3 Cut Method to a Dead-on Crosscut Sled with Tom McLaughlin
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- čas přidán 18. 09. 2020
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⚙️ SHOW NOTES: This simple 3 Cut Method will ensure your crosscut sled is square. Tom clearly demonstrates this easy method that requires no math, and no measuring, but gets accurate results. (Closed captioned)
⚙️ EPISODE LINKS:
• How to Make a Cross Cut Sled with Tom McLaughlin: • How to Make a Cross Cu...
• Woodpeckers 1812 Precision Woodworking Square (18"): www.woodpeck.com/woodpeckers-...
• Grex Power Tools 1850GB Green Buddy 18-Gauge 2-Inch Length Brad Nailer: amzn.to/38Z0VZj
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Brilliant method, Tom. Love the long and short version videos. Your (and Kris') channel is the best fine woodworking channel on CZcams; no exception. I love everything about your channel. Thanks for sharing endlessly your talents, skills, and craftsmanship with those who have a passion for the art of fine woodworking.
Wow, thank you so much for the high praise and kind words. We love doing it, and feel like we are just getting started with much room for improving 😎 See you on the livestream! Tom
@@EpicWoodworking you guys are the best
After about three attempts at eyeballing the variance and guessing at the adjustment to my fence, I tried this 3 cut method. The method worked to perfection for making my sled. Perfect 90degrees and no light under the engineering square.
I love hearing that Kerry, nothing like a sled you can absolutely trust to cut “dead nuts” square! 😎👍
Great tip with putting in the wood spline in the slot to align the fence.
The game changer is his trick at 13:30, just marking the fence at the length of the board and adjusting there. Very smart.
Thank you! I like that you pointed out that little “trick” part of the process. It was the last thing to dawn on me when I was thinking about how to best locate the point to adjust the fence. It wasn’t obvious at first but seemed so simple once I noticed it…the best techniques are like that for some reason 😎👍
I just have to say thanks to Tom McLaughlin for posting the 3 cut alignment method. I made a crosscut sled many, many years ago using the ideas of The Table Saw Book by Kelly Mehler. I liked the control and the safety of the cuts using the sled, but never quite got it as accurate as I wanted. I tried aligning it several times thorough out the years. Recently, I replaced table saw bearings and spent a bit of time realigning the saw with dial indicators. With the saw accurate, I decided to replace the base of my crosscut sled and looked about on the internet for information on alignment methods. I found the 5 cut method and then your 3 cut method. I went with your 3 cut process, Although I did not complete it as effortless as you did in the video, I stuck with it, and wow it works. My sled is very accurate. It is wonderful! I sometimes complain about what I find on the internet, but then find a gem like your video and think how wonderful it is to find information from such talented people. Keep on posting!
Thank you Jim, I really appreciate your kind words and taking the time to let me know. I’m so glad you found it helpful and enjoyed the process and results! Hope you’ll stay connected with us at epicwoodworking.com. Thanks again! 👍 Tom
That's awesome Jim! Thanks so much for the kind words and I'm so glad it worked well for you!
By far the simplest and most well explained method. I’m building a sled this weekend. Thank you. Cheers 👍😎🇦🇺
Oh thanks for saying that John, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! And it’s an honor to have you watching from the great down Under! 😎👍
That was awesome. Much easier than the 5-cut. Thanks!
Crosscut sled on my to-do list for years ... the time has come. Terrific approach and presented in clear informative way. I've been inspired ... Thanks!
That’s awesome to hear, I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for being a part of us 👍😎
Wow, easy peasy Tom! Simplest method I’ve seen yet . Thanks, great channel!
Brilliant in it's simplicity. The best I've seen, thank you.
Thanks Phil, glad it works for you!👍
I made my sled this weekend and used your method - it worked great!
Good Morning, again:
After posting my comments I took the time to look and read all of the comments that show on your site and it leads me to the conclusion that you are not only a fine wood worker, but also a fine man. I have never seen another site where the commentator responded as well as you have. My comments while somewhat derogatory, were given in honesty which may only be mine, but which I found to be true when spending 10 years teaching. Keep up the good work and remember there is always room for more than one opinion.
Thanks Tom! I can’t believe you took the time to read all that and to follow up, that means a lot to me. Thanks for your constructive insights and encouraging words! By your comments, I bet the same is true about you. Thanks for being with us! 👍
Watched it again and loved the presentation. I enjoy your enthusiasm and genuine joy you have doing these projects.
Thank you for making these videos.
Thank you Alan!! We’ll keep making them! 😎👍
Thank you!
The best I’ve found for testing my sled.
Thank you, I’m happy to hear that! 👍😎
Definitely going to use this method to make my first cross cut sled. Thank you!
This video is greatly appreciated!
Very nice Tom, the best and simplest method for this job in my opinion! I like the way you explain things clearly, calm and to the point. It was a pleasure watching that. Cheers
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it! And cheers to you too!
THIS IS YOUR BEST EVER VID. SIMPLE AND EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE!
Thanks John, it’s nice to know people are finding it so practical and helpful 😎
Great explanation Tom and the end result absolutely spot on. Thank you for sharing
Glad you enjoyed, Thanks! 👍
Great presentation! Slow and easy to follow. I am a 50+year master craftsman, instructor, and he has my praise.
Great video and explanation!
The method is simple but effective
Thank you Tom and Kris for producing such an informative video. Your communication skills, are in my opinion excellent. You are a great team and produce some of the best woodworking content on CZcams. I love your instructional videos on the classic chair, still working on that project myself.
Thanks Charles, your kind encouraging words mean a lot to us. So glad you are enjoying them! See you on the livestream 👍
Anytime I don’t have to do math I am so grateful! Thanks.
Haha, yeah, I agree, thank you!! 👍😎
The trick with the feeler gauge to whack the alignment is genius.
@Tony Aiuto get real in every method of squaring up the cross-cut sled the feeler gauge it is not a trick at all.
Excellent method. I was able to fine tune my sled using your instructions in less than an hour, and to a better accuracy than ever before. Thank you.
That’s awesome, I’m so glad it helped! And thanks for watching 👍
Fascinating, amazing, and terrific. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Fred, that’s the most enthusiastic and affirming thing anyone’s said to me all day! Thanks for watching and being with us 👍😎
Thank you for this video. Definitely simpler than the five cut method. You explained it to me better than some people I have subscribed to for years. Actually allowing movement before permanently fixing the fence has given me the encouragement now to actually build one! Thank you!
Awesome Mel, I’m so glad you enjoyed and found it helpful! 👍😎
Great tutorial on cross-cut sled accuracy. No fluff, just spot on accuracy method. Thanks for your effort in making this. It will help many woodworkers that struggle to achieve accuracy on their sleds.
Thanks Henry, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate your kind words! And thanks for watching! 👍😎
Great instructional video just like all your others. I just keep learning. Thanks
Great Jim, thank you and thanks for being part of us! 👍😎
Very impressed with the accuracy of this method. Also, very good presentation/explaintion of the procedure.
Thanks Wayne, I appreciate it and glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching! 👍
Very nice demonstration. Very helpful. Thank you.
Thanks Michael, so glad you enjoyed it! 👍
FANTASTIC!! Simple and easy to understand. Thanks Tom..... Loved running into you at Highland Hardwoods and admiring your version of the Lombardi Trophy.
Thanks Peter! Yes, was good to see you there too 👍
Sir, very nice instructions, a great video for sure! Thanks for the teaching!
Thank you, our pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it 👍
Thanks! Well done!
Thanks Matt! 👍
Excellent editing on this video. I will be referring to this video soon as soon as we thaw out. Temps were -15F this morning
Thanks Ron! 🥶👍
Excellent video!
Thanks for making the squaring process much simpler.
Thanks again.
Great, glad you enjoyed it! I have used the five cut method in the past, but this 3 cut method dawned on me when I heard about a somewhat similar technique for squaring European sliding table saws. I’m not sure what you mean by using the 5 cut method to confirm it...there’s no need, I used the precise squareness of my test piece to confirm as shown in the 3 cut video. Thanks again! 👍
Thank you!
Great video, Tom~! I'll be using your method since I have to build a new sled. Thanks for the great tip~!
Great, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks 👍
Nice and simple. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome, thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Good Afternoon:
Sat down for lunch and tuned on youtube only to find you about to demonstrate the 3 cut method. In my opinion, as a past construction program teacher, you did a great job. Just the right combination of work and talking. I hope you realize how much more informative it is when only one person is doing the talking and those of us watching can concentrate on the presentation and no a lot of other talking. Think I find out if you have other demonstrations done as a single instructor. Good luck.
Thanks Tom, I truly appreciate your kind words and experienced perspective, especially the point about the effectiveness of one voice, valuable insight. We will be producing more edited content, in addition to still having some livestream interactive events. The “other voice” you may be referring to is my wife Kris, also affectionately known as “the camera lady.” She fields the questions during the livestreams and reminds me of things from time to time I may have overlooked…something most married guys can relate to 😎
Whatever I’m doing, I’m always trying to get better in order to be most effective, so your comments mean more than you know. Thanks for taking the time and for watching! 👍😎
Tom, excellent and very meticulously done work.
Thank you! 👍
Great video. Thanks
Thank you! 👍
Thanks Tom, can't get simpler than that. I'll check mine using your method.
Thanks Nick!
Worked perfectly! Thanks for the video
Awesome, glad it worked well for you!
Tom,
Thank you for this video! It worked so well and is so simple.
2 separate test pieces measured perfect corner to corner after using this method.
Thank you.
That’s awesome, so glad it worked well for you! 👍👍 Thanks for watching!
I find this very clever. Thank you so much, helped me a lot.
You have all my respect. 👍👏👏👏
That’s great, so glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful! If you’re interested, we livestream from my shop every Thursday night, which you can connect to at our website epicwoodworking.com.
Thanks again! 👍😎
Thanks for this technique Tom. I was making a crosscut sled for small parts (17 in x 12 in) and was struggling with the 5 cut method. I took it apart and reassembled using this technique and got it within .018 inches off my Woodpecker 12 inch square. I made one .009 adjustment and it is spot on. This technique is a keeper.
That’s awesome John. I’m so glad to hear you are getting the same accurate results!
Excellent. Greetings from Pakistan
Thank you, and greetings from New Hampshire, USA! 😎
Great presentation you explained your method very clearly
Thank you! 👍
Ur friggin awesome dude. Thank you
Brilliant. You explained the process so well. I'll have my own super accurate sled by the end of today thanks to you
Awesome, thank you! I hope it works out for you!👍😎
Great video Tom, thanks!
My pleasure, thanks!
Very useful video. Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙏🏼
My pleasure, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching! 👍😎
This method is easy for me to follow, I finally have an accurate sled. Thank you for doing this video.
Awesome, I’m glad it worked well for you, I like simple solutions too. 😎👍
Hey Tom. I tried this method, you are good, I got great results. Thank you so much
Awesome, glad it worked for you!
that is awesome! Thank you
My pleasure, thanks! 👍
Tried and true with a little addition help from my trusty pin nailer, thanks Tom.
Yes, Michael. I was actually using the 18 gauge on this one for a little more assurance, but the pin nailer would likely be just as good...love having a pin nailer!👍
Thanks!
i like this method, thanks mate.
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Amazing method, seems super simple but yet very clever. Thanks for the great content and tips :)
Thank you! Yes, after many other ways of thinking about it over the years it finally boiled down to this method. Sometimes the simplest method is the hardest figure out! Thanks for watching 👍😎
Very well presented, great info. Thank you for sharing. was getting ready to build a new sled going to try your method,
That’s awesome Larry, thank you! I hope you have a great experience with it, and thanks for watching! 👍😎
Very nicely done. Thanks!
Thanks Jerry! 👍
That’s amazing! Thank you!!
My pleasure Matt, thanks!
Couldn't be any easy, what great job thank you
Thank you Jose, glad you enjoyed it! 👍😎
Simply brilliant! I needed a new sled and having one this accurate really builds my confidence. Yours is the kind of practical genius that built the pyramids. I'm such a better woodworker because of Epic Woodworking and the Epic Neighborwood is one of the greatest bargains anywhere!
Haha, thanks Allen! I’m not sure I rise to the genius of pyramid building 😎 But it sure is nice to know you are out there enjoying my “nerding out” on this process. It sure is great being able to trust your sled! 👍
Awesome video Tom. Thank you for sharing. I subscribed and liked!!
Great, so glad you enjoyed it, thanks!!
I love it! Great work.
Thank you!! 👍
brilliant thanks Tom
Thank you Ray!
Brilliant idea! I wanna go to my shop immediately and build another one with this method.
That’s awesome Ethan, so glad you enjoyed it!👍
This helped me. Thank You
Great, thanks! 👍😎
i really like this method, thank you
My pleasure, thanks! 👍😎
This is brilliant - thanks!
Great, thanks! 👍😎
Awesome👍😃......love it......I’ll use that method from now on......cheers
Great, I’m glad you can use it! Cheers to you 👍
Best I’ve seen
Thanks Alan! 👍
I made a new sled a couple of weeks ago using Tom's video because I thought it was much easier and faster than my previous method. It was both of those and i now have a nice accurate sled that I have used a lot over the last few weeks. Thanks Tom and hope you feel better.
Thanks Gerald, I’m so glad to hear it worked well for you! And I am feeling great again!👍😎
Brilliantly simple.
Thanks, I like it simple, and the more direct (without in between measuring), the better 😎
This is a good method. I prefer the Garage Woodworks method where an accurate square is set along the new fence with a pivot point on the left side.
Then set up a dial gauge on the table, next to the sled. If the fence is square to the sled, if you push the sled forward or backward, the dial will not move. If the dial does move, you adjust the sled fence.
As you start, put the sled fence a bit out of square either too far forward. Note which way the dial turns as you move the sled fence forward and backward. Then push the fence a little too far backwards and note which way the dial moves again.
Use that info to position the fence to the point where the fence doesn't move at all. That is your sweet spot.
If I have the dial indicator set up and the sled ready to test the fence, it takes me less than a minute to set the fence location.
Feel free to make the 3 cut method after this to check. In my experience no further adjustment I'd needed.
Great video thanks. Clear and concise. Took a while to dial my fence in but boy it's now square 😀
That’s awesome Neal, I’m so glad it worked out for you and you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching! 😎👍
Just used this method and it worked great!
Oh that’s great, I’m so glad it worked out for you! Thanks for letting me know and thank you for watching! 😎👍
Thanks. Really clear
Great, thanks Mark!
excellent
Very nice!
Thanks Richard!👍
Eureka!!! Thank you for this concise method and video.
My pleasure Bill, glad you enjoyed it! 😎
wow!! I never imagined this method in my life!! that's awesome! I love math but think this method would be most popular to use for those who guys do not like the math method. Simple, functional, and very very precise. Thank you very much to sharing that with us.
Thanks, so glad you enjoy it. I actually heard about a guy who adjusted his sliding tablesaw with a similar approach and then it dawned on me how it could be modified to work for a tablesaw crosscut sled, adding in the feeler gauge with the stick method.
Thanks again!👍
WOW! just unbelievable that anyone could do that. But if it was gonna get done you were the one to do it. Good job.
Man, that was Epic! Thanks a lot.
Haha, thanks! 👍😎
Thanks, my sled was off a lot but with this simple method I was finally able to dial it in so it’s dead on. This method is easy, fast and accurate. Again, thank you
Awesome Gary, so glad it worked well for you! Thanks 👍 Tom
Thank you Tom, such a nice educational video, i appreciate it
Thanks Bong, my pleasure, and thanks for watching!
@@EpicWoodworking actually, i'm making mine now😁. Thanks once again
You have awesome great videos on CZcams I like it Tom McLaughlin from Terell Jones I appreciate you and your videos you’re a awesome great man
Thank you so much, very nice of you to say. I’m just doing what I love and trying to be useful by sharing it with great people like you. Thanks again! 👍😎
Been doing woodworking for over 40 years and decided after the last project that I’m finishing to build a sled. A buddy has Osage orange that I’m planning to use for runners on the sled. Very efficient method you showed. Gonna use it when I finish this project up!
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it! I’m not sure I’ve ever used Osage Orange, but I understand it is quite hard and should work great for runners. Hope it works out well for you! 👍😎
Thanks for the great explanation I was struck by the simplicity of it and quickly went about cutting up some plywood. My first test was 1.5 mm out so I made the .75 mm correction and recut the plywood. I couldn't measure any difference top and bottom after this, absolutely brilliant- the complete set up was done in 15 minutes. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Cheers Allan
Oh I’m so pleased to hear that Allan! It’s nice to know it worked so well for you. I love being able to count on and trust my sled for squareness.
Thanks for letting me know and for watching! 👍😎
What and excellent method! Thanks so much!
Thank you Roy!! 👍😎
I just finished watching this video for the third time. As it happens, I need to build another cross-cut sled to use your technique for table-saw dovetails. Your approach is much better and more precise than the approach I have used in the past, and I am looking forward to having a precise cross-cut sled for cutting dovetails on my table saw.
This is not only an interesting video, it is very. very helpful. Geometry beats arithmetic in the shop!
Thank you!!! 👍👍
Haha, yes, I would have to agree about geometry Jerry!! Thanks, I’m so glad it works well for you! 👍😎
Now there's a happy man..... brilliantly perfect👍
😂 What does that say about my life that such things can be so satisfying? Thanks for watching! 👍
Hi Tom, I meant it in a positive way, I love your channel. You are one of the best going around..
Keep up the fantastic work..
Thank you Reg! 👍 I am only wondering what kind of improvement need you are hearing with our sound...so we can address it 😎
amazing!! the north end is a great training ground
Thanks, did I say something about the north end…about North Bennett St school? 🤔😎
@@EpicWoodworking no sir just put the two together I am a big fan sir!
Hello Tom,
I only knew you from the PBS/Fine Woodworking TV show. It was always clear to me that something was wrong with those broadcasts. It was as though I was watching a robot go through the motions of constructing a project. I found the instruction to be stiff and cold. Now I am so happy that I have found your CZcams channel. You appear to be so much more at ease. With so much more insight and content, the kind of person that I love learning from. You come off as a very smart friend who is interested in teaching and explaining how to get things right on a much more personal level. I'm signed up. I really enjoy your videos I really enjoy your channel and I am so glad that I found the real Tom. Forgive my early judgement, there must be something about the constraints of the PBS production that holds back the true person. You are a great teacher, you make great videos and I have learned so much. Thank you, and keep them coming. It's a great feeling when you enjoy being taught.
Haha, that was a great summary of it turned out I guess 😎. The truth is, that was my first season and time working with a TV production crew, so I had a lot to learn. A show like that has the disadvantage of a short period of time, 26 minutes, to show the steps making a piece of furniture, and we shot the episode over the course of one long day. So each step was a kind of clip where I would try to say what I was doing in an abbreviated way, getting input from a producer/director.
As you can tell, the live experience better suits me as there is the awareness that people are watching and reacting in real time. And we have the luxury of having more time, and not needing to end up with such a time clipped polished result.
I’m not sure if the funding will come in for a new season, but in a way I hope it does because I would like to bring more of the flavor of the live stream to the TV show.
But whether or not it happens, I’m happy with the CZcams experience and the greater connection I am enjoying with the viewers.
So I’m happy to hear you are enjoying it, thanks for letting me know and thanks for watching!
Tom 👍😎
Very cool.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 👍😎
In building my sled today, and after watching your video many times, my initial error was just like yours except 0.050” wider on the fence side of edge 1 vs. the opposite side of edge 1. So, I brought my fence in 0.025” as indicated (meaning clockwise when looking from behind/on top) and my error was greater, not lesser. In going over your exaggerated angle lines to illustrate the error angle, I believe your video showed me to rotate the fence incorrectly. And indeed, when I rotated it counter-clockwise 0.025” + 0.025” the error lessened! So I don’t know if I am viewing your video incorrectly or if something in the video is stated incorrectly, but I wanted to leave this comment on the off chance it will be helpful. Bottom line, I will end up with a dead nuts accurate sled, so thank you. I love your channel and…shhhhhhhh, I’ve just ordered some potassium dichromate crystals for my African mahogany table project. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. 😃 ADDENDUM: Hmmmm, now I’m not sure, I made another adjustment and it was way out of alignment, so I went back to my first adjustment and it is now dead nuts on. Your method is great, but it just takes some persistence to get it right. Happy sledding to everyone else who makes one.
Thanks so much for this Tom. Just found your channel yesterday, and subbed. This is a lot easier than the 5 cut dealio ,which I did this past summer on my new sled......time for a new sled now. haha
That’s great Dave, I’m glad you liked it, thanks! 👍👍
Great video. Can't get much easier than that.
Thanks so much for watching Bob!
Brilliant!
Thanks!