Dnorris1369 Posted February 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 GotchaSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 These are worth the cost. I just wish they made some longer ones. No worry about swelling, and last for decades. http://www.incra.com/product_jfc_miterslider.htm They've come out with some newer models since I bought the ones I'm using now. If I was buying some now, I'd get these: http://www.incrementaltools.com/INCRA_Miter_Slider_SE_25_5_p/ims2se.htm I'd like to have one this fancy, but so far, it must not have been worth the time it takes to make one. Something very simple can do a lot of accurate work. http://www.incra.com/images/buildit_miterslider_pic2_zoom.jpg I do recommend the 5 cut method. While I was thinking about it, I found that Rockler offers some longer ones:http://www.rockler.com/rockler-18-24-aluminum-miter-bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 I'd shy away from rocklers adjusters are to far apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 ERIC, I think your earlier post was correct however, I think your second post with the diagram is exactly opposite of what you mean isn't it? It seems to me that the expansion/contraction would be greater in what you call the "correct" orientation on the right side of the picture than it would be on the left side which you call the wrong way to orient the grain. I may be wrong on this. Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 9, 2014 Report Share Posted February 9, 2014 Think about the direction in which these boards will expand and contract...then visualize them in a miter slot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewitteridder Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I agree that MDF is too soft and will be ground away in no time. I use plastic runners and they work great. I also found that after attaching the runners that the sled tended to always bind up during the travel along the miter slots. Marc's technique using a sharpie to mark the sides of the runners to see where it is rubbing is a really good tip. If you have a shoulder plane you can easily cut away the offending areas. I made mine before i got a should plane and i used a chisel to scrap away the offending areas which worked well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Given the low cost of the Incra or other metal runners and the increased accuracy that is the way to go. I have several jigs with these on them, some get cannabilized for the next jig others get a new pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 My absolutely favorite way to make runners is 1/4" birch plywood, milled to fit your slots. The bearing surfaces end up being end grain, and burnish rock hard after being waxed and used, and it's super stable. They last for years, even in school and commercial use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 You need to add a caveat to this statement in my opinion. They work well if they are a really tight fit to the slot, if the slot is oversize, then you are relying on the nylon bushings to keep them snug. That can be a problem at times, because you might only have one or two in the slot. Given the low cost of the Incra or other metal runners and the increased accuracy that is the way to go. I have several jigs with these on them, some get cannabilized for the next jig others get a new pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 If you want great miter bars buy the rocklers. Take out the plastic screws and throw them away. Buy ball plungers to replace the plastic screws. The mistake people make with dual runner sleds is actually caring. What I mean is the only part that matters with a dual runner sled it the right side of the right bar and the left side of the left bar. Or the inside edge of each bar, the ball plungers prevent racking and reduce friction. For single runner sleds I would only use metal and just peen the edge with a punch. I do this with all my miter gauges and have for years and they stay perfect for many years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Not sure of the brand of my runners, but they have a Allen adjustment that spreads the bar slightly until it fits snugly and still slides. I just looked online and the Incra comes in 2 lengths 18" and 25" . The adjustment is not a nylon bushing sticking out, the bar gets wider as you tighten the Allen screw. There is also a steel version that costs a bit more but unless you were planning on setting up a production run it is probably not what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 My vote is to build your sled and use high density plastic for the runners. They don't swell through the seasons and provide nice smooth movement through the miter tracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnorris1369 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Well it ain't pretty and I said a few dirty words. But I cut 5 boards and they were all square Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 "and they were all square" That's the part that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewitteridder Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Well it ain't pretty and I said a few dirty words. But I cut 5 boards and they were all square Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Congrats on finishing it!! I definitely said many swear words while making mine as well =) I think that's just part of wood working Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Nicely done! And it didn't cost you what the Incra would have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 11, 2014 Report Share Posted February 11, 2014 Yeah getting that fence to cooperate can be an exercise in patience for sure. But it's critical that it be perfect, so it's worth the frustration. Is it me or is your blade on backwards? Might as well upgrade while you got the arbor nut off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 The only professional way to get anything to fit is to swear at the damn thing!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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