table saw sled

you view a runner on end as it sits on the saw , is the end grain vertical or horizontal? Seems like it would make a difference somehow. . .maybe it won't but I would still to know.

I think you are probably right. OTOH, I have two sleds and the grain is oriented vertically and I don't have any problem (but I live where high humidity is not a problem).

I took a look, and the grain is oriented vertically, and I think I know why. The runners were ripped off the edge of a wide board that already had exactly the thickness I needed as the width. Now that you mention it, it seems like a good idea to pay attention next time (when I build my _fourth_ sled), but as I said before, it hasn't really been a problem.

For me the hardest part was making absolutely sure the fence was perpendicular to the blade. I wouldn't say these things are exactly easy to build, but that's me. I'm really glad for having done it, anyway.

- Owen -

I was curious but with splitting in mind. Seems like one way would be = more prone to splitting.=20

--=20 SwampBug

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I took a look, and the grain is oriented vertically, and I think I know = why.=20 The runners were ripped off the edge of a wide board that already had=20 exactly the thickness I needed as the width. Now that you mention it, = it=20 seems like a good idea to pay attention next time (when I build my = _fourth_=20 sled), but as I said before, it hasn't really been a problem.

For me the hardest part was making absolutely sure the fence was=20 perpendicular to the blade. I wouldn't say these things are exactly = easy to=20 build, but that's me. I'm really glad for having done it, anyway.

- Owen -

Thanks. gotta conserve finances so will prolly go with wood. . .at least = at first.

--=20 SwampBug

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built. I don't want to build one I need help moving to the saw. I have a = Delta contractor style saw with 30" Unifence and extension on a Delta = mobile base. The panel body will be 1/2" Baltic birch, the two runners = will be red oak and the front and rear fences will be from 2x lumber. = Any suggestions and/or caveats would be much appreciated. I have done = extensive web searching with at least 4 different search engines and = nothing strikes me as what I would like.=20

I must have at least a half dozen sleds that I use on both of my Tablesaws...and the demensions are all completely different... The demensions are all determined by the intended use of the sled...

I do not like HEAVY sleds...but some (especially the larger ones are HEAVY... ) most of mine are made with 3/4 inch Ply...although I do have a few made with 1/2 inch ply....

I gave up long ago on using wood for runners prefer to use Phenolic like plastic (forgot the real name of the material) and I spend twice as long "fitting the runners" as I do constructing the sled... The wood runners swell or contracts etc...

Lots of luck...

Bob

--------------------------- I solved that problem a long time ago...I use what could be described as two fences... the one is fixed, glued and screwed in place... The second is the real fence which is secured only on one side... but can be adjusted using a few T nuts bolts and wing nuts OFF the fixed base... just allows me to fine tune the fence to a PERFECT 90 degrees in a few seconds even years after the sled was made...

Just my way....no highway ...

Bob Griffiths

Excellent! I've been wondering how I could make a micro adjustment. It never occurred to me to use two fences. Now I know. Thanks!

- Owen -

I got mine very close, then use tape shims to get the final bit of perfection