my sled seems very sturdy, and stays under both rollers at all times. it is a solid piece of 12x2x18 with a carved out region just a tad bigger than the boards i use to cut into (3.5x5.5x.25). the "breaking bits" part of it has nothing to do with the issue i am trying to resolve (precise and deliberate "notching" while cutting in y direction). i used the wrong bit for the job because i must be dyslexic (the machine asked for a carving bit and i inserted a cutting bit in it) hence it snapped.