Crosscut/Panel/Miter Sled

[Ed in Tampa]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but on Ebay item # 280148645926 there is offered for sale a very interesting Crosscut/panel/mitre sled.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280148645926&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=150156315242&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

I was wondering if anyone had bought this sled and/or if anyone has built one similar to it? If so tells us about it.

I think the sled is a perfect for a SS because of the replaceable kerf inserts which they mention in the write up. I also like the idea of being able to use it for box joints and I'm sure there are other uses.

If you haven't seen it try the link if that doesn't work go to Ebay.com and search on 280148645926.

please post your impressions and your opinion of the sled and any ideas for other uses.

Ed

[alaskanexile]

Ed,
Haven't bought one yet but, it's sure nuff on my wish list. Looks like the read deal.
Roger

[dickg1]

Wow! I've look at a number of ready builts and plans. I have not seen one that I could buy or build for the price with the features demonstrated. Unless someone comes up with some definite negatives, this one is on my buy list for this month.

Dickg1

[charlese]

...
Please post your impressions and your opinion of the sled and any ideas for other uses.
Ed

O.K. Here's my idea(s) regarding a sled and a miter sled.

When I miter, I almost always do 45 deg's. Occasionally, a few 22.5's. Since I have a Shopsmith "Miter Pro" for 45s and it is flawless, and since I've never cut a 45 on a panel, there is no need for a 45 deg. sled.

Incidentally, the Miter Pro is on a special via E-mail.

When cutting 22.5 degrees I find the SS miter gauge quite adequate for the 2 to 3 inch boards I cut at that angle. (Picture frames- no panels)

When I use a sled, it is for cutting square panels. Therefore I find my homemade sled (which cuts perfectly square) is adequate for my needs. It cost little to make (maybe $10) and lasts for a few years. I got the "knowledge" to build this sled from the New Yankee Workshop" (I happened to tape his two shows on Jigs. There are tapes and plans of these shows available from www.newyankeeworkshop.com There is an alphabetical listing of projects. This one is called "Jigs" Maybe it is almost as good as Nick's book on Jigs.

[a1gutterman]

My thoughts are Wow! Great design. Looks like it is very versitile. I find it very hard to not use a sled ever since I started. My first was an self-built one that did not have anything like this one's capabilities and I used it all the time. If I had not already purchased the Incra Mitersled 5000, I would probably buy this one. (It is USA made!)

[reible]

I went out and looked at the system they have. It does look interesting! It is some what of a platform system. Being able to put the part in to cut 45 deg parts, the finger joint idea, the slots for added clamping...

I sure wish I could see one in real life to see just how they did some of the things... the replaceable insert looks like a nice feature especially if doing dado cuts. It was unclear to me how this works on the ends, like when doing the finger joints???

I would think most people here could take what they see and make something close to that if they wanted to. In other words I don't see any magic to it.

I'm still waiting on the miter-express I ordered back in early June... still backorder I was told. That will have a few advantages over this jig in some respects but then this jig will have a few plus features over the incra. While on the incra subject have you been to the site and seen the Jigs and Fixture components they now offer?
http://www.incra.com/product_buildit_main.htm

No mention of bars for the shopsmith... but since they have the two versions of the miter system maybe those pieces would work???

If anyone does get this please let us know more about it and how it works for you.

Ed

[dusty]

Both of these look really impressive, especially the Incra version. However, I wonder how long they would really retain their value as a precision device on the Shopsmith with its tilting table and adjustable quill.

It seems to me that one would have to recheck the table and the quill every time the sled is put back on the SS. This is not terribly bad, in itself. The problem occurs when one fails to complete this check accurately.

Now I know that some of you, maybe many of you, never do dumb things like that but I do.

[Ed in Tampa]

Both of these look really impressive, especially the Incra version. However, I wonder how long they would really retain their value as a precision device on the Shopsmith with its tilting table and adjustable quill.

It seems to me that one would have to recheck the table and the quill every time the sled is put back on the SS. This is not terribly bad, in itself. The problem occurs when one fails to complete this check accurately.

Now I know that some of you, maybe many of you, never do dumb things like that but I do.

Dusty I think this is beauty of the Crosscut/panel/mitre sled I referrenced. One oops doesn't destroy the sled you merely replace the replacable kerf pieces and try again.

To me that has been the weak spot of every sled, mitre gauge and etc. sold for the SS so far. Each one seemed to ignore the fact that SS saw blade could move right or left depending on headstock and arbor position. If you opps'ed any previous sled you widened the kerf and if done enough times virtually eliminated any benefit of zero clearance. On this sled when the kerf gets widened either intentionally or by accident you merely remove the old kerf pieces and install new.

The thing I wish is SS would have manufactured and sold this themselves. It seems like those in SS R&D aren't thinking of things that normal woodworkers want, things I consider basic. A while back there was some talk about an outfeed table that raised and lowered with the main table. I personally believe SS is missing the boat every time another day goes by that they haven't brought this to market.
Ed