Router sled

How do you easily flatten a large surface of hard wood without spending hours planing? The answer is a router sled!

I needed a means to flatten a slab of log (see previous blog post) so decided to make a simply sled for my router. I grabbed some pallet wood and cut it to the right dimensions to raise the surface above the height of the log slab. I used some white melamine coated chipboard left over from an old wardobe for the surface as it allowed the router to slide really easily.

I fitted two pine batons to the sides of the sled, giving the router a clear track to run backwards and forwards on, leaving a little bit of clearance so the router could move smoothly without getting caught.

I then gradually lowered the router into the centre section and moved it backwards and forwards to remove the material in the centre, creating a neat groove for the router bit.

I also added end pieces to the sled, so I could move the router backwards and forwards more easily, without worrying about overshooting the sled and injuring myself on the suddenly exposed router bit!

After a few tests, I set about flattening the log slab, using some extra pieces of white melamine coated chipboard to raise the sled up to start with, until I had removed enough material on the highspots of the slab.

As quick jigs go, this made flattening the slab so much quicker and easier than doing it with a hand plane. Another successful project! 🔨