This guy is good, his videos are very educational, he explains things thoroughly and makes it easy to understand. Just subscribed with and a BIG 2 thumbs up..
I totally agree! Extremely relatable! This guy will go far! I subscribe to every channel i ever watched though, regardless of anything other than energy, it makes me laugh to see how others treasure their gift of an almost unnoticeable subscription....I mean to say now!
I just finished building the handrail on my deck th-cam.com/users/postUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!
Thank you for filling in the details that most channels skip. Details matter but you do an excellent job of highlighting the details that matter most. This keeps the information on point, and not pointless.
Wow!!!!! THANK you so much!!!! found this video as I'm trying to figure out how to build my own jig. Very informative!!!!! gave me lots to think about before I make some costly mistakes. thanks a bunch!!!
Well done. Your video presents beautifuly . I understood everything and learned some great tips. I am a retired carpenter and about to build a router sled. Thanks to you I am now sure of how to go about it. !! Your use of the terms “ indexing surfaces “ was perfection . Once I heard that I started looking at this project differently. Great job !
This is the best tutorial I've found on attributes of a router sled. Thank you for the excellent advice, and thank you for the concise explanations. Cheers!
That was so very helpful. Someone cut a large cedar and gave it to me. With an Alaskan sawmill you can get slabs but not really great slabs so I've been curious about a router sled. This is actually the first video I've seen on how to construct and use one. Thank you very, very much.
Awesome. I'm considering making a router sled. Your information has been noted, and will influence my sled build. Thanks for taking the time on this video.
Hello, very good info in the video. I have been cleaning my workshop also multiple times for hours after using the router to flatten slabs. Today , I found a simple, cheap method to reduce the saw dust. Lay a sheet of MDF or whatever wood on the right of your sled and also a vertical piece of wood. It will reduce the cleaning work afterwards a lot.
Well this was phenomenal timing. I've seen other videos on this topic but didn't need to make one. Now I have a 24" wide by 3" deep slab of maple for my River epoxy coffee table. These tips are going to come in super handy. I might use my long levels as my rails. Thanks.
A very informative video. I built a router sled over the weekend and will level my live edge Walnut slab the next weekend. It is a 2 3/4" thick 58" wide and 22" at most deep. The top has 1/2" taper on each side. I used a large piece of 3/4" melamine for the base and 1 x 4" red oak for the guide rails since I had them in the garage. For the sled I also used 3/4" melamine with 1 x 4" red oak on each side and for guides on each end. For all of this I pre-drilled the holes from the bottom making sure the alignment was perfect then I used a countersink bit so the 2 1/4" screws would hold the wood but not get in the way. the sled rides smoothly and is great. Just tonight I received a 2" 4 cutter leveling bit for my router. I watched your video to make sure I did not miss anything, I think I am good.
How did TH-cam know what I was thinking? I was messing about with a frame today, my plan being to level some small glued logs tomorrow, with only a bit of a clue. Tonight, searching for Mr Ballen stuff that I haven't already seen, this pops up on the side. Brilliant!
Hey buddy, Great tips. I have not been woodworking for bout 40 years but plan to get back to it in my retirement. All you guys sharing your info... WOW... really helpful specially in terms of knowledge as to what is available in the modern world. Thanks a lot and hello from Australia..
Thanks!😁 That makes sense to do pocket holes instead of screwing straight into the sides of the wood. Also, we have some live edge pine planks that we need to level off with a router. We didn’t know that we could do this step before hand planing. This will save us a lot of time and errors. Thank you!!
After looking at videos of router sleds. It seems that most use a plunge router. My router is not a plu8nge unit so can I flatten a slab With it. I enjoyed your video because your explanation was brief, clear and informative.
You can, but you have to adjust the depth by raising and lowering the bit using the normal height adjustment method. A plunge router gives you more adjustment and is a bit faster. Both can work though.
The video mentions insuring your rails are in the same plane, but doesn't tell how to check that. There are lasers, etc., but the simplest tool is 4 brads and a string. Drive the brads at the 4 corners (ends) of your rails, angling them slightly outward. Then lace the string in an X, that is, far left corner to near right corner, then to the near left corner and then the far right corner, making sure the string is touching to your rails at all 4 brads. If the rails are in the same plane, the strings will just touch where they cross. Ideally, the top string will be displaced up 1/2 string diameter and the lower will be down 1/2 string. If you're picky reverse the order of your lacing and make sure the strings still just touch. This also works for checking door jambs, which also need to be in plane. Generally not an issue for single doors, but can be very critical for French doors. For the Euclideans in the audience, the strings and rails create 2 triangles, which are both planar. They share a common side, for example, one of the rails. The X of the string is the 2 hypotenuses and if the hypotenuses touch, the triangles are co-planar. QED
I did this for the first time and big piece of redwood a couple days ago. I accounted for some of these mistakes but others I learned as I went. Wish I had seen this first.
So, right around the time this video came out, I had just built my first router sled. I actually went in a third direction with my sled. I cut a dado into each side of the sled walls and glued the bottom in that way (as one might do with a drawer). Then capped the ends. I never would have thought of the expansion problem, but glad I did it the way I did!
Best and most thorough router sled video I've seen. Thank you! There is one exception, however. You did not cover getting the rails in the same plane. This was, for me, the most uncertain part and one one of, if not the most, the more critical parts. That said, I'll be incorporating your design in my next flattening adventure.
Hey Man, just found your video / Chanel with the Sled for Router. I just finished mine. And I have to say that I am pretty new in Woodwork. Could you give me I tip how deep I should use my Router on the first pass. I have a Makita 3612 C with a 12 mm shaft and a 50,8 mm cutting ( 2 inches diameter ). But I’m not to sure how far I should go on a 2… inches Cherry with Epoxy. Thanks for any tip / help and best regards from Germany. Frank😊
One of the best explanations and uses for a sled. I will say though, that the reaching over the blade of the table saw to cut the long runner to prevent it from falling on the floor instead of using an out feed support looked rather dicey.
Love your presentation. Clear, low key and very direct. An observation to improve the sled is that the sides of the sled need not be so high. That seems cumbersome. I attached L shaped aluminum angle “iron” to far less tall sled sides. The router slides much more easily on the aluminum surface. Again thanks for a very nice low key instructional video. Ciao!
@@EveningWoodworker The taller the better for the sides, within reason. The taller they are the less sagging there will be in the middle of the sled. Not really an issue if flattening narrow slabs but the wider they are the stiffer the sled needs to be. Great tip about joining the sides to the base that way!
Enjoyed your information! I am trying to get this router sled business solved. But man wax inside of the sled,,,minimizing any jerking or hesitation with the router. That’s where the minwax really works well.
Excellent video.! I made my first sled using discarded angle iron (because that is what I had laying around) and a couple pieces of 2x4. But same basic concept. The iron was nice and straight so I avoided the subtle problems you explained with wood and screws. But I might have to go wood for my biggest piece. This will save me some learning the hard way. And a 2" carbide bit! You can find them with 1/2" shank on Amazon for
Wow great vid have two slabs , been watching a ton if vids your info makes the most sense . Can’t wait to get started thank you for your time and information.
I like a vid that makes me go "DOH! Of course!" Sensible actions explained very clearly. Greatly appreciated, thanks. Also ... a YT vid with no dislikes? Amazingly rare.
I actually learned a lot from your video . I have 3 projects to finish for family members so I’m taking my time . Thanks for your very educational video .
I think you've saved me some headaches! Gonna plane a thick slab of padauk for an instrument, and it needs to be as close to perfect as I can get it. Thanks!
I never thought of the minute expansion of the base of the sled. My instinct (bad experience, rather) tells me to do it like the way you're suggesting. Your method is both scientific and practical (and considering good relationship with your neighbours is a bonus!) - thank you for pointing that out.
Absolutely great tips! I have one suggestion that you might find interesting… try holding or fixing the router to the sled temporarily, and move the sled length wise. Count the number of passes. Bet it’s less than 1/3 of going across the width! Just try it once and you might be amazed as you’re cutting with the grain too!
@@jungko9031I’d argue it may take even longer, since you would have to release the router and fix it back in position after each pass, whereas it’s much quicker to just move the slide a little bit
Thank you Jared great info I was about to pay $300 for a sled now I’m pinching the left over building materials from our home and making one I’m a retired CET take care and stay safe🇨🇦
This guy is good, his videos are very educational, he explains things thoroughly and makes it easy to understand. Just subscribed with and a BIG 2 thumbs up..
Thanks I really appreciate that!
I totally agree! Extremely relatable! This guy will go far! I subscribe to every channel i ever watched though, regardless of anything other than energy, it makes me laugh to see how others treasure their gift of an almost unnoticeable subscription....I mean to say now!
I just finished building the handrail on my deck th-cam.com/users/postUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!
Thank you for filling in the details that most channels skip. Details matter but you do an excellent job of highlighting the details that matter most. This keeps the information on point, and not pointless.
Thank you! I try to focus on the stuff you really need to know. Glad you like it!
I have flattened a few slabs and this is a fantastic video, I guarantee I have made every mistake you call out. Thanks.
Haha sometimes we have to just learn from our own mistakes!
Wow!!!!! THANK you so much!!!! found this video as I'm trying to figure out how to build my own jig. Very informative!!!!! gave me lots to think about before I make some costly mistakes. thanks a bunch!!!
I love your consideration for your neighbors. Makes the world turn
Thanks, I'm trying!
Super helpful tips!! Thanks for making this video!
Great tips. You see a lot of people doing slab flattening, but they don't go into details like this. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Very clear explanations. Kindness with the neighbors is important.
Thank you - great explanation, well organized, straight to the point, everything makes sense, no unnecessary speech!
Thanks!
Well done. Your video presents beautifuly . I understood everything and learned some great tips. I am a retired carpenter and about to build a router sled. Thanks to you I am now sure of how to go about it. !! Your use of the terms “ indexing surfaces “ was perfection . Once I heard that I started looking at this project differently. Great job !
Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!
Thanks, you prevented me from making several errors in my sled before I had a chance to build it. Very helpful.
Great! That's why I made this video!
This is the best tutorial I've found on attributes of a router sled. Thank you for the excellent advice, and thank you for the concise explanations. Cheers!
Glad it helped!
That was so very helpful. Someone cut a large cedar and gave it to me. With an Alaskan sawmill you can get slabs but not really great slabs so I've been curious about a router sled. This is actually the first video I've seen on how to construct and use one. Thank you very, very much.
Great! I'm glad you liked it!
Awesome. I'm considering making a router sled. Your information has been noted, and will influence my sled build. Thanks for taking the time on this video.
Hello, very good info in the video.
I have been cleaning my workshop also multiple times for hours after using the router to flatten slabs. Today , I found a simple, cheap method to reduce the saw dust.
Lay a sheet of MDF or whatever wood on the right of your sled and also a vertical piece of wood. It will reduce the cleaning work afterwards a lot.
Great idea!
Good timing. I'm gonna make my own butcher block countertops and have been.toying with flattening it with a router sled setup
Sounds fun!
Well this was phenomenal timing. I've seen other videos on this topic but didn't need to make one. Now I have a 24" wide by 3" deep slab of maple for my River epoxy coffee table. These tips are going to come in super handy. I might use my long levels as my rails.
Thanks.
Sweet! As long as you have a way to secure your levels, those would work fine.
Me too.... just gained access to a couple huge old trees that are now horizontal.....
A very informative video. I built a router sled over the weekend and will level my live edge Walnut slab the next weekend.
It is a 2 3/4" thick 58" wide and 22" at most deep. The top has 1/2" taper on each side.
I used a large piece of 3/4" melamine for the base and 1 x 4" red oak for the guide rails since I had them in the garage.
For the sled I also used 3/4" melamine with 1 x 4" red oak on each side and for guides on each end.
For all of this I pre-drilled the holes from the bottom making sure the alignment was perfect then I used a countersink bit so the 2 1/4" screws would hold the wood but not get in the way.
the sled rides smoothly and is great.
Just tonight I received a 2" 4 cutter leveling bit for my router.
I watched your video to make sure I did not miss anything, I think I am good.
Sounds like a good setup! Good luck!
Concise and well explained, no crazy music, Thanks for your straightforward informative video.
How did TH-cam know what I was thinking? I was messing about with a frame today, my plan being to level some small glued logs tomorrow, with only a bit of a clue. Tonight, searching for Mr Ballen stuff that I haven't already seen, this pops up on the side. Brilliant!
I'm glad it worked! Good luck with your project!
Awesome!! So helpful!!
I’m going to build mine now!
Greetings from Granada, Spain!!
I've never milled a slab with a router before but now that I know how to do it properly I wanna build something using your tips!
You should give it a try!
I like the way you explained all of the potential problems and solutions. I'm going to make my rails out of a former queen size bed railing.
Nice! Good luck!
Great tutorial. Your explanations of why you do what you do are really helpful.
Going through previous comments I found where you recommended a bit from Amazon I just ordered it and will be building my sled tomorrow thanks again.
Glad you found it! Good luck
Great tips for building my router sled. Thanks from Paul in the uk 🇬🇧
Thank you the first video that’s simple ! Simple jig simple explanation!
I'm doing my first sled and your video saved me a bunch of time. Thank you!
mystery solved on my last sled, thanks for taking the time to show me my errors.
I'm glad it helped!
Good stuff there....the #1 item is something that I would never think of. Thanks.
Hey buddy,
Great tips.
I have not been woodworking for bout 40 years but plan to get back to it in my retirement.
All you guys sharing your info... WOW... really helpful specially in terms of knowledge as to what is available in the modern world.
Thanks a lot and hello from Australia..
I'm glad it's helping! And welcome back to the hobby... we've missed you!
This is really useful.
Never done this. But need to and will follow your film and see how it goes. Working a similar sized piece of Oak
This is great! I've been wanting to build a routing sled and this gives me all the details I need. Thanks!
Awesome! Glad it helped!
Sounds super helpful, thank you!
Awesome advice! You gained a subscriber from just this video as I researched router sleds!!
Thanks!
one of the best educationnal vidio i've seen! Everything is clear and well explained
Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!
Very good advice you gave my friend. I will follow the step by step for my Sled Router.
Thank you very much
Greetings from Chile
Thanks! I want to go to Chile some day.
@@EveningWoodworker welcome then...
I just brought my first half inch router, The journey begins!! 😁
Excellent catch on #1... One of those 'why didn't I think of that' items...
Very nice personality straight forward explanation; thanks so much for explaining the different of router's sleds.
Glad you liked it!
Nice job explaining the issues, resolutions and the whys. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!😁 That makes sense to do pocket holes instead of screwing straight into the sides of the wood.
Also, we have some live edge pine planks that we need to level off with a router. We didn’t know that we could do this step before hand planing. This will save us a lot of time and errors. Thank you!!
I'm glad it helped!
After looking at videos of router sleds. It seems that most use a plunge router. My router is not a plu8nge unit so can I flatten a slab With it. I enjoyed your video because your explanation
was brief, clear and informative.
You can, but you have to adjust the depth by raising and lowering the bit using the normal height adjustment method. A plunge router gives you more adjustment and is a bit faster. Both can work though.
Well, I’ll be inspecting my sled tonight and sanding any high spots. Good recommendations!
What great tips for us beginners, i never would have thought of the screws creating bumps like that!
The video mentions insuring your rails are in the same plane, but doesn't tell how to check that. There are lasers, etc., but the simplest tool is 4 brads and a string. Drive the brads at the 4 corners (ends) of your rails, angling them slightly outward. Then lace the string in an X, that is, far left corner to near right corner, then to the near left corner and then the far right corner, making sure the string is touching to your rails at all 4 brads.
If the rails are in the same plane, the strings will just touch where they cross. Ideally, the top string will be displaced up 1/2 string diameter and the lower will be down 1/2 string. If you're picky reverse the order of your lacing and make sure the strings still just touch. This also works for checking door jambs, which also need to be in plane. Generally not an issue for single doors, but can be very critical for French doors.
For the Euclideans in the audience, the strings and rails create 2 triangles, which are both planar. They share a common side, for example, one of the rails. The X of the string is the 2 hypotenuses and if the hypotenuses touch, the triangles are co-planar. QED
Excellent idea!
Thank you. That makes total sense and answers an important question. Thx.
Very good and pragmatic video, and very well scripted and produced. Thank you.
Excellent explanation of how something is in plane and why! Nice job!
Great tips and thumbnail! Clear, concise, and helpful video that will help any level wood worker be successful. 👍
Nicely done and very informative
Thanks for the info! I’m about to build a router sled myself and this info helps!
Great to hear!
I did this for the first time and big piece of redwood a couple days ago. I accounted for some of these mistakes but others I learned as I went. Wish I had seen this first.
Your next one will be even better!
@@EveningWoodworker Yes! I just got a bigger bit so I need a different sled
So, right around the time this video came out, I had just built my first router sled. I actually went in a third direction with my sled. I cut a dado into each side of the sled walls and glued the bottom in that way (as one might do with a drawer). Then capped the ends. I never would have thought of the expansion problem, but glad I did it the way I did!
Good thinking! That works too
Thanks for showing the wrong and right way.... keep on keeping on.... God bless
Thank you!
Love that attention to detail
Absolutely brilliant, I never thought of using a router like that. Many thanks.
Really well explained and very comprehensive list of issues covered in this video 👍
Best and most thorough router sled video I've seen. Thank you!
There is one exception, however. You did not cover getting the rails in the same plane. This was, for me, the most uncertain part and one one of, if not the most, the more critical parts.
That said, I'll be incorporating your design in my next flattening adventure.
Yeah I should've talked more about that. Oh well, that's for the next one!
Thanks for the tips and a couple of "OF COURSE!" moments
Ha you're welcome!
Hey Man, just found your video / Chanel with the Sled for Router. I just finished mine. And I have to say that I am pretty new in Woodwork. Could you give me I tip how deep I should use my Router on the first pass. I have a Makita 3612 C with a 12 mm shaft and a 50,8 mm cutting ( 2 inches diameter ). But I’m not to sure how far I should go on a 2… inches Cherry with Epoxy. Thanks for any tip / help and best regards from Germany. Frank😊
Nicely done video with good explanations of "why" things should be done.
Glad it was helpful! I'm the kind of person that wants to know the why for everything so I assume other people want to know it too.
One of the best explanations and uses for a sled.
I will say though, that the reaching over the blade of the table saw to cut the long runner to prevent it from falling on the floor instead of using an out feed support looked rather dicey.
Thanks! And yes I need to come up with a better out feed solution. Right now it's just roller stands
Found this just in time! I am just about ready to kill down some red maple🍁 and hickory slabs for Christmas gifts! Thanks for the content!!!
Sounds fun! Good luck!
Great advice. Excellent vid, thank you. From Missouri
Nice one dude! Great video, I need to upgrade my router sled so I’m glad I randomly came across your video, I wasn’t even searching for it 😂🤙🏻
I’m about to get my first router….thank you for these tips!
Love your presentation. Clear, low key and very direct. An observation to improve the sled is that the sides of the sled need not be so high. That seems cumbersome. I attached L shaped aluminum angle “iron” to far less tall sled sides. The router slides much more easily on the aluminum surface. Again thanks for a very nice low key instructional video. Ciao!
Good point. The sides really don't need to be that tall!
@@EveningWoodworker The taller the better for the sides, within reason. The taller they are the less sagging there will be in the middle of the sled. Not really an issue if flattening narrow slabs but the wider they are the stiffer the sled needs to be. Great tip about joining the sides to the base that way!
Would you consider making a video about how to set up the rails properly?
Enjoyed your information! I am trying to get this router sled business solved.
But man wax inside of the sled,,,minimizing any jerking or hesitation with the router. That’s where the minwax really works well.
Awesome video, thanks for taking the time explaining the details
Excellent points. Thanks for taking the time to share this.
Good advice mate I'll take that onboard thanks.
Happy woodworking ❤
Thanks, you too!
Excellent video.!
I made my first sled using discarded angle iron (because that is what I had laying around) and a couple pieces of 2x4. But same basic concept. The iron was nice and straight so I avoided the subtle problems you explained with wood and screws. But I might have to go wood for my biggest piece. This will save me some learning the hard way.
And a 2" carbide bit! You can find them with 1/2" shank on Amazon for
Thanks! Yeah that angle iron can be pretty sturdy
@@EveningWoodworker Just what I had laying around.. : )
@@EveningWoodworker But I made sure to add end stops. A 2" bit @ x1000 rpm hitting metal probably is not a good thing : )
Very useful information and educational. Thank you for sharing.❤
Wow great vid have two slabs , been watching a ton if vids your info makes the most sense . Can’t wait to get started thank you for your time and information.
I'm glad it helped!
I like a vid that makes me go "DOH! Of course!"
Sensible actions explained very clearly. Greatly appreciated, thanks.
Also ... a YT vid with no dislikes? Amazingly rare.
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!
I actually learned a lot from your video . I have 3 projects to finish for family members so I’m taking my time . Thanks for your very educational video .
Glad it helped!
Great tips before my first attempt!! Thanks
Simple Kudos on a good presentation Thank you Tim D
I think you've saved me some headaches! Gonna plane a thick slab of padauk for an instrument, and it needs to be as close to perfect as I can get it.
Thanks!
Glad it helped! Sounds like it's gonna be beautiful!
@@EveningWoodworker It worked! Beautifully. Did the job today.
Parfait. Très bonnes explications et compréhensibles. Bravo !!
Many helpful tips provided.
Thank you.
i made my sled from two bars of angle iron for my router base to glide through. works really well and no worries about index variation
Nice, that would work well too
@@EveningWoodworker as long as the angle iron is straight am-i-right? haha. nice work though, I really enjoyed your video.
You answered a lot of questions I had, and save me time and money avoiding some of these mistakes. Thx
Glad it helped!
well done. totally enjoyed it. common sense stuff that i would have missed
Loads of good obvious-not-so-obvious info. Thanks
I never thought of the minute expansion of the base of the sled. My instinct (bad experience, rather) tells me to do it like the way you're suggesting.
Your method is both scientific and practical (and considering good relationship with your neighbours is a bonus!) - thank you for pointing that out.
Thanks! I try to be logical when I can! 😀
Good information. I've never seen these details covered in other videos. Well done.
Thanks! Glad it's helpful!
Absolutely great tips! I have one suggestion that you might find interesting… try holding or fixing the router to the sled temporarily, and move the sled length wise. Count the number of passes. Bet it’s less than 1/3 of going across the width! Just try it once and you might be amazed as you’re cutting with the grain too!
Good idea... I may try that next time. Just gotta make sure everything slides well!
@@EveningWoodworker that butter smooth action you didn’t really cared for 😉 might come handy. Awesome video and awesome point made by Darrel Reed
There are fewer passes, but each pass is longer in length. Time wise isn’t it roughly the same thing?
@@jungko9031I’d argue it may take even longer, since you would have to release the router and fix it back in position after each pass, whereas it’s much quicker to just move the slide a little bit
Cutting with the grain is best in my experience. It eliminates the use of a belt sander and makes sanding much easier.
Very helpful as I haven't yet used a router sled but will be doing so shortly.
Good luck! They're pretty handy
you gave me a lot of good tips on the router sled.
Thank you Jared great info I was about to pay $300 for a sled now I’m pinching the left over building materials from our home and making one
I’m a retired CET take care and stay safe🇨🇦
Nice! You can do it!
Thanks. Maybe I missed it but why pocket holes vs just screwing from bottom into sides?
Either one would work, but pocket holes ensure your bottom surface remains totally smooth and untouched
you share useful experiences
Thanks! Glad it helped
Outstanding video. Well done.
Thank you!
Thats an intelligent and helpful video. Good job.
Glad you liked it!
Thank you for your pragmatic information for making it simple to construct an efficient flattening sled. This was tremendously helpful. 👍👍
Great! I'm glad it helped
brilliant tips and even better explanation!
I always like when I learn something. Thanks🤠
You bet!
Video was well done with a lot of good info.
Thanks!
First video of yours that I have watched. You got a new subscriber. Thanks.
Welcome aboard!