Build a Better Router Sled/Flattening Jig
2023 ж. 8 Ақп.
634 480 Рет қаралды
How to build a high quality router sled/flattening jig on a budget. Professional results, effortless operation, DIY pricing.
Here's the links to parts 2 and 3 of this build
PART 2 (Putting it to work) • Building a Better Rout...
PART 3 (Time for upgrades) • Making The Better Rout...
Here's links to my table builds where I put the router sled to use
• Epic Fail Becomes Art:...
• Building My First Epox...
Help support my channel by using these links to buy your rails! When using these links I will get a small commission.
Upper Rails
amzn.to/3mvYsCi
Lower Rails
amzn.to/43sr2Fb
Aluminum Angles
amzn.to/3UaEWsU
Thank you for the quick reply. Looking forward to making one of these for myself!
Great idea and reasonably priced for the weekend warrior. Subscribed.
Excellent video, just what i was hoping to find! ordered the rails and bearings using your link, Thanks for posting all of this. Look forward to more from you!
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching and good luck with your build!
That's a fantastic build. Smoother than a smooth thing! 👍😁
I been wanting to build this flatting jig for ever finally now I am thank you for sharing the material and step by step guide I appreciate. Thank you
Like your video and appreciate the links. Most cost effective build I have seen yet with smooth ball bearings.
Wow. Very well done and explained! Thank you for making the video.
EXCELLENT DESIGN! Great video and tutorial. No BS - you just moved through it. Thank you!
This is very good. Thanks from France 🇨🇵
Going to follow your lead here, awesome DIY! Thank you!
I love this and i was blown away by hw simple it seems to build
I like how you set it up. Good job.
I didn’t understand where the bearings came from until I followed the link to the upper rails - the bearings are included. Slick setup!
Outstanding setup. I like the idea of a smooth movement and the added vac attachment is gold
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Awesome video man, thanks for sharing! Gonna try this myself.
For an easy DIY jig, this is incredibly well done and looks fantastic. Buying the materials you listed now!
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Just made this and it's fantastic. Thanks for the tutorial!!
That is beautiful done by hand
I was thinking the same way about using the rails like you but I really like how you setup for the router to mount using the Aluminum Angles then mounting plywood base plus the vacuum hose to help cutting down on the waste material. I also saw you have a craftsman radial arm saw I like to know how you did the adjustment for the platform so you get flat cuts if you could share it on KZhead it would be a great help to me thank you for sharing your idea for flat jig
Just what I was looking for. Many thanks
Best diy sled I’ve seen to date.
Thank you for the kind words and thanks for watching!
I've made something similar with a salvaged bedrail, and the results have been pretty good so far. Thanks for this demo!
that's a great idea!
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I was building a shopping cart list on Amazon to build a very similar build. Now I've seen it in practice, im ordering the parts. Thanks man!
Really nicely done! Best I have seen on any video so far. Thank You.
Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching!
I built same style never thought of adding vacuum. Great extra touch.
This is so perfect. I've been looking for a way to build my own sled and this looks like the best set up.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching!
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Awesome jig. Simple to make, although I found I had to make a couple of minor adjustments, and incredibly easy to use. I am using a 3” flattening bit with the renewable cutters, and I did find it best to take very small increments or the router wanted to run away, but overall fast, accurate and very easy. Thanks for an awesome video
Great project ! Just ordered the stuff last night. I’d been messing around with a sled made out of wood, and it’s ok for the project I was working on but I wanted something more versatile and precise. Glad I decided to check KZhead. Have you ever thought about doing a video on the making of your bench ? I think it would be a hit. Just a thought. Thanks!…yes I subscribed
I was thinking along the same lines as you. Just got off Amazon looking at rails so kudos!!
Beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Am just ordering the bit now to start building mine. Get rid of my old wooden one which I have had for ages. Great quality design. Keep up grt videos
This is by far the most professional looking DIY router sled I've seen. Currently building mine 😊 looks fantastic!
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funny will not do much no height adjustment
@@charlesshober8840 it did exactly what I needed it to do
@@charlesshober8840 cant you just use the plunger for depth?
Great idea. Only one thing to add, some kind of stop to prevent wondering.
Now that's got to be the best home made router sledge I've seen to date. Simple and clean. It's K. I. S. S. all the way. Well done 👍👍👍👍👍
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Bought components for this rig several years ago, been surfing videos on power hand planers, and came across a deluge of router sleds using these same rails. I'm always early...but this is the best video thus far. What makes it clutch is the frame stiffeners for the vertical axis wobble of the slide bearings, as well as the multi blocks instead of "straight" supports - those are what I've been hung up on. Glad I didn't rush into mutilating wood. This tidbit is the game changer I needed. Biting my tongue about the $200 statement.
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The other sleds I have seen don't even come close to this one, going to build this for sure.
Thanks for watching and for the kind words! I also made some upgrades to this sled that have been working great for me. Here’s a link to that video if you’re interested. kzhead.info/sun/o72spKiep4eLjX0/bejne.html
Thank You very much. It is perfect and big save. You did a great job.
I used to have that same radial arm saw. I sure do miss it.
Ok thank you for the clarification!
it is rock solid with those rails
It’s a very solid setup. You do want to make sure not to apply downward pressure though. Just pull straight across.
Cracking idea, well done, love it. 👍
Well done. Simple.
Thank you very much I was debating over doing this myself to save a ton of money vs buying a large sled. Awesome video and thanks again.😀
Good Stuff man... Thanks for the content. I am looking to get into some large panel and slab work and this is fantastic.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching!
Awesome build! Thank you very much!
Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!
Great build! As mentioned by others, adding a few steppers, a belt, and some cheap electronics could alow automation of this! Even at low speeds, as long as it is autonomous, it is nice! Another use,,without electronics, if you are able to lock one axis, that would make for a nice grooving tool. If you set a stop you could cut grooves, datos, rabbits, reliably!
The bearings actually have set screws on the side to lock them in place. So you could use it to cut dados and such. Thanks for watching!
this is awesome! i've had an idea percolating for a similar dual rail system but with a circular saw instead. now i see a version with multiple tool inserts! add some cleats to the rails and hang it on a wall for a panel cutter.
Hello, thanks for watching! I’ve had some of the same thoughts about using this for a circular saw!
Very nice job.
This is amazing! Exactly what I need!
This its great and even you can do another mounter for a circular saw.
Up the video quality, your content deserves it. Keep up the good work.
Great video, I hope you don't mind I built my sled based on your design, it work perfectly! I have completed my first two tables, with many more to come. Keep up the great videos.
I built a sled much like the one in this video. It works like a charm. The blocks get a bit dusty and increase the friction, so they have to be blown out occasionally. I also swipe a candle over the tops of the rails every now and then to keep them slick. I used 1/2" acrylic as the base for the router to help with visibility of the work piece.
how are those bearing doing with precision?
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Nice! I need to revisit mine as I did not think about the stiffeners. I made my carriage out of thick acyclic but will swap out the mounts with aluminum.
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed!
I want to thank you for this clear and helpful video - as a result I have been able to purchase and recreate your build of the jig from Amazon parts as you suggest - thank you again!
Glad the video was helpful! Thanks for watching!!
Very pro very well engineered , nice job !!👍👍👍
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed!
At 6:00, the idea of adding a board to the bottom of the top rail is awesome.
This is great! Thanks for the video!
It’s me again. Wow, just wow.
Thank you for your video. I like your setup and have purchase the items needed to make my own. Happy woodworking.
Hey, thanks for watching. I made some upgrades to the sled that I’ve been enjoying. That video might be helpful before you build this. Here’s the link…. Making The Better Router Sled/Flattening Jig Even Better! Time For Some Upgrades! kzhead.info/sun/o72spKiep4eLjX0/bejne.html
I built a router sled using very similar linear rails, almost exactly like yours. I screwed my long rails to a couple of 2x4's that fit into the slots on my Bora Speedhorse sawhorses, so I can set up the sled in just a couple of minutes, then tear it down and store it away when I don't need it. I still need to work on the carriage for the router so that I can adjust the height of the router above the workpiece. I might use some of your ideas on that!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this. I built one last fall and the sled is too cumbersome. This one is fantastic. I’ll be using your design soon
Hello, thanks for watching! I made some upgrades to this sled that might interest you. Especially in regards to the dust collection. Here’s a link for the video. kzhead.info/sun/o72spKiep4eLjX0/bejne.html
ok, I am inspired now. Been wanting to do this project for a while and I just finished my router table build so perfect timing. Off to Amazon to order the rails, I have some projects that will need flattening. Thank you!
Thanks for watching! If you’re interested I made some upgrades to this sled that, as I’ve been using it have proven to be great! Here’s a link to that video. kzhead.info/sun/o72spKiep4eLjX0/bejne.html
Hi 👋, Great looking slab leveller/ Router Sledge, I am hoping to build something very similar later in the year, Be safe keep up the great work, I look forward to your next tutorial, PHIL FROM THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOULIN FRANCE.
That's awesome! Thanks for the share.
Fantastic Work, Sir 🌹🌹🌹
Nice build. Thank you.
Really nice build!
This is perfect! I ordered these rails and blocks from Amazon and was very pleasantly surprised at the quick delivery and price here in Canada. The quality is great. I know this isn't about Amazon, but the price is awesome. I have seen the exact same setup for way over 1000k and the setup time was maybe an hour of time. Thank you for showing this in great detail.👍👍👍
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I put clamps 🗜️ on mine at both ends so I don’t accidentally pull the carriage off. I also just use a Bosch router table plate and a collet extension. I bolt the bearings to the router plate. I also use one of those like replaceable bit cutters. Good video. The rails have worked slick for me for the last couple years.
Thanks for watching! I also clamp my to the bench. That would be a disaster if it fell off during use!!
@@Idealwoodworks yes it would. Another thing , after some time I blow them out and use some wd 40 very lightly on the little balls in the blocks. Paste wax helps on the rails too. I do a lot of resin, and it likes to stick to every thing. I did have one bolt back out on a block once. I used some blue lock tite on the bolts , and It’s been great since then.
real nice jig. I have the woodpeckers sled and I like very much but it has one flaw that your sled covers. Mine rides on the rails and is held down by gravity and sometimes going too fast can cause the router to "ride up", those rails of yours locks the jig down. Oh, and mine was pretty pricey. Still no regrets. Watching part 2
Wow! Great video, great build!
Top 🎉🎉 really brilliant work Well done 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Nice design! great work
Really helpful video
I've been dreading building one of these for 2yrs but as I start to build bigger and bigger live edge projects and the shop I have been using for flattening slabs both pre and post epoxy pour have become unreliable and cost prohibitive so....here we go. Bought the rails, flattening bit, and collet extender. Will build the router support once it all gets here. I just have to figure out how to make this removable from my workbench. Man...what have I gotten myself into!? Wish me luck!
This is a great sled. You should put the links for the rails in the description so everyone can see them.
If you scroll down to William Cox the link is there
I just added the links in the description. Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
Какая разница? ВСЕ знают где их купить, но не у ВСЕХ есть на них деньги 👆
Nice job. I've been working on creating a sliding crosscut jig using linear bearings attached to my portable table saw (don't have my 2 car garage shop anymore). I hate using the miter slots because they either jam or are loose. The top of the bearing block will be even with the tabletop with the sled having a slick surface next to the tabletop. I should only lose around 1/2" cutting depth but everything should be smooth and accurate. I previously built a box-joint jig for a cradle, using a 3/8-16 thread rod to slide the jig left and right. I'm hoping to add this jig on top of the sliding crosscut jig so there's no binding when cutting dadoes. Once the bearing rails are locked into position, I could use them for a variety of sliding table jigs. As for your router sled, I am thinking about trying this using a handheld planer instead of a router. I also have slabs of walnut (from a commercial walnut orchard) that need to be flattened but I don't need something this wide. Would be interesting to build an edging planer mounting the wood vertical with some clamps to hold the wood. This might be easier to straighten the edge than using a table saw jig, especially on a portable table saw.
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First of your videos I've seen, got me to subscribe! Good stuff.
Thanks for the kind words and for subscribing! I’m new to KZhead, these are my first videos. It’s reassuring to get positive feedback like this!
Nice. About to order this stuff to build one myself.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching!
Nice build. Easy to make and gets the job done. You could add a door sweep/ brush to sled and more dust would get caught up by vac.
Thanks for watching!!
Which guide rails did you buy on Amazon?
Found the rails. I didn’t look close enough at posting.
This is crazy. If I see that in someone's shop I would just assume is either a Rockler Jig or Woodpeckers jig depending on what color it was painted. Awesome work.
Thanks for the kind words and for watching!
yeah, for $2700
I made one like this this weekend and it came out great!!! For around $300 or so I mean I went to Home-depot and spent $7 ish for 4 screws 6 lock washers and 4 nuts. Still cheaper than these others out there. So happy with it!!! Thanks for the vid!!
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I used the same materials and the same set up. It works perfectly. I added a stop on each end of the upper rails so that it was impossible for the router bit to accidentally run into the lower rail.
I actually thought of that and add those also in between making the first and second video. Thanks for watching!!
Wow, that's exactly what I am looking for. This is simple and effective. Not practical if you want to place it on your main work bench because of space limitations but for sure this type of jig is totally effective. It's not easy to find those long sled, your link shows that they are not available anymore.
best one yet
Liked and subscribed, looking forward to seeing more of your content.
Thank you!
Very nice build my good man.
Nice sled! Just planning on doing something similar to flatten my workbench. You shouldmnever underestimate the importance of flat surfaces. Have a subscribe!
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Fantastic setup...even more so if you have a 30x40 shop.
Nice Work!
Beauty brother. Well done!
Thanks for the kind words and thank you for watching!
Perfect
Add some stepper motors and drive belts and you have the beginning of a light duty CNC.
Well done. it looks really slick! With my own cheapo sled i find the hardest part is the set up. I always need to either raise the work piece with (usually) some 1/8 hardboard or raise the sled itself to get it high enough for the sled to pass over the work piece. Also i find my Makita plunge router hasn`t enough plunge to get bit down below the plywood base plate without using a collet extender which i would rather not use as it`s hard on the router. Do you anticipate such problems and How will you address them if they do arise? Thanks for the video. Cool build!
Hi Glenn, thanks for watching! My router can also only reach a limited amount below the plywood base. If I have a different thickness of wood that I’ll be flattening I could pretty quickly change the mounting blocks with thicker or thinner blocks. I’m working through some ideas about making the router carriage adjustable. When I decide on that I’ll make another video.
Very nice!! Great job
Nicely done.
Thank you!
Amazing set-up! I am always worried about the sag in the middle though. But even precision rails flex. in this case because of the weight of the router. Maybe a small wheel on the sled, extending as far down as the router bit itself, following the bit behind, in short distance inside the newly formed groove , with some compressed air blowing the chips in front of it... Like a wood plane. Rolling instead of skidding. Idk, one downside, it would make it unidirectional as a result. But i cant stop thinking about the result on flatness.
Use a smaller router like a Makita or heavier duty top rails.
Nice build. Would be great if you showed the final product in action at the beginning. Then I know where we are headed with the build.
Que bello trabajo muy profesional y muy bien explicado felicitaciones maestro.
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