Miter bars - make or buy?

[legenddc]

I need to make a few different sleds for my table saw and I'm curious if you all tend to make your own miter bars or buy them for your sleds?

Last time I made them and it was challenging. Without moving the table saw fence I found some were too tight and some were too loose. I currently have limited shop time so I was thinking of purchasing some to speed up the project.

[BonPacific]

Nothing wrong with purchasing. I usually make mine just for expediency. They're never perfect right off the saw, but tuning with a quick plane pass or sandpaper gets me a good fit. A couple layers of blue tape will typically take out any slop that develops.

[Tom King]

I made some out of scrap Corian back in the '80's, and those are still good, but they haven't been used but about once a decade.  I buy them if I'm planning far enough ahead, and make them when I'm in a hurry.

[Ronn W]

I make mine out of a harder wood.   If they don't slide nicelyl, I spread some pencil marks on the sides of the bars and slide them back and forth to see where they rub the most and use a card scraper to shave  them a little.  Rinse and repeat unitl happy.

[fcschoenthal]

The last time I had to make a miter bar, I had the same inconsistency issue off of the saw. Then I remembered that on a whim I had bought one of the Bridge City mini planes with the skids (it was cute and under $70). With only minimal fiddling, I was able to dial it in to caliper consistency along the whole length. It's earned it's keep several times since.

[wtnhighlander]

I make my sled runners, as even quality steel bars usually need some tweaking to get a perfect fit.

[BillyJack]

If you’re busy, buy. If your not, build/make…

[Von]

I feel like I've had equal luck time wise going both ways. I bought one steel bar with adjustable ball bearings that I ended up having to add tape to in order to get snug. My homemade oak ones normally need some sanding and waxing, but I haven't had any warping problems I've heard warnings about and have the advantage they are the exact length I want. FWIW, next time I make one I plan to try making it out of UHMW (and am keeping my eye out for an cheap cutting board).

[Mark J]

I don't remember where, but I've seen pre-made UHMW plastic runners for sale.

[legenddc]

On 4/23/2023 at 8:53 AM, Mark J said:

I don't remember where, but I've seen pre-made UHMW plastic runners for sale.

Perhaps these from Peachtree? https://www.ptreeusa.com/ttrack_uhmw.html

 

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

I hate the aluminum bars from the stores. They're a pain to attach. 

Much easier to make some, insert into the miter slots on your saw, add your sled and a little double sticky side tape. Then screw them into place and you're done. 

 

Easier, faster, and better results in my experience. 

[pkinneb]

I make mine out of the faux wood (plastic/wood) they sell at home centers for outdoor trim. works great and can be cut and shaped with power or hand tools.

[BillyJack]

I just made a universal one. I just used Hickory strips. 
 

[legenddc]

On 7/14/2023 at 10:02 PM, pkinneb said:

I make mine out of the faux wood (plastic/wood) they sell at home centers for outdoor trim. works great and can be cut and shaped with power or hand tools.

That's a good idea. I was also thinking of keeping my eye out for a plastic cutting board around the right size.

 

I did end up buying the ones from Peachtree and used it on the picture frame sled that I made. With my limited time in the shop lately it was definitely the way to go.

[BillyJack]

Woodworking shows use to offer a lot of useful shop stuff. Shame their disappearing…