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Small Parts Ripping Sled
By: George Vondriska
Photos: George Vondriska

Posted: Feb.02.10
It's not uncommon to need to cut tiny parts on the table saw.You may need splines to reinforce miters, a small filler piece to make a 'Dutchman' or patch to cover a mistake, or thin pieces you can use to edge band man-made material.  

Positioning the rip fence close to the blade never seems to work well.The small piece you're cutting sometimes gets grabbed and thrown back at you and, worst of all, it's nearly impossible to create this set up with the guard in place.This is why I rely on my small parts sled.

The sled couldn't be simpler, but has a couple key points.It's a perfect 10' wide.This makes math easy.If I want to cut a spline that's 1/8' thick, I set my rip fence at 10-1/8'.I made my sled out of melamine, but it could be anything.The push pad screwed to the top of the sled makes it very easy to handle the sled, and keep your hands safe.  






The sled requires a hook, which I made out of hardboard.It's glued, not nailed, to the body of the sled.I don't want metal fasteners near where they could touch the blade.

  









To use the sled, engage the material you're cutting on the hook.Your left hand only needs to apply slight pressure to keep the board engaged.The guard will easily ride up and over the piece you're cutting.

  








Once you've started cutting, the sled and the hook are doing all the work.When my left hand becomes even with the edge of the guard, I let go, and finish the cut using only the sled.

You can easily fine-tune the size of the part you're cutting by moving the rip fence.I love this jig!


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