Any Reason Not To Use A Rockler Cross Cut Sled? (2023 Update)

[Doug Miller]

DerbyDad03 wrote in news: [e-mail]:

[...]

Well, considering the source, I think I'd want to check it first to make sure it actually cuts square. If its accuracy is similar to the pair of the Rockler Assembly Squares

that I bought about 15 years ago, and returned for a refund later the same day, then I'd say that's more than sufficient reason not to use it.

(Set the two alleged "squares" on my jointer bed, facing each other and touching at the bottoms... and measured a gap at the top of nearly 1/16". Repeated on the jointer fence and the table saw, just to make sure; same results. Repeated that test in the store, too, when I returned them, in hopes that I just got a bad pair. Nope, they were all like that, and many were even worse.)

Out by 1/32" over only 6" doesn't meet *my* definition of square. Hopefully the sled is better.

FWIW, I wound up buying a set of four Jevons 3D Squares

at the Woodworking Show a short time later. He guarantees 0.002" max per 6" and according to my Starrett square it's actually 0.000, which I like a lot better than 0.030...

[-MIKE-]

I had the same experience with the Rockler "squares." I left a review on their site, stating such, along with the many other similar reviews. I don't know how they sell any of them with those reviews.

[DerbyDad03]

sure it actually cuts

e day, then I'd say

Good point, although as long as the fence has room past 90°, making it square should be simple. The video shows the user cutting off a small piece as part of the s etup, so squaring it appears possible.

Granted, if the gauge is unusable, or inaccuracies have to compensated for, that's certainly a drawback.

[-MIKE-]

You last sentence could be used as a blanket statement for most of Rockler's jigs/accessories.

Great ideas for jigs, but when it comes down to actually manufacturing them, they often fall short in the details. Sometimes plastic just doesn't cut it when trying to replicate things that other companies are doing with machined metal.