Dmar Posted November 7, 2016 Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 Just built my first cross cut sled. It cuts 90 degrees after the 5 cut test. But it doesn't slide very well on the table saw. Sticks as I push it across the saw. The runners slide fine in the tracks when not on the sled. I tried using the a sharpie to check for wear but I can't push it through enough to get any wear. Any ideas on what I did wrong? Thanks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 7, 2016 Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 Did you wax the runners and your saw top? Welcome to the forums! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post treeslayer Posted November 7, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 I'm guessing wood slides? its possible that there is a slight bend when you installed them, possible misalignment of the runners is also a consideration. did you screw the sled to the runners then it was on top of the saw? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted November 7, 2016 Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 Agree with treeslayer. If they aren't glued now, remove your runners, ensure the still slide freely. If so, shim with dimes or something so they are just proud of the table top. Add AC glue then lower the sled material using the TS fence as a guide. Once the Ac glue has dried, flip the assembly upside down, drill pilot holes (don't reuse old screw holes) and screw the runners into place. Wax, repeat your 5 cut adjustments and you should be good to go. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmar Posted November 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 Didn't now about wax. What kind? I screwed the sled to the runners when it was on top of the saw with the runners in the tracks. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted November 7, 2016 Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 Wax, what kind you got? One of those dinner candles your wife only puts out at thanksgiving will work fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chet Posted November 7, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 7, 2016 Johnson paste wax will work or any paste wax that doesn't have silicone in it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardA Posted November 8, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 Buy a can of Johnsons paste wax, wax the runners, the bottom of the sled and the saw top. You'll find a ton of uses for that wax, especially hand tools, chisels, planes any bare metal surface. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 Didn't now about wax. What kind? I screwed the sled to the runners when it was on top of the saw with the runners in the tracks. Thanks The runners may have shifted when you screwed them in ever so slightly, but enough to cause them to bind. Using the AC glue locks your runners into place so they are less likely to shift when you screw them down. Finishing Paste wax the big box will have it in the paint department. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Also, Screwed from bottom or top not important as long as the runners don't move on you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Edgar Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 I also sand and put a few coats of poly on the underside. Make sure to tape off the runners. After two or three coats, wet sand with 220 grit and if the runners are not binding, the sled will glide across the table saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted November 8, 2016 Report Share Posted November 8, 2016 On 11/7/2016 at 3:49 PM, Dmar said: Didn't now about wax. What kind? I screwed the sled to the runners when it was on top of the saw with the runners in the tracks. Thanks I prefer Johnson's Paste Wax but, that is because I have it ;-) You could rub the runners with Gulf wax as well if you have that handy. The runners may be fine individually. Mounted to the sled the become a fixed pair. The way you attached them (while in the slots) tells me you're pretty darn close to dead on (in that position). If the miter slots are not parallel there will be binding as you move forward and back. I have a few sleds but, one of them has got to be 10 years old. I'll speak to how I finished it up. I used baltic birch ply, finished with a couple of coats of shellac and then I paste waxed the bottom and rails. I have touched up the wax something like annually or whenever I am doing my cast iron surfaces. The shellac has never worn through which surprises me. Probably because it stays well lubed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 I had the same problem. Someone on here suggested that after I put the sled bottom down on the double sided taped runners, move it in and out and make sure it slides. Maybe it was some kind of microadjustment that needed to be made but that was the first time out of 5 sleds where I was able to fully tighten the screws in the runners because otherwise the sled wouldn't budge. Also, I switched from Incra runners to Rockler. May have been the difference as well. I had very bad luck with the Incra ones. Could be my runners were bent slightly as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted November 9, 2016 Report Share Posted November 9, 2016 I assume you have a table saw with two tee slots? They may be slightly out of parallel relative to each other. In that case remove one of the runners from your sled. You don't need two as double runners have a tendancy to bind because of the slots being out of alignment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmar Posted November 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 Thanks for all the tips. I tried the wax and it totally solved the problem. Slides great. Thanks again! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 10, 2016 Report Share Posted November 10, 2016 16 minutes ago, Dmar said: Thanks for all the tips. I tried the wax and it totally solved the problem. Slides great. Thanks again! Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted November 11, 2016 Report Share Posted November 11, 2016 That's what we do here, we help each other! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eli28 Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 Are they wood runners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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