rodger. Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 After dozens of picture frames, I think I finally wore out my miter saw sled. Upon planning a new one, I was thinking about using some premade metal runners for the new sled. I do have some quarter sawn white oak in the scrap bin, so I could use that. Anyone use these before? Are they worth the cost and effort? http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=65247&cat=1,43455 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Before I opened the link I had $15 for a pair in my head as a price I'd be willing to pay. I think I'll stick with hardwood. Holy smokes. I'm sure they work fantastic, but $70 just for a pair of runners? No thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I actually do not like them. They have the little adjusters because they won't fit snuggly in all slots. If you are trying to adjust your mitre sled, do you measure from the bar or the adjusters? If the adjusters, which one is touching? The best fit for your mitre slot is a runner you can fit perfectly to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Crawford Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I have the Incra Miter 3000 - it uses the same miter slot bar in your link. It does work as stated and if the side of your slots are parallel the you can dial out all side to side movement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I have one from rockler, works fine, much much much cheaper than what you linked to. Does have the same potential issues others mentioned above about adjusting the fit, but it works. http://www.rockler.com/rockler-18-24-aluminum-miter-bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted October 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 The cost is not really a deterrent. I will use this sled to make about a hundred frames (or more) in its useful lifetime. I don't mind spending some money upfront to get excellent results and comfort/convience in the long run. That being said, I don't want to waste money either. If these metal runners are no better than QSWO, then I will use the oak and be on my way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 The last time I made runners I used baltic birch ply. Cut them close to proper thickness at the table saw then dialed them in perfect with the drum sander. They're half end grain so they don't really wear, and they're stable so you don't have the tight/loose problems as the seasons change. I'll never go back to hardwood runners now, and I would never waste $70 on metal ones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I am all for spending money upfront to make things easier... That said, just rip a piece of BB ply as Eric suggested. If you don't have a drum sander, you can hand plane BB ply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 1 hour ago, Eric. said: The last time I made runners I used baltic birch ply Had never thought of this, I assumed it would be too soft. Will try this out this weekend, thx for the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elroy Skimms Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 You can buy them directly from Incra for $25/$35 instead of $35/50. I put them on my crosscut sled and they work great. I tried hardwood runners and I had nothing but trouble. It could be the dramatic humidity swings in a North Carolina summer or it could be that I am a terrible woodworker. Honestly, it could have been either one. But I don't regret putting these on my sled. They work flawlessly. -E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 1 hour ago, Mike. said: I used purpleheart runners on my son's desk. We have had a full seasonal humidity cycle and no problems yet. I built the drawers last August (peak humidity here) so went for a really tight fit, knowing it would open up a bit. I used quartersawn cherry (which moves very little) for the drawer sides. I did side hung drawers, so the runners fit into a groove in the cherry sides. I will give BB a try next time around Table saw runners, Mike. Yeah in furniture you don't have much choice...no metal allowed. QS material is your best bet for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Sorry, day drinking again. Unemployment will do that to a man. I just read "runners" without reading the whole thread (or noticing this is jigs and fixtures). On the tablesaw sled I built last week I used QS cherry. I will let you know it holds up. The sled itself is 3/4" baltic birch. Heavy but solid. Unemployment? Since when are you unemployed? Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 What happened mike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Just now, Mike. said: requirered LMAO! Too many pale ales today buddy. Don't cut your fingers off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I am not really unemployed. I am on "garden leave". I took a new job, but my prior employer requirered that I take a paid (by them) leave between jobs so that I can't solicit clients or employees. They are paying me not to compete. How much time off do you have? Hope we can see a bunch of pieces come out of your shop in this time ! Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 1 hour ago, Eric. said: no metal allowed Pocket screws, man, you forgot about those. jk. But seriously, most door hinges are made metal, so there's that. The context was drawers I guess though, now that I realize you're just referring to Mike's confusion, so...yeah. Nevermind. 1 hour ago, Mike. said: The sled itself is 3/4" baltic birch I am about to make a new TS sled, I have 3/4" and 1/2" baltic on hand...I was assuming the 3/4" was the better option, anyone think different? 22 minutes ago, Mike. said: I am not really unemployed. I am on "garden leave". I took a new job, but my prior employer requirered that I take a paid (by them) leave between jobs so that I can't solicit clients or employees. They are paying me not to compete. Would love to get one of those next time I move around...enjoy the time! Can I ask, did you have this pre-arranged in an employment agreement when you took the job, or was it negotiated after the fact? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Just now, JosephThomas said: Pocket screws, man, you forgot about those. jk. But seriously, most door hinges are made metal, so there's that. The context was drawers I guess though, now that I realize you're just referring to Mike's confusion, so...yeah. Nevermind. Um, yeah...I didn't say "no hardware." Finely machined solid brass hinges are A-OK. Just no classless metal slides on fine furniture. Don't hate the player, hate the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Just now, Eric. said: Um, yeah...I didn't say "no hardware." Finely machined solid brass hinges are A-OK. Just no classless metal slides on fine furniture. Don't hate the player, hate the game. What's the cletus-wood version of brass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Brass-plated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 I'd recommend uhmw... I went with it in my last sled. Cheap, fits the miter slots perfectly with no slop, and slides great. I picked it up for other reasons, so I bought the 4 inch wide sheet and sliced off the runners. http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=32045&cat=3,43576,32045 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 1 minute ago, Mike. said: A couple months at least... it is a little up in the air. Right now I am focusing on shop upgrades. I spent almost zero time planning/building out my shop because I was so anxious to build real stuff. Electrician is coming tomorrow to pull a 220/30a circuit for the drum sander that is coming friday. It will take me a day to get it set up. I am adding biesemeyer style rails and a very supercool tools fence to my table saw. I bought a cast iron router table wing that will also go in my TS. Shop reorg/cleaning. I do have 2 projects going (my stickley cabinet and a wall cabinet) but those are on hold until I get my DS and TS projects done. Then I will be building an Ash bathroom vanity. If I can get all that done by Christmas I will be happy. Very cool ! Which drum sander? Let me guess http://woodmasterdrumsanders.com/2675 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Yup. Bigger drum, slower speed, big motor, ridgid construction. I am really looking forward to it. I knew it. Damn I'm good. Way to break away from the 19-38 cult, bud. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 There is some truth to that. The more people have something, the less I want it. I always admired the cow that was off by himself and not fighting the herd for a blade of grass. The 19/38 seems great and people really like it, but the Woodmaster is a better fit for my shop. It can handle some light abrasive planing, and I do have access to nice wide boards It also has a small foot print and I bought the reversing kit. In my small shop that is huge. I can bury the outfeed side in a corner and just use the reverse mode to take a second pass and return the board/panel to the infeed side. 25" is plenty of capacity for what I do. If I ever need a 50" panel, I can domino the two halves together. I agree, way better sander. If I could afford that, that's what I would have also. What did you pay ? Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 28 minutes ago, Mike. said: Its pretty much SOP in my industry. It was part of the standard employment agreement I signed at my last promotion. Cool. Not in mine, although I wish it were, in some ways. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 Single or double drum Mike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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