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
Zz Yzx wrote:
>.... crosscut sled ..... 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
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.
Zz Yzx wrote:
> 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 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.
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 in time and they will all
serve a special purpose.
Zz Yzx wrote:
> 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?
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>
>Zz Yzx wrote:
>>.... crosscut sled ..... 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,
>
>mine is 1/4" 2 sided melamine, with fence and runners from baltic birch
>ply.
*One*-quarter?? Is that a typo?
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
Zz Yzx wrote:
> 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?
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
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
"Zz Yzx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> 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