Table Saw Crosscut Sled

sprague lake, estes park, colorado, 09.19.2004

Table Saw Crosscut Sled My original crosscut sled wasn't bad, but I needed something that could handle wider boards. There were many good crosscut sled ideas posted on woodnet and I knew I had to build a new one. Mine is pretty simple, but it is accurate and meets my current needs. It will cut just over 24" wide panels. I made it out of C3 birch plywood, and walnut and red oak scraps. I threw a coat of danish oil on it for a simple finish.
With my first sled, I had to tweak the runners to try and square it to the blade. This was trial and error and I wanted a better way with my new sled. I came up an the idea to make the rear fence adjustable. I put one screw on the far right of the fence. Then I drilled an oversized hole in the plywood for the lag bolt. This allowed me to adjust the fence before adding the final screws. I didn't glue the fence, so I can adjust it in the future if needed.
With my old sled, I had to use a tape measure every time to dial in crosscuts. With my new sled, I installed utili-track that allowed me to put on an adhesive right-to-left tape.
I made a simple stop block and adjusted the tape to read on the left of it.
A closer view of the sled.