TABLE SAW SLEDS

I use table saw sleds for building most of my segmented rings for woodturnings.  I have sleds for all sorts of ring segment sizes (8-segment, 12-segment, 16-segment, 72-segment, etc., etc.).

My sleds are all fixed.  Once they are set up to give perfect segment angles, I attach the fence permanently so I don't have to waste time and wood in trial-and-error testing to get the angles right every time I make a segmented ring. 

I've also installed hold-down clamps on either side of the saw blade to prevent work pieces from jamming between the blade and the stop block.

Detailed plans to build these sleds can be found on Kevin Neelley's website at www.turnedwood.com.   I use a slightly different method, however, to do the initial positioning of the fence.  At a local art supply store, I found an adjustable protractor that allows me to set up fence angles directly on the table saw.  Once the fence is set up using the protractor, I do the trial-and-error half-circle test to verify accuracy.  The protractor gets you real close so there's not that much cutting and testing to do. Once I've verified that the fence is set accurately, I screw it down to the base to fix it's position.

I also glue a piece of 120 grit sandpaper to the workpiece side of the fence to keep the workpiece from sliding while cutting.

I use these sleds for more than just making segments for rings.  The photo below shows some pieces being cut for the Hopi Jar shown as the fourth item in Gallery 1.  In this particular case, I'm making two 45-degree angle cuts to give me 90-degree point on the end of a segment which fits into a 90-degree groove routed into the mating segment section.