table saw runners.

[Benji687]

Where would I source UHMV plastic runners for my table saw. dimensions of slots are 19mm by 6mm. Any help would be grateful. Based in Dublin Ireland.

 

[Inspector]

If they are for a sled of one sort or another hardwood works just fine. When they finally wear out replace them or make a new jig, it's likely time anyway. It's what everyone used before the notion that plastic, aluminium, steel etc had to be bought for the job.

Pete

 

[Noel]

I've used chopping board material (mostly UHMW), works well and cheap. Other option is well waxed hardwood, equally as good.

 

[pgrbff]

Where would I source UHMV plastic runners for my table saw. dimensions of slots are 19mm by 6mm. Any help would be grateful. Based in Dublin Ireland.

I have 6mm slots too. I bought mine from Amazon. Would let you have the link but Amazon doesn't seem to work this early. They don't always have it in stock.

 

[Dlyxover]

@Benji687 have you sourced some UHMW?

 

[Benji687]

No. I ended up using hardwood.

 

[Brisbanemate]

I bought some HDPE from direct plastics - varying sizes and thickneses. Quick delivey as well and at the time better prices than Amazon.
www.directplastics.co.uk

 

[recipio]

Be careful cutting hard plastics. They are prone to violent kickback using a conventional blade. If you have to do it , invest in a negative rake blade.
I make sleds all the time as I have an American saw and simply rely on whatever bit of straight hardwood I can find.

 

[bigf42]

Try this site here which offers a variety of 3d printed mitre bars, I have printed mitre bars myself, with my own 3d printer, and they slide very nicely.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Stuparkercreations

 

[pgrbff]

I bought some HDPE from direct plastics - varying sizes and thickneses. Quick delivey as well and at the time better prices than Amazon.
www.directplastics.co.uk

I was quoted £50 postage for a piece of UHMWPE 500mm x 250mm.

 

[Spectric]

Have you looked at these Micro Jig ZEROPLAY Guide Bar System (Single)

 

[pgrbff]

I personally have a Startrite. The grooves in the top are only 1/4" deep- All the aftermarket runners I have seen are 3/8".
I just bought 2 pieces of 3/4" x 1/4" gauge plate 18" long. It took me a couple of days of hand lapping to get one to fit as it was about 10 thou oversize. I then had to buy some American taps to fit it to my Incra mitre bar. It's nearly there, a little tight still.
I still want some UHMWPE for sleds but I guess I'll have to keep looking.

 

[hugov]

I got some UHMW at a local plastics distributor, they had a useful sized offcut for a few pounds. Not very helpful I know. I've also used Ikea chopping boards in the past for other things I needed to make from UHMW (or similar).

Be careful cutting hard plastics. They are prone to violent kickback using a conventional blade. If you have to do it , invest in a negative rake blade.

Just wanted to emphasise what recipio said – be very careful! I had a violet kickback cutting 10mm polycarbonate (PC) sheet on my mitre saw, violent enough to break the plastic housing of the saw (luckily I was fine, and surprisingly the saw didn't get knocked out of true or as far as I can tell damaged beyond the cosmetic breakage). I was even using a -5º negative rake ("for aluminium") blade. On the plus side, it gave me some reassurance just how tough PC is – same stuff safety glasses/goggles are made from!

After that experience, I personally would not cut a hard plastic on the table saw again – too risky. UHMW is somewhat softer and less grabby than PC, but still, be careful!