Introduction
Woodworking is a versatile and rewarding hobby, but achieving a perfectly flat and smooth surface on your lumber can be a challenging task. Whether you’re building a tabletop, a cabinet door, or any other woodworking project, a router sled or flattening jig can be an indispensable tool. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of creating both a router sled and a router flattening jig, helping you achieve professional-level results in your woodworking endeavours.
1. How to Make a Router Sled for Planning
A router sled is a versatile tool that allows you to flatten large, rough-sawn lumber and create perfectly flat surfaces. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make one:
Materials you’ll need:
- Plywood or MDF board (for the sled base)
- Straight router bit
- Router
- Wooden rails
- Screws and clamps
- Measuring tape and pencil
Steps:
- Measure and cut your plywood or MDF board to the desired size for your sled base.
- Attach wooden rails along the edges of the sled base to guide your router. Make sure they are straight and parallel.
- Mount your router on the sled base, ensuring that it can move freely along the rails.
- Set the depth of your router bit to the desired cutting depth.
- Secure your workpiece to the sled using clamps.
- Start your router and make slow, even passes across the surface of the wood until it is flat and smooth.
- How to Make a Router Flattening Jig
A router flattening jig is another useful tool for creating flat surfaces in woodworking. It’s particularly handy for jointing and flattening large slabs of wood. Here’s how you can make one:
Materials you’ll need:
- Plywood or MDF board (for the jig base)
- Wooden rails
- Router
- Straight router bit
- Screws and clamps
- Measuring tape and pencil
Steps:
- Cut your plywood or MDF board to the desired size for the jig base.
- Attach wooden rails to the jig base, creating a channel for the router to slide back and forth.
- Place your router inside the channel, ensuring it can move smoothly.
- Set the router bit depth to match the amount of material you want to remove.
- Secure the workpiece to your workbench or sawhorses.
- Slowly pass the router back and forth over the wood surface until it’s flat and even.
- How to Make a Router Flattening Sled
A router flattening sled combines the best of both worlds by allowing you to flatten surfaces with precision and ease. Here’s how you can build one:
Materials you’ll need:
- Plywood or MDF board (for the sled base)
- Wooden rails
- Router
- Straight router bit
- Screws and clamps
- Measuring tape and pencil
Steps:
- Cut your plywood or MDF board to the desired size for the sled base.
- Attach wooden rails to the sled base, creating a channel for the router to move along.
- Mount your router on the sled base, ensuring it can slide smoothly.
- Set the router bit to the desired depth.
- Secure your workpiece to the sled using clamps.
- Move the router back and forth across the wood surface, taking shallow passes until the surface is flat and smooth.
Conclusion
Building your own router sled and flattening jig is a rewarding endeavour for any woodworking enthusiast. These tools will help you achieve the flat, smooth surfaces necessary for creating high-quality projects. Whether you choose to make a router sled for planning, a router flattening jig, or a router flattening sled, the skills you gain will be invaluable in your woodworking journey. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your materials, and start crafting these essential tools for your workshop today. Your woodworking projects will thank you for it!