Several incredible tools are available for woodworking, like router tables, but a router sled is an amazing woodworking tool to shop for. It is a simple machine that makes it easy to make accurate planes on the large surface of the wood. A router sled is an amazing tool for enhancing your woodworking skills.
It may seem difficult to use a router sled, but it is much better than making planes on a large surface by hand. With a router sled, the process can be smooth and convenient. This machine has a long life if you use it carefully.
But, how to make a router slide for planning. I will write down all the important things for your desired purpose. So without any delay, that’s a move toward the point.
Materials and Tools
It would help if you had some important apparatus and materials to make a router sled for a planer. These tools and materials are given below.
Materials
Plywood (3/4 inch thick)
Hardwood or softwood boards (1×4 inch)
Wood glue
Screws
T-nuts and bolts (for attaching the router base plate)
Sandpaper
Finishing materials (such as paint or varnish)
Tools
Circular saw or jigsaw
Table saw or router table (for cutting the grooves in the base)
Drill and drill bits
Router and router bits
Measuring tape and ruler
Pencil
Clamps
Screwdriver
Sanding block or sanding machine
How to Make a Router Sled for Planing
When fully equipped with the tools and materials, the next step is to follow the procedure. So, let’s have a look at the quick process.
First, you have to make the base of the router sled. That’s why you need to measure and cut the plywood accordingly.
Then, you have to cut two parallel grooves into the base of the sled with the assistance of a router table or table saw. There must be an equal distance between the grooves of the router, similar to the rails of the router.
Next, you will again make two wooden boards to construct the sled’s base.
After completing the cutting process, you have to attach the edges of the wooden boards to the base of the sled by applying wood glue on its edges. Mind it, the creation of the rails along the grooves is mandatory.
Now fasten the rails and let the glue dry for a few minutes.
After the glue is dry, you need to drill holes in the rails along the grooves and the base of the sled and then join them with the help of screws and bolts.
The next is to insert the router place correctly onto the sled’s base. Now you need to attach the router to the base plate with the assistance of the T-nuts and bolts.
It’s time to trim the extra and rough edges of the wood from the sled’s base and the rails.
For a good look at the router sled, you can use any paint or varnish for a smooth and elegant finish.
That’s all you have to make a router sled, and then to use it for planning, you will put a board on the sled’s base, and with the use of the router, you will get rid of the extra edges. The process is done, and you can easily work on the tool with regular practice.
Tips To Make a Router Sled for Planing
When you have learned the process then, there are a few tips you need to remember while making a router sled for planning.
The selection of the right router is essential in this process. For this purpose, a plunge routeris the best option for precise cuts and depth adjustment.
Moreover, you must use the best material for making a router sled. For example, if you use plywood, its thickness must be ¾, and the boards you will use in its making must be straight and knots-free.
The grooves must be in-line and correspond to each other. A table saw, orrouter tableis the best option for accuracy.
When you adjust the rails, you should clamp them so that they are leveled while the drying process of the glue.
The router base plate must be centralized before the adjustment of the base plate.
For secure and stable connectivity, you must use T-nuts and bolts to attach the router to the sled.
After the completion of the process, you must have to try different wood pieces for testing. This testing will inform you of the sled’s performance for your next projects.
To avoid breathing problems, you must add a dust collection system to the router sled.
After following these tips, your work will be smooth, and there will be no risk of damage to the wood.
Conclusion
Above, I have mentioned the whole process of how to make a router sled for planning. If you want smooth and clear wood surfaces, you must follow the whole process carefully. Also, some tips are given above to keep workers convenient while working.
You are most welcome in the comment box if you want to add something. Thank you!
FAQs
Can a router sled replace a planer?
If you make your planer, it is worth using it as a planer for quick and efficient task completion. You can easily turn a router sled into a planer within a few minutes.
What router bit to use for flattening slabs?
Slab leveling router bits are suitable for flattening slabs to attain a smooth wood surface.
What type of router bit is for flattening?
Surfacing router bits and Astra-coated router bits are best for flattening. These can provide you with smooth wooden slabs.
My name is Johnathan James, and I have a lifelong passion for woodworking. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Furniture Making and Architectural Woodworking, which has further reinforced my knowledge and skills in these fields. I have gained considerable experience in the woodworking industry through my employment with a woodworking company. As a result, I am well-versed in a diverse range of specialized equipment, including but not limited to wood routers, router table, table saws, track saws, and chainsaws.
