Runners for Ryobi/Craftsman Tabbed Miter Slots

Learn how to make table saw sled runners for saws with tabbed miter slots, like you might find on some Ryobi and Craftsman models. It's not as hard as you might think, and after watching this video, you'll be able to do it in no time! Well, OK, maybe not *quite* that quickly, but you know what I mean...

Other videos in this series:

Other relevant videos:

Products featured in this video:

[sbfreeman]

I have the same Ryobi table saw. I got so tired of struggling to get the miter runners correct, that I just gave up and ground the tabs down flat with an angle grinder. Now I can make sleds with normal runners.

[datadev]

I don't know what your background is but you are a great teacher.

[scott]

Dan, thanks for the video I have the same saw. I probably will just grind off the tab. But a trick I learned when I built RC planes is after you tap the hole put a little thin CA glue onto the threads. Let it cure, then retap the hole. The threads will be much stronger. Again thanks for another great video.

[AceWoodworksbrand]

This video turned out to be a million dollar video for me. Thank you because I needed this info

[joannemayhew]

This is exactly what I was looking for for my Ryobi RTS12 I just purchased. I wasn't sure how to make the runner for the different miter slot. Thank you for explaining this so well!! Great job!!!

[pastorty]

You do a great job of narrating and helping us solve problems. Subscribed!

[ReelSpider]

Saw the previous video, and was on my way out to the garage to grind those tabs off... glad you beat me to a solution...

[alexlyon]

Thank you for making this video, I just started woodworking and didn't realize when I bought my table saw the miter slot had those tabs. Thankfully mine run the entire length of the miter slot. I really appreciate learning about woodworking as I go along and your videos help me out alot. Please keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more content.

[suewilkinson]

Brilliant! I’m a UK Newbie with a Titan table saw. It has these mitre slots and I haven’t seen anyone else show how to solve this problem, thank you! Love your channel and you’re teaching me so much.

[markrigoglioso]

Your method for runners allows adjustments to make them fit perfectly and they are replaceable. Great technique.

[TransylvaniaRenfield]

I'm fortunate enough to have access to a 3d printer and am currently attempting to print this instead of cutting out of wood. Thanks for planting the idea into my head. You do really good work.

[ArbyCreations]

great video for people struggling with these types of slots. I gave up with my old one a way back and used a router to cut them out to normal size. HSS router bits have no trouble with aluminium tops.

[rickpouley]

Thank you for the great information. I always heard that you had to grind off the tabs, but I think this is so much better than grinding off the tabs!

[David-hmic]

This is a great idea. I recently bought an older cast iron Craftsman to replace my newer one that has a tabbed aluminum top so I understand the issue. Here's a thought from a long time RC airplane builder: Rather than cut rabbets another option might be to cut the hardwood to fit between the tabs and to cut 3/32" or 1/8" (2.5-3mm) aircraft ply to fit the full width of the slots and then glue the ply to the runners with 15 minute or slower epoxy. (This isn't a good place for 5 minute epoxy.) That would make for much less fragile inverted Tee runners. The aircraft ply is 100% birch plies and th3 1/8" variety will have 5 layers. It's available at hobby shops that cater to radio controlled airplane and boat builders and at craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael's. The 3 ply poplar "lite ply" would not be a good choice for this application.

[joec]

New sub here. I thought I was SOL on making sleds for the old Craftsman someone gave me. I don't have the tools to grind down the slots. I'm so glad I stumbled on your videos. I plan on making your sled that can be used with a blade guard, as thats the only safety device my saw has, no riving knife.

[LuisVillalobosYT]

NEW SUB!!!! wow I was gonna give up on my ryobi... I was so sad because of the runners and every video I saw about making a sled had "real" runners lol. This will be a weekend project for me! THANKS !

[xman]

Thank you so much for this video! I got this table saw a couple of years ago and at the time looked for a video that would help build a sled for these slots. Finally I found it! You just got a new sub. Awesome work!!!

[trongn]

Thank you Dan. Your videos are quite clear and informative. As a real newbie in woodworking, a few years ago, I have acquired a low-cost table saw Rioby similar to the one shown in your video to renovate our house floors. Lately, while being grounded by all the health measures against the COVID19, I am thinking to venture myself into more ''advanced'' stuff such as building cabinets, and shelves (please don't laugh!) as a pass time. The crosscut sled seems to be ''the'' most recommended by mentors to us newbies. However, the task is being complicated by the design of the Rioby table with miter slot tabs. While considering using your method to deal with the situation, I remember having come across a slim-line drawer slides with ball bearing tracks. They have a cross section of 5/8'' (W) x 3/8'' (H) which seems to suit the miter slots (without tabs) in hand. This requires a removal of the troublesome tabs which, to me, have a secondary function in keeping the miter gauge rod stable during cross cuts. At best, these tabs are ''nice-to-have'' design feature.
The following link provides more information about these slides:




I have tried to mount these slides on a scrap board, and they fit quite well in the slots, but protruding slightly above the table surface by approximately 1/8''. The board is sliding very smoothly on the slide tops without touching the saw table (bad thing?)
My concerns are as follows:
- The stability of the board in side-to-side movements because of the slacks in the slides (ball bearing, clearances, etc.), even though the front-to-back movement is super smooth.
- The alignment and squareness of the fence to the kerf might be affected by the movement of the slides even though I can fasten them down to the slots using screws at each end of the slides.


Before getting into more serious steps in making the sled, I would like to have your expert opinion on this application. Any improvements or precautions to make to the procedure?
Your help is most appreciated.

[bigviper]

PERFECT! I have a Craftsman 10” Table Saw and have really had a hard time making mine., now, off to buy some Maple Strips…

[matthall]

I wish I had the foresight to buy a table saw without the tabs as my new Craftsmans has them. I have been working on the same project but your rabbit technique to trim the runners is what I was missing. About to give it a go. Thanks for posting. Perfect video for my problem.