How to Build a Rip Sled for Your Band Saw

Build a sled for your band saw.

You can build a rip sled for your band saw. Band saws have a short table, but they do have a miter slot that allows for the use of a short sled that works like your miter gauge. Band saws are set up for free handing, but if you build a sled, you can use your band saw to straightedge, or cut lumber with more precision because it is guided by a moving fence.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Plywood, 3/4-by-24-by-24 inches
• Table saw
• Lumber strip, 1/4-by-3/4-by-24 inches
• Glue
• Lumber, 1 1/4-by-1 1/4-by-24 inches
• Pin nailer with 1 1/4-inch nails

Instructions

1. Measure the top of your band saw table with a tape measure. The top is the square metal part that the wood sits on when you cut it. Using a table saw, cut a piece of plywood to that measurement.

2. Turn on the band saw. Hold the plywood as even as you can with the edges of the table and push it forward into the blade. Cut into the plywood until the plywood is flush and square with the tabletop. Shut off the saw and let the blade slow down and stop.

3. Measure the length of your miter gauge slot that runs across your band saw table and cut a piece of the 3/4-inch strip to that measurement.

4. Lift up the plywood and insert the 3/4-inch strip into the miter gauge slot so that it is flush with both ends. Reach under the plywood and run a bead of glue down the strip. Lay the piece of plywood on the strip. Center and square it over the tabletop. Let the glue dry for 1 hour.

5. Measure across the back end of the plywood. That's the end that you push on. Cut a piece of 1 1/4-by-1 1/4-inch lumber to that measurement. Run a bead of glue across the bottom of the lumber and place it on the end of the plywood, flush with the back and sides. This is your fence. Let the glue dry for 1 hour. Slide the plywood back 3 inches and shoot four pin nails up through the plywood into the lumber to secure it.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the sled by placing the wood to be cut against the fence. Turn on the saw and push the entire piece of plywood with both hands, letting the strip underneath guide the sled as it rips the wood.

• You cannot cut all the way through the sled fence or you will cut the sled in half. Just cut 1/4 inch into the fence, stop, and pull the sled back.