Router Sled Planer For Slab Flattening Comparison Test : MUST Have Woodworking Tools

This DIY video is showing the comparison/showdown between two different router sleds or slab flattening jigs. This comparison test is between one was made for $20 & the other is a $900 Woodpeckers slab flattening kit I have in my wood shop that are the best for woodworkers. This router sled planer video will show in detail the differences between the two router sleds and the reasoning why both system are extremely important woodworking tools to have if your serious in your woodworking. We also go into detail with a router showdown between a Dewalt 1/4" shank router vs. a Titon 1/2" shank router. Both are extremely valuable to have but one will save you a TON of time in the long run. Bring Your Own Tools (BYOTools #62).

Video Support By:

Tool List:


MUSIC:
Min0:00 - Venice Beach: Topher Mohr & Alex Elena

#byot #diy #howto

[briw]

try a router sled made from linear rails, commonly usaed in cnc machines. you can make a small or very large sled, or even a double rail system, one on top of the other for multi angle routing for alot cheaper than $900

[The_Joker_]

I made a rail system that takes my router and belt sander. Saves a lot of work.

[joegee]

Great review!

My only issue with companies like Woodpeckers and Festool: is the extra money spent actually worth it for what you receive? I couldn't justify buying this sled, any of their marking/measuring tools, or any tools from Festool because the prices are just absolutely ridiculous considering how a MUCH cheaper alternative can give you the same results, or perhaps nearly as good.

If my cuts and measurements are off by 1/1000th of an inch because I opted out of buying something like this, I think I could live with that.

No offense to anyone who prefers such tools... I splurge on things, just not something that is 2x, 3x, 10x as expensive as the alternatives 🚀

[TehBananaBread]

1:10 you can clearly see the rig bending down. so the middle of the table is gonna be lower than the outsides.

[JsA]

#From 731 Woodworks. Saw a replay of the live stream tonight. I can’t ever seem to watch it live, lol but none the less, it was a great interview. I’ve been trying to figure out a router sled, so I’m glad I’m here; not for the $900 version lol. I’m doing a house remodel myself also and use YouTube to learn the things I’ve never done before. In fact, I see several vids that I have done also and also several thatI can’t wait to sink my teeth into. Thanks again for appearing w/ Matt & Amy, it was educational and inspirational.

[patrickgraham]

Do you have plans on how you built the $20 router sled and materials list? I have a walnut slab that is 19” wide that is warped and need flattened. I need to make a sled to do this with my router. Any tips you can provide would be awesome.

[blakecallison]

How do you raise and lower the router on the rails do you just have to adjust the shank ?

[kellybartok]

No one really came by and sang Christmas songs because of COVID, it’s nice to be in the spirit of Christmas, so when people do come to sing those songs, I can turn on my router and it’s so loud I now can drown them out that’s how good my router is, but on the level I’m so busy making moulding and rabbit joints that I don’t even answer the door, it’s just the dog the old lady and the cat bit for the most part my dependable router and it’s a good heavy duty one at that, it kills the job with a router bouncer I can carve also, all the best :)

[michaellynch]

I have an electric hand planner and plan to use your router sled design. I want to plan my slabs lengthwise, with the grain. I cut the slabs with an Alaskan chain saw mill. Which works great with an electric chainsaw..

[adcromwell]

Whats the difference in deflection in the middle? Im getting .04 dip in the middle fro router alone with my homemade one

[zackmccormick]

How do you accommodate if the wood is lower or higher than the sled and the router adjustments won't reach?

[David-hmic]

It looks like there's some scalloping on the surfaces you're planing. Starting at 7:40 the right side of the router is lifting every time it's pushed to the left. Could the scalloping be avoided by moving the router parallel to the guides rather than perpendicular to them?

[smsteger]

I got your comment from the other video on the walnut tabletop. I actually did the same thing you did on that fir slab on one of my pieces. You routed a groove into it. I used an electric hand plane. I don't know that this method will be much different. It still leaves a lot of noticeable "planing" marks. It's still not a bad idea though, and I may incorporate my own 20 dollar fix at some point as you showed. My main problem at the moment is I have no true work table, and I have limited space, so a giant expensive contraption isn't really for me. I may just do what you suggested in the walnut tabletop video and find a woodshop and have them plane it. The only concern there is I actually glued my boards up width-wise instead of lengthwise, as I didn't have long enough material for the tabletop I wanted. With any luck, there won't be a ton of tear out... although I may still just hit it with 40-60 grit and do it the slow and painful way, haha.

[OleSnowShow]

Like the video and I’m subscribing but just wanted to point out that you should spell-check the word shirt in your video description. 👍🏼

[CrustyCurmudgeon]

I'm getting ready to do a similar flattening project on an old workbench I've had for 30 years and would like to resurface. One thing I noticed that I'd recommend changing is the use of the bench cookies under your work-piece. Those are going to compress a little as your router passes overhead, and do so to different degrees depending on where you're routing (close to the edges vs more in the middle). That compression will result in variation of the height, yielding surface irregularity, meaning that more sanding will be needed. More sanding will always result in a less flat surface, since you'll be sanding some areas more than others. Finding a way to fasten the work-piece down to the flattest possible solid surface will of course product the flattest results with the least finishing afterward.

[charlesdabb]

I just watched the video and it's like you're comparing apples to oranges.. The biggest discrepancy is your comparing a 11/4hp trim router to a 3 1/4 hp full size router. Most everything else has been mentioned by other commenters. The sled is great, $900.00 great, questionable. The proper rails and linear bearings and you could build something comparable for quite a bit less. Don't get me wrong Woodpeckers tools are great and I own several myself but some of there stuff is just way overboard on the price.

[larrynolte]

Which router do you like best the dewalt vs the Titan

[stanhudson]

You had me at woodpecker. Best quality tools ever.

[bobshepard]

Did you experience significant vibration with either surfacing bits? My first try shook so hard screws in the router baseplate came out.

[dougfrazer]

That Burl Walnut would would make a "mean" Coffee Table Top!! 🙃🤠