Crosscut sled for router table?
Hi,
I did a search on here and woodnet for a crosscut sled used on a router table but didn't come up with anything. So has anyone used a crosscut sled on their router table? I work with different materials often and I've been using my sliding table to crosscut pieces and then router down the edges. But the angles don't always come out right and its hard to edge up a 6' *2' piece when your doing it on the 2' side without a sled. I've got some ideas but wondering if anyone has tackled this already. I'm still thinking about how to incorporate using different router bits but still support the work piece as close to the cutter as possible.
I just order a bench dog promax table and lift and plan to attach a long table to the left of it. I'm strictly going to be using this for crosscutting so I was thinking of lowering the promax with respect to the extension tables and leaving the sled on top of the promax on a permanent basis.
Any ideas?
I too think that most go to hand held for your application
I'm not sure how much positive input I can provide but the first thing that came to mind was that the operation you describe was with a 6 X 2 foot piece and it would just be done with a hand held router. I am just putting together my third router table, first one was years ago, second shop built. I looked at all the tables, accessories, and so on. Way to go on that promax choice, excellent foundation. Anyway I ended up with a Jessem Miter-R max fence and it has an option for a pretty hefty cross cut set up although not exactly what you decided on. Ultimately though I passed on the cross cut piece.
I guess my point is that I had already decided on an optomized hand held router station that would be sitting there ready to go and convenient and did not find anything commercially available or any DIY plans or examples that beat hand held for the size you are cutting. I would suggest going to patwarner.com and looking over some of his products and especially educational materials. I purchased a Dewalt router that has dust control in the handle and am setting up a drop down hose and have purchased some accessories like a guide and plate from Pat. The router will be plugged in to a Fein vacuum that goes on when you power up whatever is plugged in to it as will be my orbital sander and Festool circular saw. Maybe take a look at the microfence site too. If you use the same roundover most of the time it seems like one of those microfences hooked up to the palm router of choice just ready to go with your fave bit would be a winner in the speed and convenience dept.
If you do end up with a slider that can do the 2 foot edge on that 2 X 6 piece let us know. I'm thinking it would be more like one of the Jessem aftermarket sliding tables for a table saw that a home built rig. Hope any of this was positive. I learned a lot over at Pat Warner's site and really improved my control and accuracy for hand held routing with some relatively inexpensive accessories.
Best of luck, Larry R