Replies

1. 
   Rich14 | Dec 03, 2004 07:22am | #1

   "Tablesaw Methods of Work, The Best Tips from 25 Years of 'Fine Woodworking,' Edited and Illustrated by Jim Richey," Taunton Press.

   Pay special attention to the design on page 146. It's for a small cutoff box, but it's the best design for crosscut sled I have ever come across.

   Oh, and enjoy the rest of the book, too.

   Rich

1. 
   uncommontree | Dec 03, 2004 04:03pm | #2

   Thanks Rich,

   I will try-n-find this book. Sounds like a good read,and may help me with some other shop related problems I have been having. Have a great day. Rick.

1. 
   Rich14 | Dec 03, 2004 08:36pm | #6

   Here you go,http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070497.aspRich

2. 
   RickL | Dec 03, 2004 05:52pm | #3

   http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070202.asp

   Excellent jig book and doing a google search will get tons of ideas. Frankly. I never have to ask a question as there are no new real questions, just new people asking the same old questions so learning how to search yields instant answers for the most part, at least for me!

3. 
   sailalex | Dec 03, 2004 06:02pm | #4

   Jim Tolpin's, "Table Saw Magic" has not only the sled but a number of other jigs and fixtures.

4. 
   pockethole | Dec 03, 2004 07:30pm | #5

   Highland Hardware has a free downloadable plan for an excellent sled. They include a foolproof method for squaring everything to the blade.
   http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/slidingtable.pdf

5. 
   achome | Dec 03, 2004 08:51pm | #7

   Adjusting these to a perfect square cut was a challenge.  Figure a way to temporarily attach the fence to make a test cut so you don't keep putting holes in it.  A drafting square was not good enough.  I think I ended up using highland's method for checking squareness of cut.

   Also consider one of 2 methods for the runners.  T track is nice cause it won't move with weather.  Or if using wood chamfer the edges where it attaches to the bottom of the sled.  this way it's easy to trim where the tight spots are.  Rubbing a piece of waxed paper over the runners miter tracks and table top helps a bit too.

   Johnny

1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 03, 2004 09:28pm | #8

   By far the best way to set up any tool for square cutting is to make a test cut with a real piece of wood and an accurate square.  Cut the wood, check with the square, adjust fence as needed - couldn't be simpler. 

   The trick is in making the fence adjustable but sturdy enough to hold its setting once squared up.  No wood assembly can be trusted to stay reliably square forever, so you have to make some provision for readjusting the fence in the future.

   John W.

   Edited 12/3/2004 1:30 pm ET by JohnW

6. 
   rod | Dec 04, 2004 06:01am | #9

   Rick,
   In the Winter 2003/2004, No. 167 of FWW there is a picture of ####sled which has a double front fence which won a reward for best tip
   in their "Methods of Work" feature.

   If you don't get your fence exactly square to the saw kerf you can use paper shims next to the fence to get better accuracy.
   Rod

7. 
   derekb | Dec 04, 2004 07:25pm | #10

   Don't spend time looking for plans.  If you have seen one that looks like it will fit the bill then build it from the picture and improvise for yourself.  It is pretty simple. 

    

   Derek

1. 
   uncommontree | Dec 09, 2004 06:28am | #11

   Derek,

   Thank you . And thank you all who have answered my question, sorry I have not been in the knot zone for a while , seems that when it is my time to kick back with a nice glass of wine and chat, my computer is not able to dial out. Tonight is the first time in quit a while I have been able to get out. I will look into all ideas and combine them with Dereks idea and I think I will be set. Now to sell the old smaller table saw and order the new cabinet saw. Thanks again ALL. Rick