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.

[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.

[eelamb]

Lowes has 2 sided carpet tape that works great. I use the one with the fiber, not the plain 2 sided like scotts tape.

[Sallen1215]

I have a sled similar to this and i plan to rebuild some of it, The "u" box seems like it can be made from 1/2" Baltic birch as opposed to 3/4. This will significantly reduce the weight and if you use the jog to touch then you dont have to worry about the bit missing the rails on the side when measuring.

[lawrence]

Thanks guys- Hope I can answer a couple of questions / clear things up here

1. There isn't really a "plan" for this... sorry... I really winged it as I went along and have added/adjusted it. I do hope to make a sled in the future that will be made of thinner, lighter materials and that will not be so over-engineered. If I can make it so that this sled can fit *broken down into a flat rate "game" box, I *may put it up for sale after I test it.

2. Cut outs work- and yes it scars up the face like here. I just filled it with wall paste and painted over it... worked just fine A replicable face would be preferable though.


I used this sled in my "ornament" video last year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s81Q...7&feature=plcp
this was before I put on the end plates, and some tape was required... I know better now

I REALLY recommend turners tape- I get mine here. Yes, it is pricy... but it lasts a VERY long time as you only need to use a little bit (a very little bit) as it is a pressure sensitive adhesive. It goes on strong and holds even stronger after going under the CW rollers.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product/200...-x-36-yds.aspx

Steve, I'm not sure how to answer your question... I just use "center" and it works. For design, I just program the piece onto a board the actual size of the board I put on the sled... sometimes I get a *hair off on my centering, but I clean this up afterwards. I think there would be a way to put it on the corner, but I haven't sussed that out yet... I'm pretty dumb (and stubborn) sometimes.

Chay- it is 14x26ishx4ish.. but I think this is actually too big. My next one will be smaller.

Thanks again all, and please (of course) feel free to copy and improve on (as long as you share your experiences!), this idea.

Lawrence

[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!

[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

[cestout]

Amazing and eliminates having to plane 25/32 boards to 3/4 to match my sleds. Only shortcoming I see is that cutouts could be a problem, but that needs investigation. It's been a while since I did a cutout on a wide board, but I think the actual measuring is bypassed and your are just asked for the thickness. If that is correct, then cutouts will work, but may scar the surface - or use sacrificial 1/8" mdf under the piece. Where do you get your 2 sided tape? I am having trouble finding it.
Thanks
Clint