How to Cut Sled foot for Workbench

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  • WY
    Forum Newbie
    • Feb 2004
    • 28
    • Irvine, CA.

    How to Cut Sled foot for Workbench

    I'm considering building a workbench but aren't able to find information on cutting the curves for the sled feet. Whats the best way to cut the curved top part and recessed bottom part? Landis' Workbench Book shows someone doing the bottom portion (recessed part in the middle) on a jointer, which I dont have. Bandsaw? Thanks.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by WY; 04-19-2006, 11:38 AM.
    - William Yeh
  • JR
    The Full Monte
    • Feb 2004
    • 5633
    • Eugene, OR
    • BT3000

    #2
    Hi William,

    Yes, a bandsaw would be best.

    Alternatively, if those feet are made of several 3/4" boards laminated togetther, you could make a template and shape all boards with a router. You'd want to cut them to near the right shape with a jig saw, then finish up with a router.

    JR
    JR

    Comment

    • AlanJ
      Established Member
      • Feb 2006
      • 150
      • Rochester, MN
      • BT3100

      #3
      The other advantage of making them out of several pieces is that you can construct/route the mortices for the legs, rather than having to drill them out.
      Alan

      Comment

      • LCHIEN
        Super Moderator
        • Dec 2002
        • 21459
        • Katy, TX, USA.
        • BT3000 vintage 1999

        #4
        http://www.houseoftools.com/product.htm?pid=12862

        I made the bottom foot of laminated 3/4" material.
        Then I mark a rounded corner with a corner template like above link. ( I think you can buy individual ones noit the whole set for about $5, I use the one with 1" and 1-1/2" radii all the time, don't miss the others). You can always use a jar or can for the larger radii.
        I cut it close with a bandsaw then use the oscillating spindle sander to smooth out the rest.

        I put two feet together bottom to bottom and clamp them.
        Then I drill two holes, maybe 1-1/2" diameter that are centered on the line where they meet.

        Then separate the feet and you have two semicircular notches.
        Use a bandsaw with a 1/4" blade and you can cut top of notch to top of notch to get the recess. rest the top of the foot against the BS rip fence, silde the fence over so the blade is snug in the notch, then you can rip straight to the top of the other notch.
        Last edited by LCHIEN; 04-20-2006, 12:35 AM.
        Loring in Katy, TX USA
        If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
        BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

        Comment

        • WY
          Forum Newbie
          • Feb 2004
          • 28
          • Irvine, CA.

          #5
          Thank you for the responses. The information will be very useful.
          - William Yeh

          Comment

          • RickCarpenter
            Forum Newbie
            • Jan 2006
            • 48
            • Huntsville, East Texas.

            #6
            You may wish to consider making some foot pads out of cedar. Lesser worries about moisture, but more importantly softer, grippier contact with the floor. Plus, it's mo bettah to adjust the thickness of feet like this than to make shims etc for uneven or unlevel floors. You could use a belt sander for the adjustments.

            Rick

            Comment

            • meika123
              Senior Member
              • Dec 2002
              • 887
              • Advance, NC, USA.
              • BT3000

              #7
              I just built mine with the top radius cut, and then glued and nailed feet onto the bottom of the bases similar to what Norm did on his work table.
              Hey--it works.

              Dave in NC
              Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.

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