STOP Making Out-Dated Table Saw Sleds, Do This Instead

New woodworking tools come in many different ways, sometimes people invent wonderful new ideas for tools, other times an old design can take on a whole new look by some simple re-building like a my newly modified Crosscut Jig for the Table Saw; years ago I made (or over made) a Table Saw Sled that would last a dozen lifetimes, but it was huge and cumbersome, so a couple of years ago I made a simple cross cut jig on the same principals, but it as a quarter the size and weight and worked faster and more versatile, so much so the prototype I made kept getting used more and more until I was finally convinced to make a Permanent Jig, with Baltic Birch Plywood, Laminated Fence and I even got to use the old metal Mitre Bar from and long since dis-used Mitre Gauge that came with my saw. Now I have the ultimate cross cut jig, it fast, light, easy to use and SUPER accurate for make very wide cross cuts which comes in handy for furniture and cabinet making.
For More Detail on the build, including Tools and Parts like Plastic Mitre Gauge Blanks, check out the article on woodworkweb.com, the link is below.
... Read More Here - bit.ly/42oS0w0

[@robinharris4826]

I like the simplicity of this. I’ve been thinking of building one of these for a while... so it’s off to the workshop now... nice work & thanks Colin!

[@themeat5053]

Thanks, Colin. The re-purposing of the metal runner is brilliant. I'm doing it. Thumbs up!

[@hfaria80]

Amazing video. Relaxed, without background music and the right pace, and complete step by step instructions. Thanks for sharing.

[@alonzohollingsworth7712]

Thanks Colin, this is something I need for my table saw. It's simple and easy to make but the bonus is that you can modify it with accessories such as a stop block or clamps. Great video.

[@Motocicleiros]

Thank you for shedding some light over this subject! I am done with my traditional big and heavy crosscut sled that is always getting stuck in the middle of my cuts, to the point that pushing it harder makes my saw to move forward! I came after a solution for "sticking sleds" and stumbled against this wonderful video. I am going to make one of these simplified sleds and this time I will use nylon runners. Sometimes simpler is better.

[@florentbled4697]

I recently purchased a new table saw, and I still have to make a new miter sled for it. This design solves a lot of the issues I had with my previous one. Think I'm going to end up using it. Thanks Colin!

[@chriskythreotis4686]

I haven’t used the mitre guide since I brought my table saw years ago ….now thanks to you I have repurposed it to make a table sled like you in this video ….it looks great…thanks again 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@dondwyer3679]

This is what I've been waiting for...a simple idea for me to understand and build. I'm a medium diy intelligence guy and you have all of the answers to help guide me down the path. Thank you so much for showing this sled!

[@Imwright720]

Thanks for the memories. I used to have a nice woodworking shop. Just got tired of building things. Glad it’s gone but really enjoyed watching.

[@gvanderkrieken]

Ah, nice. A while ago I made the same kind of crosscut sled, exactly for the reasons that you gave. I did not see it before being made in a YT vid so I assumed that this was not truly what a pro works with. So glad to see that it makes sense to pro users too. This is also much simpler to make and really in a few minutes you can start using this. i did make mine with a wooden runner. Seeing your vid motivates me to make a new crosscut like this and this time with a plastic runner to compensate for the wood movement. Thxs.

[@DonovanCYoung]

Colin; I always appreciate your candor, thanks!

[@GavinConwayWoodworkBBQ]

Love your videos Colin - I'm a very newbie about to go into woodworking hobby staerting when I retire in a few months time. I have watched so many of your videos gaining experience. I made a biggish one for my DIY table saw and now going to copy this one as its so much more user friendly.

[@JR-lx8nn]

WOW - DANG! I need one of these. So simple and straightforward with virtually no material or time - really cool. Video is very nicely done, with excellent and obvious visual demonstration and clear, understandable narration. No wasted words, no BS and it all moves me to the proper result. THIS is how to make this type of training video. THANKS. JR

[@hockeyer]

Can’t believe I just watched another crosscut sled video! Thanks for sharing as always, Colin.

[@kirill_gusev]

After watching 10x of crosscut sled vides this is one I'm planning to build :)

[@Buflonob]

Just bought my first table saw, and was looking at sleds, now i'm glad I watched this as it looks a lot better to just have this and i'm tight on space, thank you.

[@petelangford]

Thank you so much for your great video. It was a pleasure to listen to you and get a great idea at the same time. Making a sled has always been on my mind to do, but the sheer size put me off. This sled is compact and ideal for most of us. I'm sure there are many grateful woodworkers out there today because of you.

[@andrewbieger5004]

Great stuff. I, too am planning on building a similar sled for final trimming of cabinet carcass pieces. It is a great design for larger pieces and not limited by the physical size of the sled. Your three cut method seems fine for most items, if the work pieces aren't very large, IMHO. I want to try William Ng's five cut method (using a much bigger test piece ) to maximize any errors in the squareness of sled fence to saw cut. It is extra work, but errors on cabinet panels (UN-square corners) can add up fast to make cabinet construction a pain, if drawers are involved. His method worked VERY well on my last sled build, and I was out only .0015" over 28 inches after two attempts to set the fence. I was able to get that accuracy on a 1980 vintage Delta Contractor saw, so take that SawStop!

[@bobvanwest]

I made a small parts sled years ago because I was tired of hauling out my table saw sled. I used the miter slot to square up the fence. Thanks for this video.

[@reginaldhairston2871]

Worked like a charm. I used the valet key first, followed by the programmed key, and then the new key. Thanks❤

[@terryrogers1025]

Thank you, finally found a very simple and functional cross cut sled. Great video sir.

[@LeonardoAguilar2020]

Colin. Thank you for this info on using the miter slot and not the fence. I've always had a slight deviation on my previous sleds because as it seems my saw isn't parallel to the miter slots. I've tried adjusting and it's almost imposible ti get it perfect. I tried your method and it works flawless thank you.

[@ihrescue]

Thanks I am looking to make one myself and appreciate the timing. Also thanks for the link for the UHMW plastic stock.

[@randycosgrove3608]

Made one very similar to this 10 years ( or so ) ago based on a design I saw from Matthias Wandel. It's worked very well in many awkward situations. I also have a "traditional" sled that is for much smaller work ( max about 10" wide ) and since it's so small and light it gets most of my jobs. But this style is very very handy as you show.

[@hokieinidaho]

I always enjoy watching your videos, and usually learn something. Thanks for keeping them coming!

[@T.E.P..]

Thanks again for your superb channel. It's been a huge delight and incredible education. Hope your week is going perfectly!

[@eldritchpalmerable]

That’s it! For some reason I never liked the idea of this elaborate double walled sled, instinctively I knew there is something wrong about this design. This very simple sled design is perfect and all that is needed. Thanks Collin!

[@norm5785]

Great video. I have a similar sled, but the back rail is in the front with clsmps and you push it through. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@flipmcdonought5835]

Thank you very much; I’ve watched several of these type of videos and, for me, this was the most useful.

[@KimosKreations]

Thank you Colin, I have one of those heavy cross cut sleds, I am building your design!

[@JoyfulWisdom]

that's a smart jig, Colin! Thanks for sharing.

[@gregariouswoodworks1270]

I do need to make a new sled. Might give this a shot as I see the advantages. Thank you for sharing!

[@howarddavies3744]

If you can't find the plastic for the runner, go to a kitchen ware department and buy a plastic chopping board of the right thickness which you can cut into strips.

[@raymondrobinson5251]

I have just been thinking the same idea. I was also wondering if you couldn't make a sled completely out of kitchen plastic cutting boards. Maybe find a glue for bonding the plastics together.

[@MarcGyverIt]

Thank you, because I've never seen a plastic store lol

[@simmyzee]

pieces of PVC trim boards work too

[@JugSouthgate]

Corian scraps would work too.

[@wulf67]

Or just use some hardwood scraps that you have around the shop. It’s not rocket science. Rip down some strips of Mesquite or Purpleheart or hickory and you’re good to go! KZbin is a trip.

[@conrat2000]

This is great information. Thank you for showing this. I made a smaller sled similar to your first example. I might redo it per these instructions.

[@steven.h0629]

Thank you Colin... I didn't even know I needed this.

[@andrewarmstrong5764]

Genius. I never thought to square everything up to the miter slots. Makes absolute sense.

[@brianfraneysr.5326]

I learned to make that same sled from Norm Abrams New Yankee Workshop about 30 years ago. Very handy device. You’ve made some nice upgrades to it. Thanks for the idea with the steel. I have about 3 of those laying around and now I have a use for them!

[@iandodd7828]

The multi-cut technique to check for square is a good approach. But the results showed that it was out of square (0.025” over 4 feet). What would have been helpful is to show how to adjust the fence to bring it into absolutely square. For viewers interested, a quick search for William Ng’s 5 cut method will walk you through the process. When I built my “obsolete” sled, I was able to bring it to within 0.003” over 4 feet, approx. 1/8 the error. It’s easy, only takes a few minutes and a little simple math but will ensure square cuts from now until that plastic runner needs to be replaced.

[@alphaforce6998]

That level of precision for woodworking is well into the diminishing returns range. As the temperature and humidity changes that sled will be off by more than 0.003".

[@keathpolyak6469]

0.025" over 4 feet...or 0.006" over 12 inches is only the thickness of your hair over 12 inches. I feel for wood work that is a great tolerance. Even though this thought goes against my OCD side as I am a machinist by trade. Ie. Try making a sun deck after dealing with +/- 0.0005" every day at work...so 0.006" is nothing to sweat over. However knowing the technique to get it better will help help so many people.

[@acerjuglans383]

The 3 cut method is quicker, just as accurate, and zero math involved.

[@mckenziekeith7434]

@@acerjuglans383 you only need to do 2 cuts. Cut once, flip the piece and cut again and measure how much it narrows over whatever distance you are interested in.

[@imacmill]

All well and good in this video, but now I have to go hunt down another video that says how to correct the unsquare. Feels like it will be finicky, what with having drilled and seated the screws already.

[@mikedisimile2478]

Great job explaining everything. Thank you 👍

[@shock80ey]

Smart and simple, great job.

[@jamesmorton7881]

Well done. The how to check for square alinment was totally worthwhile.

[@DGLaserCraft]

My sled ended up in the scrap pile. Believe I'll give it another try with your instructions - thanks for the great video.

[@jamesklein7997]

"Your local plastic store." You know the brick and mortar plastic store right next to the 1970 International Harvester Scout Accessory Mall.... 🤪

[@rapid13]

I googled “plastic stores near me” and all I got back was directions to a local Lions Den…

[@HENJAM48]

I think it's a Starbucks now.

[@ronallman6055]

Excellent! I like the fact that it is lean and versatile. I will definitely be building one. I am thinking about adding T-tracks to increase the versatility. Thanks for sharing this build. 👍

[@michaelwerner1836]

I thought my sled was heavy at 21 pounds, glad to know I am not the only one! I was looking for something lighter but reliable, and like your design, so will give it a shot. And, as I live in the real world, the 3-cut method looks like it fits my needs. Thanks for the video!

[@gogotrololo]

Saw cuts are never my finished edge, this technique will work perfectly to get me a good straight cut! love it

[@robertadams8971]

Love it! Keep my life (and work hobby) simple.... Thanks

[@Bargle5]

Oh yes. I changed over to this style of sled years ago. Still have the big one for the rare occasion I need it, but the little one does what I need 99% of the time.

[@thetony1973]

Wonderful, I just made one, thanku, you remind me so much of my Dad....I miss him.

[@johnoerter2883]

Thank you, Collin! Excellent as usual.

[@robertpatishnock8222]

I made one just like that many years ago . Plastic was not available then ,so I used hickory strips for the runner . You are spot on ,easy to make , accurate and easy to use , and when they get beat up you dont have much in it . Make a new one

[@bernym4047]

Thanks. This will transform my table saw.

[@MCsCreations]

Really great jig, Colin! Thanks for all the tips! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@Steve-dr7rr]

I just wanted to say thank you. You’re videos are great easy to follow and you can learn a lot so thanks again steve👨🏼‍🦽

[@briandevitt6903]

Excellent series of videos. Much appreciated.

[@bdkirsh]

Honestly, this is the best design I've seen. It is simple, it is light-weight, and it works. Using the table saw fence and the stop block means you can make a lot of cuts without a stopper on the fence. I have a small table saw, so this does the trick.

[@ScarletEyeMoon]

Thats great you salvaged the mitre gauge. I am going to use your design.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

I agree that this is much more versatile than the big one that I’ve been using (overbuilt & heavy, kinda like yours). Thanks for sharing your idea. I can’t ever seem to get rid of jigs, so it looks like I’ll need to make room for 1 more.

[@chriswilliams5498]

Very new to the tablesaw world. Straight away needed a cross cut sled. Went down the vast rabbit hole on how to make one....was a bit daunting. Then saw this. Made it in less than half an hour and works brilliantly.

[@kirill_gusev]

same here. Just finished cleaning my CL scored table saw. Going to build this sled next.

[@scillyautomatic]

2:15 "...my local plastic story..." I wish my town had one of those! 🤣

[@chriswilliams5498]

If you have an engineering supply store locally they will get you the plastic you need, or go online

[@scillyautomatic]

@@chriswilliams5498 interesting! What's an example of an engineering store?

[@chriswilliams5498]

@@scillyautomatic a store that sells engineering supplies!!!!!. Bearings, transmission hardware, tools, safety gear..engineering PLASTICS. Etc etc its huge business. They are everywhere.

[@controlcenter1967]

I wish my country had one of those 😂

[@danielmierop662]

Thank You from New Hampshire

[@artiefufkin3292]

That's great. I would be able to use the blade guard on my saw with this type of sled. I am going to make one.

[@LarsonGuitarPlayer]

Now this was full of smart things! Will copy!

[@philipdavison4066sawdust]

Brilliant mate it will save a lot of time and make work easier many thanks

[@user-cg2ji3wb6e]

Genius things are simple. Thank you!

[@alanfreedman5877]

This is just what I'm looking for. I used wooden runners on my obsolete design and just like you mentioned they expanded and made it tough to push through the slots. I've also come across the limitation in depth of cut.

[@larrymiller9894]

finally, someone that could explain the 3 cut angle checking method that I can understand.. thanks .

[@houstonsam6163]

Many thanks. I also have one of those far-too-large homemade sleds; I'll be following your lead to replace it with a smaller one modelled on yours here. Your demonstration of the four-cut method to test for square is very clear and intuitive. I have never fully understood it until now, and I believe I'll remember it based on how you've shown it. You have a gift for demonstration/explanation.

[@pilkyish]

Great video. My sled is as big and heavy as your old one, and as much of a pain to use! This will be one of my next build projects.

[@tedcook8749]

Nice outside the box ideas, very clever, thanks!

[@vicjs216]

Hi Colin. You can save some time and material by using a table saw dial indicator alignment jig to set up your sled if you have one (best measuring tool investment I have made ). Simply place the jig in the miter slot opposite of the jig. Clamp the builders square firmly to the fence. Set the dial to read zero at the base of your builders square. Move the jig to the far end of the square and note the reading. If it is zero you are good. If not move the fence back or forth to bring the gauge to zero. Repeat just to confirm your reading. I don't trust builders squares and usually use a very large plastic drawing triangle for the alignment. I have never been off more than .003" using the 5 cut method. Your blade must be aligned with the miter slot for this to work!.

[@fishhuntadventure]

If you’re going to use a dial indicator you don’t need all those extra steps or most of the parts. Even the dial indicator isn’t necessary if you own hardwood scraps and feeler gauges or a business card… Tool setups aren’t as much about /measuring/ runouts as they are about a quick go-no-go test with a gauge of some sort- even a business card. That even alleviates compounding errors 99% of the time, and checking parallel pretty much eliminates checking for square if you set your tools up well. Measurements are usually a fraction of the value of fitment

[@vicjs216]

@fishhuntadventure You are right. Before I bought the indicator I used a brass screw in a board set perpendicular to my miter gauge. Just kissed and marked the front tooth of a sawblade and revolved it the toward the rear of the table. Moved the miter to the tooth and adjusted the blade. An indicator is easier and quicker way to cut down on boring stuff leaving more time to make sawdust.

[@doc2help]

Thank you, i am not a very good woodworker but I did make a crosscut sled two years ago and use it a lot. This will make an improvement on the original!

[@knecht105]

Woodworking is a process of learning and trying and I still have lots to learn too :)

[@carltonmcdonald5930]

This is certainly helpful, thank you very much

[@DLIMAC70]

Thank you for sharing this useful information. Best regards

[@GarySevior]

Hi Colin, it is a pleasure watching your KZbin

[@n8n51]

Only thing I would tweak with your base design is to add a small angled cut where the fence board meets the table board to allow for any dust that might accumulate and throw off the fit against the back fence. Otherwise it is a great base design.

[@Theexplorographer]

Was going to mention this.

[@flanagon360]

Genius

[@DrJuan-ev8lu]

An improvement is to drill several 5/8" holes through the sled every 4 or 5 inches along that angled cut. Be sure to bevel each hole slightly, top and bottom. These help empty the sawdust every time the sled is backed up beyond to edge of the saw table.

[@TheLkoler]

Very good demonstration. Looks like what I need.

[@WorthICT]

Thanks for this, going to try this

[@wniner8194]

Great video! Simple and effective solution! Thanks for taking the time to publish this!

[@fergusrb]

I looks like a New Yankee Work shop sled. I made one years ago and with the fence at the front you could cut small panels. You could also turn it around with the fence facing the rear of the table saw to cut large panels. Thanks for the video. I had the same problem with my cross cut sled, it was big and heavy to lift on and off the table saw. Thanks for your video. Now to find a place to get that plastic you talked about.

[@johnwhitley2898]

Very cool 😎! I just had to move recently and, alas, the table saw is in storage....... However, right before I moved, I had to run off "a pile" of cuts, and I was not going to construct a giant sled just to throw it out in the move. I remembered the Norm Abrams panel sled and I threw one together in reverse similar to yours, again in scrap. Thin base , couple of hardwood off cuts. Not heavy and it worked. It will get remade as soon as I get the saw set up. Better piece of Birch ply, thin; Delrin guide, with a finish. Kudos to you 😊!

[@virtualDon]

Great video! One small suggestion I learned from Norm on the New Yankee Workshop - put the fence on the leading edge. This way you are not limited to the size of material on the sled. The sled can rest on the table and engage the miter slot and the material can hang off the sled between you and the blade.

[@silentscribes]

Great video Collin thank you.

[@Derpherppington]

Nice and simple thanks

[@robira1313]

Love it. I call that a panel sled.

[@jimblack5596]

Colin, Nice build. I see this as very useful and a good substitute for some cases where I use a crosscut sled. However one of the benefits of a traditional crosscut sled it that it supports both ends of the piece you are cutting in order to have a very clean cut on both sides. This jig does not do that. I would probably just use my miter gauge instead.

[@DrJuan-ev8lu]

That added support of a big sled can reduce chances of tear-out at the end of the cut.

[@FastEddieQ]

Wished I would’ve have watched this video 2 years ago… excellent video!!! Keep up the good work!

[@SaintFredrocks]

I got rid of my behemoth sled a while ago. The smaller sleds are so much easier to use and store: those big ones take up way too much space. If you counter sink and put a slit in the plastic runners, you can over-tighten the screws to make the plastic bulge a little and you get a perfect fit. Wood runners only seem to fit the day you make them. Thanks for the video.

[@TheBillPayingHobbyists]

Thank you for the video. Great idea. Keep them coming. Subscribed!

[@barryirby8609]

This is funny. I have had one like your new one for maybe twenty years and sort of felt bad about it because it was not one of the giant sleds. Kind of the poor step brother. Got a new table saw and was thinking about making a real big one. Thanks, I am sticking with the version like yours. I made mine with a 1/4" thick base so I could cut through thicker stock.

[@allenchurchill598]

Thank you, Colin, for producing this video. I was all set to build a sled just like the one you got rid of. While reading the comments, I took thought on what others have mentioned here and added a stationary board of the same thickness as the sled bed to go on the right side of the blade. I too, do not like my cut-off pieces dropping down from the blade to the table after cutting. In the process of making that I took the advice of another commenter and used flat washers and another mitre slot guide to hold the stationary board in place while using the sled. Afterwards, I then realized I had no provision for making duplicate cuts without measuring each cut first. On the old traditional sled, I'd clamp a piece of wood on the fence to the right of the blade for consistently sized cut-offs. So, I've now added a T-Track to the stationary board near the rear edge and use a stop block. Would love to add pictures of the finished product, but I don't see provision for that here.

[@steveoshaughnessy3736]

This is awesome! I have a cheap table saw, a.k.a., loose tolerances. This will really help me make better cuts.

[@dpeter6396]

I built a simple sled, very like your first "simple" one, using scrap wood and a bit of old 1/8" paneling. That was 40+years ago and I ain't worn it out yet. I've considered other types of sled design and materials but I just can't see trying to fix something that isn't broken! I think you've over killed this....

[@Mickparrysstepdad]

Awesome. I need to make one of these...

[@johncostigan6160]

Simple tools can sure be a big help.

[@lexuannhi]

What a good idea. Why I didn't think of it before? Thank you very much.

[@henrysara7716]

Thank you Colin.

[@GONZOFAM7]

I have a craftsman bench saw. This is going to help me a lot. Thanks

[@SJKile]

I just kind of stumbled on to this, but this is a very interesting & intuitive design. I’m going to make it & I’ve also subscribed. Thanks

[@williamgates4399]

I made my own cross sled based on the many different videos. I am like you. The plastic runners are the best. Just put s little paste wax, and the sled moves effortlessly. My cross sled design is only 32 inches by 18 inches using 3/4 finish plywood I had lying around.

[@akquicksilver]

Went the same route several years ago. When I got my new SawStop, i built all these gucci jigs and sleds. My miter sled hand built in 45s for mitering. It is a nice piece, but too big and heavy, so I built almost exactly the same thing as you with a metal bar off a miter gauge with the adjustable ball bearings.