DON'T make these Router Sled Mistakes! | Evening Woodworker

Avoid these 7 common mistakes when using a router sled to flatten a live edge slab. There are many different designs of router sleds out there, but here I show you a simple design that will work every time. The best part is you can just build it out of plywood scraps from around your shop! You don't need a fancy or expensive router sled to be able to get great results and end up with nice even slab surface.
Router bit used in this video: amzn.to/3r0CYtp
Tools used in my shop:
Ridgid Spindle Sander: homedepot.sjv.io/vd1Ej
Ridgid Router 2.5hp homedepot.sjv.io/MeoRo
Husky 30gal Air Compressor: homedepot.sjv.io/mdro1
Dewalt 13in Thickness Planer: homedepot.sjv.io/LkoRY
Worksharp 3000: amzn.to/2UM88qs
Dewalt 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw: amzn.to/2UWVRiR
Jet Jointer JJ-6CSX: amzn.to/2UwVywd
Jet Mortiser: amzn.to/2QXtFLA
Dewalt 20V Drill Driver Combo: amzn.to/2JBEwXy
Dewalt Random Orbital Sander: amzn.to/2R5qP7t
Hegner Multi Max 18 Scroll Saw: amzn.to/34hF5iV
Portable Belt Sander: homedepot.sjv.io/XBEK3
2hp Dust Collector: amzn.to/2VbkKHV
Workshop Vac: amzn.to/3bF7ul6
Polyurethane mallet: amzn.to/3bVgl2z
Ridgid 12V Drill Driver Combo: homedepot.sjv.io/7gKK5
Hudson Shop Apron: amzn.to/2R5oSIb
Also check out my social media pages:
/ eveningwoodworker
/ eveningwoodworker
Website: www.eveningwoodworker.com/
I am an engineer by day and a woodworker by night... usually after the kids are in bed and before the neighbors call the cops!
I have a passion for building things out of wood and all things woodworking. I am always looking for new projects that look fun and challenging. My woodworking inspiration comes from my kids, my wife, and the forests around my house. I consider myself a serious hobbyist and I hope you can learn something and get inspired from the projects and mistakes that I make. I will also show you how I organize and work in my small shop in 1 bay of my garage. I will share videos of my past, current, and future woodworking projects with the goal of getting you out in the shop making sawdust!
#routersled #liveedge #blackwalnut

[@AWIRELINK]

This guy is good, his videos are very educational, he explains things thoroughly and makes it easy to understand. Just subscribed with and a BIG 2 thumbs up..

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks I really appreciate that!

[@stevenholton438]

I totally agree! Extremely relatable! This guy will go far! I subscribe to every channel i ever watched though, regardless of anything other than energy, it makes me laugh to see how others treasure their gift of an almost unnoticeable subscription....I mean to say now!

[@andyjame1971]

I just finished building the handrail on my deck kzbin.infoUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!

[@JuniperandSixth]

Well, I’ll be inspecting my sled tonight and sanding any high spots. Good recommendations!

[@briannewton3535]

Awesome. I'm considering making a router sled. Your information has been noted, and will influence my sled build. Thanks for taking the time on this video.

[@karledman4625]

Nice job explaining the issues, resolutions and the whys. Thanks for sharing.

[@alexisherrera2048]

Very clear explanations. Kindness with the neighbors is important.

[@larryfisher7056]

Good stuff there....the #1 item is something that I would never think of. Thanks.

[@rsc4peace971]

Lots of good tips as I was planning to try my first attempt at flattening a few of the large ambrosia maple slabs. Thanks for sharing valuable insight

[@jackmatranga2539]

I'm doing my first sled and your video saved me a bunch of time. Thank you!

[@allanhart4115]

Thanks a lot for great information on router sleds! This is on my next project list.

[@jplieurance]

Great tutorial. Your explanations of why you do what you do are really helpful.

[@takeniteasyfriend]

Great tip! Well explained. I mistakenly found your video thinking it was a tip for attaching "table saw" sled fences. The attachment of the sides obviously applies to table saw sleds also--screwing the fence perpendicularly to the reference edge makes sense after explaining how the ply pushes out ever so slightly (but enough to make surface less than flat)

[@b3arwithm3]

Really well explained and very comprehensive list of issues covered in this video 👍

[@craigoram]

This is great! I've been wanting to build a routing sled and this gives me all the details I need. Thanks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@dalepage5511]

Excellent points. Thanks for taking the time to share this.

[@josephseewald4687]

Thanks, you prevented me from making several errors in my sled before I had a chance to build it. Very helpful.

[@campfire254]

Wow!!!!! THANK you so much!!!! found this video as I'm trying to figure out how to build my own jig. Very informative!!!!! gave me lots to think about before I make some costly mistakes. thanks a bunch!!!

[@gavmungus824]

Excellent video: simple, clear, concise and very informative. Thank you. 👍

[@rayg436]

I have made adjustable siding rails for different thickness of slabs I also use angle iron for my sled so I can do up to 48 inch wide table tops. I like the tips you give great for beginners.

[@ericawilliams18]

Thank you the first video that’s simple ! Simple jig simple explanation!

[@brucemitchell4581]

Well my friend I learned a lot from your video about milling with the sled thanks for the video lesson! 👍

[@RobertJones-pr9rh]

Absolutely brilliant, I never thought of using a router like that. Many thanks.

[@flywrite]

Thank you for filling in the details that most channels skip. Details matter but you do an excellent job of highlighting the details that matter most. This keeps the information on point, and not pointless.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thank you! I try to focus on the stuff you really need to know. Glad you like it!

[@davidnleeh4]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!!!

[@g-dog100]

Awesome!! So helpful!! I’m going to build mine now! Greetings from Granada, Spain!!

[@LosoIAm]

I never thought of the minute expansion of the base of the sled. My instinct (bad experience, rather) tells me to do it like the way you're suggesting. Your method is both scientific and practical (and considering good relationship with your neighbours is a bonus!) - thank you for pointing that out.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I try to be logical when I can! 😀

[@tiborlovasz812]

Thank you - great explanation, well organized, straight to the point, everything makes sense, no unnecessary speech!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks!

[@ohmsanti7914]

Concise and well explained, no crazy music, Thanks for your straightforward informative video.

[@paulquinn5260]

Great tips for building my router sled. Thanks from Paul in the uk 🇬🇧

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

Excellent video,man.Thanks. Looking forward to the next one.

[@inspiringbuilds]

Great tips and thumbnail! Clear, concise, and helpful video that will help any level wood worker be successful. 👍

[@Coyote48]

Nicely done and very informative

[@gvajcner]

This was super helpful - I've got a few slabs to do soon, so I'll definitely be using your tips. Great video - thanks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@DFD9000]

Straight to the point. I like it. Thanks 👍

[@johnbeenfield4093]

This is gold. Thank you!!

[@niltavone]

Excelent video and excelent tips! I´ll be building my first sled next week, but have already bumped into some of these difficulties on previous attempts while improvising some kind of support/jig for routing. Will definitely use all these tips when building my sled! Thanks very much!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good luck with your sled!

[@lucyscottwalker2203]

That was so very helpful. Someone cut a large cedar and gave it to me. With an Alaskan sawmill you can get slabs but not really great slabs so I've been curious about a router sled. This is actually the first video I've seen on how to construct and use one. Thank you very, very much.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Great! I'm glad you liked it!

[@bradcarlson2096]

Awesome video, thanks for taking the time explaining the details

[@gmrhymer2624]

Really really helpful & great video. Thanks! 😀

[@FrostyMcG]

That was incredibly helpful! I’ve got some oak slabs that I’m drying right now, but need to mill down a bit for a project. Using the router and a sled seems like a good option to start. Thanks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sweet! Good luck!

[@The78bluedevils]

You answered a lot of questions I had, and save me time and money avoiding some of these mistakes. Thx

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad it helped!

[@claudeelliott3993]

Good video!! Valid ideas to reduce follow up sanding, planing, etc!!

[@foxmoulder7724]

Thanks for the advice my dude 👊 Im about to finally invest in a trim router, and i want to get the most out of it.

[@RobDucharme]

So, right around the time this video came out, I had just built my first router sled. I actually went in a third direction with my sled. I cut a dado into each side of the sled walls and glued the bottom in that way (as one might do with a drawer). Then capped the ends. I never would have thought of the expansion problem, but glad I did it the way I did!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Good thinking! That works too

[@scottstorch4227]

Excellent tips. Thank you

[@bozotheclown935]

Hey buddy, Great tips. I have not been woodworking for bout 40 years but plan to get back to it in my retirement. All you guys sharing your info... WOW... really helpful specially in terms of knowledge as to what is available in the modern world. Thanks a lot and hello from Australia..

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm glad it's helping! And welcome back to the hobby... we've missed you!

[@johnnydingo8680]

All good tips, thanks for sharing.

[@rctayas]

I’m about to get my first router….thank you for these tips!

[@bosatsu76]

Excellent catch on #1... One of those 'why didn't I think of that' items...

[@inonafets]

Great teacher!!!

[@bigvegass]

Good timing. I'm gonna make my own butcher block countertops and have been.toying with flattening it with a router sled setup

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds fun!

[@UnpimpYourAuto]

Great tips. You see a lot of people doing slab flattening, but they don't go into details like this. Thanks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeaniemalone5304]

Thanks!😁 That makes sense to do pocket holes instead of screwing straight into the sides of the wood. Also, we have some live edge pine planks that we need to level off with a router. We didn’t know that we could do this step before hand planing. This will save us a lot of time and errors. Thank you!!

[@EveningWoodworker]

I'm glad it helped!

[@dlk4318]

brilliant tips and even better explanation!

[@timsenger470]

Well this was phenomenal timing. I've seen other videos on this topic but didn't need to make one. Now I have a 24" wide by 3" deep slab of maple for my River epoxy coffee table. These tips are going to come in super handy. I might use my long levels as my rails. Thanks.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sweet! As long as you have a way to secure your levels, those would work fine.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

Me too.... just gained access to a couple huge old trees that are now horizontal.....

[@ronkaplan8472]

Thank you for your pragmatic information for making it simple to construct an efficient flattening sled. This was tremendously helpful. 👍👍

[@EveningWoodworker]

Great! I'm glad it helped

[@enzo99991]

Great info - thanks for putting the video out

[@rusticduckfurniture4744]

This is super helpful thanks so much!!!

[@anthonyjordan2922]

Very useful information. Thanks for sharing this.

[@lylemorton8641]

Subscribed. Good points all around. Thanks.

[@jackdotzman2908]

Great advice. Excellent vid, thank you. From Missouri

[@MrOneacuff]

Great tips! Mistake #1 cleared up my sleds issues. Thanks!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Awesome! Glad it helped

[@GrantOakes]

I've never milled a slab with a router before but now that I know how to do it properly I wanna build something using your tips!

[@EveningWoodworker]

You should give it a try!

[@CTuna-uo3pq]

I love your consideration for your neighbors. Makes the world turn

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks, I'm trying!

[@strale]

my first thing when I saw the thumbnail was - but it is a lot more stable that way! it really makes a sense after watching the video. chapeau and thanks for the tips! also kudos for thinking about your neighbors

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad it helped!

[@hokaidosax]

Thank you for sharing these tips! I am about to do a few slabs for different projects. This will do a lot of help!

[@hokaidosax]

Update: I did my project successfully with the sled ! Thank so much for sharing!

[@toddmitchell1026]

Thanks for the tips and a couple of "OF COURSE!" moments

[@EveningWoodworker]

Ha you're welcome!

[@morinkashi63]

Very useful information and educational. Thank you for sharing.❤

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Thanks. I was looking at thickness planer sleds and this popped up and I found it enjoyable and very useful. Some of the tips transfer to other jigs so I'm glad I happened on this video.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Awesome! I'm glad it helped you.

[@patrickbink4617]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@tinycuisine6544]

Great tips before my first attempt!! Thanks

[@barriowoodworks]

Many helpful tips provided. Thank you.

[@torinhalsey6313]

Good information. I've never seen these details covered in other videos. Well done.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! Glad it's helpful!

[@navarroedwards8031]

I actually learned a lot from your video . I have 3 projects to finish for family members so I’m taking my time . Thanks for your very educational video .

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad it helped!

[@ThePapa41]

Great video, very informative and useful ideas! Louis

[@gk1841]

Great tips, thanks!

[@williamclark9743]

Wow. Very helpful for me. Thank you.

[@donaldbrewster5705]

you gave me a lot of good tips on the router sled.

[@MC2D2T]

Parfait. Très bonnes explications et compréhensibles. Bravo !!

[@DaileyWoodworks]

Great video. Thanks for the tips

[@johntarrant]

First class video! I learnt a lot in a few minutes. Nice and concise unlike so many others!

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks! I'm trying to make it all useful

[@Wolverines1]

Very helpful vid! Thanks for posting.

[@AmirSoltany]

thanks for all useful tips

[@loridaniels9452]

Simple Kudos on a good presentation Thank you Tim D

[@daviddejulio863]

Thanks for the great vid!

[@lundyswoodcrease5876]

Good stuff! Thanks!

[@jwdickinson643]

great video! super helpful!

[@johnpratt7599]

Going through previous comments I found where you recommended a bit from Amazon I just ordered it and will be building my sled tomorrow thanks again.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad you found it! Good luck

[@jefferyhaws7565]

I like the way you explained all of the potential problems and solutions. I'm going to make my rails out of a former queen size bed railing.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Nice! Good luck!

[@SpiritualStuntman]

Fantastic video, wonderful job with good details and explanation. Well worth my time thank you so much

[@EveningWoodworker]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

[@stephencox6673]

Excellent info.

[@stevegronsky8904]

Nicely done video with good explanations of "why" things should be done.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Glad it was helpful! I'm the kind of person that wants to know the why for everything so I assume other people want to know it too.

[@mrsaezs]

Many good tips, thaks a lot!

[@upstatecre8]

Well done! Thank you for this helpful video!

[@Telecaster65]

great tips, thank you!!!

[@markwhite9668]

Great info!

[@braytonbailey3782]

I have flattened a few slabs and this is a fantastic video, I guarantee I have made every mistake you call out. Thanks.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Haha sometimes we have to just learn from our own mistakes!

[@90Beater]

A very informative video. I built a router sled over the weekend and will level my live edge Walnut slab the next weekend. It is a 2 3/4" thick 58" wide and 22" at most deep. The top has 1/2" taper on each side. I used a large piece of 3/4" melamine for the base and 1 x 4" red oak for the guide rails since I had them in the garage. For the sled I also used 3/4" melamine with 1 x 4" red oak on each side and for guides on each end. For all of this I pre-drilled the holes from the bottom making sure the alignment was perfect then I used a countersink bit so the 2 1/4" screws would hold the wood but not get in the way. the sled rides smoothly and is great. Just tonight I received a 2" 4 cutter leveling bit for my router. I watched your video to make sure I did not miss anything, I think I am good.

[@EveningWoodworker]

Sounds like a good setup! Good luck!

[@kaywarren6788]

Very nice job!

[@eniszulufepustampasic2799]

excellent !! thank you!