Definitely. I would also recommend using a longer square than that little red one he used. The longer the square's arms, the most accurate the measurement will be.
I truly appreciate the way that you kept it simple, but at the same time, it was a very step-by-step process with a lot of safety in mind. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us beginners. GBY
@@MrEldoradot I came to the comments to say the same thing! 👏🏾 👏🏾 I wish I had seen this video when I was making my first cross cut sled. Gonna use this method for the next one.
I've worked with wood for a number of years, mainly cabinetry in luxury jet aircraft but I have never made a table saw sled until now. Wow! Your video is amazing! I followed your directions (fantastic by the way) and voila, I am now in possession of a really cool sled for my table saw. I looked at several videos by other You-tubers and yours seemed to be the easiest to follow and I'm glad I chose yours. And now, instead of using my little sliding table saw square, I'm making perfect 90 degree cuts at the exact length over and over again. Thank you. Now back to making some more sawdust!
Woodworking aside, you're such a good teacher man. Wish we had more people like you out there in our daily lives. Easily one of the easiest sled tutorials to follow along with. Thank you!
For sliders, the best material is to get one of those white plastic cutting boards. It's made of HDPE and is very slick and doesn't warp at all. One of the issues with using wood runners (even hardwoods) is that they can expand or contract with the seasons and make your sled either super loose or it will stick and not want to move. Using HDPE you won't have that problem. You can buy 3/4 inch strips of HDPE, but cutting 3/4 strips from a cutting board works just fine too.
I 3D printed my sliders down to around .002" under the size of the rails, with countesinked holes and all. It had to be made in 3 pieces par side, but works like a champ.
Great video, super helpful for someone with a basic workshop setup. Other videos I saw first were using planers, band saws, and router tables to make the sled. In my opinion, if someone has that kind of a setup already, they probably made themselves a crosscut sled long ago. Seems to me those videos are a little out of touch. Thank you for sharing your basic techniques. Very much appreciated.
There are so many different sled videos out there and I watched a bunch but ended up using yours as a guide to my sled. Thanks for a simple, easy to do sled build. I'm very happy with mine.
Great video and explained really well. The cross cut sled is one of the most useful things for a table saw and I recommend to anyone who wants to make some finer cuts or cut smaller pieces of wood to just make yourself a sled. Yes, it's still a table saw and one must be aware of where the sharp spinning thing is in relation to ones various appendages at all times, but a sled makes cutting thin pieces or making cuts on really small pieces of wood a lot safer then trying to finesse it through the saw along the fence with push sticks and push blocks and whatever else. Kick back is more or less eliminated with a sled. I'm sure it could still happen, but it's pretty much not going to happen compared to the ridiculous kick back one can experience when using a parallel fence or God forbid a miter gauge.
Not only are your explanations clear and understandable, but they are also delivered in such a positive way. You seem to get so much joy out of sharing your enthusiasm with others.
This is a great video. I wish I saw this 4 years ago when I was getting started. I built one about a year ago and it’s something I wish I would of built immediately. It’s so useful and it’s safe. Goodness, if you are new at this, stop what you are doing and build one. Thanks for the video.
What a great video! I’m keen to make a crosscut sled and this is the first video I’ve seen that makes it actually look achievable for a rookie like me. Thanks!
I have been so intimidated on making a crosscut sled but you make it look so effortless and easy. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I will definitely be making one now. Well...when it gets warmer lol
Clinton is a great teacher. This is a great sled/tutorial for a beginner's first sled. Once you use it a bunch and start making a diverse selection of projects you will find out what bells and whistles you want to add to your next one. This one is very similar to my first one that got me through for 2 years. My new one has a T-Track on the fence for an adjustable stop. One tip is to paint that safety block a bright orange or something... just another visual reminder to keep your digits away from the path of the blade. I never end up pushing it far enough to have the blade come through as my workpiece is already cut by then... but just in case...
Agreed. I think, logistically this is the best explanation I've seen but only misses one critical point and that you should (consider) beveling/chamfering the rear, inside, (next to your hands) vertical, base push board so no sawdust is kept in the corners. With a chamfered edge, you remove the potential of wood being cut out of 90 degrees exponentially.
That is so funny, your old saw is just like mine. No room for a big saw like the Sawstop. It would be nice> Great video, super simple, and easy to understand. Thank you.
This is so good. I would like to make one suggestion. The strips on the bottom of the jig, grain orientation, can be important to reduce seasonal movement of the strips. The grain should be up and down, not side to side. Hope this helps.
Really good video! I’m wanting to make my first sled. You have a lot of great information that is a huge help in figuring out design, size, and layout. I also appreciate the detail you included but keeping it on subject and succinct. Thanks
GREAT and simple instructions, easy construction, ACCURATE (as long as you follow those simple instructions when it comes to squaring it..... don't blame the maker of the video if you don't)! Very easy to build upon if you want to add T tracks and/or clamps.
My brother and I got an almost identical old Craftsman table saw for free from the dump years ago. We’ve gotten a fair amount of use out of it over the years and I’m actually looking at this video because we’ve finally decided to make a sled for it now that we’re getting into making some stuff we want to look really good. Most of our previous stuff just needed to be functional, and we didn’t really care too much about what it looked like. Now we’re working on some stuff we want to look nice so we need it to be a bit more precise. We also recently got an old radial arm saw and I want to make a good front table, spacer, and back table for it and having a good, reliable, simple sled will make it a lot easier to get things set up to the point where I can make them.
Great video! I've made some in the past that have become over engendered monstrosities that went to the burn pile. Really, I just need it to work! lol Thanks!!
Good simple sled video. One suggestion is that when gluing 2 pieces of plywood, there's a possibility that they won't come out truly flat and cause issues with cuts later. If you clamp them together with a level to dry, you're almost assured that they will dry flat
I've used a Craftsman table saw for forty years, and never felt the need to upgrade. Of course mine was made in 1954, so it's a lot more solid than the one you had, and it has webbed cast aluminum wings properly shimmed to align with the table. The only maintenance it's ever needed is to refill the grease cup for the bearings once in a great while. A while back I finally got tired of having to backtrack the fence a skosh after moving it to parallel it to the blade, or tapping on it if I needed serious precision. So I broke down and bought a Shop Fox fence with extended rails. I'm planning to build a router table between them, and retire my well-worn portable table. Never bothered with a sled, because I also have a 1950's DeWalt radial arm saw. I'm practically a woodshop Jedi master when it comes to setting it up and using it quickly, accurately and efficiently. And of course, nowadays I've added a 10" miter saw and a 7 1/4" sliding miter saw. But I might build a basic sled anyway.... never hurts to add another arrow to my quiver.
Very good video. Been needing one of those, but all seemed too challenging. Your video is simple to understand and I think I can handle it - soon as I complete my current wood project! Ty
Love the push stick you're using , it's at 2:53 in the vid. What is the handle from? I think it's the key to this. And you have a backstop on it to help push, what's the overlap margin on that?
This is great, one question, I'm getting ready to make a french cleat wall 45 degree. I'm assuming I follow the same instructions except when it's time to push the blade through the sled, I set to 45? Or is there something else I should do? Yes, I'm very new to woodworking .
Any advice on how far from the blade the fence should be when i size the plywood part? Maybe the same width as from the blade to the outside edge of the table?
957pm I have a basic contractor saw but the grooves are not all equal there is an “indentation” on the front and at the end x2 I think which fits the metal guide that cones with the saw. How do I keep it right then?
Hi, great video and it’s something I want to do. I have an old table saw which is 70 years old but is a very good machine but it only has one mitre slot. Is that gonna prevent me from making a slide? Cheers, Keith
It might work, but there is a possibility that it could warp. If that is all you have and you don't want to spend any money, then you could give it a shot, but don't be surprised if it changes shape on you.
i'm going to follow this video 99% - just when it comes to ensuring the end piece is totally 90 degrees, I'll do the five cut method to make sure it's perfect. Then I'll sink the remaining screws in and call it a day
If you add sides to the sled, then it would be very difficult to cross-cut longer boards. I guess it really depends on what you will consistently use it for.
@@bw6018 Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue. Basically it's super glue...for most wood working you'll want a thicker viscosity than say...dollar store super glue. You can get away with using gorilla or loctite super glue gel. I order bulk thick viscosity CA glue as it's very very handy in the shop and around the house.
I would take a measurement of the groove on both sides with a caliper (dial or digital) and then chase that measurement slowly taking a bit more material off the runners each time and test fitting them into the grooves after each pass. Also, like many others in this comment section mentioned, try to avoid using wood runners if you can. Wood will swell and shrink given small differences in your shop's atmosphere and that will make all your effort shaving down the perfect runners pointless in the long run.
The making sure 90 degree part is awesome, thanks!
Definitely. I would also recommend using a longer square than that little red one he used. The longer the square's arms, the most accurate the measurement will be.
this was actually a great video for beginners unlike many others, thanks!
I truly appreciate the way that you kept it simple, but at the same time, it was a very step-by-step process with a lot of safety in mind. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us beginners. GBY
ATTENTION BEGINNERS! This is the best and easiest method I have ever seen for making one of these. Brilliant and simple!!!
@@MrEldoradot
I came to the comments to say the same thing! 👏🏾 👏🏾 I wish I had seen this video when I was making my first cross cut sled. Gonna use this method for the next one.
Short and to the point and no annoying background music. Thank you
I've worked with wood for a number of years, mainly cabinetry in luxury jet aircraft but I have never made a table saw sled until now. Wow! Your video is amazing! I followed your directions (fantastic by the way) and voila, I am now in possession of a really cool sled for my table saw. I looked at several videos by other You-tubers and yours seemed to be the easiest to follow and I'm glad I chose yours. And now, instead of using my little sliding table saw square, I'm making perfect 90 degree cuts at the exact length over and over again. Thank you. Now back to making some more sawdust!
I'm 75 years old and this is a great video for any age. I wish I would have made this 25 years ago. It goes to show you're never too old to learn.
Thanks to you I think I finally get it. Just getting started and want to be safe. Thank you so much.
Woodworking aside, you're such a good teacher man. Wish we had more people like you out there in our daily lives.
Easily one of the easiest sled tutorials to follow along with. Thank you!
For sliders, the best material is to get one of those white plastic cutting boards. It's made of HDPE and is very slick and doesn't warp at all. One of the issues with using wood runners (even hardwoods) is that they can expand or contract with the seasons and make your sled either super loose or it will stick and not want to move. Using HDPE you won't have that problem. You can buy 3/4 inch strips of HDPE, but cutting 3/4 strips from a cutting board works just fine too.
I found uhmw (ultra high molecular weight hdpe) sliders on Amazon pre cut and pre drilled.
@@ravenstarver1360 yeah that's what they are.
@@ravenstarver1360 all I can find are sheets
I 3D printed my sliders down to around .002" under the size of the rails, with countesinked holes and all. It had to be made in 3 pieces par side, but works like a champ.
Great video, super helpful for someone with a basic workshop setup. Other videos I saw first were using planers, band saws, and router tables to make the sled. In my opinion, if someone has that kind of a setup already, they probably made themselves a crosscut sled long ago. Seems to me those videos are a little out of touch.
Thank you for sharing your basic techniques. Very much appreciated.
There are so many different sled videos out there and I watched a bunch but ended up using yours as a guide to my sled. Thanks for a simple, easy to do sled build. I'm very happy with mine.
This is the first sled video I’ve seen that addressed using different thickness of base plywood. Thx!
I have looked at a few dozen videos on making a xcut sled. This is the one I am going to use to make my first. Thanks. Great job.
Great video and explained really well. The cross cut sled is one of the most useful things for a table saw and I recommend to anyone who wants to make some finer cuts or cut smaller pieces of wood to just make yourself a sled. Yes, it's still a table saw and one must be aware of where the sharp spinning thing is in relation to ones various appendages at all times, but a sled makes cutting thin pieces or making cuts on really small pieces of wood a lot safer then trying to finesse it through the saw along the fence with push sticks and push blocks and whatever else. Kick back is more or less eliminated with a sled. I'm sure it could still happen, but it's pretty much not going to happen compared to the ridiculous kick back one can experience when using a parallel fence or God forbid a miter gauge.
Absolutely great. After owning the table saw for over 30 years I'm finally making a sled for it. Thanks for making a simple and to the point video.
Not only are your explanations clear and understandable, but they are also delivered in such a positive way. You seem to get so much joy out of sharing your enthusiasm with others.
This is a great video. I wish I saw this 4 years ago when I was getting started. I built one about a year ago and it’s something I wish I would of built immediately. It’s so useful and it’s safe. Goodness, if you are new at this, stop what you are doing and build one. Thanks for the video.
I plan to build my own sled, watched 10 videos, this is the best one . Thanks 🙏
I just came to say thank you. I made my sled today . I test it out by making a tenon joint. Using the sled made it fast and easy.
Great job!
THE BEST step by step tutorial I've found on the subject ... and today I've seen a lot :)
You're a savior man :)
You made this so easy to understand, simple and uncomplicated. Thank you!
Fantastic video.
Design. Instruction. Pace.
Well done!
amazing tips, specially for people like us who are either beginners or DIY lovers... Thanks much...!!!!
What a great video! I’m keen to make a crosscut sled and this is the first video I’ve seen that makes it actually look achievable for a rookie like me. Thanks!
THANK YOU! I just got started with carpentry, so the simpler the better. But I feel like a sled is a game changer for table saws.
Love this simple yet helpful project. First time to own a table saw and this video is awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the plain and simple design 🙂
I have been so intimidated on making a crosscut sled but you make it look so effortless and easy. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I will definitely be making one now. Well...when it gets warmer lol
It is an honor to inspire you Jennifer
Clinton is a great teacher. This is a great sled/tutorial for a beginner's first sled. Once you use it a bunch and start making a diverse selection of projects you will find out what bells and whistles you want to add to your next one. This one is very similar to my first one that got me through for 2 years. My new one has a T-Track on the fence for an adjustable stop. One tip is to paint that safety block a bright orange or something... just another visual reminder to keep your digits away from the path of the blade. I never end up pushing it far enough to have the blade come through as my workpiece is already cut by then... but just in case...
I was waiting for you to put a French cleat on it.
Agreed. I think, logistically this is the best explanation I've seen but only misses one critical point and that you should (consider) beveling/chamfering the rear, inside, (next to your hands) vertical, base push board so no sawdust is kept in the corners. With a chamfered edge, you remove the potential of wood being cut out of 90 degrees exponentially.
This is a great video. Succinct and to the point. Terrific job!!
That is so funny, your old saw is just like mine. No room for a big saw like the Sawstop.
It would be nice> Great video, super simple, and easy to understand. Thank you.
Definitely one of the best keep it simple sleds. I love it.
Thank you Lincoln
simple and clear explanation. thanks
This is so good. I would like to make one suggestion. The strips on the bottom of the jig, grain orientation, can be important to reduce seasonal movement of the strips. The grain should be up and down, not side to side. Hope this helps.
Great video, making my first sled using this video. I especially appreciate the tip of using the safety block at the back of the sled. 👍🏻🙌🏻
You’re a great teacher! I just successfully made my 1st cross cut sled!😊
That is awesome!
Love your simple approach. The waxing suggestion at the end was different than everybody else. Thanks a lot.
Really good video! I’m wanting to make my first sled. You have a lot of great information that is a huge help in figuring out design, size, and layout.
I also appreciate the detail you included but keeping it on subject and succinct.
Thanks
Great practical tips for the details such as checking the square on the cut. Thanks!
Very informative. You do a great job explaining things in a simple and effective way. Great video.
Thank you, I have finally settled for your crosscut sled, very direct instructions well explained.
Qué buen proyecto para la sierra de mesa. Tus consejos y la serie de pasos que indicas para su construcción son excelentes.
Best video I’ve seen on making a crosscut sled! Thanks man
Great job! Quick, precise, measured, and well explained. Am now a subscriber! Thanks again!
GREAT and simple instructions, easy construction, ACCURATE (as long as you follow those simple instructions when it comes to squaring it..... don't blame the maker of the video if you don't)! Very easy to build upon if you want to add T tracks and/or clamps.
A fine and useful project and a great presentation. Thanks for the vid.
Your English is very commendable..... fantastic, fabulous.... Also classic presentation brother.
Awesome, thank you so much. Perfect for what I need
My brother and I got an almost identical old Craftsman table saw for free from the dump years ago. We’ve gotten a fair amount of use out of it over the years and I’m actually looking at this video because we’ve finally decided to make a sled for it now that we’re getting into making some stuff we want to look really good. Most of our previous stuff just needed to be functional, and we didn’t really care too much about what it looked like. Now we’re working on some stuff we want to look nice so we need it to be a bit more precise. We also recently got an old radial arm saw and I want to make a good front table, spacer, and back table for it and having a good, reliable, simple sled will make it a lot easier to get things set up to the point where I can make them.
Excellent video with simple and easy to understand steps. I'm going to be making one today😀👍
Great video.I have a lot more to learn
Great video! I've made some in the past that have become over engendered monstrosities that went to the burn pile. Really, I just need it to work! lol Thanks!!
Well now I know what my next project will be! Thanks for the great video
Love your style! Thanks
nicely done, i subbed because you made this beyond easy. Thank you
Cheers man. This is very helpful. All the best from Ireland.
Great demo and easily achievable. Thanks!
Thank you very much
9:32 - Another ideal to keep your fingers safe on the back of the sled would be to paint the "danger area" red as a visual reminder.
Great video and practical tips! Thank you! 👍🏻🙏🏻
Thanks, great example of a simple cross cut sled!
Wow, this is a wonderful video to make a simple sled. I am going to give it a shot on my Dewalt contractor saw. Thanks so much!
the best idea, congratulations....
That was awesome bro. Thank you 👍
Aptly timed, I was just thinking I needed to build one of these this weekend. Thank you!
Glad I could help!
I really like your design. I will be making one in the next few days.
Good simple sled video. One suggestion is that when gluing 2 pieces of plywood, there's a possibility that they won't come out truly flat and cause issues with cuts later. If you clamp them together with a level to dry, you're almost assured that they will dry flat
Great point! Thank you for sharing!
You always make it look so easy! Thanks for all the cool videos.
I've used a Craftsman table saw for forty years, and never felt the need to upgrade. Of course mine was made in 1954, so it's a lot more solid than the one you had, and it has webbed cast aluminum wings properly shimmed to align with the table. The only maintenance it's ever needed is to refill the grease cup for the bearings once in a great while.
A while back I finally got tired of having to backtrack the fence a skosh after moving it to parallel it to the blade, or tapping on it if I needed serious precision. So I broke down and bought a Shop Fox fence with extended rails. I'm planning to build a router table between them, and retire my well-worn portable table.
Never bothered with a sled, because I also have a 1950's DeWalt radial arm saw. I'm practically a woodshop Jedi master when it comes to setting it up and using it quickly, accurately and efficiently. And of course, nowadays I've added a 10" miter saw and a 7 1/4" sliding miter saw.
But I might build a basic sled anyway.... never hurts to add another arrow to my quiver.
So simple, many thanks
Great simple build thanks for sharing
Great job on designing and explaining this sled build, Clinton. I enjoyed watching it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you pt
After watching a few videos on crosscut sleds this one wins. Basic. No need to reinvent it for beginners.
Very good video. Been needing one of those, but all seemed too challenging. Your video is simple to understand and I think I can handle it - soon as I complete my current wood project! Ty
ok, will be making this today for my Dewalt 745.
Love the push stick you're using , it's at 2:53 in the vid. What is the handle from? I think it's the key to this. And you have a backstop on it to help push, what's the overlap margin on that?
th-cam.com/video/L9VuFq_2jJE/w-d-xo.html
Excellent Video thanks !
What do you think about attaching ball bearings to the bottom of the slides? I've seen that before but wasn't sure about it
This is great, one question, I'm getting ready to make a french cleat wall 45 degree. I'm assuming I follow the same instructions except when it's time to push the blade through the sled, I set to 45? Or is there something else I should do? Yes, I'm very new to woodworking .
Groovy! Thank you!
For a smaller construction style table saw, what size sled do you recommend?
GREAT VIDEO...Can you also find guides already made for like my saw a Delta?
Small kerf on inside of front fence helps with sawdust buildup .
I have an older ryobi table saw without any spots for rails/miter slots. Whats your recommendation for a sled without those?
Any advice on how far from the blade the fence should be when i size the plywood part? Maybe the same width as from the blade to the outside edge of the table?
Outstanding!
957pm I have a basic contractor saw but the grooves are not all equal there is an “indentation” on the front and at the end x2 I think which fits the metal guide that cones with the saw. How do I keep it right then?
Hi, great video and it’s something I want to do. I have an old table saw which is 70 years old but is a very good machine but it only has one mitre slot. Is that gonna prevent me from making a slide? Cheers, Keith
I would think that as long as you have a very good fit within the slot and use the sled gently, though I have not done it, it might work.
I have some old oak flooring three-quarter inch tongue and groove would that be a good sled once I put it all together and glue it so it's flat
It might work, but there is a possibility that it could warp. If that is all you have and you don't want to spend any money, then you could give it a shot, but don't be surprised if it changes shape on you.
are their steel gliders that I can purchase separately and attach those to the bottom of the wood slider
Would a 2x4 suffice instead of the plywood for the end boards?
There's a good chance that 2x4 might warp
i'm going to follow this video 99% - just when it comes to ensuring the end piece is totally 90 degrees, I'll do the five cut method to make sure it's perfect. Then I'll sink the remaining screws in and call it a day
still using my 1975ish Craftsman 9 (yes 9) inch table saw.... using 10 inch blades, just not raised up all the way....
It is definitely hard to kill those old Craftsman tools. I never heard of the 9 inch before, thanks for letting us know.
Thank you - do you think there is any reason why I can’t have the sides on the end of the base? Many thanks mark
If you add sides to the sled, then it would be very difficult to cross-cut longer boards. I guess it really depends on what you will consistently use it for.
What was that glue you used to attach the rails to hold it before you screwed them in
@@bw6018 Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue. Basically it's super glue...for most wood working you'll want a thicker viscosity than say...dollar store super glue. You can get away with using gorilla or loctite super glue gel. I order bulk thick viscosity CA glue as it's very very handy in the shop and around the house.
Thanks a lot. Sir
You might have mentioned this, so sorry if I missed it. You only have one side square to the blade? That means that the sled can't be turned around?
That is correct.
How do you accurately measure for the two pieces that fit into the grooves?
I would take a measurement of the groove on both sides with a caliper (dial or digital) and then chase that measurement slowly taking a bit more material off the runners each time and test fitting them into the grooves after each pass. Also, like many others in this comment section mentioned, try to avoid using wood runners if you can. Wood will swell and shrink given small differences in your shop's atmosphere and that will make all your effort shaving down the perfect runners pointless in the long run.
I am haveing trouble cutting down lenghs of wood always ends up like a wedge shape, would any one have an idea why as I am using the side guides.
Hi there. I have a question. You cut the base plywood at 24”. Is that length and width ?
Just the width
@@SpecificLove7 what was the length ? Thanks so much. Love your channel!
Thank you
Tank Sir 🙏🙏🙏