Rockler Crosscut Sled or Osborne EB-3
Hi Everyone,
I need help with a purchase. I think that I’ve finally come to the realization that I just can’t justify the expense and room that a sliding table saw would take up, though it’d be the envy of the neighbors! Anyway, I’m now looking for other alternatives such as a cross cut sled.
I’m wondering what the pros and cons of a crosscut sled or a nice miter gauge like the Osborne EB-3. Is it more accurate to push the table with a work piece across the blade like a slider? The Osborne looks really cool too and would certainly be easier to store. The other concern I have with a sled is if I had to crosscut something really thick. Just this weekend I was cross cutting a 2-1/4″ (3 layer thick plywood) stack and pretty much needed the full capacity of my 10 inch table saw. I know that was rare, but it was the one time that I wished that I had purchased the Festool TS-75 instead of the TS-55.
Replies
Hi - I have the EB-3. Works very well and is accurate. The only criticism I have is that when the support bar is moved back so its not resting on the table (if you are cutting a wide panel), then with nothing to support it rotates down a bit. So when you are pushing the wood through the saw, then the support piece contacts the table, it needs to be lifted otherwise it prevents further movement. Annoying. Probably there is something that can be done with the stop so that the wood holds the bar up, but I haven't figure it out yet. -yurij
If you have a T-slot miter slot you might try adding a second washer -- similar to the one at the front end of the table bar-- a couple of inches further back on the bar.
Jim
Hi yurij,Good information on the EB-3. Having the EB-3, have you ever wanted or wished you had a crosscut sled like the Rockler or Incra. I'm kinda at a loss on the true value of the sled, I mean if you keep your table well waxed, the wood would slide nicely.
I do have a home built cross cut sled, but I find that unless I am doing alot of cross-cuts, its just too heavy to get out and put on the saw. Much easier to have a better miter guage. And... these days I am cutting alot of 2x hardwoods and so the lost height is a consideration.
yurij,Thanks for your comments. The last one about hefting the sled around just convinced me to order the Osbourne EB-3. I'm hefting too many things around to make room in my shop already. Oh yeah, the EB-3 was on sale on their website too!
Jointerman,There is a need for both the sled and miter gauge...the sled primarily for squaring up panels, the miter for all cross cuts narrow enough and short enough so the sled is not needed. The miter will be in constant use except when ripping. I use a single runner sled which is smaller and lighter than a double runner.
I agree. The miter gages I've used all have a tendency to rack at the pivot which is OK for rough construction. Here's a couple of pics of my sleds for some more ideas.
I use this one for small parts:
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This one pretty much stays on the table top. Rides in either slot. I use a Right Triangle against the fence to set the angle. Plan came from WOOD I think:
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And one of these for panel work. That's a table top being squared; not part of the sled:
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Those are all very slick "Knuts"! Nice work!
Thank you, sir.
Joe
You can have both working in conjuction with each other. I built a crosscut sled that has a miter slot in it, and mount my EB-3 in it for larger pieces.
Scott,
That's a clever idea. Do you have any pictures?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Yeah, I second that... pictures would be great!
Don't have any recent pics, but I do have a couple from a few years back before I had the EB-3 in it. I also have an offcut panel for the other side of the blade that matches the height of the crosscut panel. It's kinda of an "easy Dubby" system.
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Edited 7/23/2008 1:17 am ET by Knotscott
I highly recommend designing and making your own crosscut sled. That way you can size it to fit the majority of your woodworking. I did this several months ago, and the stability and precision of a crosscut sled is wonderful to have. One of the advantages of a crosscut sled is the stability offered by having two runners, one for each miter slot, as opposed to the single slot of a miter gauge.
Norman
Edit: As far as thickness is concerned, you can always cut halfway through then flip the piece over and cut the rest of the width from the other face. If the end-grain edge is not perfect a little cleaning up with a block plane should take care of it.
Edited 7/22/2008 6:25 pm ET by nboucher
I'm not sure why I've never tried to make a crosscut sled, but all the posts that I read on it sound as if they are really difficult to make. I actually have two UMW runners for making a sled, maybe its time I tried? That said, the Rockler sled looks really nice and can do angles.But maybe one reason is that I never had a place to hang it (I think I do now). Space in my shop is rarely given to something that doesn't have a motor!
Impulse buyer here. I saw it and like it for only one reason.. THE curved scale...
Never have been able to make one that accurate.. NO I DO NOT USE IT ALL THE TIME..
My Homer' DONUTS are better... However like any tool.. Has it's place in what you want to do.. At todays prices... I'd think you could do no better making your own..
As in most of my Rockler purchases.. It at LEAST sort of works and then some!
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