please let me know if you have any other questions or problems with the build. Thanks, John
Thank you for sharing this innovative jig.. and by modding the top end to unscrewed, place the extension in re screw , it'll accept larger pieces..( maybe dowels glued into the extension and accepting holes to keep it all aliened??)
Great video and I probably will make one. I have one I made years ago, and use the heck out of it. But, I love the versatility of this one. The only thing that bothers me, is the possibility of the saw / dado blade not being covered as it comes through the fence. On my old one, I added a couple of 2 x 4 blocks that the blade can come into, but only to a stop added on the side. Hope that makes sense, but I assure you I will design one for this Sled when I make it. Regards, Keith
When they switched to the dado saw, suddenly,the opening in the fence became wider to accommodate the dado. Was this a new fence? Or is this wider cut to be used with a simple blade as well?
Sleds are handy things. I have a few specific use shop made ones and an Incra sled. Even with a 4x8 cnc in the shop I still use the sleds to make 5 piece doors and solid drawers.
The other problem is.. this is for a left tilt saw. Right tilts need the right side to be stationary. A removable insert would allow for various blades maintaining zero clearance regardless of tilt.
The original plans show it for a right tilt saw, which you are correct that is would be a mirror image of this sled. We've added drawings to the plans to build it for a left-tilt saw, as well, since that is probably the more common configuration nowadays.
LOL when you started showing the sliding front fence for a dado set, the rear fence only showed the thin slot pass through for a single blade. But, then the dado slot appeared in the rear fence later.
I have been trying to find links for the hardware but can only find the knobs. Very difficult to find all the other items needed to complete the assembly. All the other information is great. I would love to get more links.
I've seen several different sled designs that have the curved cut out on the base. Is there any particular reason for that? Save weight? Something else? Love the design, especially the extendable fence.
You can adjust the bottom panel for the dado but what about the fence? Once you use a dado, the fence gap will be permanently too wide to go back to a standard blade. Is there a solution to this problem that I am not seeing?
I haven't checked, but I expect to encounter the same thing on my Craftsman. Can't you use different size rails in the slots spaced at different widths? The screw adjustments would work in wood as well, or might be able to buy and cut down aluminum rectangular tubing or solid stock.
This table saw sled video is similar to the one that was published in a magazine called Tips, Tricks, and Jigs by Woodsmith. It's dated 2020 or early 2021, pg 10 thru 13. I'm trying to decide which way to go with. I think the biggest difference is the amount of plywood required to make the two-sided sled. The two-sided sled in the video has an option to add the extension. The magazine used a longer plywood (4' or so) which is probably more stable than the extension??? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Great vid,i live in the uk and cant find those miter bars they would make the process of making a sled so much better, having said that every time i have tried to make a sled it just never comes together for me i dont think im destined to own a table saw sled lol
Note that as the viewer of your video, I'm in the position of standing behind your table saw. The adjustment of your sled allows the left side of the sled to move further left, but if i change from a single blade to a dado stack, the thickness of the blades increases to the right, not to the left. The single blade is already as far to the left as it can go since it's pressed against the arbor plate. The dado stack will also be pressed against the arbor plate and the stack thickness will increase to the right. The thickness of a dado stack will also blow out the slot in the front and rear rails making the slots to wide when you switch back to a single blade without causing end tear out. Please explain these problems to me.
I'm not sure if I'm following your question correctly but I'll do my best to answer.... The sled you see in this video is built for a left-tilt saw so the dado stacks to the right (from users perspective) so the sled also expands to the right to accommodate this. If you have a right-tilt saw then you will have to mirror the construction and have it expand to the left. (photos seen here: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/) As you switch back and forth between single blades and dado blades the back fence will begin to get chewed up which isn't a big deal because it will be on the waste side of the cut, but if it gets too chewed up you can either replace the back fence or as I suggested in some other replies you could make a replaceable hardboard insert in the center of the fence. (I plan on making a video to show this modification in the future.)
Nice sled! Adjusting to dado and extension for larger pieces great touch. I made a basic sled this could be my next. I do want to make one that will take wider plywood boards (higher up on the table saw; width not length). Do you have plans for that?
I'm a newbie who just bought a jobsite saw as my first table saw. would the size of my sled need to be smaller to do something like this? Thanks for any help.
This looks like a very versatile design. The UA-cam video shows the large portion of the sled to the left of the blade when standing at the operator's position at the saw, but in the photos at the plan link it appears to be mirrored left to right. Compare the 4th and 5th photos in the link. Can you clarify, or am I incorrect? Thanks for an awesome design.
Yes, the original plans are mirrored compared to the one we built in the video. I was thinking this was just based off personal preference. I've always used a table saw sled on the left side of the blade (like what is shown in the video). After a discussion with another commenter, I'm wondering if it's based on whether you have a left or right-tilt table saw... that would affect rather your dado stacked toward the left or right. I believe all of our table saws are currently left-tilting. The older table saw we had when this was first built might have been right-tilt. I'll discuss this with the other guys and see if I can get a more definitive answer though.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine OK that makes perfect sense. I have an older Craftsman contractor style saw. Just checking to be sure I was seeing things correctly. Thanks for the speedy reply.
I have the issue of shopnotes with the article for this sled. The article makes note that depending on the tilt of your saw determines what orientation you build this sled. You’ll want to build it so the adjustable side can open as you use your dado blade.
This is one of the better lightweight small sled plans. But adding a perfect right and left 90 dgr setup that automatically sets in the zero spot with dowl pins would be an upgrade.
It looks like the fences are made from solid wood instead of plywood. I purchased the plans and, although they didn't say they were plywood, they also didn't say they weren't. If they are solid wood, what kind? Something quartersawn for stability?
We used hard maple, but plywood should work fine too. You’re right that it needs to be stable. You don’t want it warping over time, so if you choose hardwood, something straight-grained and kiln-dried wood be best.
The best crosscut sled ever is part of the Precision Woodcutting System by Ryobi. It was an 8 inch table saw that had a sled as it's miter gauge. No dicking around with homemade crap. Sears even had a Craftsman version. Funny thing was the pros poopoo'd it at the time because it was a cheap Ryobi. Now they all want sleds.
Now wouldn't it make more sense to orient the sled extension to the right of the blade, where the extension table could help support any added length on the work piece?
Yes, but the orientation of the sled is dependent on whether you have a left-tilt or right-tilt table saw. The sled needs to open up in the direction in which you stack the dado blades. The saw in this video is a left-tilt blade so the dado blades stack to the right. If you have a right-tilt saw the blades stack to the left and you would build the sled in the manner you mentioned.
Why is it safe to crosscut with the wood pressed against the flip stop, but not pressed up against the fence? FYI, I've been doing this for about 4 days.
This is a very good question... I think it’s safe to use a stop in conjunction with a sled or miter gauge and auxiliary fence because the entire workpiece is being supported while being pushed through the blade while it is static against the stop. If you’re pushing it through against the table saw’s fence the workpiece could catch and get wedged between the blade and fence and bad things happen.
I've seen this before, and I'll probably build one like it one of these days. Problem for me is that my Jet TS is an older model: my blades stack in the opposite direction. I haven't figured out a way around that....yet.
Just flip the design so that you cut on the right side of the blade... actually the plans for this sled show it in that orientation. We just built it in this orientation for our saw.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine Believe it or not, I was sitting here watching another video with a guy using a sliding table saw and thinking exactly the same thing!
Joe Solla - Powermatic has been a wonderful and supportive sponsor of the Woodsmith Shop and woodworking community as a whole. They were kind enough to supply us with all of our power tools, so no apologies for that :)
Fooled me for a second. I thought maybe Don came back, but I see its just an old episode. Its still a good tip, however I'm not keen on wooden shop made tools because they can warp over time.
Yep, the original plans were designed for a right-tilt table saw and your SawStop is probably a left-tilt saw like the one in this video. All of the parts will be the same size just flipped to the orientation seen in the video and the art on the last couple pages of the plan. Is your e-mail mbgeller... If so I've also added the premium shop drawings to your account at Woodsmith Plans. Just log in to your account and go back to the plan page: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/ and click on the link "Shop Drawing" right above "Download" to get more detailed part drawings for the left-tilt version. Let me know if you need anything else and I'd be happy to help. - John
Hi John, I was looking at the table saw jig you previously mentioned in regards to making a removable hardboard insert in the rear fence. This is for maintaining a zero clearance when switching between a dado blade and a single blade. Is there any info you can share as to how to go about makin this insert for the fence on this sled? Thank You Marshall
@@marshallgeller8025 - Regarding the process for adding a replaceable insert in the Precision Crosscut fence. I would use a piece of 1/4" hardboard (approximately 3" wide in this case) so it can extend about an inch on either side of where the widest dado blade will make a cut in the fence. Then cut a 1/4" deep dado to create a pocket in the fence for the hardboard to set in and be flush with the original face of the fence. To keep the insert in place, you can countersink a brass screw on each side of the hardboard outside the reach of the blade. I prefer brass because it is soft and if a blade were to hit it then it wouldn't damage the blade. (I sent you an email too with some more detail)
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine John Thanks so much for the additional info and guidance on how to proceed. Excellent instructions on how to add this feature to the sled. You guys rock! Marshall
like the adjustability but I have RH saw arbor therefore blade datum is RH flange, and wood is wasted to LH side with increase blade thickness and Dado blades. The adjuster needs to be on the LH side in my case.
Actually, if you look at the photos from the plans: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/ We originally built this for a right-tilt saw. We mirrored the build for the saw in the video because it is a left-tilt. You just need to orient the sled based on the arbor on your saw.
It does make it look nicer, but the main purpose is just to reduce the weight of the sled. The functionality of the sled would be exactly the same without the cutout.
Why do you have the sled on the left side of the blade? Am I missing something? Is there something I don't know? (Pretty good chance on the latter.) BYW - Love the show and the magazine. I have learned a lot over the years.
In this case the sled is built off to the left side because this table saw has a left-tilt blade. The tilt of blade isn't so much of a big deal as is the way the arbor is mounted in the saw. The arbor is mounted on the left side so as you stack dado blades and chippers the thickness will be added toward the right, so the base of this sled needs to open up to the right to accommodate the dado blade. If you had a right-tilt blade the sled would be a mirror image of what is shown in the video.
Appreciate the quick reply with the obvious answer. Another of those slap-yourself-on-the-forehead moments. Another Woodsmith project to make my woodworking better and easier. Keep up the great work.
Is the adjustable thickness challenging to get correct? Make it too tight just one time, and you've ruined your sled. Make it too loose, and you lose the clean finish of backing scrap.
It adjusts really easily... while the table saw is off you just straddle the sled over the blade(s) and then just close the base until it just barely touches the teeth of the blade.
No the Bar won't expand and contract with Humidity, but it will with heat and cold but not as much as wood will. Keep that in mind when dialing it it for fit. one thou play should be fine two thou even better, that's not enough to make a bad cut but it is enough to let the guide bar slide smoothly year round. you could also go even more slop and add some slick type tape like a PTFE tape or UHMW tape. This stuff is great for wood to wood drawer runners or any tool you need a slick fence on or surface. Google it or just look for it on amazon.
What kind of wood do u suggest. I have 1/2 ply for base. But for fences. I dont have scrap. I'm actually going to store for this specifically. I have maple but it's for my cabinet doors that I'm trying to make. I dont want to use my maple. Poplar? Or all playwood? I have abundance of 3/4 birch finished plywood.
As a (very) amateur wood builder, when the sled build is more complicated than just lining up my miter saw, I’m done. It looks great, probably works great but geez can we just make it simple?
That is because the hairline indicator is actually on the right side of the flip stop (as you’re viewing it in this video) when the stop is at zero. You can see it better in the 3rd pic here: www.amazon.com/Kreg-KMS7801-Standard-Swing-Stop/dp/B0002QZ4WG/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=kreg+flip+top&qid=1583380873&sr=8-7
Made this years ago when it was first shown in WS. What I really love about is that I can even put my DADO in and still use this sled.
I have done some woodworks in the past but this woodwork plan ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxZF0EMnrujZvqHhGkxiz559uIABJWR9TG helps me do much in a far lesser time than i used to do i have already built several projects with this plan and i intend to do many more soon. Thank you so much!
I used a UHMW polyethylene bar that comes in 3/4" x 36" pieces for the runner. Very slick and not subject to humidity changes. I bought the on-line plans and they were very good. Keep up the great work Woodsmith Team.
Great to hear! Thanks for sharing.
I built this sled several months ago and use it constantly! A very good sled, versatile and so easy to adjust, set-up and use!
Good to hear!
I've been watching sled videos the last couple days, and this was the first one where you could adjust the kerf. Pretty neat.
Thanks!
Same. I agree that's a really neat feature. But it also limits you to using just the one runner in the left miter slot instead of both slots for better accuracy/stability. I think I'd rather use both and instead create swappable inserts similar to your zero-clearance inserts for your table saw. A woodworker on UA-cam had this for their sled project but I can't recall who so I can't give proper credit, but you get the idea.
@@Warkive Kings Fine Woodworking
@@Warkive it can be made using both runners, but they needed one more guy to come out explain how, and everyone knows that it only takes 3 guys to build a crosscut sled .
that workshop is too neat & tidy & clean to be genuine...so are the presenters
"Well Dan, it's a nice sled but with the addition of this vacuum pump, outrigger, tow hitch, roll cage, ground-to-air missile guidance system and CAT-6 port, it will work even better."
LOL... that sounds like a great design to me. :)
I just want a cup holder like my computer has...one push of a button and it opens for business. Why can't I get one of those on a sled?!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Jared Emery 🤣🤣🤪🤪🤣🤣🤪🤪❤️
I was thinking a composting flush toilet would make it complete.
I may decide to build that sled, although it looks a bit more than I'd really need. Great features that would make the table saw much better and fun to use.
I just finished building a crosscut sled very similar to this one. I included the adjustable opening base for the blade size from thin kerf to Dado set. I wanted the fence to be extendable but wasn't too keen on having to add on a second piece like in this one so I used Grin's idea and integrated two aluminum bars that could be pulled out a variable distance as needed to extend the fence. It turned out great...compact yet very flexible. I may still add a couple of T-Tracks to the base to do miters with hold-down clamps or other added capability. It was a fun build. Thanks for the ideas.
I"m 5:00 in to the video and my fingers are crossed there's at least another three guys with different colour shirts that make an appearance and take over presenting the video. Subbed.
What?! Salmon shirt was the last guy! There was definitely room for _at least_ another two chaps to take over. Very disappointed.
@@Myrkskog - I literally LOL'ed at these comments! You win the internet! I know it's a little corny... gather all your friends put on matching shirts and build this Table Saw Sled. :)
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine I'm glad to have made you laugh. Seems like most people take offence nowadays. Hopefully in another video you can have a full house - I'll keep watching!
@@Myrkskog - We don't take ourselves too seriously, so it made for a good laugh here. This is an older video and we've ditched the matching shirts since but now I want to bring them back, so we look like the Wiggles of woodworking. :)
Myrkskog woodsmithplans.com
This has the kind of mid 90s Saturday morning how-to show feel that is oddly comforting and familiar. Up next, Trucks!
Coincidentally, enough.... it originally aired on the PBS Woodsmith Shop TV Show which aired on Saturday mornings. It was closer to 2010, but more of a 90's feel like you said. :)
And they make everything look frustratingly easy 😊
This is it chief. Well thought out and can be changed to customize different lengths
By far, the best sled and sled ideas i've ever seen.
BEST SLED!! VERY CLEVER AND EASY TO STORE. THANKS.
Great adjustable sled. Thank you
Do you have a video to show how to make the sled? That would be great
Hi, thanks for the great Video & Sled design. I've been searching & looking at endless numbers of sled designs and yours is by far the best I've seen & love all the features! I'm a 70 yr old novice when it comes to table saws & recently bought a SawStop I absolutely love. Is there anywhere or possibly a way I could purchase the plans already reversed that would be drawn for my left tilting blade? Unfortunately I have a hard enough time concentrating on simple original drawn plans without making mistakes and would love to have your plans already converted for left tilt. Thanks, Jim
I'm currently building it from the plans ordered and look forward to using it. Being the novice I am, the plans could have had a little more detail.
Hey Frank, Do you have a right-tilt table saw or left-tilt table saw? I just spent the weekend re-drawing this sled in the mirrored version for a left-tilt table saw (which is a lot more common now) to add to the premium plans. I'll get those uploaded to the website this week, but if you need them I can just e-mail you the PDF. does your e-mail start with fdmckinney? Thanks, John
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine Yes, fdmckinney@gmail.com, and thanks.
@@FDMcKinney - Okay, e-mail sent. Let me know if you need anymore details or have further questions on the build. Always happy to help.
This is brilliant! Love the adjustable blade-width feature! Thank you.
Great for finger joints with a simple addition
Wonder if they ever do any woodworking in those shops so nice and clean they are.
Yes, we do a little woodworking there, but because we use it as our video studio we aren't allowed to make a huge mess because the dust doesn't cohabitate very well with the video equipment.
Great sled and great video. And the comments are even better than the video. :)
Thanks 👍
Pretty darn awesome jig.😊👍🏾 Honestly, one of the best I’ve seen so far.
Thanks for the high praise!
Bought the plans and made my first one, then I realized that I made it on the wrong side. So started all over again. Then my back fence became warped. So, hopefully I'll have it finished this week.
What a great sled! I wish we could get it as a pre-sawn ready to assemble kit? Excellent video!!!
You may not be too far off on that idea... we are looking at selling CNC-ed & flat-packed kits for some of our more popular jigs.
I'll take the first one! Of course you all will have to sign, date and number it ;^)
@@drobb4207 - Signed, Limited Edition Woodsmith Branded tools have to be worth a lot more, right? ;)
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine - Yeah, you already sell rulers, card scrapers, etc. (I should know; there are a few Woodsmith branded items in my workshop.) So, you have the system in place to sell the kits. 👍
@@David_K_pi - We are gearing up to roll out some kits & more tools this year.
Nice job fellas
That's one of the best woodworking videos ever. By far you describe the advantages of your sled the best! Thanks for all the help and this great video.
I'll sure be hanging around your site!
Thank you! :)
Wonderful keep it coming
I really like this sled, got my plans and picking up most materials tomorrow.
Awesome! Let us know how it goes.
I've built this and it's great, but I have to remove Sawstop Dust Collection Blade Guard. I only wish this sled have vacuum port. It makes a mess at the front of the table edge.
We have the Floating/Overarm dust collection for our SawStop and we have to swing it out the way when using a sled. It would definitely be interesting to add dust collection to the sled itself. Thanks for the suggestion.
Very nice sled ! The adjustment for different blades is a good touch especialy for the Dado Bades
Thanks!
Hello Sir. I love your presentation. I have a Dewalt table saw that the surface is 19 X 19 what do you suggest the available working space to be excluding the thickness of the fences ? I appreciate your input.
Liked the clip. I watch the PBS show when I have the time. A lot of very useful tips on that show.
Jim Parsons - Thanks for watching! 👍
amazing design!!!
Thank you! 😊
I love the small parts sled too. Very versatile. I miss Don on the show too. See if you can have him do some small projects.
James Jacobsen - Thanks. I was just saying the other day it would be cool to have a reunion show or something.
A simple but brilliant idea. Well done to all concerned.
Thanks!
Great job will definitely build one. Thanks
I thought I had seen the best crosscut sled....until I saw this one. Great job!
Tony J - Thanks!
I love the extension idea; definitely want to incorporate that into my sleds. The problem with the dado option is that now the fence has a bigger cutout, so on common crosscuts, there will be splintering. Can't think of how to resolve that without having a separate sled.
This is exactly what I was thinking. The first time you use this on a dad you won’t be able to prevent chip out on the fence portion when you go back to standard blade. I am in the process of making my cross cut and I can’t think of a solution other than having a separate sled.
@@Mikemillering1 I've thought about it a little more since then. Only thing I can think of is to just make the fence travel with the base as well.
Did you ever think about putting a 3/4" piece of wood against the inside of the sled and your work piece in front of that ?! You won't be cutting a Dado through your sled, and you can keep it tight for no tear outs when Dado is not in use.
@@rickkyriakopoulos1103 Sure, that works, but I would just use a different sled for regular cross-cuts; if I'm switching to a dado set, I'm taking the sled off anyway, might as well grab another sled. I'm talking about how to incorporate it into the design.
i ordered the plans and everything is turned around from this video,,
It mentions this in the plans a little, but the original sled was built for a right-tilt table saw. The one in this video is for a left-tilt table saw. On a left-tilt table saw the spindle is mounted on the left, thus the dado blade will stack towards the right. To make the opening portion of the sled you will want the base to open to the right, as well, so for a left-tilt saw you will want to mirror the construction of the sled from the original plans to look like what is shown in the video. The last couple of pages of the plan show what the left-tilt construction looks like. All of the parts will remain the same size they are just flipped. I also upgraded you to the Premium Shop Drawings. Just go to this page: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/ , log in and there will be a "shop drawings" link right above the "Download" button. Those drawings should give a little more detail. Please let me know if you have any other questions or problems with the build. Thanks, John
Thank you for sharing this innovative jig.. and by modding the top end to unscrewed, place the extension in re screw , it'll accept larger pieces..( maybe dowels glued into the extension and accepting holes to keep it all aliened??)
Thanks for the input.
Great video and I probably will make one. I have one I made years ago, and use the heck out of it. But, I love the versatility of this one. The only thing that bothers me, is the possibility of the saw / dado blade not being covered as it comes through the fence. On my old one, I added a couple of 2 x 4 blocks that the blade can come into, but only to a stop added on the side. Hope that makes sense, but I assure you I will design one for this Sled when I make it.
Regards,
Keith
Yep, not a bad idea. You can never be too safe.
When they switched to the dado saw, suddenly,the opening in the fence became wider to accommodate the dado. Was this a new fence? Or is this wider cut to be used with a simple blade as well?
I love the tenon part but what about the mortise?
Thick plastic used in cutting boards also make good runners. Often you can get them cheap at second hand stores.
Absolutely! I just shot a woodworking video tip on this very subject: ua-cam.com/video/9oaCVX6b1pY/v-deo.html
I just keep slicing 3/4" wide pieces from my wife's cutting board. She hasn't noticed yet.
@@ramaroodle hahaha
Sleds are handy things. I have a few specific use shop made ones and an Incra sled. Even with a 4x8 cnc in the shop I still use the sleds to make 5 piece doors and solid drawers.
The other problem is.. this is for a left tilt saw. Right tilts need the right side to be stationary. A removable insert would allow for various blades maintaining zero clearance regardless of tilt.
The original plans show it for a right tilt saw, which you are correct that is would be a mirror image of this sled. We've added drawings to the plans to build it for a left-tilt saw, as well, since that is probably the more common configuration nowadays.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine thank you
LOL when you started showing the sliding front fence for a dado set, the rear fence only showed the thin slot pass through for a single blade. But, then the dado slot appeared in the rear fence later.
It’s the magic of the sled! 😀 I know, those continuity errors get us every time.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine You're the only ones struggling with that. (that's sarcasm, btw)
Great vid!!!
I have been trying to find links for the hardware but can only find the knobs. Very difficult to find all the other items needed to complete the assembly. All the other information is great. I would love to get more links.
We have links to the hardware in the description of this video. If we are missing any links there, please let me know and I will get those added.
I've seen several different sled designs that have the curved cut out on the base. Is there any particular reason for that? Save weight? Something else? Love the design, especially the extendable fence.
You're right... the only real reason is to save weight. We've done other designs that have cutouts in the middle of the sled base for the same reason.
really brilliant
Thanks! :)
You can adjust the bottom panel for the dado but what about the fence? Once you use a dado, the fence gap will be permanently too wide to go back to a standard blade. Is there a solution to this problem that I am not seeing?
Good question, perhaps clamping a sacrificial board would protect the fence when running the dado blade.
Only the waste side of the cut is affected so it doesn't matter as far as I can see?
Looks great. Too bad I am unable to put it on my older skillsaw 3400 table saw because the miter slots are not standard.
I haven't checked, but I expect to encounter the same thing on my Craftsman. Can't you use different size rails in the slots spaced at different widths? The screw adjustments would work in wood as well, or might be able to buy and cut down aluminum rectangular tubing or solid stock.
@@1SCme Use PVC or Starboard, HDPE,etc, they are slick and will not bind. I too have an old Craftsman and will not part with it
This table saw sled video is similar to the one that was published in a magazine called Tips, Tricks, and Jigs by Woodsmith. It's dated 2020 or early 2021, pg 10 thru 13. I'm trying to decide which way to go with. I think the biggest difference is the amount of plywood required to make the two-sided sled. The two-sided sled in the video has an option to add the extension. The magazine used a longer plywood (4' or so) which is probably more stable than the extension??? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
I built my 5 piece oak Arts and Crafts tables with my version of this piece.
Great vid,i live in the uk and cant find those miter bars they would make the process of making a sled so much better, having said that every time i have tried to make a sled it just never comes together for me i dont think im destined to own a table saw sled lol
LOL ... well don't give up. Keep trying. :)
nice presentations
Pretty slick sled!
It's even slicker when you add a little paste wax to the bottom. :)
Im implementing this plan with a slight increase in size. Didn’t see much effort in squaring the fence to the saw?
Nice Crosscut sled. I love the extension fence. Cheers, Huw
Thanks!
Lots of blue aloooo min um. This was hilarious. The cadence of the scripted verbiage in the style of “Tool Time Tim” from Home Improvement.
Note that as the viewer of your video, I'm in the position of standing behind your table saw. The adjustment of your sled allows the left side of the sled to move further left, but if i change from a single blade to a dado stack, the thickness of the blades increases to the right, not to the left. The single blade is already as far to the left as it can go since it's pressed against the arbor plate. The dado stack will also be pressed against the arbor plate and the stack thickness will increase to the right.
The thickness of a dado stack will also blow out the slot in the front and rear rails making the slots to wide when you switch back to a single blade without causing end tear out. Please explain these problems to me.
I'm not sure if I'm following your question correctly but I'll do my best to answer.... The sled you see in this video is built for a left-tilt saw so the dado stacks to the right (from users perspective) so the sled also expands to the right to accommodate this. If you have a right-tilt saw then you will have to mirror the construction and have it expand to the left. (photos seen here: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/) As you switch back and forth between single blades and dado blades the back fence will begin to get chewed up which isn't a big deal because it will be on the waste side of the cut, but if it gets too chewed up you can either replace the back fence or as I suggested in some other replies you could make a replaceable hardboard insert in the center of the fence. (I plan on making a video to show this modification in the future.)
Beautiful, elegant and versatile design, lightweight, easy to build. What else to say?
Thank you.
You should manufacture these and sell them awesome sled. God bless keep up the great work.
Maybe one day! :) Thanks for watching!
you guys are so cool in the US
Awww... thanks! 😊
Nice sled! Adjusting to dado and extension for larger pieces great touch. I made a basic sled this could be my next. I do want to make one that will take wider plywood boards (higher up on the table saw; width not length). Do you have plans for that?
Thanks! This sled might have a little more capacity: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/ultimate-crosscut-sled/
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine Thanks I'll check it out
I am a little confused. I see pictures of this sled in the right-hand or left-hand configuration. What will the plans show me?
I'm a newbie who just bought a jobsite saw as my first table saw. would the size of my sled need to be smaller to do something like this? Thanks for any help.
this sled is so good it needs 3 people to make ;)
This looks like a very versatile design. The UA-cam video shows the large portion of the sled to the left of the blade when standing at the operator's position at the saw, but in the photos at the plan link it appears to be mirrored left to right. Compare the 4th and 5th photos in the link. Can you clarify, or am I incorrect? Thanks for an awesome design.
Yes, the original plans are mirrored compared to the one we built in the video. I was thinking this was just based off personal preference. I've always used a table saw sled on the left side of the blade (like what is shown in the video). After a discussion with another commenter, I'm wondering if it's based on whether you have a left or right-tilt table saw... that would affect rather your dado stacked toward the left or right. I believe all of our table saws are currently left-tilting. The older table saw we had when this was first built might have been right-tilt. I'll discuss this with the other guys and see if I can get a more definitive answer though.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine OK that makes perfect sense. I have an older Craftsman contractor style saw. Just checking to be sure I was seeing things correctly. Thanks for the speedy reply.
Dave Smith - No problem. Thanks for watching. 👍
I have the issue of shopnotes with the article for this sled. The article makes note that depending on the tilt of your saw determines what orientation you build this sled. You’ll want to build it so the adjustable side can open as you use your dado blade.
This is one of the better lightweight small sled plans. But adding a perfect right and left 90 dgr setup that automatically sets in the zero spot with dowl pins would be an upgrade.
It looks like the fences are made from solid wood instead of plywood. I purchased the plans and, although they didn't say they were plywood, they also didn't say they weren't. If they are solid wood, what kind? Something quartersawn for stability?
We used hard maple, but plywood should work fine too. You’re right that it needs to be stable. You don’t want it warping over time, so if you choose hardwood, something straight-grained and kiln-dried wood be best.
Were the plans for this sled in a Woodsmith magazine? If so, what's the issue / date?
i have the plans for that sled in fact i have years of woodsmith and shop notes
William Howard - You’re good to go then 👍
Solid that is
The best crosscut sled ever is part of the Precision Woodcutting System by Ryobi. It was an 8 inch table saw that had a sled as it's miter gauge. No dicking around with homemade crap. Sears even had a Craftsman version. Funny thing was the pros poopoo'd it at the time because it was a cheap Ryobi. Now they all want sleds.
Thanks for your input.
Now wouldn't it make more sense to orient the sled extension to the right of the blade, where the extension table could help support any added length on the work piece?
Yes, but the orientation of the sled is dependent on whether you have a left-tilt or right-tilt table saw. The sled needs to open up in the direction in which you stack the dado blades. The saw in this video is a left-tilt blade so the dado blades stack to the right. If you have a right-tilt saw the blades stack to the left and you would build the sled in the manner you mentioned.
Why is it safe to crosscut with the wood pressed against the flip stop, but not pressed up against the fence? FYI, I've been doing this for about 4 days.
This is a very good question... I think it’s safe to use a stop in conjunction with a sled or miter gauge and auxiliary fence because the entire workpiece is being supported while being pushed through the blade while it is static against the stop. If you’re pushing it through against the table saw’s fence the workpiece could catch and get wedged between the blade and fence and bad things happen.
I have a Ryobi RST08 compact table saw, will this crosscut sled works with the RTS08 model?
Where can you buy the aluminum guide bar with the plastic set screws?
This is the one we purchased: amzn.to/2wBs8ny
I've seen this before, and I'll probably build one like it one of these days. Problem for me is that my Jet TS is an older model: my blades stack in the opposite direction. I haven't figured out a way around that....yet.
Just flip the design so that you cut on the right side of the blade... actually the plans for this sled show it in that orientation. We just built it in this orientation for our saw.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine Believe it or not, I was sitting here watching another video with a guy using a sliding table saw and thinking exactly the same thing!
Honu425 -LOL 👍
Wow! If I had the table saw you have, I wouldn't need any wooden cross cut sled.
I'll have to admit that it is a pretty nice table saw... thanks, Powermatic!
true dat bro -- these guys are all about big bucks.
Joe Solla - Powermatic has been a wonderful and supportive sponsor of the Woodsmith Shop and woodworking community as a whole. They were kind enough to supply us with all of our power tools, so no apologies for that :)
Fooled me for a second. I thought maybe Don came back, but I see its just an old episode. Its still a good tip, however I'm not keen on wooden shop made tools because they can warp over time.
LOL... Yeah, It's fun reliving the good ol' days. :) We normally use baltic birch plywood which stays stable and flat over time.
Love the magazine, love the show, love this tip
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
I just got the plans today and they seem reversed for my sawstop. Can you please send me a link for the correct plan orientation? Thanks Marshall
Yep, the original plans were designed for a right-tilt table saw and your SawStop is probably a left-tilt saw like the one in this video. All of the parts will be the same size just flipped to the orientation seen in the video and the art on the last couple pages of the plan. Is your e-mail mbgeller... If so I've also added the premium shop drawings to your account at Woodsmith Plans. Just log in to your account and go back to the plan page: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/ and click on the link "Shop Drawing" right above "Download" to get more detailed part drawings for the left-tilt version. Let me know if you need anything else and I'd be happy to help. - John
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine
Thanks John. Got the info and it’s very helpful. Much appreciated!
Marshall
Hi John,
I was looking at the table saw jig you previously mentioned in regards to making a removable hardboard insert in the rear fence. This is for maintaining a zero clearance when switching between a dado blade and a single blade. Is there any info you can share as to how to go about makin this insert for the fence on this sled?
Thank You
Marshall
@@marshallgeller8025 - Regarding the process for adding a replaceable insert in the Precision Crosscut fence. I would use a piece of 1/4" hardboard (approximately 3" wide in this case) so it can extend about an inch on either side of where the widest dado blade will make a cut in the fence. Then cut a 1/4" deep dado to create a pocket in the fence for the hardboard to set in and be flush with the original face of the fence. To keep the insert in place, you can countersink a brass screw on each side of the hardboard outside the reach of the blade. I prefer brass because it is soft and if a blade were to hit it then it wouldn't damage the blade. (I sent you an email too with some more detail)
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine John
Thanks so much for the additional info and guidance on how to proceed. Excellent instructions on how to add this feature to the sled. You guys rock!
Marshall
great video, most concise informative video i've seen. where can one acquire the sliding track system?
Thanks! Links to the hardware sources can be found in the video description above.
like the adjustability but I have RH saw arbor therefore blade datum is RH flange, and wood is wasted to LH side with increase blade thickness and Dado blades. The adjuster needs to be on the LH side in my case.
Actually, if you look at the photos from the plans: www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/precision-crosscut-sled/ We originally built this for a right-tilt saw. We mirrored the build for the saw in the video because it is a left-tilt. You just need to orient the sled based on the arbor on your saw.
Is the corner cutout an aesthetic feature only or it has a purpose? Thanks.
It does make it look nicer, but the main purpose is just to reduce the weight of the sled. The functionality of the sled would be exactly the same without the cutout.
@@WoodsmithShowandmagazine Thanks. That was my assumption but just to make sure. I like it - economical as it uses just one runner...
Best sled ever
Why do you have the sled on the left side of the blade? Am I missing something? Is there something I don't know? (Pretty good chance on the latter.) BYW - Love the show and the magazine. I have learned a lot over the years.
In this case the sled is built off to the left side because this table saw has a left-tilt blade. The tilt of blade isn't so much of a big deal as is the way the arbor is mounted in the saw. The arbor is mounted on the left side so as you stack dado blades and chippers the thickness will be added toward the right, so the base of this sled needs to open up to the right to accommodate the dado blade. If you had a right-tilt blade the sled would be a mirror image of what is shown in the video.
Appreciate the quick reply with the obvious answer. Another of those slap-yourself-on-the-forehead moments. Another Woodsmith project to make my woodworking better and easier. Keep up the great work.
Is the adjustable thickness challenging to get correct? Make it too tight just one time, and you've ruined your sled. Make it too loose, and you lose the clean finish of backing scrap.
It adjusts really easily... while the table saw is off you just straddle the sled over the blade(s) and then just close the base until it just barely touches the teeth of the blade.
No the Bar won't expand and contract with Humidity, but it will with heat and cold but not as much as wood will. Keep that in mind when dialing it it for fit. one thou play should be fine two thou even better, that's not enough to make a bad cut but it is enough to let the guide bar slide smoothly year round. you could also go even more slop and add some slick type tape like a PTFE tape or UHMW tape. This stuff is great for wood to wood drawer runners or any tool you need a slick fence on or surface. Google it or just look for it on amazon.
I don't do any wood work, and now I want one for reason.
I guess it's time to get started. :)
Can we buy the plans to build cross cut sled
Will the aluminum bar work on a craftsman saw
What kind of wood do u suggest. I have 1/2 ply for base. But for fences. I dont have scrap. I'm actually going to store for this specifically. I have maple but it's for my cabinet doors that I'm trying to make. I dont want to use my maple. Poplar? Or all playwood? I have abundance of 3/4 birch finished plywood.
I'm sure 3/4" poplar or plywood would be just fine as long as it's straight and flat.
As a (very) amateur wood builder, when the sled build is more complicated than just lining up my miter saw, I’m done. It looks great, probably works great but geez can we just make it simple?
Where did you get the orange plastic blade guard?
Here is a link to a similar bit guard: amzn.to/3kwPyyA
Where would one buy the aluminum guide and the stop?
Those are Kreg products, I listed links for all of the hardware sources in the description above.
I am wondering why the measuring tape isn't at 0 where the blade meets the fence? the 1 on the tape looks a fair distance off from the blade.
That is because the hairline indicator is actually on the right side of the flip stop (as you’re viewing it in this video) when the stop is at zero. You can see it better in the 3rd pic here: www.amazon.com/Kreg-KMS7801-Standard-Swing-Stop/dp/B0002QZ4WG/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=kreg+flip+top&qid=1583380873&sr=8-7