Sled Pics for Bcarvers

[AlArchie]

B, I have posted four pictures of the sled I built to rip log sections on the bandsaw, *Pics aren't the greatest but should give you the general idea. They are posted in the 'carving aids' section of Picturetrail.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...&members=1

*All it is is an 'L' shaped jig made from 3/4' plywood. *On the underside is a 3/4'x3/8' strip that rides in the miter slot. *This strip is attached with coutersunk flat head scresw #8 x 3/4'. *On the oposite end of the 'L' is a 1/4' rod with a wing nut on the top. *It runs up through the base of the sled and is held in place by a 1/4' nut and a large fender washer, counter bored into the base. *You can see this on the pic of the underside. *The top clamp is simply a piece of hardwood 3/4' thick, and about 6 to 10 ' long with a 1/4' hole drilled in one end. the rod goes up through that to the wing nut or threaded knob, whicever you want to use. * You will need to cut a lenght of scrap the approximate lenght od the thickness of your log section, to support the outboard end of the clamping board. *

Now just set the log section up against the 'L' part, positioning it so about a quarter inch sticks out over the edge of the sled that will be nearest the bandsaw blade,drive a 10 penny nail through the 'L' and into the end of the log section, ( I drilled a hole in the 'L' so I can just drive the nail into the log), put the clamp over the other end, tighten the clamp and them slide thw whole assembly down the miter slot. *If you have a GOOD BLADE, this will give you a nice smooth side to work with. *Now remove the log section, reposition it with the newly flat side down on the sled, and another quarter inch or so hanfging out over the blade side and run another cut. *After that you can ditch the sled and use the rip fence to work up the outher two sides. *Now you should have a nicely squared up piece of stock ready to carve.

If you have purchased an inferior blade, you will have a piece of scrap, and maybe even cut into the sled base. *A 1/2' blade is NOT an adequate re-saw blade but can be made to work, if you don't rush the process. *It will take a considerable lenght of time to cut a large hunk of wood like this on a standard bandsaw.

Al

[bcarvings]

Hi,
Thanks, I'm going to make a list of all that stuff I need, and try to make that jig. Thanks for the pics to they are a good refrence. Thanks a ton!

[AlArchie]

OK, if you have the info, I'll pull the photos off the Picturetrail site later today.

Al