Five-Cut Method: I'm finishing my table saw sled, and I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble of going through the five-cut method of squaring. Doing the five cuts, the 24 X 36" sled...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm finishing my table saw sled, and I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble of going through the five-cut method of squaring. Doing the five cuts, the 24 X 36" sled is off by 0.039". I'm not precision cabinet maker - plywood and 2 x 4s.

If I do the five-cut thing, I'll have to watch more directions on YouTube.

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

...you know...if I hit a golf ball and my swing is off by .039... my mistake down the fairway is so much bigger...it is the same thing in carpentry no matter what you are cutting and you’ll always be fixing mistakes (gaps in the wood)...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

SkyKing wrote:

...you know...if I hit a golf ball and my swing is off by .039... my mistake down the fairway is so much bigger...it is the same thing in carpentry no matter what you are cutting and you’ll always be fixing mistakes (gaps in the wood)...

Right, but I'm not a golfer.

One thing I'm trying to figure out - what is the adjustment point? I know where the pivot point it, but what's the adjustment point. I've gone through several articles, and they all mention this, but they don't say how to find it. Depending where I look online, that point is all over the place.

EDIT: Got it. The location of the pivot point is arbitrary, and I found a formula page.
https://www.windridgewoodcrafts.com/utilities/five_cut/

Entering the measurements into the table, I need an adjustment of -0.00081268. In other words, no adjustment necessary.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

You’ve probably done this but start by making sure the table top miter slots are parallel with the blade. As best I can tell mine's off by 1/64”. I have to compensate with tape on the jig face.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

gvarner wrote:

You’ve probably done this but start by making sure the table top miter slots are parallel with the blade. As best I can tell mine's off by 1/64”. I have to compensate with tape on the jig face.

Thanks. Yes.

Gamache Loc: Clarissa, MN

William Ng has an excellent video, on U-Tube, about making and adjusting a table saw sled. He uses a micrometer and feeler gauge to make adjustment.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Gamache wrote:

William Ng has an excellent video, on U-Tube, about making and adjusting a table saw sled. He uses a micrometer and feeler gauge to make adjustment.

Yes, I saw that. Very good.

HOHIMER

jerryc41 wrote:

I'm finishing my table saw sled, and I'm wondering if it's worth the trouble of going through the five-cut method of squaring. Doing the five cuts, the 24 X 36" sled is off by 0.039". I'm not precision cabinet maker - plywood and 2 x 4s.

If I do the five-cut thing, I'll have to watch more directions on YouTube.

Wow...that is almost a millimeter!

HOHIMER

jerryc41 wrote:

Right, but I'm not a golfer. img src="https://s... (show quote)

Wow...that is thinner than a sheet of toilet paper! Very close to a garlic skin.

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

jerryc41 wrote:

Right, but I'm not a golfer. img src="https://s... (show quote)

Better watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbG-n--LFgQ

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

bertloomis wrote:

Better watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbG-n--LFgQ

Here is the calculation based on a 0.039 width difference over an 8 inch piece and a 24 inch distance between pivot point and adjustment point. Your adjustment is 0.029" not 0.0008"

Attached file:
(Download)

Attached file:
(Download)