How can I build a bomber miter sled?

[CptanPanic]

Well with the change over to the new forum, I can not longer view the old pictures. Does anyone have pictures for a bomber miter sled, or any other miter sleds you would recommend?
Thanks,
CP

[Stytooner]

There is a photo of mine in use here.

http://www.leestyron.com/chesstable1.php

Scroll down the page some.

Pappy has a nice one as does Rod, Ryan and several others that I have seen.

[Pappy]

Cut mine apart last week to get the fences off. Hopefully they will be mounted to the new version today.

[CptanPanic]

Pappy,
Take some detailed pics when you finish your new sled.
Thanks,
CP

[RodKirby]

Dark side version

Worthwhile building - takes all the pain away.

[L. D. Jeffries]

Nice looking jig. What or how is it riding on the table top? I've built one but like yours better and would like to copy it.

[CptanPanic]

Ok so I have a question, when you attach the two pieces to the top, how do you align them? I just finished a quick prototype and the right piece's miter was a saw kerf longer than the left. Which means my intersection wasn't exactly in the middle of the saw kerf. So how did you guys do it?
Thanks,
CP

[RodKirby]

Ok so I have a question, when you attach the two pieces to the top, how do you align them? I just finished a quick prototype and the right piece's miter was a saw kerf longer than the left. Which means my intersection wasn't exactly in the middle of the saw kerf. So how did you guys do it?
Thanks,
CP

I hope this makes sense:

Step 1

• Cut the base to size
• Accurately mount the miter slot runners underneath the base(needs a topic on it's own)
• Mount the sled and cut the kerf as far into the sled as you want it.

Step 2

• Make the miter fences - including gluing sandpaper on them.
• Using an ordinary miter fence, cut the ends of the fences at 45° (or as close as you can)
• With the new sled on the table saw draw it back until the point at which you want to mount the fences doesn't reach the saw blade.
• Using ONE of the new fences, yellow glue it as accurately as you can to the sled. Align it to the saw blade at 135°. Position the mitered end as close to half way into the (empty) saw kerf, as you can. Tip: use weights to "clamp" it in position
• When the glue dries (say 2 hours), carefully turn the whole thing over and screw thru the base to permanently attach this fence.

Step 3

• Position the sled on the saw table (now with only one fence attached), pull the sled back so it's not near the blade and...
• Position and glue the second fence (at 90° to the first fence) so it's TOUCHING the first - the points should meet. The 90° alignment is CRITICAL, not whether the the ends of the fences are a perfect match.
• Once again, turn the whole thing over and screw the second fence to the sled.
• You will now have both fences meeting (and aligned).

Step 4

• Mount the sled (back from the blade) and turn it on.
• Move the sled toward the blade slowly and let it cut the kerf in the fences - the blade can handle the sandpaper if you've used it.

[Pappy]

In progress pictures are forthcoming. Lost most of today working on the Airstream. Eldest will be home tomorow and I had to get it so he can use it as a bedroom. The power convertor/battery charger is shot but I was able to get the 110 power working right.

[Otter]

FAQ candidate.

Great instructions Rod...

Simple and clean, like every thing else you do.

Thank you.....

[jarhead]

Rod,
That's a nice miter sled - ShopNotes featured a similar sled one or two issues ago.

[CptanPanic]

You are right, I looked it up on the Shopnotes site, and it was issue #85 http://www.shopnotes.com/main/sn85-toc.html . It looks just like Pappy's. Anyone have that issue to scan the article?

[jarhead]

You are right, I looked it up on the Shopnotes site, and it was issue #85 http://www.shopnotes.com/main/sn85-toc.html . It looks just like Pappy's. Anyone have that issue to scan the article?

I can scan it for you as long as you can wait a week or two.

[CptanPanic]

Sounds good.