Crosscut sled runners from laminated hardwood flooring

[Brogan]

I'm building a large crosscut sled so I can make the panel lids for my bench seat.

I have boxes of hardwood laminated flooring available and when I cut a piece to width, it was the perfect thickness (depth) for the miter slot and slides extremely smoothly, so I figured it would make good runners.

I know that UHMW and HDPE are the go to materials at the moment but has anyone tried hardwood laminated plywood?

It looks like it would do a decent job and being plywood should be dimensionally stable.

For the record, it's maple with a satin finish.

 

[JohnW]

That should work just fine. One thing ill mention, laminated flooring can be very hard on your blade. Dulls them quickly. DAMHIKT. But as runners, they should work.

 

[Brogan]

I wasn't aware of that so thanks.

I should only need to make a few feet of cuts so hopefully it won't be too bad.

 

[junquecol]

What give laminate it's exceptional wear factor is aluminum oxide in the finish. You say what is aluminum oxide - think sandpaper. That's why it kills blades.

 

[Bear Republic]

One thing on the laminated products, they can be sensitive to moisture.

 

[Fishbucket]

Rub some wax on it, just be careful not to shoot it off into the shop wall...

 

[Jeff]

Rub some wax on it, just be careful not to shoot it off into the shop wall...

??????

 

[Rwe2156]

Good idea.

Has anyone ever tried using Azek?

 

[Gotcha6]

Originally Posted by Fishbucket
Rub some wax on it, just be careful not to shoot it off into the shop wall...

??????

Methinks he doth speak from experience.......

 

[sawman101]

Better the shop wall than your spleen, as one budding lady woodworker experienced.:saw:

 

[MikeH]

Originally Posted by Fishbucket
Rub some wax on it, just be careful not to shoot it off into the shop wall...







Methinks he doth speak from experience.......

:rotflm::rotflm::rotflm:

 

[Bear Republic]

Maybe a safety line to it like the old days of keeping your mittens on.... :rotflm: