Brilliant method, Tom. Love the long and short version videos. Your (and Kris') channel is the best fine woodworking channel on TH-cam; no exception. I love everything about your channel. Thanks for sharing endlessly your talents, skills, and craftsmanship with those who have a passion for the art of fine woodworking.
Wow, thank you so much for the high praise and kind words. We love doing it, and feel like we are just getting started with much room for improving 😎 See you on the livestream! Tom
Wow. Super easy! I fussed and fussed and fussed with the five cut method and never really got it just where I wanted it, but on the first try with your technique, I nailed it! When I used my marking knife to make the second measurement, it was dead on, and I almost fell over. My cuts are super square now thank you so much for taking the time and providing this wonderful video. I really appreciate it. Time is a very valuable thing and you gave a lot of yours in making this video. VIVA la EPIC WOODWORKING!
Thank you, I’m so glad it worked well for you. There is something oddly satisfying and reassuring about trusting your crosscut sled for a dead square cut. And even though I was a math major in college I prefer a more direct approach. Thanks for your kind words, I’m happy to do it. You might be interested in our little woodworking community too, worth checking it out sometime. 👍😎
Thank you! I like that you pointed out that little “trick” part of the process. It was the last thing to dawn on me when I was thinking about how to best locate the point to adjust the fence. It wasn’t obvious at first but seemed so simple once I noticed it…the best techniques are like that for some reason 😎👍
I just have to say thanks to Tom McLaughlin for posting the 3 cut alignment method. I made a crosscut sled many, many years ago using the ideas of The Table Saw Book by Kelly Mehler. I liked the control and the safety of the cuts using the sled, but never quite got it as accurate as I wanted. I tried aligning it several times thorough out the years. Recently, I replaced table saw bearings and spent a bit of time realigning the saw with dial indicators. With the saw accurate, I decided to replace the base of my crosscut sled and looked about on the internet for information on alignment methods. I found the 5 cut method and then your 3 cut method. I went with your 3 cut process, Although I did not complete it as effortless as you did in the video, I stuck with it, and wow it works. My sled is very accurate. It is wonderful! I sometimes complain about what I find on the internet, but then find a gem like your video and think how wonderful it is to find information from such talented people. Keep on posting!
Thank you Jim, I really appreciate your kind words and taking the time to let me know. I’m so glad you found it helpful and enjoyed the process and results! Hope you’ll stay connected with us at epicwoodworking.com. Thanks again! 👍 Tom
Good Morning, again: After posting my comments I took the time to look and read all of the comments that show on your site and it leads me to the conclusion that you are not only a fine wood worker, but also a fine man. I have never seen another site where the commentator responded as well as you have. My comments while somewhat derogatory, were given in honesty which may only be mine, but which I found to be true when spending 10 years teaching. Keep up the good work and remember there is always room for more than one opinion.
Thanks Tom! I can’t believe you took the time to read all that and to follow up, that means a lot to me. Thanks for your constructive insights and encouraging words! By your comments, I bet the same is true about you. Thanks for being with us! 👍
Good Afternoon: Sat down for lunch and tuned on youtube only to find you about to demonstrate the 3 cut method. In my opinion, as a past construction program teacher, you did a great job. Just the right combination of work and talking. I hope you realize how much more informative it is when only one person is doing the talking and those of us watching can concentrate on the presentation and no a lot of other talking. Think I find out if you have other demonstrations done as a single instructor. Good luck.
Thanks Tom, I truly appreciate your kind words and experienced perspective, especially the point about the effectiveness of one voice, valuable insight. We will be producing more edited content, in addition to still having some livestream interactive events. The “other voice” you may be referring to is my wife Kris, also affectionately known as “the camera lady.” She fields the questions during the livestreams and reminds me of things from time to time I may have overlooked…something most married guys can relate to 😎 Whatever I’m doing, I’m always trying to get better in order to be most effective, so your comments mean more than you know. Thanks for taking the time and for watching! 👍😎
Great, glad you enjoyed it! I have used the five cut method in the past, but this 3 cut method dawned on me when I heard about a somewhat similar technique for squaring European sliding table saws. I’m not sure what you mean by using the 5 cut method to confirm it...there’s no need, I used the precise squareness of my test piece to confirm as shown in the 3 cut video. Thanks again! 👍
Just started cutting bits for my first sled. Im a perfectionist so it has to be square. I’m confident now that it’s gonna be perfect. You showed me how to do it. Thanks buddy. You have the patience and the creative genius to work out how to do it.
Oh that’s great to hear. I’m sure you will nail it for square, and I think you’ll enjoy using it all the more as I have. Thanks for watching and for your kind words, glad to have you with us! 👍😎
This method really works. I made a panel cut sled a few years ago but never used it because of the horrible inaccuracy. Reset the fence today using this method and now it cuts unbelievably Square. Thanks. I'm going to get a lot of use out of now as I originally hoped. Watched the five cut method and read the directions. Compared to this I can see all sorts of places where error could creep in. I honestly can't believe how well it works.
That’s awesome to hear Michael! Thank you fir the nice feedback, and I’m happy to hear you are enjoying a true square sled! If I were selling courses on making a square sled, which I’m not, your comment would make the perfect testimonial! 😎👍
Great tutorial on cross-cut sled accuracy. No fluff, just spot on accuracy method. Thanks for your effort in making this. It will help many woodworkers that struggle to achieve accuracy on their sleds.
Thanks for this technique Tom. I was making a crosscut sled for small parts (17 in x 12 in) and was struggling with the 5 cut method. I took it apart and reassembled using this technique and got it within .018 inches off my Woodpecker 12 inch square. I made one .009 adjustment and it is spot on. This technique is a keeper.
Crosscut sled on my to-do list for years ... the time has come. Terrific approach and presented in clear informative way. I've been inspired ... Thanks!
Excellent method and what woodworker doesn't love relative dimensioning rather than tapes and rulers. After a life behind a table saw I would like to add this. As you saw with the deflection on your fence when building large sleds just as much effort needs to be put into making sure your fence is true. I used an engineers reference straight edge clamped to fence throughout set up and final fixing. You will be amazed also how much flex there is in even the stiffest fence when only attached at the outer ends. Even your three layers of ply will flex dependent on where you apply pressure during you setup cuts. To get a sled perfect you are you going to have go deal in thousands of an inch. To that end use some thing other than a wooden pointer which can be deformed through the pressure of a deeper gauge. I am splitting hairs I know but that's what this video is about😉😉😉😉😉
Thanks Richard! You are right, this kind of setting up for a square accurate fence is about splitting hairs, so I appreciate your mentioning the chance of the fence slipping flexing a bit during setup, even if so slight. I haven’t noticed that being much of an issue when setting mine up, but I’m sure there is some potential there. The proof is always in the test cut for accuracy. Thanks for your helpful feedback and for watching! 👍😎
After about three attempts at eyeballing the variance and guessing at the adjustment to my fence, I tried this 3 cut method. The method worked to perfection for making my sled. Perfect 90degrees and no light under the engineering square.
I'm in the "I really should make myself a crosscut sled" club, and have been for years. I'm preparing to make a kitchen counter top from some hardwood flooring, and I need absolutely accurate cross cuts. I'm going to be shaving the chamfered edges off, and gluing the variable-length, tongue and groove pieces together, and I need those cut to be "dead nuts." I will be watching this video again, later in the week, as I begin building the jigs I'll need for the job. Excellent video. Thank you for posting it.
Hello Tom, I only knew you from the PBS/Fine Woodworking TV show. It was always clear to me that something was wrong with those broadcasts. It was as though I was watching a robot go through the motions of constructing a project. I found the instruction to be stiff and cold. Now I am so happy that I have found your TH-cam channel. You appear to be so much more at ease. With so much more insight and content, the kind of person that I love learning from. You come off as a very smart friend who is interested in teaching and explaining how to get things right on a much more personal level. I'm signed up. I really enjoy your videos I really enjoy your channel and I am so glad that I found the real Tom. Forgive my early judgement, there must be something about the constraints of the PBS production that holds back the true person. You are a great teacher, you make great videos and I have learned so much. Thank you, and keep them coming. It's a great feeling when you enjoy being taught.
Haha, that was a great summary of it turned out I guess 😎. The truth is, that was my first season and time working with a TV production crew, so I had a lot to learn. A show like that has the disadvantage of a short period of time, 26 minutes, to show the steps making a piece of furniture, and we shot the episode over the course of one long day. So each step was a kind of clip where I would try to say what I was doing in an abbreviated way, getting input from a producer/director. As you can tell, the live experience better suits me as there is the awareness that people are watching and reacting in real time. And we have the luxury of having more time, and not needing to end up with such a time clipped polished result. I’m not sure if the funding will come in for a new season, but in a way I hope it does because I would like to bring more of the flavor of the live stream to the TV show. But whether or not it happens, I’m happy with the TH-cam experience and the greater connection I am enjoying with the viewers. So I’m happy to hear you are enjoying it, thanks for letting me know and thanks for watching! Tom 👍😎
Simply brilliant! I needed a new sled and having one this accurate really builds my confidence. Yours is the kind of practical genius that built the pyramids. I'm such a better woodworker because of Epic Woodworking and the Epic Neighborwood is one of the greatest bargains anywhere!
Haha, thanks Allen! I’m not sure I rise to the genius of pyramid building 😎 But it sure is nice to know you are out there enjoying my “nerding out” on this process. It sure is great being able to trust your sled! 👍
great vid, earned my subscribe. I am just starting out with table saw and going to be making my first sled in the coming weeks, this will help me greatly
Great, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching, and if you didn’t know about it already, you might be interested to know we do a livestream from the shop every Thursday night 8 PM called Shop Night Live. We just finished one about tips for buying and storing wood. Can see more about it at epicwoodworking.com. Thanks again! 👍😎
@@EpicWoodworking well i made my sled this weekend and i used the 3 cut method, worked really welly. my sled had to have a minute adjustment. Thanks for the great vid and sharing it, the advice was awesome. i have managed to build myself a storage base for my drill press today, all material cut with my new sled and it was a perfect cut every time
Thank you for this video. Definitely simpler than the five cut method. You explained it to me better than some people I have subscribed to for years. Actually allowing movement before permanently fixing the fence has given me the encouragement now to actually build one! Thank you!
Been doing woodworking for over 40 years and decided after the last project that I’m finishing to build a sled. A buddy has Osage orange that I’m planning to use for runners on the sled. Very efficient method you showed. Gonna use it when I finish this project up!
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it! I’m not sure I’ve ever used Osage Orange, but I understand it is quite hard and should work great for runners. Hope it works out well for you! 👍😎
I made a new sled a couple of weeks ago using Tom's video because I thought it was much easier and faster than my previous method. It was both of those and i now have a nice accurate sled that I have used a lot over the last few weeks. Thanks Tom and hope you feel better.
Thanks for the great explanation I was struck by the simplicity of it and quickly went about cutting up some plywood. My first test was 1.5 mm out so I made the .75 mm correction and recut the plywood. I couldn't measure any difference top and bottom after this, absolutely brilliant- the complete set up was done in 15 minutes. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Cheers Allan
Oh I’m so pleased to hear that Allan! It’s nice to know it worked so well for you. I love being able to count on and trust my sled for squareness. Thanks for letting me know and for watching! 👍😎
Thank you! Yes, after many other ways of thinking about it over the years it finally boiled down to this method. Sometimes the simplest method is the hardest figure out! Thanks for watching 👍😎
Thank you so much, very nice of you to say. I’m just doing what I love and trying to be useful by sharing it with great people like you. Thanks again! 👍😎
Thank you, that means a lot to me to know you feel that way. The fence is made of Baltic birch plywood, I laminated two pieces of 3/4” thick Baltic birch plywood to make the fence. If you’re interested, I made a longer video showing the complete process of making the crosscut sled.
Hey man.. I love this video.. I need so much help that I will never get unless I have great videos like this to view in my spare time.. I'm making sure I have internet in my workshop so I can jump on youtube when I need to where I can find brilliant videos like yours on here. Thanks for this informative and clever video. I woulda never thought of moving the fence on the sled.. I don't own a proper Table saw atm but I'm in the process of kitting my shop out over the next few months. Until then I will be working very hard on my chisel work ands making dovetails, etc.. Again thanks bro..
Hey “Slim” (I’m assuming that’s your nickname :). I’m glad you finally found me. Thanks for watching and for the great feedback. Its nice to hear you enjoyed it. It looks like you have a lot of interests. I checked out your channel, since I have an interest in boxing as well. I grew up in Lowell, Mass outside of Boston, boxing was big there hosting the New England Golden Gloves each year. And I remember delivering morning newspapers when I was a kid, reading the headline of Frazier beats Ali after their first fight. Those were the golden days of the heavyweight division…before the belts became so meaningless, as you described on your podcast. You sound like you have a gift for commentary like that, especially given it was your first one! I hope you plan to stick with it and do more. It turned out you were spot on in your pre-fight predictions and analysis as well! But back to woodworking, it’s my pleasure to make the videos and I plan to keep at it. If you would like to check out a bit more you can get better connected through our website epicwoodworking.com. “Our” is me and “the camera lady”, my long-suffering wife Kris. Also great to hear your Irish accent, I also grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood in Lowell, although no one had an accent like yours! See you on the stream 👍😎
Knocked it out of the park Tom! I've tried William Ng's 5 cut method, and while it works, it takes a lot longer to get the desired "dead nuts" result. Bravo!
Great idea. I am going to go out to the garage and test and adjust my sled now. Subscribed now. Edit: I made the measurement and the difference was a half thickness of blue tape. So not enough to be concerned with. The other method of squaring a sled, which you are probably aware of, is above my pay grade. Mr. Ng's five cut method, who I also admire as an excellent woodworker. But your method makes perfect sense to me. Thanks again!
Thanks Dave, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I am aware of the 5-cut method and have tried it myself. I love math but also prefer simpler more direct methods to get great results. This is just another way of getting to the same place. It’s funny, if you noticed by some of the older comments, people are so different, and sometimes feel strongly about one method over another 😎 Thanks for watching! 👍
Thank you Roger. I’m not sure how you could get the same results with a spirit level. The bubble gauge is not going to yield the precise measurements of a feeler gauge…unless I’m overlooking something in your question.🤔 Thanks for watching! 👍
@@EpicWoodworking oh ok , i will try your method . i have watched a few vidoes on how to make a crosscut sledge and your way does seem to be the most precise way.
@@EpicWoodworking That's me! We haven't met in person but we exchanged a few emails probably over a year ago before I sent you a Hedgehog. I've got an upcoming push block that I'm working on so be on the lookout for that in a few months.
I built my first crosscut sled today and squared the fence using this method. All I can say is thank you for demonstrating such a straightforward process and explaining it so well. I dialled in the fence and it is dead on out to 485mm. Cheers 👍😎🇦🇺
HOORAY!!! Having spent way too much time and effort doing the 5 cut method yesterday without any success I then watched your video and tried the 3 cut method today. All I can say is brilliant I can't even get my 0.04mm/ .0015 feeler gage to go between the wooden measure and the stoppers, just brilliant and only took me 3 attempts!. As always 💯% 👍 🇬🇧.
Very interesting. I’m going to build a new sled and I’m using the three cut method to set it up. Much simpler. However, I won’t be able to resist using the 5 cut method to check it. It’s probably not necessary but measuring a thin-ish strip with verniers gives actual readings rather than marks with a marking knife and is therefore more satisfying for nerds like me.
@@EpicWoodworking Today when I set up my sled I went off to the memory of watching your video only once and I thought I had pretty good results but I reviewed the video again and followed it exactly I was actually off by almost 2 mm and following your suggestions I dialed it all the way in so my saw sled is perfect now.
@@EpicWoodworking I made my first cabinet today using my sled. What a pleasure. I took a bunch of leftover three-quarter inch MDF to make a sawblade storage cabinet. Most of the time I did a cross cut and then use that cut against the fence and I cut the parts I needed. With my woodpeckers 12 in I didn’t have daylight anywhere. I always thought the sled was going to be a midway step two final cabinet parts that I was gonna true up on my MFT but it’s not necessary.
Hi Tom McLaughlin my name is Terell I am doing good everyday you’re are very awesome nice kind man to me I love and appreciate your support and help videos on TH-cam keep it up Tom McLaughlin I want to meet you on spring break
Recently got a new DeWalt Contractor saw that is pretty slick. The first jig I want to build is a crosscut sled. This method seems like the way to go. Thanks!
Thank you sir, finally i have solution for my cross cut sled's problem For three days im struggling for squaring my sled, and still dont know how until i see your video.. thanks alot
That is a nail gun by Grex. They make very nice tools and they actually do make versions that don’t need the hose as they use CO2 cartridges. I use the 18 gauge Brad nailer and the 23 gauge pin nailer a lot, usually for making jigs or quickly attaching moldings. Here’s a link to their webpage: grexusa.com/grexusa/index.php5 Thanks for watching! 👍😎
Great video. I'm close to making a sled, and will do this. Anytime I don't have to measure (as in use a ruler) I think accuracy is better. There is one place where I would struggle, given the tools/equipment I have. At around the 20:00 you check to see if your fence is straight and found it drifted a bit. How do you know your straight edge (piece of wood) is straight? I know in theory if it came off a jointer, it should be straight, but if the jointer isn't setup perfectly, the board might not be straight. I have squares, levels, etc., but I'm not sure I can trust them to be straight enough. I think I want to invest in a good, dedicated straight edge, but I'm not sure what it should be. After going through your process, I'd hate to decrease my accuracy by not having a straight fence. I'd appreciate your thoughts on a reference straight edge. I'm thinking 4' long, but would appreciate your thoughts on length too. I'd use it for other things in the shop, like checking the infeed and outfeed tables on a jointer. Thanks.
Wow, at last, how to make a crosscut sled without a Phd in math. Informative and easy to follow instructions , thans very much Tom, this is definitely my next project.
PhD math? Subtraction of one number from a second. I'd say fourth grade. Then divide by 4 , maybe Fifth grade. That's the state of American education. But thank God we know our pronouns.
Wow this is just what I needed, I have just completed building my very first workshop and started to make my first jig. Today I spent way too much time and effort using the 5 cut method to the point where it was sending me around the twist, my first attempt said I was 5.5mm out so I adjusted the back rest only to be calculated at 18mm out and so on. How on planet earth I managed to do this is beyond me !!!. After spending way way too much time I finally gave up and had my tea. Now that your video was suggested by TH-cam I now know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow!!!. All I can say is thanks for the upload you've probably saved my sanity 🙂 😊. As always buddy 💯% 👍 🇬🇧.
Oh that makes me happy to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and appreciate the directness of this “non math formula” method, we must be kindred spirits! 😎👍
Wow I didn't think much of this when I first saw the description. This method is pretty accurate and way easier than the 5 method. After dicking with the 5 method at least three times with no success, I was able to do this on the first try with this method. I believe the big flaw with the 5th method is that the alignment point is way far and not referenced to the length of the piece or pivot point. This is indeed Epic!
I love this video, I’m gonna make a crosscut sled & love this method, but I have a question? How would you adjust it if it was out the opposite direction where the fence needed to be adjusted outward instead of in?
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! If it’s out the other way you secure your stop right against the fence. Then remove the screw and move the fence back and reset while the feeler gauge is between the stop and the fence. Hope that makes sense. Thanks again!👍
Thanks makes total sense, never thought of using mdf, everyone seems to use ply ( its terribly expensive in spain a piece that size is about 30 dollars easily) but to be fair MDF is exact, flat and costs an awful lot less. Next fence i build i will try this one. Would you ever make the ends out of MDF? Thank you.
Thanks ! You could use anything that stays rigid and straight for the ends, quartersawn wood could work well. The main reason I would steer away from MDF for the ends is it’s poor receptivity to screw threads. Thanks again 👍
You could use MDF for the ends as well, although I haven't done that yet. I like the strength and solid purchase you get when running the screws up from underneath to fix it to the sled. Thanks for watching ans asking!
Thank you! I like simple and direct if possible, and sometimes those methods are right in front of us but difficult to see...like this one for me. So glad you found it helpful! 👍
@@EpicWoodworking After pondering this, I believe I have discovered a possible error in the technique. Imagine a rectangular piece of plywood against your sled fence. It is 6" front to back. Make your 3 cuts, then assume the difference in the resulting long edges is X. X is the measurement you would now use to adjust your fence, per your technique. But, now imagine your piece is 12" front to back. Make your 3 cuts. The resulting error is now 2X. Now 2X is the measurement used to adjust your fence. So, the fence adjustment is dependent on the front to back dimensions of your test workpiece. Therefore, in using this method, you should use the largest workpiece you can fit on your sled.
You said the fence is not 100% straight and correct that at the end But when the testpiece was leaning against the full length of the fence that last correction will have influence on the result i think?
Sorry, it’s been a little while since making this video, but the key point is to straighten the fence as best you can (I skim planed the laminated fence as shown in the more completed crosscut sled building video). The end result following the method described in the three cut approach will yield a dead on square cutting crosscut sled. Mine is still cutting accurately today. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching👍
Very nice Tom, the best and simplest method for this job in my opinion! I like the way you explain things clearly, calm and to the point. It was a pleasure watching that. Cheers
Hello Tom, just found this video and now I hardly can't await to check the accuracy of my crosscut sled (which actually is in status "quick and dirty"). Your approach looks both easy to realise and exact result without math. Thanks a lot for the clear demonstration. Best regards from Bavaria :-)
Thank you so much. Today I decided to make a crosscut sled for my Powermatic 66 and found this very helpful video. If I am not overthinking this too much, the cleanness of the cut and accuracy with thick wood is dependent on the co-planar alignment of the mitre slot to the blade. There is a non-intuitive, accurate and simple way to check this without any fancy measuring instruments. I hope that you might include this in a future video which will improve rip cuts on cabinet saws such as the old unisaw and powermatic 66.
Hey John, In most cases the alignment of the mitre slot with the blade is parallel and a non-issue. If it’s off for some reason, the trunion assembly that the blade mounts to can be “tweaked” and realigned. However, doing this is exacting business and you need to have precision measuring tools. A bent blade, producing “runout” is often the cause of a lack of a clean cut. Im sure there are videos and articles that get into the nuances and approaches to making these sorts of adjustments. Glad you enjoyed the video, and hope your project goes well! Tom
@@EpicWoodworking I have a method using a dowel in the Delta/Powermatic mitre gauge which is cut off having the blade fully raised. Then with the power off and rotating the blade, listening carefully to hear the sqeak of the proud tooth against the dowel, mark the proud tooth with a Sharpie. The squeak of the proud tooth on the dowel should be the same on the entrance of the cut and by rotating the blade, on the exit. If not, the mitre slot is not parallel to the cut of the blade. On both my Unisaws and Powermatic 66, this can be corrected by slightly rotating the top. Having to partially disassemble a Unisaw and Powermatic 66 during a recent move made me come up with this fast and accurate way to realign these saws.
Great job, Thanks for explaining your operations. The major problem I've run across is the the reference fence is not perfectly straight. That is equally important as getting the reference fence perpendicular to the blace. The table saw sled, from my perspective is the most critical jig in the shop.
Thank you! Yes I agree on both points. I made a related video showing the making of the crosscut sled which goes into the making and trying of a straight reference fence. Here’s the link if you’re interested th-cam.com/video/p3xeFfyVGAY/w-d-xo.html Thanks for watching! 👍😎
I just discovered your channel during the live feed last night…very enjoyable. Thanks for this video. I love the practical approach and straight forward explanations. I am curious as to which table saw you use and which you would suggest. I have been begrudgingly using a Ridgid jobsite saw for years and am now about ready to upgrade to a stationary, semi-professional or even professional model as I have built a better shop and have been tooling up for better production. I am exiting the hobbyist level and entering the for profit arena.
Thank you, I’m so glad you found us and enjoyed it! I have an older Powermatic 66, but just picked up a lightly used 3 hp Sawstop…which is a good but pricey saw although I like having it for the added safety feature especially when I have people taking classes in the shop. Not having looked around myself a for a saw lately, I’m not up on all the current options. But I know Grizzly has always made very good saws for the money, you might do well to check them out. Hope that helps, thanks again! 👍😎
@@EpicWoodworking It’s funny you mention Grizzly. I have a 14” Grizzly Extreme series bandsaw, which has been great for the past two years, a Grizzly drill press for the past year, and I take delivery of their 8” Extreme series helical jointer tomorrow. I didn’t plan to build a Grizzly shop, but I have been impressed so far. Their tools seem to be at a value if you buy the right models. I’m looking at their 20” planer, as my 13” DeWalt is a disappointment. I have been looking at Baileigh table saws for the past couple of years in the $3.5-5K range, but if Grizzly produces a smooth running, square cutting table saw at a value, I’ll take a look. The SawStop safety feature is attractive, too. I’m teaching our children along the way. So, the SawStop is probably a good option, too. Thanks again. Love the channel…great content and good, wholesome whit.
I just finished watching this video for the third time. As it happens, I need to build another cross-cut sled to use your technique for table-saw dovetails. Your approach is much better and more precise than the approach I have used in the past, and I am looking forward to having a precise cross-cut sled for cutting dovetails on my table saw. This is not only an interesting video, it is very. very helpful. Geometry beats arithmetic in the shop! Thank you!!! 👍👍
Brilliant method, Tom. Love the long and short version videos. Your (and Kris') channel is the best fine woodworking channel on TH-cam; no exception. I love everything about your channel. Thanks for sharing endlessly your talents, skills, and craftsmanship with those who have a passion for the art of fine woodworking.
Wow, thank you so much for the high praise and kind words. We love doing it, and feel like we are just getting started with much room for improving 😎 See you on the livestream! Tom
@@EpicWoodworking you guys are the best
Wow. Super easy! I fussed and fussed and fussed with the five cut method and never really got it just where I wanted it, but on the first try with your technique, I nailed it! When I used my marking knife to make the second measurement, it was dead on, and I almost fell over. My cuts are super square now thank you so much for taking the time and providing this wonderful video. I really appreciate it. Time is a very valuable thing and you gave a lot of yours in making this video. VIVA la EPIC WOODWORKING!
Thank you, I’m so glad it worked well for you. There is something oddly satisfying and reassuring about trusting your crosscut sled for a dead square cut. And even though I was a math major in college I prefer a more direct approach. Thanks for your kind words, I’m happy to do it. You might be interested in our little woodworking community too, worth checking it out sometime. 👍😎
The game changer is his trick at 13:30, just marking the fence at the length of the board and adjusting there. Very smart.
Thank you! I like that you pointed out that little “trick” part of the process. It was the last thing to dawn on me when I was thinking about how to best locate the point to adjust the fence. It wasn’t obvious at first but seemed so simple once I noticed it…the best techniques are like that for some reason 😎👍
I just have to say thanks to Tom McLaughlin for posting the 3 cut alignment method. I made a crosscut sled many, many years ago using the ideas of The Table Saw Book by Kelly Mehler. I liked the control and the safety of the cuts using the sled, but never quite got it as accurate as I wanted. I tried aligning it several times thorough out the years. Recently, I replaced table saw bearings and spent a bit of time realigning the saw with dial indicators. With the saw accurate, I decided to replace the base of my crosscut sled and looked about on the internet for information on alignment methods. I found the 5 cut method and then your 3 cut method. I went with your 3 cut process, Although I did not complete it as effortless as you did in the video, I stuck with it, and wow it works. My sled is very accurate. It is wonderful! I sometimes complain about what I find on the internet, but then find a gem like your video and think how wonderful it is to find information from such talented people. Keep on posting!
Thank you Jim, I really appreciate your kind words and taking the time to let me know. I’m so glad you found it helpful and enjoyed the process and results! Hope you’ll stay connected with us at epicwoodworking.com. Thanks again! 👍 Tom
That's awesome Jim! Thanks so much for the kind words and I'm so glad it worked well for you!
Good Morning, again:
After posting my comments I took the time to look and read all of the comments that show on your site and it leads me to the conclusion that you are not only a fine wood worker, but also a fine man. I have never seen another site where the commentator responded as well as you have. My comments while somewhat derogatory, were given in honesty which may only be mine, but which I found to be true when spending 10 years teaching. Keep up the good work and remember there is always room for more than one opinion.
Thanks Tom! I can’t believe you took the time to read all that and to follow up, that means a lot to me. Thanks for your constructive insights and encouraging words! By your comments, I bet the same is true about you. Thanks for being with us! 👍
Excellent method. I was able to fine tune my sled using your instructions in less than an hour, and to a better accuracy than ever before. Thank you.
That’s awesome, I’m so glad it helped! And thanks for watching 👍
Good Afternoon:
Sat down for lunch and tuned on youtube only to find you about to demonstrate the 3 cut method. In my opinion, as a past construction program teacher, you did a great job. Just the right combination of work and talking. I hope you realize how much more informative it is when only one person is doing the talking and those of us watching can concentrate on the presentation and no a lot of other talking. Think I find out if you have other demonstrations done as a single instructor. Good luck.
Thanks Tom, I truly appreciate your kind words and experienced perspective, especially the point about the effectiveness of one voice, valuable insight. We will be producing more edited content, in addition to still having some livestream interactive events. The “other voice” you may be referring to is my wife Kris, also affectionately known as “the camera lady.” She fields the questions during the livestreams and reminds me of things from time to time I may have overlooked…something most married guys can relate to 😎
Whatever I’m doing, I’m always trying to get better in order to be most effective, so your comments mean more than you know. Thanks for taking the time and for watching! 👍😎
The trick with the feeler gauge to whack the alignment is genius.
@Tony Aiuto get real in every method of squaring up the cross-cut sled the feeler gauge it is not a trick at all.
Very impressed with the accuracy of this method. Also, very good presentation/explaintion of the procedure.
Thanks Wayne, I appreciate it and glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching! 👍
Anytime I don’t have to do math I am so grateful! Thanks.
Haha, yeah, I agree, thank you!! 👍😎
Excellent video!
Thanks for making the squaring process much simpler.
Thanks again.
Great, glad you enjoyed it! I have used the five cut method in the past, but this 3 cut method dawned on me when I heard about a somewhat similar technique for squaring European sliding table saws. I’m not sure what you mean by using the 5 cut method to confirm it...there’s no need, I used the precise squareness of my test piece to confirm as shown in the 3 cut video. Thanks again! 👍
Thank you!
Just started cutting bits for my first sled. Im a perfectionist so it has to be square. I’m confident now that it’s gonna be perfect. You showed me how to do it.
Thanks buddy. You have the patience and the creative genius to work out how to do it.
Oh that’s great to hear. I’m sure you will nail it for square, and I think you’ll enjoy using it all the more as I have. Thanks for watching and for your kind words, glad to have you with us! 👍😎
Excellent editing on this video. I will be referring to this video soon as soon as we thaw out. Temps were -15F this morning
Thanks Ron! 🥶👍
Wow, easy peasy Tom! Simplest method I’ve seen yet . Thanks, great channel!
This method really works. I made a panel cut sled a few years ago but never used it because of the horrible inaccuracy. Reset the fence today using this method and now it cuts unbelievably Square. Thanks. I'm going to get a lot of use out of now as I originally hoped. Watched the five cut method and read the directions. Compared to this I can see all sorts of places where error could creep in. I honestly can't believe how well it works.
That’s awesome to hear Michael! Thank you fir the nice feedback, and I’m happy to hear you are enjoying a true square sled! If I were selling courses on making a square sled, which I’m not, your comment would make the perfect testimonial! 😎👍
Tom, excellent and very meticulously done work.
Thank you! 👍
Great tutorial on cross-cut sled accuracy. No fluff, just spot on accuracy method. Thanks for your effort in making this. It will help many woodworkers that struggle to achieve accuracy on their sleds.
Thanks Henry, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate your kind words! And thanks for watching! 👍😎
Thank you!
The best I’ve found for testing my sled.
Thank you, I’m happy to hear that! 👍😎
Thanks for this technique Tom. I was making a crosscut sled for small parts (17 in x 12 in) and was struggling with the 5 cut method. I took it apart and reassembled using this technique and got it within .018 inches off my Woodpecker 12 inch square. I made one .009 adjustment and it is spot on. This technique is a keeper.
That’s awesome John. I’m so glad to hear you are getting the same accurate results!
Crosscut sled on my to-do list for years ... the time has come. Terrific approach and presented in clear informative way. I've been inspired ... Thanks!
That’s awesome to hear, I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for being a part of us 👍😎
Excellent method and what woodworker doesn't love relative dimensioning rather than tapes and rulers. After a life behind a table saw I would like to add this.
As you saw with the deflection on your fence when building large sleds just as much effort needs to be put into making sure your fence is true. I used an engineers reference straight edge clamped to fence throughout set up and final fixing. You will be amazed also how much flex there is in even the stiffest fence when only attached at the outer ends. Even your three layers of ply will flex dependent on where you apply pressure during you setup cuts. To get a sled perfect you are you going to have go deal in thousands of an inch. To that end use some thing other than a wooden pointer which can be deformed through the pressure of a deeper gauge.
I am splitting hairs I know but that's what this video is about😉😉😉😉😉
Thanks Richard! You are right, this kind of setting up for a square accurate fence is about splitting hairs, so I appreciate your mentioning the chance of the fence slipping flexing a bit during setup, even if so slight. I haven’t noticed that being much of an issue when setting mine up, but I’m sure there is some potential there. The proof is always in the test cut for accuracy. Thanks for your helpful feedback and for watching! 👍😎
After about three attempts at eyeballing the variance and guessing at the adjustment to my fence, I tried this 3 cut method. The method worked to perfection for making my sled. Perfect 90degrees and no light under the engineering square.
I love hearing that Kerry, nothing like a sled you can absolutely trust to cut “dead nuts” square! 😎👍
I'm in the "I really should make myself a crosscut sled" club, and have been for years. I'm preparing to make a kitchen counter top from some hardwood flooring, and I need absolutely accurate cross cuts. I'm going to be shaving the chamfered edges off, and gluing the variable-length, tongue and groove pieces together, and I need those cut to be "dead nuts."
I will be watching this video again, later in the week, as I begin building the jigs I'll need for the job.
Excellent video. Thank you for posting it.
That’s great to hear, so glad you enjoyed it!! Hope your project goes well! 👍👍
Couldn't be any easy, what great job thank you
Thank you Jose, glad you enjoyed it! 👍😎
Hello Tom,
I only knew you from the PBS/Fine Woodworking TV show. It was always clear to me that something was wrong with those broadcasts. It was as though I was watching a robot go through the motions of constructing a project. I found the instruction to be stiff and cold. Now I am so happy that I have found your TH-cam channel. You appear to be so much more at ease. With so much more insight and content, the kind of person that I love learning from. You come off as a very smart friend who is interested in teaching and explaining how to get things right on a much more personal level. I'm signed up. I really enjoy your videos I really enjoy your channel and I am so glad that I found the real Tom. Forgive my early judgement, there must be something about the constraints of the PBS production that holds back the true person. You are a great teacher, you make great videos and I have learned so much. Thank you, and keep them coming. It's a great feeling when you enjoy being taught.
Haha, that was a great summary of it turned out I guess 😎. The truth is, that was my first season and time working with a TV production crew, so I had a lot to learn. A show like that has the disadvantage of a short period of time, 26 minutes, to show the steps making a piece of furniture, and we shot the episode over the course of one long day. So each step was a kind of clip where I would try to say what I was doing in an abbreviated way, getting input from a producer/director.
As you can tell, the live experience better suits me as there is the awareness that people are watching and reacting in real time. And we have the luxury of having more time, and not needing to end up with such a time clipped polished result.
I’m not sure if the funding will come in for a new season, but in a way I hope it does because I would like to bring more of the flavor of the live stream to the TV show.
But whether or not it happens, I’m happy with the TH-cam experience and the greater connection I am enjoying with the viewers.
So I’m happy to hear you are enjoying it, thanks for letting me know and thanks for watching!
Tom 👍😎
Brilliant in it's simplicity. The best I've seen, thank you.
Thanks Phil, glad it works for you!👍
Simply brilliant! I needed a new sled and having one this accurate really builds my confidence. Yours is the kind of practical genius that built the pyramids. I'm such a better woodworker because of Epic Woodworking and the Epic Neighborwood is one of the greatest bargains anywhere!
Haha, thanks Allen! I’m not sure I rise to the genius of pyramid building 😎 But it sure is nice to know you are out there enjoying my “nerding out” on this process. It sure is great being able to trust your sled! 👍
great vid, earned my subscribe. I am just starting out with table saw and going to be making my first sled in the coming weeks, this will help me greatly
Great, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching, and if you didn’t know about it already, you might be interested to know we do a livestream from the shop every Thursday night 8 PM called Shop Night Live. We just finished one about tips for buying and storing wood. Can see more about it at epicwoodworking.com. Thanks again! 👍😎
@@EpicWoodworking well i made my sled this weekend and i used the 3 cut method, worked really welly. my sled had to have a minute adjustment. Thanks for the great vid and sharing it, the advice was awesome. i have managed to build myself a storage base for my drill press today, all material cut with my new sled and it was a perfect cut every time
By far the simplest and most well explained method. I’m building a sled this weekend. Thank you. Cheers 👍😎🇦🇺
Oh thanks for saying that John, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! And it’s an honor to have you watching from the great down Under! 😎👍
Thank you for this video. Definitely simpler than the five cut method. You explained it to me better than some people I have subscribed to for years. Actually allowing movement before permanently fixing the fence has given me the encouragement now to actually build one! Thank you!
Awesome Mel, I’m so glad you enjoyed and found it helpful! 👍😎
That was awesome. Much easier than the 5-cut. Thanks!
Why didn’t I think of this myself…so simple yet effective. Thank you for the video!
Definitely going to use this method to make my first cross cut sled. Thank you!
Been doing woodworking for over 40 years and decided after the last project that I’m finishing to build a sled. A buddy has Osage orange that I’m planning to use for runners on the sled. Very efficient method you showed. Gonna use it when I finish this project up!
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it! I’m not sure I’ve ever used Osage Orange, but I understand it is quite hard and should work great for runners. Hope it works out well for you! 👍😎
This method is easy for me to follow, I finally have an accurate sled. Thank you for doing this video.
Awesome, I’m glad it worked well for you, I like simple solutions too. 😎👍
I made a new sled a couple of weeks ago using Tom's video because I thought it was much easier and faster than my previous method. It was both of those and i now have a nice accurate sled that I have used a lot over the last few weeks. Thanks Tom and hope you feel better.
Thanks Gerald, I’m so glad to hear it worked well for you! And I am feeling great again!👍😎
Great presentation you explained your method very clearly
Thank you! 👍
Thanks for the great explanation I was struck by the simplicity of it and quickly went about cutting up some plywood. My first test was 1.5 mm out so I made the .75 mm correction and recut the plywood. I couldn't measure any difference top and bottom after this, absolutely brilliant- the complete set up was done in 15 minutes. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Cheers Allan
Oh I’m so pleased to hear that Allan! It’s nice to know it worked so well for you. I love being able to count on and trust my sled for squareness.
Thanks for letting me know and for watching! 👍😎
Amazing method, seems super simple but yet very clever. Thanks for the great content and tips :)
Thank you! Yes, after many other ways of thinking about it over the years it finally boiled down to this method. Sometimes the simplest method is the hardest figure out! Thanks for watching 👍😎
Fascinating, amazing, and terrific. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Fred, that’s the most enthusiastic and affirming thing anyone’s said to me all day! Thanks for watching and being with us 👍😎
Excellently explained and much easier method compared to the 5-cut way. Tx!
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! 👍😎
Very elegant and well presented
You have awesome great videos on TH-cam I like it Tom McLaughlin from Terell Jones I appreciate you and your videos you’re a awesome great man
Thank you so much, very nice of you to say. I’m just doing what I love and trying to be useful by sharing it with great people like you. Thanks again! 👍😎
I made my sled this weekend and used your method - it worked great!
I like your teaching method. Thank you for these videos, I do learn a lot of things. What material is the yellow board on your table saw fence?
Thank you, that means a lot to me to know you feel that way. The fence is made of Baltic birch plywood, I laminated two pieces of 3/4” thick Baltic birch plywood to make the fence. If you’re interested, I made a longer video showing the complete process of making the crosscut sled.
Here’s the link: How to Make a Cross Cut Sled (Highlights)
th-cam.com/video/p3xeFfyVGAY/w-d-xo.html
Hey man.. I love this video.. I need so much help that I will never get unless I have great videos like this to view in my spare time.. I'm making sure I have internet in my workshop so I can jump on youtube when I need to where I can find brilliant videos like yours on here. Thanks for this informative and clever video. I woulda never thought of moving the fence on the sled..
I don't own a proper Table saw atm but I'm in the process of kitting my shop out over the next few months. Until then I will be working very hard on my chisel work ands making dovetails, etc.. Again thanks bro..
Hey “Slim” (I’m assuming that’s your nickname :). I’m glad you finally found me. Thanks for watching and for the great feedback. Its nice to hear you enjoyed it.
It looks like you have a lot of interests. I checked out your channel, since I have an interest in boxing as well. I grew up in Lowell, Mass outside of Boston, boxing was big there hosting the New England Golden Gloves each year. And I remember delivering morning newspapers when I was a kid, reading the headline of Frazier beats Ali after their first fight. Those were the golden days of the heavyweight division…before the belts became so meaningless, as you described on your podcast. You sound like you have a gift for commentary like that, especially given it was your first one! I hope you plan to stick with it and do more. It turned out you were spot on in your pre-fight predictions and analysis as well!
But back to woodworking, it’s my pleasure to make the videos and I plan to keep at it. If you would like to check out a bit more you can get better connected through our website epicwoodworking.com. “Our” is me and “the camera lady”, my long-suffering wife Kris. Also great to hear your Irish accent, I also grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood in Lowell, although no one had an accent like yours! See you on the stream 👍😎
Knocked it out of the park Tom! I've tried William Ng's 5 cut method, and while it works, it takes a lot longer to get the desired "dead nuts" result. Bravo!
Thanks John, I appreciate it! And I’m glad it worked well for you. 👍😎
THIS IS YOUR BEST EVER VID. SIMPLE AND EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE!
Thanks John, it’s nice to know people are finding it so practical and helpful 😎
Just used this method and it worked great!
Oh that’s great, I’m so glad it worked out for you! Thanks for letting me know and thank you for watching! 😎👍
This is great, it keeps the math and geometry much simpler (and easier to remember) than the 5 cut method!
Thanks Gareth! 👍
Thanks Gareth!
Watched it again and loved the presentation. I enjoy your enthusiasm and genuine joy you have doing these projects.
Thank you for making these videos.
Thank you Alan!! We’ll keep making them! 😎👍
Great idea. I am going to go out to the garage and test and adjust my sled now. Subscribed now.
Edit: I made the measurement and the difference was a half thickness of blue tape. So not enough to be concerned with. The other method of squaring a sled, which you are probably aware of, is above my pay grade. Mr. Ng's five cut method, who I also admire as an excellent woodworker. But your method makes perfect sense to me. Thanks again!
Thanks Dave, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I am aware of the 5-cut method and have tried it myself. I love math but also prefer simpler more direct methods to get great results. This is just another way of getting to the same place.
It’s funny, if you noticed by some of the older comments, people are so different, and sometimes feel strongly about one method over another 😎
Thanks for watching! 👍
brilliant video tom. i was wondering can you use a spirit level to get the same results
Thank you Roger. I’m not sure how you could get the same results with a spirit level. The bubble gauge is not going to yield the precise measurements of a feeler gauge…unless I’m overlooking something in your question.🤔
Thanks for watching! 👍
@@EpicWoodworking oh ok , i will try your method . i have watched a few vidoes on how to make a crosscut sledge and your way does seem to be the most precise way.
This 3-cut method is new to me and it makes perfect sense. Thanks.
That’s great, glad you enjoyed it! Are you a maker of featherboards...have we met at any of the tool shows?
@@EpicWoodworking That's me! We haven't met in person but we exchanged a few emails probably over a year ago before I sent you a Hedgehog. I've got an upcoming push block that I'm working on so be on the lookout for that in a few months.
@@featherboards1565 That sounds great, I look forward to checking it out. And hopefully we’ll cross paths sometime. Thanks 👍
I built my first crosscut sled today and squared the fence using this method. All I can say is thank you for demonstrating such a straightforward process and explaining it so well. I dialled in the fence and it is dead on out to 485mm. Cheers 👍😎🇦🇺
Awesome, so glad to hear it worked well for you, and Cheers to you as well! 👍😎
HOORAY!!!
Having spent way too much time and effort doing the 5 cut method yesterday without any success I then watched your video and tried the 3 cut method today.
All I can say is brilliant I can't even get my 0.04mm/ .0015 feeler gage to go between the wooden measure and the stoppers, just brilliant and only took me 3 attempts!.
As always 💯% 👍 🇬🇧.
Thank you Simon, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and had a successful experience! 😎👍
Very interesting. I’m going to build a new sled and I’m using the three cut method to set it up. Much simpler. However, I won’t be able to resist using the 5 cut method to check it. It’s probably not necessary but measuring a thin-ish strip with verniers gives actual readings rather than marks with a marking knife and is therefore more satisfying for nerds like me.
Great video and explanation!
The method is simple but effective
Making a huge sled right now and I’ll use your method. Thanks
Awesome, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Happy sledding! 😎👍
@@EpicWoodworking
Today when I set up my sled I went off to the memory of watching your video only once and I thought I had pretty good results but I reviewed the video again and followed it exactly I was actually off by almost 2 mm and following your suggestions I dialed it all the way in so my saw sled is perfect now.
@@EpicWoodworking I made my first cabinet today using my sled. What a pleasure. I took a bunch of leftover three-quarter inch MDF to make a sawblade storage cabinet. Most of the time I did a cross cut and then use that cut against the fence and I cut the parts I needed. With my woodpeckers 12 in I didn’t have daylight anywhere. I always thought the sled was going to be a midway step two final cabinet parts that I was gonna true up on my MFT but it’s not necessary.
Hi Tom McLaughlin my name is Terell I am doing good everyday you’re are very awesome nice kind man to me I love and appreciate your support and help videos on TH-cam keep it up Tom McLaughlin I want to meet you on spring break
I’m doing awesome great morning
Thanks Terrell, I appreciate you too! 👍😎
Brilliant. You explained the process so well. I'll have my own super accurate sled by the end of today thanks to you
Awesome, thank you! I hope it works out for you!👍😎
WOW! just unbelievable that anyone could do that. But if it was gonna get done you were the one to do it. Good job.
Recently got a new DeWalt Contractor saw that is pretty slick. The first jig I want to build is a crosscut sled. This method seems like the way to go. Thanks!
Thanks Gregg, glad you enjoyed it, hope it works well for you! 👍
Thank you sir, finally i have solution for my cross cut sled's problem
For three days im struggling for squaring my sled, and still dont know how until i see your video.. thanks alot
Awesome, my pleasure, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching! 👍😎
When you moved the fence at the end with a straight edge, does that not throw off the square?
No it doesn’t throw it off, I’m actually adjusting it to be perfectly square. Thank you! 👍
Hi. What's the name of that nail gun like tool you were using? And do they make a version of it that doesn't need an air hose? Thanks
That is a nail gun by Grex. They make very nice tools and they actually do make versions that don’t need the hose as they use CO2 cartridges. I use the 18 gauge Brad nailer and the 23 gauge pin nailer a lot, usually for making jigs or quickly attaching moldings. Here’s a link to their webpage: grexusa.com/grexusa/index.php5
Thanks for watching! 👍😎
@@EpicWoodworking thank you very much!
Great video. I'm close to making a sled, and will do this. Anytime I don't have to measure (as in use a ruler) I think accuracy is better.
There is one place where I would struggle, given the tools/equipment I have. At around the 20:00 you check to see if your fence is straight and found it drifted a bit. How do you know your straight edge (piece of wood) is straight? I know in theory if it came off a jointer, it should be straight, but if the jointer isn't setup perfectly, the board might not be straight.
I have squares, levels, etc., but I'm not sure I can trust them to be straight enough. I think I want to invest in a good, dedicated straight edge, but I'm not sure what it should be. After going through your process, I'd hate to decrease my accuracy by not having a straight fence.
I'd appreciate your thoughts on a reference straight edge. I'm thinking 4' long, but would appreciate your thoughts on length too. I'd use it for other things in the shop, like checking the infeed and outfeed tables on a jointer.
Thanks.
Thanks Ed, glad you enjoyed it! I’m with you on the non-measuring where possible 👍😎
i like this method, thanks mate.
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Wow, at last, how to make a crosscut sled without a Phd in math. Informative and easy to follow instructions , thans very much Tom, this is definitely my next project.
Awesome Steve, glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! 👍😎
PhD math? Subtraction of one number from a second. I'd say fourth grade. Then divide by 4 , maybe Fifth grade. That's the state of American education. But thank God we know our pronouns.
Wow this is just what I needed, I have just completed building my very first workshop and started to make my first jig. Today I spent way too much time and effort using the 5 cut method to the point where it was sending me around the twist, my first attempt said I was 5.5mm out so I adjusted the back rest only to be calculated at 18mm out and so on. How on planet earth I managed to do this is beyond me !!!. After spending way way too much time I finally gave up and had my tea. Now that your video was suggested by TH-cam I now know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow!!!. All I can say is thanks for the upload you've probably saved my sanity 🙂 😊. As always buddy 💯% 👍 🇬🇧.
Oh that makes me happy to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and appreciate the directness of this “non math formula” method, we must be kindred spirits! 😎👍
Follow up inquiry--how'd your next attempt go?
Asking from curiosity, not from doubt about this video's methods
Nice and simple. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome, thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Wow I didn't think much of this when I first saw the description. This method is pretty accurate and way easier than the 5 method. After dicking with the 5 method at least three times with no success, I was able to do this on the first try with this method. I believe the big flaw with the 5th method is that the alignment point is way far and not referenced to the length of the piece or pivot point. This is indeed Epic!
That’s great, thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it and it worked well for you 👍😎
@@EpicWoodworking It worked amazing and frustration free. I was not even trying but I was surprised when I achieved all the donuts .0000
I love this video, I’m gonna make a crosscut sled & love this method, but I have a question? How would you adjust it if it was out the opposite direction where the fence needed to be adjusted outward instead of in?
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! If it’s out the other way you secure your stop right against the fence. Then remove the screw and move the fence back and reset while the feeler gauge is between the stop and the fence. Hope that makes sense. Thanks again!👍
@@EpicWoodworking ok I gotcha, that makes sense …. Thanks
@@EpicWoodworking thank you again, I got my crosscut sled finished & dialed in using this method….. I love it
i really like this method, thank you
My pleasure, thanks! 👍😎
amazing!! the north end is a great training ground
Thanks, did I say something about the north end…about North Bennett St school? 🤔😎
@@EpicWoodworking no sir just put the two together I am a big fan sir!
Thanks makes total sense, never thought of using mdf, everyone seems to use ply ( its terribly expensive in spain a piece that size is about 30 dollars easily) but to be fair MDF is exact, flat and costs an awful lot less. Next fence i build i will try this one. Would you ever make the ends out of MDF? Thank you.
Thanks !
You could use anything that stays rigid and straight for the ends, quartersawn wood could work well. The main reason I would steer away from MDF for the ends is it’s poor receptivity to screw threads.
Thanks again 👍
@@EpicWoodworking Good point, thanks for that. take care over there.
You could use MDF for the ends as well, although I haven't done that yet. I like the strength and solid purchase you get when running the screws up from underneath to fix it to the sled. Thanks for watching ans asking!
Great tip with putting in the wood spline in the slot to align the fence.
Great presentation! Slow and easy to follow. I am a 50+year master craftsman, instructor, and he has my praise.
Very nice demonstration. Very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks Michael, so glad you enjoyed it! 👍
This is a very, very clever solution to a common problem, and much easier than the 5 cut method. Well done! And thank you.
Thank you! I like simple and direct if possible, and sometimes those methods are right in front of us but difficult to see...like this one for me. So glad you found it helpful! 👍
@@EpicWoodworking After pondering this, I believe I have discovered a possible error in the technique. Imagine a rectangular piece of plywood against your sled fence. It is 6" front to back. Make your 3 cuts, then assume the difference in the resulting long edges is X. X is the measurement you would now use to adjust your fence, per your technique. But, now imagine your piece is 12" front to back. Make your 3 cuts. The resulting error is now 2X. Now 2X is the measurement used to adjust your fence. So, the fence adjustment is dependent on the front to back dimensions of your test workpiece. Therefore, in using this method, you should use the largest workpiece you can fit on your sled.
Very well presented, great info. Thank you for sharing. was getting ready to build a new sled going to try your method,
That’s awesome Larry, thank you! I hope you have a great experience with it, and thanks for watching! 👍😎
I cant like this video enough. This method is almost magical.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! 👍😎
This is brilliant - thanks!
Great, thanks! 👍😎
You said the fence is not 100% straight and correct that at the end
But when the testpiece was leaning against the full length of the fence that last correction will have influence on the result i think?
Sorry, it’s been a little while since making this video, but the key point is to straighten the fence as best you can (I skim planed the laminated fence as shown in the more completed crosscut sled building video).
The end result following the method described in the three cut approach will yield a dead on square cutting crosscut sled. Mine is still cutting accurately today. Hope that helps, and thanks for watching👍
Very nice Tom, the best and simplest method for this job in my opinion! I like the way you explain things clearly, calm and to the point. It was a pleasure watching that. Cheers
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! And cheers to you too!
My biggest rpoblem is getting runners to fit well. I have a Shopsmith, and the SS uses a non-standard 23/32 wide miter slot, but I am getting there.
Yes Mike, if making with quarter sawn material you can sneak up on making a custom fitting runner👍
Hello Tom, just found this video and now I hardly can't await to check the accuracy of my crosscut sled (which actually is in status "quick and dirty"). Your approach looks both easy to realise and exact result without math. Thanks a lot for the clear demonstration.
Best regards from Bavaria :-)
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching! 👍
Now there's a happy man..... brilliantly perfect👍
😂 What does that say about my life that such things can be so satisfying? Thanks for watching! 👍
Hi Tom, I meant it in a positive way, I love your channel. You are one of the best going around..
Keep up the fantastic work..
Thank you Reg! 👍 I am only wondering what kind of improvement need you are hearing with our sound...so we can address it 😎
Very useful video. Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙏🏼
My pleasure, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching! 👍😎
Eureka!!! Thank you for this concise method and video.
My pleasure Bill, glad you enjoyed it! 😎
Thank you so much. Today I decided to make a crosscut sled for my Powermatic 66 and found this very helpful video. If I am not overthinking this too much, the cleanness of the cut and accuracy with thick wood is dependent on the co-planar alignment of the mitre slot to the blade. There is a non-intuitive, accurate and simple way to check this without any fancy measuring instruments. I hope that you might include this in a future video which will improve rip cuts on cabinet saws such as the old unisaw and powermatic 66.
Hey John,
In most cases the alignment of the mitre slot with the blade is parallel and a non-issue. If it’s off for some reason, the trunion assembly that the blade mounts to can be “tweaked” and realigned. However, doing this is exacting business and you need to have precision measuring tools. A bent blade, producing “runout” is often the cause of a lack of a clean cut. Im sure there are videos and articles that get into the nuances and approaches to making these sorts of adjustments.
Glad you enjoyed the video, and hope your project goes well!
Tom
@@EpicWoodworking I have a method using a dowel in the Delta/Powermatic mitre gauge which is cut off having the blade fully raised. Then with the power off and rotating the blade, listening carefully to hear the sqeak of the proud tooth against the dowel, mark the proud tooth with a Sharpie. The squeak of the proud tooth on the dowel should be the same on the entrance of the cut and by rotating the blade, on the exit. If not, the mitre slot is not parallel to the cut of the blade. On both my Unisaws and Powermatic 66, this can be corrected by slightly rotating the top. Having to partially disassemble a Unisaw and Powermatic 66 during a recent move made me come up with this fast and accurate way to realign these saws.
Great job, Thanks for explaining your operations. The major problem I've run across is the the reference fence is not perfectly straight. That is equally important as getting the reference fence perpendicular to the blace. The table saw sled, from my perspective is the most critical jig in the shop.
Thank you! Yes I agree on both points. I made a related video showing the making of the crosscut sled which goes into the making and trying of a straight reference fence. Here’s the link if you’re interested th-cam.com/video/p3xeFfyVGAY/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching! 👍😎
This helped me. Thank You
Great, thanks! 👍😎
Brilliant idea! I wanna go to my shop immediately and build another one with this method.
That’s awesome Ethan, so glad you enjoyed it!👍
I just discovered your channel during the live feed last night…very enjoyable. Thanks for this video. I love the practical approach and straight forward explanations. I am curious as to which table saw you use and which you would suggest. I have been begrudgingly using a Ridgid jobsite saw for years and am now about ready to upgrade to a stationary, semi-professional or even professional model as I have built a better shop and have been tooling up for better production. I am exiting the hobbyist level and entering the for profit arena.
Thank you, I’m so glad you found us and enjoyed it! I have an older Powermatic 66, but just picked up a lightly used 3 hp Sawstop…which is a good but pricey saw although I like having it for the added safety feature especially when I have people taking classes in the shop.
Not having looked around myself a for a saw lately, I’m not up on all the current options. But I know Grizzly has always made very good saws for the money, you might do well to check them out. Hope that helps, thanks again! 👍😎
@@EpicWoodworking It’s funny you mention Grizzly. I have a 14” Grizzly Extreme series bandsaw, which has been great for the past two years, a Grizzly drill press for the past year, and I take delivery of their 8” Extreme series helical jointer tomorrow. I didn’t plan to build a Grizzly shop, but I have been impressed so far. Their tools seem to be at a value if you buy the right models. I’m looking at their 20” planer, as my 13” DeWalt is a disappointment. I have been looking at Baileigh table saws for the past couple of years in the $3.5-5K range, but if Grizzly produces a smooth running, square cutting table saw at a value, I’ll take a look. The SawStop safety feature is attractive, too. I’m teaching our children along the way. So, the SawStop is probably a good option, too. Thanks again. Love the channel…great content and good, wholesome whit.
Great video. Thanks
Thank you! 👍
Great video thanks. Clear and concise. Took a while to dial my fence in but boy it's now square 😀
That’s awesome Neal, I’m so glad it worked out for you and you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! 😎👍
Man, that was Epic! Thanks a lot.
Haha, thanks! 👍😎
I just finished watching this video for the third time. As it happens, I need to build another cross-cut sled to use your technique for table-saw dovetails. Your approach is much better and more precise than the approach I have used in the past, and I am looking forward to having a precise cross-cut sled for cutting dovetails on my table saw.
This is not only an interesting video, it is very. very helpful. Geometry beats arithmetic in the shop!
Thank you!!! 👍👍
Haha, yes, I would have to agree about geometry Jerry!! Thanks, I’m so glad it works well for you! 👍😎