Mapleman55 Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 I got a Craftsman table saw and want to make a cross-cut sled. However, the slots on the Craftsman are nnarrower at the top than the bottom. I'd need to rout the tops of the runners thinner on each side of the tops (OK if I had a router!!!!). I called Craftsman Parts Direct and the won't sell the bar stock by itself, have to buy the whole gauge assy for $25.00. I'm looking for enough bar stock to make a couple different jigs, No one in my circle of friends has a router, nor are there any clubs in the area, Any suggestions? Up The Creek without runners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 I think you are talking about T-tracks, which keep the gauge from tipping up out of the slot. Most people just use rectangular runners sized to the smaller width in their sleds, jogs, etc. If you really want T-track stock, you can buy it online from places like Rockler and Woodcraft. I bought a yard of it from McMaster Carr; I find their prices are cheaper for stuff like this because you're not paying for marketing. In other words, they don't say, "This is good for making jigs for your woodworking table saw." They say "We sell aluminum extrusion sin the following shapes." EDIT: I couldn't find any T-bar at McMaster-Carr or Rockler, but I did find it at Peachtree. See this thread for lots of info on making runners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Are you saying you have "t" slot miter slots? You dont need to cut them t shaped for a crossucut sled. If you want to buy runners and they are standard width you can get them at just about any woodworking store. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Mapleman - if you google "craftsman table saw miter slot" you should find some relevant posts. It looks like more than a few people have been hit by this. The 2 most common approaches, from what I can see, are: - file or grind the little nibs off - shape the runner to match the existing shape of the slots. I think either way you're in for some work, since the slots do not seem to be standard size at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Use baltic birch ply. Edge plane it for a snug fit on YOUR saw. I know this suggestion sounds weird, but I know several woodworking schools in the Northeast that use BB runners, one is relatively famous and in Boston, and they stay snug for-ev-er... Why? 1/2 of the edge is END GRAIN, the hardest of grain orientation. Besides being hard, the end grain will hold wax, which will burnish into a HARD, smooth, very stable, runner surface. The first time I heard this, it was counterintuitive to me, too... try it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Another option would be to use some high density plastic cut to the width and thickness of the miter tracks. Screw these to the bottom of the sled and it works really well. Slides real smooth, doesn't expand or contract with the seasons. All you would need to cut this would be your table saw. The plastic machines and cuts similar to wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted January 5, 2012 Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 If you want metal ones call rockler or incra and see if theirs will work. My understanding is the slot on the craftsman is .074 which is how wide the incra ones are before adjusting to fit a standard slot. They are real loose on my PM prior to adjusting out. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mapleman55 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Thanks for the feedback folks. Yes it is a T-track, my bad ... wasn't thinking straight after getting off the horn with Sears; was quite PO'd! Thanks again, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsiard Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 I have used a few different materials with equal success, quarter sawn oak/maple, aluminum/steel bar stock and uhmw. I use the uhmw almost exclusively now, its relatively cheap, easy to work and is very stabil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davestanton Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 For those not in the know, what is uhmw? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 For those not in the know, what is uhmw? ultra high molecular weight plastic. It's very slick and stable with temp/humidity changes. Makes for great runners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I've used UMHW, too... It's good, but it's not as easy to attach, wears, and isn't available exactly to fit your saw's slots. Try the BB ply, milled to your slots, sometime for super long lasting extreme accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNiessen Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 I made simple hardwood runners in a similiar situation. Then coated them with a water base poly and sanded smooth. They are holding up nicely and seem smoother then the raw wood. Waxing helps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted January 11, 2012 Report Share Posted January 11, 2012 24" aluminum miter slot bars $13 at Rockler - Winter Clearance Sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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