cross cut sled and other jigs

[devonwoody]

Completed my crosscut sled over the weekend, and did a trial cut, bootiful! The cleanest and sharpest crosscut I have ever had. Used a Trend 60T blade and looking forward to completing my chevron box with my latest toy.

Construction pictures.

It has only been built with crosscutting 25mm thick material in mind but I could always turn the timber over and get that up to 50mm.

Further picture displaying my full set of tablesaw jigs constructed since last August when the Axminster tablesaw came in.

 

[9fingers]

Hi DW,

I'm intrigued by the need for sleds like yours - but they do seem popular.

Why do you think your are getting such an improved clean cut with it?

Could it be the result of it acting like a zero clearance insert
or because you are losing so much depth of cut, you using a different part of the blade,
or because the deep slot is damping blade vibration,
or ......????

An enquiring mind needs to know if he really needs another sled.

I have an Xcaliber 10" tablesaw - a copy of Norms Unisaw

I've already made a Normite panel cutter but everything else I've achieved with the std fence, mitre gauge, horizontal and vertical feather boards and a sacrificial fence for the Dado head.
I'm still learning!

Bob

 

[LarryS.]

i'm deminstrating my ignorance again but how is it used ? (I can't see the blade on any of the pictures)

 

[wizer]

Couple of links Paul

http://thewoodshop.20m.com/howto_crosscut.htm
http://www.geotekds.com/sled/index.htm

 

[LarryS.]

thanks wizer, the muddy waters just got clear !

 

[devonwoody]

to 0fingers. (sorry 9 fingers)

quote
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Hi da,

I'm intrigued by the need for sleds like yours - but they do seem popular.

Why do you think your are getting such an improved clean cut with it?

I am wanting to crossccut accurately very short pieces, (3 to 4" long) and I feel much safer using a sled like this with clamps and blocks holding work pieces down.

Also even longer pieces cut better with a sled for me because I again clamp the timber to be cut to the fence and there is no movement or vibration problems which occur just handheld.

wiser they are very nice links.

Edit typing error

 

[9fingers]

Thanks DW,

I had not realised you were clamping the workpieces onto the sled. I guess that could make a difference to cut quality depending on hand strength.
I'd not experience that problem as all 10 fingers have been working for me for a couple of years but I'd not changed my forum name!

Bob

 

[Fecn]

Good work on the sled DW - It's good to see that you included guarding over the top of the blade. I bet you feel a lot safer working with small pieces now that your fingers are well out of the firing line.