SS Flat bar bargain today

[Albiemanmike]

So I decided to make a new cross cut sled for my table saw. My current sled is alright but it has never moved through the miter slots easily as I used Purple Heart runners when I built it. I didn't have anything better at the time so I used what I had on hand. It has served its purpose and I was tired of forcing the sled through every cut. So I got some 1/2" ply and screws then stopped at the steel supply company right down the street from our new house. They have a bargain barn where they sell all manner of metal stuff that is surplus to their commercial operation. They have a steel barn and a SS/Aluminum barn. I looked in the steel barn first and found a 10' piece of 3/4 x3/8 flat bar which cost $1.00 a lb. then I went and looked in the SS/Aluminum barn as I had never been in there before and man is that a dangerous place to visit. I wandered around and finally found some machined SS flat bar that was exactly 3/4 x3/8 and grabbed a 12' piece. Not knowing how much exactly this was I went and asked Junior the owners son how much? He said it would depend whether it was SS or not. He looked around for a magnet and couldn't find one so he said I am just going to charge you the steel price which was $2.00 lb. then one of the guys walks up with a magnet and sure enough it was SS. Junior says well I guess you got a good deal
I also got some scotchbrite belts for my Rigid oscillating belt sander which should be very handy those cost me $30 for 10 of them. So I got out of there for $60 with 12' of SS flat bar 10' of steel flat bar and some scotchbrite belts. I thought I did pretty good and the SS Flat bar fit my miter slots like a glove and slides like butter.

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[Pat Brady]

Mine has a wooden runner. Try spraying the entire top of your saw with silicon spray. Spray it down in the groove too. I guarantee it will slide right though like butter. And the wood will slide right across the top of your saw too. You can get a spray can at NAPA.

 

[Albiemanmike]

You never want to use silicone anywhere near woodworking equipment as it will make it impossible to put any finish on your project. I use Johnson's paste wax on all my machine tables and it works awesome. The wood runners were fine at first but because it is wood they are wood they move and change their dimensions with the weather/humidity which made them swell and shrink which is not good for a sled runner that needs to be accurate.

The new SS runners will not change their dimensions with changes in the shop environment which means the sled should stay put in the miter slots and continue to slide easily forever. Making sleds takes time and although I enjoy anytime spent in the shop I would rather be making things instead of jigs to make things.