The SECRET To A PERFECT Picture Frame Sled!

My Etsy Shop: www.92nails.etsy.com
Make Something: kzbin.info
Instagram: 92nailsvt
Music by: @dcuttermusic / www.davidcuttermusic.com

[@bradchristy5002]

Very nicely done - great idea for the bigger, full table jig. Thanks for your excellent effort.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@leighhardy9926]

Thanks for the video and the idea of using the framing square

[@rogerlove7588]

I built a jig like the one you started with, and I agree with you regarding the tipping issue. I like your solution. My second issue is that I'm limited on the size of frame I can cut with these jigs. It appears that yours is limited to 24 inches; mine will do about 32 inches. I plan to design one that accommodate up to 48", so I'm probably forced to use two aluminum rules on it. I haven't been able to find a framing square larger than 16"x24" (other than the folding ones). I plan to incorporate your updates in my new one. Good job!

[@LiloUkulele]

Excellent! solved so many issues. my one small comment is to mathematically check to confirm the the square is 45 to the blade (going off the fence introduces one more variable and cheap plastic framer's square are notorious for being off)): cut a 3-4" wide board square...on your your perfectly square sled...at 90 then cut of a piece on the miter sled...you are left with a right angle triangle with A & B being equal...or should be...measure each leg with a good caliper...if both legs are equal..."3.001" then you are 45 to the blade...with a thou' accuracy! Imitation is the best compliment...I am "borrowing" your design...thank you so much for taking the time and effort to produce this great video to help all us sawdust producers!

[@steveparks5030]

One other idea before screwing down the square. Make sure your square is square. Just had this problem with two framing squares that were a little more than a 1/16th off. Couldn't get them back square.

[@072570ppft]

I agree that squares can be off. Taking a punch to the corners will adjust to 90 deg.

[@colmanoreilly4247]

Great and super helpful, thank you!

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@LiloUkulele]

I have given up on wood runners...they never stay put...always shrinking and swelling...(plastic shops sell their scrap cut-off for pennies vs $30 for a pair of UHMW runners on amazon-I bought 1 scrap for $1.89 and got 4 sets of runners). I dado the runners in place...separately for each side; so I have a left hand sled and a right hand sled...run each one thru the saw for a zero clearance cut, join the 2 sleds with the back stop...Great job, young man! subscribed.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I really need to try this! I live in Vermont where the seasons change dramatically and I built this sled in the winter. I took it out for the first time during the summer last week when the humidity was through the roof and my runners where so tight in the slots I couldn't budge the sled. Guess I'll be switching to plastic so I don't run into this anymore! Great idea!

[@johnbarney5787]

Sticks and Stuff! I just moved out of the NEK! I had to drive 1.5 hours to go to Home Depot or Lowes, Littleton, or Burlington, so Sticks got a lot of my business. 🙂 Awesome video. Best frame jig I've seen. I watched one or two now that's all KZbin shows me. Glad it did now.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Thanks so much! We have a camp close to Island Pond, beautiful country but not very close to anything 😂

[@johnbarney5787]

@@SamMacyDesigns Nothing is close to anything in Vermont. Lol

[@TheTranq]

Hey man great video and super smart idea keeping the square in tact until you cut through it. Gonna be making one this weekend doing this process. Maybe we can do a collaboration sometime!

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Sounds great!

[@nicracine]

So big. I was ready to hate it, but it's really great. I think this is the model I'll do.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I thought the same but I ended up liking the size, especially when I’m making multiple frames and can have the pieces right in front of me

[@patricksmith8927]

I love picciuto but having a full size sled to keep it down is a massive improvement on his! Nice!

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Thank you! I feel like it was a good call and once it's on the table saw you hardly notice how large it is

[@chaz2556]

Using that already 90 degree ruler was such a genius idea. the other video's i've seen all use two rulers and they fiddle with them to get them at 90. i'm definitely making this soon

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Chaz I did the same thing for three different sleds (with two rulers) and never quite got it perfect until this! It’s a game changer!

[@samuelfletcher8232]

Hi g :/ uhh billion'll: boo b

[@JBuck-cu7xd]

Just pay attention that the measurements on that square on the outside long edge are in 1/12th increments NOT 1/16th like most are accustomed to using

[@donmeyers3090]

@@JBuck-cu7xd OK, I don't get it. Why would you want to measure in 12ths instead of 16ths when using this?

[@JBuck-cu7xd]

@@donmeyers3090 what I was getting at is why picture frame jigs don’t always use a builders square. On one leg of a builders square the inches are graduated in 1/12 increments. The 1/12 increments make it easier to frame a roof and convert inches to feet ratios. You just need to be careful on the picture jig not to mistake 1/16 and 1/12 inches

[@TheTranq]

Am I correct that the amount of overhang of the aluminum ruler from the wood it's attached to has to be greater than or equal to the width of the rabbet you intend to use for the picture frames?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Yes I believe so. I think the only limiting factor for the width of your rabbet would be running into the screw heads that fix your ruler to the base.

[@Cigarsmokin_woodworker]

Well done

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Thanks Tim!

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

One important aspect you did not mention or may not know is for the stop block to reference the scale on the square you want the kerf cut to be right at the zero point on the square. If one positioned the blade to cut dead center of the apex of the square the distance from the one inch mark is going to be less than one inch throwing off the length of the cut material. I like to be precise in my shop. Nice video! I have the same saw I bought it about 8 years ago, I did replace the fence system with Incra’s TS LS Wonder Fence System and added the Incra Master Lift II and dust sweep with a 3.5 Hp Router. Yes the Fence system cost more than the saw. 😁🛫

[@SamMacyDesigns]

That's an excellent point, I think I originally just cut the center of the square so I bet my scale is off by 1/16" which is half the kerf of my blade. And I saw that incra makes that fence system but I couldn't get my self to spend that kind of money 😂I opted for the 20$ replacement inserts for the fence that it came with off of etsy! Pretty sure some guy 3D printed them in his basement but hey they work

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Oops I mean left side of zero😣🛫

[@richc8396]

Watching you cut through the ruler made me go "doh!" I've been trying to make a sled and getting the ruler aligned has been so difficult. Any opinion on what blade I should use to cut through the square? Should I use my Diablo 80 tooth or the ripping blade (?) that came with the table saw? I'm a bit nervous to cut through the metal so any concern about the thickness of the framing square? Lastly, what type of framing square did you use? Thanks!

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I think that your 80 tooth is a good option! Just make SURE that you're using an ALUMINIUM framing square, some are steel and some are aluminium and if you try to cut a steel one its going to be a bad day in the shop not matter what blade you use :( As long as its aluminum just go slow and wear eye protection! Good luck, let me know how it goes!

[@lowerycustominteriors]

What’s the best plywood to use for base? And thickness. Thinking about building one.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I used 3/4" blondewood plywood from Lowe's but you could probably get away with 3/4" mdf if you wanted something slightly cheaper!

[@paulallentaylor6034]

I'm in the beginnings of making a sled. I see the benefit of repeatability and putting the time in makes sense. I want to understand how the stop would work with different frame mouldings vs home mades. I'm an artist with frames I want to cut down. There are different styles and widths. Do you have a clip on the stop function and registration? Thx

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Hey Paul! I don't have a finer clip of the actual stop function but it's essentially just a piece of wood with a 45 degree angle cut in it. Mine just has a cut out to get around one of the knobs that I didn't realize would be in the way. I think you could come up with something better than I have, I rushed mine a bit. You could also make a few different sizes for difference width frames.

[@ME-ce7ik]

Thanks for sharing! Could be my eyes, but it seemed you entered the cut on the framing squate dead on but on exiting it appeared to be off center. Does it matter?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

No you're right! I noticed that too when I first make it but that just because the square isn't dead center on the board. Turns out it doesn't matter because the framing square is still at 90 degrees. As long as you screw down the framing square before you cut through it your miters will be perfect every time!

[@TooooManyHobbies]

The two sides of the square are different widths. The offset exit is expected and unimportant.

[@Vstar845]

What hearing protection are you using. I don't want big earmuffs or foam inserts but can't find anything else

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I use Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs right from Amazon. They mold right to your ear with a bit of hot water and they're my favorite so far!

[@Boom-oq5yj]

You said it was a little tight when you first ran it and that you were going to sand it? Sand what, the rails? How do you do that without creating play? Thanks!

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I sand the rails that run in the grooves on the table saw. Just a couple passes with 180 grit typically helps to sneak up on the fit without going too far

[@TheTranq]

One more question. Did you do anything to help ensure that the inner or outer edge of the ruler starts exactly at 0 on the 'right side' of the kerf? Or did you just get as close as you can? Btw I just got the same aluminum ruler from home depot haha

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I got it a close as I could to zero! I actually went a little shy of exact zero because I wanted a little bit of play to allow for wood expansion and contraction. So when I cut to say 10", it's really more like 10 and 1/16" if that makes sense. Good call on Home Depot! It took me a while to find an aluminum framing square so I'm glad you were able to snag one!

[@TheTranq]

@@SamMacyDesigns Ok gotcha yah that's probably a good call. I'll be finishing it up today and hoepfully it will help bust out some picture frames!

[@gordonxu2493]

Is is possible that you can flip the 90 degree face the blade instead of facing you?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I haven't tried it but I don't see why you couldn't!

[@fredbarrantes6401]

Are there printed plans for this anywhere?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Unfortunately no :/ I may eventually once I make a fancier one!

[@jimtrebes7926]

Could not find your Etsy site. Have you taken it down?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

No it still lives! You can find it here: www.etsy.com/shop/SamMacyDesigns

[@tonydavis6487]

Instead of using pegboard for something with less resistance. You could just use paste wax. Great video though!!

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Great tip! Thanks for watching!

[@rockin5428]

nice job but do you have detailed instructions and a drawing?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Unfortunately no, just this video

[@terrytowells5500]

Most framing squares have one side in 1/12 inches as opposed to 1/16. Makes it pretty lousy for accurate measurements on a picture frame. Make sure the square is the correct way facing up. At 06:30 it looks like yours is the wrong way up. I dunno why they've got 1/12 inches on there, but I don't frame houses!

[@velcroman98]

I'd never refer to a carpenter's square as a perfect 90º, it's made for carpenters framing houses, so it's good enough for that type of work. I'd suggest you pick up a machinist's square (they are much smaller and WAY more accurate). Grizzly had some at a great deal last year. I'd have brought with me a machinist's square to the store and check all the carpenter's squares to pick the closest one. Once you have one, you'll be checking everything for square (table saw blade, drill press, etc). I'd also suggest not referencing from the fence, especially that fence on that saw (I used to have an R4512 - and it was a workhorse - but the fence suck'd). For a more accurate jig, and more precise product I'd reference from the blade. You'll have to avoid the tooth, but if you can get a machinists square off the blade to your jig - it'll be much closer to 45º. Adam Savage on his Tested KZbin channel this week did a small dissertation on measurement. Fantastic information that'll make you think less about the measurement and more about the reference point you use. In your case, the fence vs the blade. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3aalYyepa6SmKs Nice design, though wouldn't work for those of use using a Sawstop, I could see using the larger square to help line up some plywood or other hardwood. Keep up the good work.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Hey thanks for all of this feed back, it was super helpful 😃 I never thought of bringing a machinist square to the hardware store…that’s absolutely genius! I use a different method for cutting frames now but I hope others see this so they can take something away from it. Thanks for watching and thanks for taking the time to share some important information!

[@denisoliverio4970]

What are the dimensions of this sled?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I tried to mimic the size of my table saw top so it's roughly 24""x 36"

[@thumperman8490]

How would you not leave a framing square at a 90 degree angle?

[@SamMacyDesigns]

I'm not sure if I understand what you're asking. Are you wondering if you can use a framing square but cut something other than a 45 degree angle from it? For say a frame with more than four sides?

[@thumperman8490]

Hi Sam, it is just in the vid when you fitted the framing square, you state ' leave it at 90 degrees,' it is permanently set at 90 degrees after all. I was just picking you up on the commentary. Great project and well done.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

@@thumperman8490 Oh i got cha hahaha now i see!

[@CarmoniusFinsnickeri]

Nice video but I don't see why a seperate sled is needed for this. Just attach a v-fence on top of your crosscut sled and you have the same thing. If the v interferes with the rear fence, make it a v with straight sections on the side to clear the rear fence, v like a house shape in other words. Don't understand the metal square that seems to be the thing for these picture frame sleds either. It doesn't add any function and it doesn't give any tear out support on the exit side. Better with a higher wooden fence in that case.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Definitely some good pointers here. I think the reason behind the metal square is it just makes it easier to get a perfect 90 degree angle without any margin for error. Assuming you get a halfway decent one, I've seen some squares that aren't as square as you'd want them lol

[@christiesbythesea]

799 subscribers? Nice...

[@KpxUrz5745]

I see a lot of design problems with this one. First problem is it is way too big, at least four times the size it should be. Mine is less than a quarter this size, works perfectly, and never flips off the saw. Second problem is there is absolutely no reason to waste a metal carpenter square to arrive at perfect 45 degree angles. In fact, it's a very roundabout way and needlessly difficult.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

It worked flawlessly for me but I’m glad you found something that suits your needs better. The carpenters squares is just handy because it’s already at a perfect 90 and has all of the measurements on it, and you can typically pick on up for less than 12 bucks. It could be a nice addition to your sled, thanks for the feedback.

[@_J.F_]

Could have done without the hideous and loud music.

[@SamMacyDesigns]

Thanks for the tip! Sorry you didn’t enjoy it.

[@_J.F_]

@@SamMacyDesignsTaste in music varies but I just find that it takes away from your video rather than adds to it. Or adds noise I suppose. Lovely mitre sled nevertheless.