Hiya group;
I'm about to construct a crosscut sled for my table saw, for use in constructing jewelry and keepsake boxes, and humidors. I want a lightweight sled that I'll use to crosscut 4/4 or less by 48" boards to precise length, and square.
The question I have is this: What's the best base to use? Is thicker better? Is 1/4" baltic birch adequate? Use 1/2 " baltic birch? Is there any difference?
Thanks a heap,
-Zz
I use 3/4, 13 ply birch, for base and both front and back "fences".
It allows me to tack battens in place for specific angle cuts.
And yes, it is a heavy beast, but it is also stable.
Have fun.
Lew
mine is 1/4" 2 sided melamine, with fence and runners from baltic birch ply.
the fence is a box tube, with the face taller than the top to clamp stuff to.
*One*-quarter?? Is that a typo?
I'm on my 7th and favorite sled.
Originally I went with dual runner designed as I could not achieve slop-free all-season performance with maple runners in a single-runner design.
Once I ponied up for a manufactured runner with adjustments, I could get the desired accuracy from a single-runner design. Once in a while I use a 48" wide dual-runner sled because I need the extra support, but now I use my
22Wx18D single-runner 98% of the time.IME, thickness is not that big of an issue, but quality (e.g., flatness) is. My favorite sled has 5-ply 1/4" (full .25") base. I find that perfectly adequate for a mid/small sled. I would go thicker for a bigger design.
Regards,
Steve
The 1/2" seems to be a nice compromise. The 1/4" would just be too flexy in my opinion.
You will end up with several > The question I have is this: What's the best base to use? Is thicker
I would think the runner might almost be the most important part of a crosscut sled. Slop in the miter slot is what kills a home made sled, wouldn't you say.
Which is a good reason for building a sled with TWO runners that spans the saw blade.
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