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Swingman Swingman is offline
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Default Runners for Cross Cut Sled - Hardwood or Aluminum?

On 2/2/2015 2:38 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
As far as I can tell, the standard material for Cross Cut Sled runners is hardwood and typically 2 are used. However, I saw a couple of plans that use aluminum as the runners and even one that suggests a single miter gauge bar as the only runner.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/...-crosscut-sled

I think I see advantages and disadvantages of all options, but I'd like to hear your opinions.

"2 hardwood runners is the way that it's always been done" will not automatically be considered an "advantage". ;-)


Have a few TS sleds with both hardwood (oak) and aluminum runners over
ten years old, can only say there is no practical/noticeable difference
in accuracy over time thus far, the only thing I concern myself with.

The aluminum runners to be appear to be ever so slightly more subject to
the shop's ambient temperature (looses in cold, tighter in heat) but
that can easily be adjusted out.

For me it basically boils down to need and availability.

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