Hello there,
I recently viewed a video on the site regarding cross-cut sleds.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/video/tune-up-your-crosscut-sled.aspx
The author uses quarter sawn wood for the runners because of the lack of movement. He allows for up and down movement but not side to side so they fit sung in the track during all seasons. My questions are:
1) If he is using quarter sawn wood what type might he be using?
2) Would the grain be running horizontal?
Thanks,
Dennis
Replies
Grain direction
Wood expansion/contraction is generally greatest at right angles to the grain. Thus, for a runner, the grain of the quater-sawn strips should be horizontal, so the expansion is into the depth of the groove on the top of the table saw, as opposed to across the width of the groove.
Any tight-grained hardwood can be used - harder and finer textured being better for this purpose. Hard maple is often chosen for this type of application, You might have to sort through boards to find one that is quarter sawn (grain rings at right angles to the face). While not all woods are milled as "quarter sawn" (which wastes a lot of wood), at least one board from the tree will end up being quarter sawn.
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