Still digging through Google images and Youtube videos.
Have 45 ? yr old PM Contractor saw w 52" Biesemeyer.
May be upgrading in future to D/R 12/14 w Bies 52 .. will decide BEFORE I do any "permanent" ext table design/ install.
It stays stationary and never has to move... Plenty of clearance ALL around.
Want to regularly crosscut one foot of length off of 16" x 8' panels...so end up w 16" x 7'.
I purchase them at already 16"... Factory ends may not be perfectly square.
First question - Why do I never seem to see sleds that bear against the Fence as the guide ?
Always they use the miter slot.
Remember, in my case I am only cutting off one foot to the right of the blade... not something over the "52" " reach.
Seems to me one could make a sled w an extended fore to aft right edge that would seem to work.
Second question - How realistic is it to make a sled that uses BOTH slots w no bearing on fence ?
Concerned about binding in a fluctuating ambient humidity.
So basically I am brainstorming about making a poor mans equivalent to a Rolling Table or Euro panel saw really mostly kinda only for the job described above.
Commercially available like Excaliber, Sawstop etc "Sliding tables" are too expensive for my taste.. especially not being very large.
Currently, I use a dedicated piece of ply 8' x 2' w a back fence and 90 deg guide bar I run the little PC worm saw against.
Works fine but would rather be able to do on TS.
I do have the floor space around the saw no problem
Lastly.. I have learned occasionally on some large panels to sprinkle a tiny bit of blasting Potters glass beads to act as microbearings.. works great for occasional work.
So for the not often I need to do this, that could be employed in addition to good waxing.
I will be building ext tables around infeed, left side, and out.. so my left table will support this sled.
Comment please.. mostly on the two specific questions to start with.
I think I gave all pertinent info, please read carefully.. if not.. ask.
Thank you all very much, Marc