Router Sled - Build Under an Hour!

This router sled is extremely simple to make! You can build it under an hour and it will last a long time and stay flat. Some may say I should have the perpendicular guides sandwiching the rail on the bed. I have done that before, but when you have a slab too big for your bed and need to use different rails, your sled would be useless. Anyway, What would you do differently?
Leave critiques, suggestions, and comments below!
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[@Dragonuv2002]

Your rail system planted a seed in my head. I ended up building a sled that incorporates not only the rails, but also a tracked rail roller setup. Used it for the first time today, and it left a finish on hard walnut that any self respecting quality drum sander or helical planer would be proud of. This thing is awesome. Thank you for the video and the inspiration!

[@barretthamilton2565]

Love to see what you ended up doing, I was thinking of something similar, but why reinvent the wheel? Tag me if you post a vid or photos

[@jasonyannuccelli2499]

I'd like to see your roller idea too ! Than sounds like a great addition to this build.

[@Dragonuv2002]

@@barretthamilton2565 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIqQhnSLhMaUps0

[@rdw3171]

A year later and still no picture?--big hat, no cows 🙂

[@Dragonuv2002]

@@rdw3171 there’s a video linked above. I don’t have a way to post a still picture on here.

[@user-fy4yd9tz4w]

I’ve been looking at the “EASY SLED BUILD” “SIMPLE SLED BUILD” KZbin videos for months. They just made me keep looking up the definition of simple and easy. Some people made cuts with no dimensions. No step by step instructions. No specifics. Your video is AWESOME. Simplicity at its best. !!!

[@penthesilliaas]

Thanks for not over engineering/complicating this build. I love it! Following 👍

[@fredcheekphx]

I'm brand new to woodworking. THIS is the sled I can build. Thnx.

[@marknthetrails7627]

I liked the rapid-fire instruction on top of the video. Clear and succinct. Thanks 👍✌🥃

[@Mullenthemaker]

No problem!

[@danielhanawalt4998]

I've been watching videos about making tables and other things and seeing people using router sleds. Watched a few on how to make a sled and the rails and all looked good but but cost a bit more than I'd want to spend since I'm just wanting to get my feet wet. The other videos were also a bit complicated. Glad I clicked on your video. Being retired and on a fixed income and just looking to begin with smaller things to start like cutting boards, your sled was what I was looking for. Saved me some time figuring out how to build one myself and not spend much money. You did a good job making it simple and easy to follow.

[@chuckbuddystrainer8632]

Thanks. I love the build can't wait to make one. One tip when drilling your holes go to Harbor Freight and get a graduating drill bit it's the best drill bit you'll everone for steel. I had to drill holes in a steel boat trailer quarter inch thick. It flew through the steel like it was soft Pine I couldn't believe it. Thanks again

[@TimLiberty-gs3dl]

Made your slide and it worked GREAT. Flattened a 39 inch wide by 3-5 inch high/thick cookie. Ended up using drawer slide 1/2in tape which we put on both lips of the angle iron. Router slid easily. Will put it on router plate tomorrow to flatten other side of the cookie. Thanks for your great suggestion and video. OUTSTANDING!!

[@danielvillegas5604]

Great idea. I had some old bed frame lying around and I cut that down. It made perfect size angle iron to work with.

[@StArFuRyZz]

I need to make a better sled than the one I have - and this reminded me that I do have two bedframes in the garage that aren't being used. Saves me a trip to the store.

[@dkruitz]

Good idea You! Couple of suggestions. You can usually find old angle iron bed frames at resale shops for a fraction of what the metal would cost from a hardware store. Also if you screwed the vertical wood piece to the horizontal wood you can save drilling holes in the metal.

[@laff000]

Ditto. I was just going to say that when I saw your comment. I've used old bed frames to make tool stands and table saw extensions

[@CreativeCadaver13]

@@laff000 +1: couldn't see the point of the additional holes for the vertical pieces of wood.

[@derekdavis1652]

@@laff000 how did you make table saw extension? I need one and I'm sure it would be a lot cheaper to build vs buy. Tks in advance

[@laff000]

@@derekdavis1652 at the time I acquired my dad's old table saw. I have no idea who made it, God knows I've looked all over. Anyway the tabletop was approximately 24×30. I needed to greatly expand the table. So I used a combo of angle iron from old bed frames, 2×4s and a sheet of MDF , and a couple of casters. I just built the extensions that came naturally. I was able to go 30 inches to my left, 24 to my right and 14 to my back edge . I first framed the edge with the 2×4 s bolting them using the holes already there. Leaving space so that when I placed the MDF on top it was flush with the tabletop. Everything else was then bolted or screwed to this. This worked for me for many years . As crude as it was it worked.

[@frankchicago7801]

@@CreativeCadaver13ppl

[@CharacterRedWorkshop]

That’s a super simple and effective project man. Love how you explained everything you did and why you did it.

[@Mullenthemaker]

Glad to hear it! Thanks!

[@philiposborne5603]

@@Mullenthemaker I'm a wanna be woodworker. Could this set up be used to made dado's for drawer dividers in an apothecary cabinet?

[@kiwiaus]

@@philiposborne5603 can't visualise what you're referring to.. - but with a router, the bit would be facing the wrong way to the wood / cut ??? But using the same sled concept with a hand held circular saw would work 🤷‍♂️

[@matthewsnellgrove2370]

I made a sled based off this video and it has worked so well. Thank you so much

[@Mullenthemaker]

Awesome! Glad to hear it!

[@zaneh6224]

I think you will find the router base will get damaged running up and down the metal after time, the addition of some thin teflon sliders will alleviate this

[@shrimpinpat]

Avoid teflon. Probably single worst chemical for us ever made

[@Lennart1995]

You can alternatively attach another metal angle iron on the wood slabs

[@luminousfractal420]

telfon sliders have apparently been replaced with teflon tape now. not as sturdy gor something like this but it will work. having to buy and make a slider from teflon sheet is the only other option i found today.

[@davidwillett53]

I'm used to larger, corded routers kzbin.infoUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z so this was a different experience for me. Basically, this is an incredibly sweet machine, fits well in the hand, etc. It has slightly less power than I'm used to, but that's understandable. Maneuvering freehand takes some practice. These days, it's especially nice to be able to avoid power cords. This is above the level of a hobbyist but below a pro level.

[@bbirdiebirdie]

Thank you. Just did a quick google search and to purchase a router sled, they range in price from expensive to more expensive! I think I can do this.

[@wethepeople6941]

You are the unspoken hero spoken of. Simple but effective idea for those not strapped with tons of cash.

[@cliffgrando859]

you? My good man, I just built a sled just today, I bought aluminum to do my sled and it actually worked really well and it's a lot lighter to handle. Thanks for the information that you have provided. Thanks buddy

[@pedroamezcua8249]

Hello, newbie here, question how do you control the height adjustments for how much you want to cut off ?

[@Bigevilfishy]

@@pedroamezcua8249I believe you set the depth of the cut you’re making on the router itself.

[@pedroamezcua8249]

@Bigevilfishy koo thanks

[@TheBigBlackElephant]

Best fucking video I have seen on this bro. I thank you so much. There are guys using the metal that you used with welders and or they're not explaining things well and their videos are a lot longer than yours. Your explanation is superb and I love how you added the mdf board and showed the whole set up. You are a life saver man. Thank you so much.

[@michaelclark2840]

Angle iron sounds good. Just need to be aware of the internal radius can cause the router base to ride up slightly.

[@chipsterb4946]

Great point. An acrylic base plate with chamfered edges would do it I think.

[@superspecialty5169]

Just remove / bevel the corners !

[@ericx4124]

The best I’ve seen for this so far. The angle iron is the way to go!

[@klave8511]

Rounding the bottom edges will help the wood fit the fillet on the angle iron inside corner

[@tonyraimondi840]

Did this on Saturday worked like a charm. Thank you

[@legbreaker5376]

I like the way you simplified it a lot of other people over complicate the whole project when really it’s just enough to get the job done like it a lot

[@muratbasarir6046]

İts simple,functional,cheap,everybody can do it.thank you brother for video.greetings from Turkiye

[@yosipko5282]

I used router to shave old oak window frames to instal new pvc windows. The hands down best tool to quick and esey wood leveling, and i have tried more than 3 methods.

[@natanhannah]

building this now . . . thank you. i only switch out the pine spacers with welded flat bar. this rig is perfect… will hang this on the wall to store. cheer mate.

[@fgrizzle]

Made this router base for about 40 bucks at lowes works great and very durable.

[@Mullenthemaker]

Awesome!

[@oglefarms3228]

For my rails I took 2 2x4’s ran each end through my plainer so it was perfectly flat and I have a rolling table that is solid and flat and just screw it to the table. It’s good and solid and you are able to work on long pieces.

[@buckboy1234]

I made the same one but I put the wood cleats on the bottom. Works awesome. Love mine

[@evadevries2952]

...and it acts as the stop. Nice

[@stoutfarmhousedesignsmlcpr9154]

I think if you slotted the angle iron. You can have an adjustable rail the slide rides on. Also. You can make the base two pieces with each rail side. Easier to store that way. You can just find a piece of mdf to fill the void as needed for each project. This would be useful for wordsmiths with limited space.

[@tattoogoon]

i made a version of this today with aluminium angles and some mdf, was amazed it worked after my n00b ass made it. thanks for the video (cost under £50)

[@PrudentFishing]

Consider using the smaller drill bit first through the wood into the metal for your marks. Then remove the wood and over drill the pilot holes. That way alignment will be perfect when you drill out the wood. May not be important to you since your project looks perfect as is.

[@Jeffnz020]

I'd just drill through with the right sized bit to start with. No advantage in predrilling with the smaller bit in the steel with that difference in bit size.

[@thumperman8490]

Instead of using angle iron, I used Dexion shelving bars, they have loads of holes in them so no drilling is needed. Good vid by the way ..well done.

[@Mullenthemaker]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the feedback

[@nicksshitbro]

Oh nice, this might work out better for me as well. Thanks for the tip!

[@JRL1963]

Have you used this yet ? I would be concerned the holes (the edge of the holes ) running the length of the bar could catch the edge of the router plate

[@mtraven23]

Thanks for posting this, I ended up building something very similar. Made a couple upgrades: a) welded the whole thing together, not necessary, but made it more rigid b) made a secondary router base to fit the gap between the angle iron. This allowed me to prevent it from riding up on the radius in the corner & ensured I was running on the same surface of the rail every time. c) waxed the rail. I cant emphasis how much of a difference this made. I wasn't super happy with the way mine moved at first, it was choppy & inconsistent. Rubbed an old candle on everything & it moves like an air hockey table. Those are my upgrades, never could have made them without yours as an example. Thank you for sharing.

[@GertBowker]

excellent video, this helps encourage me to be working with slabs, thanks!

[@saneauto]

Thanks for sharing your design and tips. I think I will make mine with a few differences. Ill make a video when Im done.

[@Fastbreak27]

As someone who has worked with metal. Here are some tips for drilling it. Use cobalt bits (not kobalt) and drill slowly. You’ll burn your bits up if you hold it wide open.

[@luisesposito7087]

Thank you Jesse , great Idea , my next week project

[@dalittlebearjew8525]

Awesome brother thanks I’ll be building this tonight after a trip to the HomeHardware. Again thanks and stay safe in this deceptive Time. Peace brother

[@patricktcrowe]

Good video, I like this concept. I’m gonna substitute aluminum angle for the angle iron but pretty much copying this. And I could see sides that have dowels out the bottom that fit into your work table clamp holes

[@wooddogg8]

I was thinking aluminum too, a little more expensive but lighter (I plan to hang the contraption on my limited wall space) and easier to work with, as far as drilling and cutting. otherwise this is a great plan, I'll be going to get what I need tomorrow, I have several slabs too big for my planer, including a beautiful white oak crotch, and a smaller walnut one, which I plan to make an end tables out of. Great concise video.

[@mikecoughlin4128]

I’m working on building out my first shop. I want to work with both metal and wood. Using each where/when most useful. I agree that this use of a router is more beneficial and cost effective than purchasing individual tools. I plan on using bed frame angle iron for my sled sides and wood for the bottom of the sled. I also plan on using metal for the rails and melamine to attach the rails to.

[@jeffkingston5585]

Fastest and easiest sled ive seen and the bed rail steel is gonna be way stonger than traditional wood sleds, sick idea.

[@Mullenthemaker]

Glad to hear it! that was the goal.

[@CrazyEstradaKids]

You literally just saved my build with this video. Thank you!

[@michaelcaulfield3980]

Glad I found this video! Great idea for what I doing. Cutting dado mortise joints in uprights for a bookshelf. Just have to remember to set the depth of the router from the angle iron, not from the router base itself. Great video!! 👍👍👍

[@BurghFan-ps9ow]

Thanks for the video sir!!! I've seen at least 20 different videos on this topic this has been the easiest

[@JohnnyBallou]

Thank you! Was trying to figure out how to rout a hammer/side plate configuration into a previously rounded rifle stock, for my Springfield Trapdoor Rifle! This might work! Thanks again!

[@timchapman5553]

That router bit is epic

[@KOTEC525]

super detailed, super simple! the only thing I'm gonna change is using slotted angle iron so it's easier to adjust the wood between the iron in case I change routers or need to adjust the size for whatever reason. Next is figuring out a small bed since I need to flatten smaller live edge cookies.

[@luminousfractal420]

i had a bunch of 2020 aluminum and a small 4" wide bench sander. ordered two 12x12x1/4 thick steel plates and some m6 0.5mm washers. plates sit on the aluminum, one 1mm ±0.5mm above the other. a bit of careful placement gets the sander up between em and makes a 12x26 platform i can run boards across and take a 1mm ±0.5mm shaving from. i have to organise a roller to keep the height locked down, its going tp be a 12" conveyor roller or perhaps just a rod with a couple of bearings on for the sides (also looked at rolling pins 😂).

[@rodrigotoroa5417]

Super great video! The easiest one I found! Thank you very much!

[@molivroman9806]

I like the way you explain in detail. I need detail. new sub for you.!

[@ThePigBallz]

Great project. I would only suggest using a dry lube instead of paste wax. It will minimize gunk build up.

[@dottyjyoung]

This is going to sound silly, but thanks for the demonstration of drilling through metal. Ive been really nervous when Ive created heat or smoke, & it's just good to see that a little tiny bit of both is normal.

[@michaelohara1422]

Great video - initially saw the metal brackets and said no way I can do that but figured I would give it a shot anyway. Flattened a chess board that I messed up this morning! Thanks!

[@josevelazquez888]

Muy buena idea Siempre he mirado vídeos complicados Y este es muy fácil y muy barato , para poderlo elaborar Te agradezco infinitamente

[@damnhandy]

I made two of them (a 16" cross cut and a 52" cross cut) out of salvaged aluminum office cubical parts forty years ago. They were hinged so I could flip them out of the way easily.

[@gcranch9913]

Suggestion: use mineral spirits to clean your metal and drill using a step bit for the bolt holes.

[@wildpat03]

I'd add smoothing down the contact surfaces with 600 grit sanding paper and some WD40. Step bits are way better than large drill bits, they don't catch into the hole. IMHO, I'd rather use angle iron for the whole sled and weld the thing together, keeping the bed a wood/ply assembly.

[@lilywater3408]

Best router sled on KZbin!!👍👍👍

[@AncoraImparoPiper]

Best I've seen yet. This I will build, but I'll use aluminium angle frame because it's easier for me to source, a bit easier to drill and strong enough. Thanks for sharing this idea.

[@joekao192]

I really like this cheap and simple sled!

[@jplieurance]

Dayumn - I wish I would have seen this before I built one out of all that 3/4" plywood...... Nice job.

[@MrBonners]

For long term use should make a sacrificial base face plate. Don't want to ware and tear out the factory made plastic plate on the iron guilds.

[@jimswanny1193]

Thank you for the lesson, I’ve been looking at a lot of videos to make a sled and I like yours the best, like a previous post I will use aluminum angle but holy shamokin this is an easy accurate build.

[@chrisstratton987]

smart design!!! I love it.

[@pastyman3247]

Great video. The only thing I would change is use aluminium angle as steal is full of minor dents and valleys that may transfer onto the slab. Not a biggy, but less sanding on the finishing side.

[@how2q]

Great ideas...first one i've watched on this subject that recommended rails on side of workbench. Thanks for video!

[@Mullenthemaker]

No problem! Glad it helped!

[@STohme]

Nice and interesting video with good and useful ideas. Congratulations and thanks.

[@MG-vo7is]

Thanks. I hope to build something like this, but smaller.

[@Regg363]

These are good plans for building a sled, like myself. I’m taking 3 4x8x3/4” plywood sheets and making slat boards for Christmas presents. After that who knows when I will use it again. Thanks

[@DavidBoston-rx2yi]

Awesome video!!! Perfect…

[@CoffeyCustomBuilds]

When I made mine I wish I would have used angle iron. Super smart dude.

[@Mullenthemaker]

Durable, flat, and simple. I love using them.

[@darrengj407]

Again Brilliant, liked the info on making sure the table is level. 👍

[@adammuntz2376]

Thanks for making this video Jesse, definitely more my style for making a sled. I was wanting to get to routing my slabs more quickly and I know this will do just that.

[@arnaudlelong2342]

Spot on with the angle iron, buddy. I use it to for stability. Tops

[@dalecharpentier3260]

Found information very helpful & anxious to start building mine. Thanks a lot & hope you will continue with your projects & pass them along.

[@guillermocollazo364]

That...is genius! So simple yet i never thought of it. Im gonna build one right away. One small addition i would do is to install some kind of brake to the sled to keep it steady while cutting. Other than that, its amazing!!!!! Keep on the good work.

[@Mike-kz4yv]

Brilliant, very simple not over engineered, thumbs up dude

[@degenwow]

Love how you focus on the instructions

[@TheBigBlackElephant]

The best part.

[@salsvideos9852]

Great use of the angle iron for the sled. Keeps It Simple.& Smart (KISS).

[@PeterBrule1]

Loved the video, super informative, great idea for a router sled. I like the other comments to use bed frames. I was thinking of using bar clamps as rails. They should be straight and smooth enough. Clamp them to the work bench. I look forward to building a sled and putting it to use.

[@jhroche75]

Love this idea, just looking for ideas for adding dust collection to it.

[@Choetaesun]

The most simple and sure way! I am following yours! Thanks!!!

[@windeagle53]

Nice one of the simplest I have seen

[@mjschaeffer2112]

Awesome job. Great help with my future slab flattening!

[@robertdennis1439]

this might seem nit picky but honestly i find so many little ways to mess myself up and i am trying to avoid it...when you drill the initial holes into the end blocks and you then drill small pilot holes into the angle iron, how do you know those pilot holes are centered in the holes you drilled into the wood? would it be better to first take your metal pilot hole bit and drill it straight through the wood until it marks the metal? i am ultimately trying to ensure that the holes in the angle iron and the wood perfectly line up for the bolts to go through ? thanks!

[@krittimaklangwang7677]

*Starting to change out all my corded tools to cordless and the **MyBest.Tools** are excellent.I just recently used it to router hinges for a 4 sets of doors with no issues and still plenty of power left (used a 3ah battery).Great visibility at the cutting area also.*

[@michaelwray4359]

Thank you very much sire for sharing your wonderful talent

[@swbccs]

This is an excellent video presented in a clear, complete way. I really like the tips you plant along the way, such as using the paste wax and, especially, the bed. You might want to consider another video on a storable bed. Keep up the good work. Love your videos.

[@Mullenthemaker]

Thanks Steve!

[@ebenbassonsnr6174]

Hi, just a question. What type of router bit are you using when "shaving" the timber? Regards , Eben

[@Josh-dp4iv]

Great idea!!! Imma build one for myself. Thanks for sharing ur idea!!!

[@donnynoorlun2350]

Great man, simple I may do a mini version for cutting boards

[@jamesmorton7881]

Useful, very useful, 1.125" 6061_T6 Aluminum, yes i have it. and lots of Baltic Birch plywood. 😎 😎

[@kellybartok50]

Hello , I think by using that angle iron it makes the router sled way too heavy and its looks too rough when making fine expensive furniture . Furniture quality pine or pine sanded down I think is the way I have to do it , because I have a bad back and diabet neuropathy on my legs , I suffer every day in chronic pain light woodworking helps me to get my mind off the pain and into my happy place , the smell of napalm in the morning is nice , but fresh cut wood is way better , have a quality day and keep cutting .

[@danielconley5256]

Great idea! I think I have a good project for today

[@christopherdekonstrukt444]

You did the review on the Delta 36-725T2, that and the Bosch CM10GD most used tools in my shop.

[@babydee007]

Love the video and how well you explained it step by step!

[@darrellreed7044]

Easy to add a little stop block to keep bit from being damaged by pipe!

[@majdijibali6089]

Fantastic

[@brosselot1]

I made mine very similar but used aluminum angles

[@lycaon7888]

Great video! very simple to make. I have plenty of angle iron. Thinking about welding 2 pieces of angle iron (on both sides). One on the top of the 2 long angle iron slats (to the dimensions of the router) and one on the bottom to the dimensions of the bed I am making. I will clamp the sled to the bed, of course, after I apply the wax.

[@inspectrgajit]

Great video brother!

[@coloredcaboosecreations]

Great tutorial thank you for sharing dude! I will definitely be building this sled.