legenddc Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fcschoenthal Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 I make my sled runners, as even quality steel bars usually need some tweaking to get a perfect fit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 If you’re busy, buy. If your not, build/make… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Von Posted April 22 Report Share Posted April 22 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). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted April 23 Report Share Posted April 23 I don't remember where, but I've seen pre-made UHMW plastic runners for sale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted April 24 Author Report Share Posted April 24 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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