Re: Crosscut sled dimensions?

> Be aware that the bigger you make it, the more sled will be hanging off the
> saw at the end of a cut. Holding the wood, trying to keep this thing from
> falling on the floor and trying to concentrate on keeping yourself out of
> the saw all at the same time. Think about it.

Not a problem with side and rear extension tables. The more significant hazard with oversized sleds is one of your hands will be outside of your field of view. Include a guard, or at very least, double and triple check the placement of your leading hand before making a cut.

Good point.. However, I have a 48"x24" sled (21" between the front and rear fences, 24" on either side of the curf) I don't have any trouble with support, but any deeper and I likely would. FWIW. It's a great sled, but it is bulky. I recently built a couple of single-runner, smaller sleds (maybe 18"x20"?) which are handy for smaller stuff, bevels, and dados.

Build a big one for when you want the capacity, and then make a small one to grab for that quick little cutoff.

-Steve

Actually, my plan was to use sawhorses along the side of the saw, since the sled would be a good deal wider than the saw. I think that I'd need them in most cases to make most cuts anyway, even without the sled, since the table is so small.

BTW, I did buy some plexiglas, as I definitely want a blade guard. I am thinking of a U shaped guard that rides up and down in slots in the boards at either end of the sled.

Thansk to all,

Mike P. Wagner

Cut the ends arc-shaped, radius equal to half the length of the box guard. Sharp corners tend to jam in the slots. If the guard annoys you, you won't use it.

Alternatively, a flat piece of plexi about 4" wide supported on blocks will work fine. No side panels, but you'd have to make a very deliberate effort to put a finger in harm's way.