Making a Cross Cut Sled

[Sean Troy]

Is there any reason not to use hard wood to make the front and rear fence on a cross cut sled? Thanks, Sean

[Alan Gan]

To me it would only be the cost.

[Lonnie Gallaher]

I think the whole idea with shop jigs and appliances is to use what is available. And what will be best for the application.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I have been using 8/4 oak for the front and rear fences on my cross cut sleds.

[Sean Troy]

Good to know. I wasn't sure if stability was an issue or not. Thanks for the help, Sean

[Art Mann]

I used 6/4 poplar on my sled for front and back. It has been in service for many years with no problems.

[Matthew Hills]

Best use I found for my first special board I had bought.
(purple heart, on monthly special from Woodcraft)

[Jay Jolliffe]

8/4 Mahogany for mine. Only because I had it left over from making 19 doors.

[Sean Troy]

I've got some 8/4 walnut and 8/4 Cherry. Either one be better than the other?

[Art Mann]

Choose the wood with the straightest grain and least knots. Choose quarter sawn if you have it. That will reduce the possibility of warping.

[Mark W Pugh]

I used two pieces of 3/4 ply, glued together, I had lying around. May not be aesthetically appeasing to the eye, but it works for me. It is a shop jig.

[Sean Troy]

Went with 8/4 walnut with pretty straight grain. Planed it down to flat and straight. We'll see how the rest goes. Still have to make the runners and I think I'll use some oak for those. Didn't have any ply for the fences.

[Art Mann]

I think it is worthwhile to buy aluminum or UHMW plastic runners rather than using wood. I used UHMW on my last sleds and it worked out well. No matter how carefully you make wooden runners, they may either be tight during the winter or loose during the summer or both. Changes in humidity will change the dimension just enough so they they won't always fit perfectly. If you go with wood, try to select a piece that is quarter sawn.

[Sean Troy]

I think it is worthwhile to buy aluminum or UHMW plastic runners rather than using wood. I used UHMW on my last sleds and it worked out well. No matter how carefully you make wooden runners, they may either be tight during the winter or loose during the summer or both. Changes in humidity will change the dimension just enough so they they won't always fit perfectly. If you go with wood, try to select a piece that is quarter sawn.

I will be using quarter sawn white oak. A big part of the fun of making this for myself is using wood for the entire project. I'm learning different techniques as I go along. I'm sure someday in the future, I'll build one and use some of the more sturdy componants.

[jack forsberg]

all my saw fixtures are made of rosewood and brass. many a hand tool made with that in the past.