Finish for Table Saw Sled

[John McKissick]

Sorry John, I should have provided more info to begin with. I use an oil based polyurethane (I doubt water based would mix with the others). I combine it with either tung or linseed oil (whatever is on hand), and then mineral spirits or turpentine to thin it out. 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 is the basic mix, but don't break out the measuring cups. Eye-balling it seems to be fine. I've used this on my workbench and assembly table as well as jigs. Wears well and glue pops right off. As others have noted, you may not need anything on a sled. I did it in an attempt to seal the MDF, and then waxed the bottom to reduce friction. Probably overkill for a jig that may have a limited lifetime.

Thanks for the specifics. I don't keep a lot of oil based finishes on hand but your brew sounds interesting.

I ended up with two thin poly coats on the bottom and one on the rest. Going to wax the bottom too. I made it with micro-jig slots for clamps

[Jim Becker]

I don't generally put finishes on shop jigs. Many are just temporary for a specific job and those that are more permanent are just fine "totally nude". But in the rare event I do slather something on, it's either shellac or whatever else is lying about. I have older water borne finishes that I wouldn't use for a client or personal project, but for shop use, they are just fine.

[Brian Tymchak]

I don't generally put finishes on shop jigs. Many are just temporary for a specific job and those that are more permanent are just fine "totally nude". But in the rare event I do slather something on, it's either shellac or whatever else is lying about. I have older water borne finishes that I wouldn't use for a client or personal project, but for shop use, they are just fine.

Pretty much the same, but if I were to want to put a finish on my sleds, I think I would use ArmRSeal and then buff it with steel wool. Ends up smooth like a baby's b.... I would still though keep the runners waxed and the TS top polished - I use Glide Coat for all my iron surfaces.

[Justin Rapp]

Mine is unfinished 3/16" plywood and Basswood

Attachment 427088
Weighs about 2 pounds, can be put on or off with one hand

And it stay's flat?

[Tom Bender]

Yes, why would it warp? This is linoleum floor underlayment. It had better stay flat!

[Pete Staehling]

I really don't see any good functional reason to put finish on mine. I won't look down on others if they choose to, but I really don't see how it makes sense from a purely functional point of view. I have on occasion rubbed some wax on the runners or even the rest of the bottom to make them slide better.

I also do put finish on some of my jigs and shop made tools but I do that for purely aesthetic reasons. I tend to do that when they are made of scraps of really nice wood. I don't claim it makes a lot of sense even then, but I sometimes can't resist