my improved sled

[lawrence]

After quite a bit of reading and comments lately on the subject of sleds, I thought I'd show y'all mine. I've made some recent improvements. A couple of you will be happy to hear that my sled requires no masking tape for the sensors now! I know I've been promising I'd post pics about this for a while now but I wanted to get my improvements done before I showed it. I do plan to make another that is less "robust" as I over-engineered this one a bit. With the new "four-inch" stretchers on the ends, I shoudn't have to worry about racking and could make the whole assembly much lighter without comprimising strength.



The sled is basically a long "U" shape that has an inner "floor" that can be raised and lowered to accommodate different thicknesses of materials. The "floor" rides on 4 bolts which can all be loosened and then tightened to the correct material thickness. To do so, I loosen all four and then hold the material up to each corner and tighten the bolt appropriately.


This pic shows the grooves for the bolts.


This shows the inside- the lower "square" holds the nut that the carriage bolt tightens into. I'll use threaded taps on my next version but I will say that the extra thickness does keep the piece from racking too much.


To use the sled I put the piece to be carved into the center with double stick tape (It hasn't failed me yet... very tough stuff as I use the kind woodturners use) I carved marks showing the center of the sled with my CW-- this makes lining up the piece in the center very easy. I then put the sled all the way to the right with the left side "four-inch rail" under the sensor. I then just use the sled as normal, ensuring I use "center" for everything. Perhaps there is a better way to do all this, but it works for me and there is no loss of material.

Let me know if you have questions,
Lawrence

[ladjr]

As usual Lawrence you have hit a home run. Great sled.

[SharonB]

Lawrence... that is a nice looking sled and practical too. That would certainly eliminate having to have so many sleds. I'll have to keep your sled in mind when I do my next one.

[fwharris]

Lawrence,

Thanks for getting this posted for us! Great job!

[badbert]

It looks like it all can be built by the carvewright. I am so disappointed that there are no carvings on it! Carvewright Logo on the side or something! A masterpiece like that needs to be dressed up. With a sacrificial board that sled could be the last sled we have to build. Drop a new piece of luan in, carve the ruler, and ready to go! That is an awesome project.

[tierman]

Lawrence,
Thanks so much for posting with pics and explanations! Gives me a couple of ideas to use with my"slabs" as sometimes they are not perfectly uniform in thickness. With your adjustability in the "z"axis I may be able to not worry about thicknes as long as they are mounted "flat on the cutting surface. Thanks again.
Roger

[Chay]

Thats a great looking sled. I hope you don't mine me making one like it.
I guess I coulds use a frame on the bottom instead of solid plywood.
Whay size did you make it?
Best regards.
Chay

[Smoken D]

Here is mine. I use 3/4" and 1/2" MDF for the end 4". The top sled was my first and the bottom the second. On that second just have the end's fixed so they slide off the tracks and able to switch thickness depending on the project.
You made me think and wonder if using a strip of sticky 220 grit sandpaper instead of masking tape might work well? Just don't let Al hear that

[mtylerfl]

The adjustable floor/thickness idea is ingenious! Very cool, Lawrence. Thank you for posting this.

[SteveEJ]

Question: So to use the sled(s) that are measured the same lengths, you place the part to be carved in the proper position in Designer relative to X=0 and Y=0? So based on what I am seeing then the start of the carved part is X=4 (or there abouts) and y=0.5 (or there abouts) correct?

Thanks,