5 Best Cross Cut Sleds for Table Saws (Manually Tested)
A crosscut sled comes in super handy when cutting smaller workpieces on a full-size table saw.
But finding the right one can be a challenge.
So I put this list of the best crosscut sleds for table saws to help you find the perfect one for your shop. Let’s begin!
In a hurry? The POWERTEC 71403 Table Saw Crosscut Sled is the best product overall because it’s exceptionally well-designed, durable, and easy to use once you get the hang of it.
Best Cross Cut Sleds
- #1 Best Overall – POWERTEC 71403 Table Saw Crosscut Sled
- Best Quality – Rockler Table Saw Small Parts Crosscut Sled
- Best Value – Rockwell RW9266 BladeRunner X2 Cross Cut Sled
- Best Sled with Miter Gauge – INCRA MITER5000 Miter 5000 Miter Gauge & Sled
- Best DIY Sled Kit – Fulton DIY Table Saw Crosscut Sled Kit
1. POWERTEC 71403 Table Saw Crosscut Sled – #1 Best Overall
- INCLUDES: Crosscut Table Saw Sled kit comes with table base, MDF fence face, fence, flip stop, hold down…
- FEATURES: Easy to read 1/2° graduations, a hairline indicator for mistake free tablesaw setups, right edge…
- HIGH PRECISION CUTS: Complete with an integrated angled ruler to ensure you get the desired cut with accurate…
The POWERTEC 71403 Table Saw Crosscut Sled is an all-around superb crosscut sled, and it’s designed to stand the test of time.
The base is 23-13/16 x 23-13/16” x 0.5”, and it’s made of melamine-coated MDF to ensure the fence and workpiece slide with ease. Love that!
Made of heavy, extruded aluminum, the fence is 24 x 3-3/8 x 2-7/8”, and its face is also made of melamine-coated MDF.
And since this product has many stops and clamps built in, it’s one of the safer ones out there—I don’t have to worry about kickback when using it and that’s a big plus.
The clamps may hold workpieces down tight, but you’ll never have to worry about them bowing or deforming the table.
And there’s also a flip-stop for clearing chips and debris, and this comes in handy when you’re making a number of cuts in a midsize workpiece.
There’s also a degree scale (0°-50°) built in so you can make clean miter cuts with this sled too. And for extra precision, a hairline-indicator is employed.
Finally, this highly capable crosscut sled comes with the following:
- Knobs
- T-bolts
- Allen key
- Screws
- Screwdriver
- Wear-resistant strips
- Adjustment hardware
- Instructions
- Three-year warranty
What I Liked:
- All stops and clamps are easy to use, so you spend more time cutting and less time adjusting.
- The sled’s surface is ultra-smooth, so you don’t have to worry about bumps messing up your cuts.
- The flip stop ensures debris won’t prevent you from making clean cuts.
- Since the fence is on the heavier side, it handles larger workpieces with ease.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Only works on full-size table saws.
- The degree scale only goes to 50°.
My Thoughts:
Overall, the POWERTEC 71403 Table Saw Crosscut Sled is a fantastic crosscut sled in all the ways that matter, and that’s why giving it the #1 Best Overall spot wasn’t hard at all. It’s also a pretty good price when you consider how expensive other crosscut sleds are. Basically, if you need to make clean, repetitive cuts, this crosscut sled will be your best friend. My only notable gripe is the somewhat limited degree scale, but in totality this crosscut sled is simply spectacular!
Other Stores
2. Rockler Table Saw Small Parts Crosscut Sled – Best Quality
- Crosscut Sled For Table Saw: This miniature cross cut sled lets you use your table saw to cut small parts to…
- Table Saw Crosscut Sled is Great for? Our table saw fence system is great for cutting dowels, tenon stock, and…
- Zero-Clearance Support: This sled system features zero-clearance support, which reduces the chance of small…
The Rockler Table Saw Small Parts Crosscut Sled is terrifically efficient, accurate, and pretty easy to use, and that’s why it’s the best as far as quality is concerned.
This sled is 15-1/2 x 12 x 3-1/2” when the miter track and blade guard are engaged, and it’s made of melamine-coated MDF and aluminum.
Its fence is 1-1/8” tall, and its max stock thickness is 1”, while its max stock width is 5-1/2”.
And because it has zero-clearance support, wood chips and cut-off sections of the workpiece won’t get stuck in the blade or throat plate. Love that!
Plus, there’s a small plastic ramp, and this ensures drop-off pieces get moved out of the way after cutting.
A miter track stop prevents the sled from sliding forward, and the rear-mounted blade guard works with most tables saws.
And since there’s an aluminum T-track on the top edge, I can add a flip-stop if I want to. Also, the short T-track that’s parallel to the blade can accommodate a T-track hold-down clamp.
What I Liked:
- Since it’s easy to use and relatively affordable, professionals and amateurs alike can use it.
- The zero-clearance support doesn’t just ensure it’s more efficient but safer too.
- Its size makes it perfect for cutting small workpieces, especially when you want to avoid tear-out.
- It can accommodate a variety of clamps at different points to ensure greater stability.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Only works with a 3/8 x 3/4” miter slot.
- Assembly can be a little challenging.
My Thoughts:
The Rockler Table Saw Small Parts Crosscut Sled definitely gets an A+ rating from me, as it’s well-designed and therefore easy to use, whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who’s just learning about table saws. There are so many unique features, and these collectively make it the high-quality, stand-out product that it is. Sure, assembly can be challenging if you’ve never set up a sled before, but once you’re through the assembly stage it should be smooth sailing!
Other Stores
3. Rockwell RW9266 BladeRunner X2 Cross Cut Sled – Best Value
- Ideal for precise cross cutting applications
- Cutting groove for easy alignment
- Room to place your hands safely during your cuts
The Rockwell RW9266 BladeRunner X2 Cross Cut Sled is arguably the most basic crosscut sled on the market today, but it’s also one of the most reliable.
Though it’s designed for the BladeRunner tabletop saw, this crosscut sled works on a wide variety of tabletop saws, and I love that versatility.
It’s 17.25 x 12.5 x 2.5”, and it’ll work on a saw even if there are no mounting slots (like the BladeRunner has).
Made of reinforced plastic, it has inch and centimeter graduations on either side of the cutting line, and the bed has grooves so aligning workpieces is a breeze.
And since it weighs just 7 oz, it’s incredibly portable.
What I Liked:
- You can start cutting right away because this sled attaches in seconds.
- It may be plastic but it’s still strong enough to hold heavier workpieces.
- Its low price makes it a great buy for DIYers who’ll only need it occasionally.
- Grooves in bed help with making repetitive cuts.
What I Didn’t Like:
- You have to cut out the small piece at the end of the cut line before you use it.
- Doesn’t have as much bed capacity as other crosscut sleds.
My Thoughts:
For something extremely basic and low-priced, the Rockwell RW9266 BladeRunner X2 Cross Cut Sled holds up exceptionally well as a crosscut sled, even when stacked against products that have more features and steeper price tags. I especially love how workpieces slide easily, assisted by the sled table grooves. Yes, it’s one of the smaller sleds and this has its disadvantages, but overall it’s a top-notch crosscut sled for amateurs and pros alike.
Other Stores
4. INCRA MITER5000 Miter Gauge & Sled – Best Sled with Miter Gauge
- Capitalizing on a great idea, the folks at Incra
- The sled with T-track and clamping fixture secures the work piece as one solid unit for precision…
- The right-hand portion of the sled, once cut
If you’re looking for a sled and miter gauge combination that’s sure to deliver terrific results time and time again, consider the INCRA MITER5000 Miter Gauge & Sled, as it’s one of the best sets a 10” table saw can accommodate.
Weighing in at 31 lbs, this three-panel sled table is 37.8 x 25.9 x 3.7″, and its capacity is 20-25” (depending on how many panels are being used).
It’s made of MDF and equipped with aluminum T-tracks, and I like how its heavy-duty hold-down clamps can secure small pieces so they stay clear of the blade and slot.
Plus, this board can be set up on either the left or right side of the blade, so it’s extremely versatile.
And unlike other sled and miter gauge combinations, this one comes with a miter bar that won’t wiggle in the slot, so precise cutting is what you’ll get every time.
The third panel is a renewable drop panel that ensures zero-clearance tear-out control, and a telescoping fence (36-64”) is included so this sled table has plenty of capacity.
Finally, the miter gauge has solid-steel indexing teeth, and there are 1/2°, 1°, and 5° stops to 180°.
What I Liked:
- This sled is on the heavier side, so it’ll have an easy time staying in place during cutting.
- The miter gauge ensures you can get unbelievably precise miter cuts up to 180°.
- It has substantial capacity, so it can handle large workpieces on a 10” table saw.
- Numerous components ensure it’s one of the safer sleds, so you can use it with peace of mind.
What I Didn’t Like:
- Its price may put it out of reach for a lot of hobbyists and DIYers.
- Setting stops can take some getting used to.
My Thoughts:
The INCRA MITER5000 Miter 5000 Miter Gauge & Sled is by far the best sled-miter combo pack, and it’ll enhance an already-good table saw by a factor of 10 at least. It has much more capacity than your typical smaller sled, in part because the rip fence extends out so far. And thanks to the solid-steel, precision-crafter miter gauge, you can make far more than repetitive crosscuts with this sled. Its price is its only real downside, but at least it backs this up by consistently being a top-tier performer.
Other Stores
5. Fulton DIY Table Saw Crosscut Sled Kit – Best DIY Sled Kit
- If you own a table saw, you probably have come across a situation or two where you need to make smaller cuts or make cross cuts. You may also have had…
- Some time ago we noticed a lot of companies had UHMW bars available for purchase. While we as a woodworking company know exactly what they are used…
- UHMW bars are most commonly used as runners for crosscut sleds since they don’t produce as much friction as wood does. Another advantage is that…
If you really want to know what makes a crosscut sled incredibly useful, and if you want customization down to the last detail, you can make your own with the Fulton DIY Table Saw Crosscut Sled Kit.
This kit comes with pre-cut UHMW bars (3/4” x 3/8”), pre-cut aluminum tracks, a knob and bolt setup, and instructions.
Yes, you’ll have to get your own wood, but that’s a big part of why this crosscut sled is so useful—I can make the sled 100% according to my unique specifications!
And once assembled, this crosscut sled will work on virtually any table saw. Brilliant!
What I Liked:
- All the important components are pre-cut to ensure they work with a variety of configurations.
- Arguably the most cost-effective crosscut sled because it’s cheap yet highly efficient.
- If you need a different size, you can easily disassemble and replace with new wood.
- The knob and bolt will keep your homemade stop-block steady, leading to better cuts.
What I Didn’t Like:
- The bars should be made of stronger metal.
- The track is prone to getting clogged with debris.
My Thoughts
For a DIY kit, the Fulton DIY Table Saw Crosscut Sled Kit is beautifully versatile, capable, and easy to use, and I can’t think of a better combination of qualities for a crosscut sled. And the manufactured components are all well-designed and precise, so you can make a 100% custom sled with any kind of wood you want. Sure, the tracks can get clogged if you don’t have a good dust removal system on your saw, but that’s the one and only gripe I have with this excellent product!
Other Stores
What to Consider When Purchasing a Crosscut Sled for Table Saws
Capacity
A great sled can hold small and midsize workpieces firmly in place, and without taking up too much space on the saw table.
And if a sled can work on the right and left side, and if it has a first-rate rip fence, it probably has substantial capacity.
Looking for a new table saw? Check out these amazing table saws under $500!
Features
Every sled has a table and stop-block, but it’s also helpful when a sled has a front and rear fence, a blade guard, a melamine base, and a means of removing small pieces that could prevent the saw blade from operating properly.
Versatility
Even though sleds are mainly used for making crosscuts with greater accuracy, a versatile model can help with making miter cuts and other cuts too, so long as an extremely precise miter gauge is employed.
Here’s a great video that shows you how a simple table saw sled can help you.
Final Thoughts
To recap, the POWERTEC 71403 Table Saw Crosscut Sled is the overall best crosscut sled because it will help you make precise cuts with ease, and it’s affordably priced when you consider what top sleds go for.
The Rockler Table Saw Small Parts Crosscut Sled is the best as far as quality goes, mainly because it’s equipped with all the features a table saw crosscut sled needs to be successful.
Finally, there’s the Rockwell RW9266 BladeRunner X2 Cross Cut Sled, the best product for individuals on a budget who value simplicity above all else.