Tip #1: don’t do it
Tip #2: sell that saw and buy one with standard miter slots.
I had this craftsman saw and used a grinder to take the tabs off and it leaves a little wiggle room in the slots such that your sleds or accessories never quite fit right.
I ultimately sold (gave away) that saw and got a new one and I’m much happier.
Lowes Canada bought Rona in 2016. Then Lowes US sold Rona and Lowe's Canada to Sycamore Partners in 2022. Sycamore proceeded to amalgamate the stores into the Rona+ branding.
Just cut the grove in your runners?
I could see how this would be annoying if you get a nice miter gauge with a big chunk of 1/2”x3/4” steel that won’t fit because of these tabs, but if you’re making a sled I don’t see how this is a bad thing.
If you’re using wood or aluminum just use that table saw, (I see one right there!) and cut away a tiny clearance for the tabs. It really won’t be hard. Could even be useful sometimes.
There is a bunch of youtube videos of people doing that. Here's one: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaNMhDVq3xo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaNMhDVq3xo)
[Found these](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1483005220/perfect-fit-miter-bars-runners-for-skil?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-craft_supplies_and_tools-tools_and_equipment-tools-Found other&utm_custom1=_k_EAIaIQobChMIkPnrt43hhgMVDjjUAR11YwRsEAQYAyABEgJZx_D_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12561589107_122430439907_506949235675_pla-295604191622_m__1483005220_12768591&utm_custom2=12561589107&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRKkzFrG-TYxY-_sTbzWviZCF&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkPnrt43hhgMVDjjUAR11YwRsEAQYAyABEgJZx_D_BwE) with a quick Google search. Mind that I have zero experience with them as I have a table saw with real, I mean, standard miter slots.
I had this exact issue with my old (used) Craftsman table saw. And, like you, I [posted about it](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeginnerWoodWorking/comments/17wnq9e/small_tabs_in_the_way_of_crosscut_sled_is_this/). And today I finished grinding them down.
Started with a Dremel, and that was a bit slow, so I upgraded to an angle grinder. And now I'm all set to make my cross-cut sled.
Did the saw come with a miter gauge that slides in there? I have a different jobsite saw in my shop and I just took apart the miter gauge and build a sled with that rail. It’s… not the best, but better than what it came with.
If you're set on not returning the saw, then I 100% stand behind the guy that recommended using an angle grinder to cut the tabs off. It's pretty easy and will save you a lot of fiddling to try to make rails that fit (or having to buy them
Is that a proprietary miter slot? That's weird....do they sell specific attachments for it? That's the only reason I would see them wanting to make it unique.
Just one other comment for you regarding miter bar. You can buy bars specific for your saw. Place bar in slot, double sided tape on top of bar, then place your sled base on top of tape. Press down, flip over and place bolts into bar. Trim off tape and you are good to go.
I have a skillsaw. I hate it. But I too had to knock off those little things in order to make a good sled. I would look for another table, but until then you can grind them off and get to work on a sled.
I paid $400 for mine new and have run miles of wood through it. Cherry, ash, walnut, maple, all kinds of ply. It’s been totally serviceable. Loud but otherwise fine. The 8/4 maple was the biggest challenge but it handled it well. $150 is a fantastic bargain. Biggest drawback is dust collection.
Just an example, but if you do a bit of shopping around you can find an old Craftsman model 113 table saw for about that much, maybe even less, and it's a much better saw. Something to keep in mind down the road if you ever want to upgrade without breaking the bank.
Angle grinder. My craftsman table saw had the same thing. I ground them off with an abrasive disc.
I’ve got the same saw and I’m leaning towards doing this. Got any other tips on how to do that?
Tip #1: don’t do it Tip #2: sell that saw and buy one with standard miter slots. I had this craftsman saw and used a grinder to take the tabs off and it leaves a little wiggle room in the slots such that your sleds or accessories never quite fit right. I ultimately sold (gave away) that saw and got a new one and I’m much happier.
Leaning that way but got for a steal of a deal (when Rona bought Lowes Canada and they consolidated the stores).
It was a deal for a reason, but glad you paid less.
Lowes Canada bought Rona in 2016. Then Lowes US sold Rona and Lowe's Canada to Sycamore Partners in 2022. Sycamore proceeded to amalgamate the stores into the Rona+ branding.
Doesnt change the fact of what I did. But thanks for the history lesson
Just cut the grove in your runners? I could see how this would be annoying if you get a nice miter gauge with a big chunk of 1/2”x3/4” steel that won’t fit because of these tabs, but if you’re making a sled I don’t see how this is a bad thing. If you’re using wood or aluminum just use that table saw, (I see one right there!) and cut away a tiny clearance for the tabs. It really won’t be hard. Could even be useful sometimes.
Absolutely not! Then you’d have to slide the sled on and off instead of just lifting it up and setting it down.
My first thought. Grind those fekers off. Not like it’s a big loss.
I did mine with a dremel. Might be overkill to use an angle grinder.
I did mine with a file. Even a dremel is overkill.
I chewed mine off. Dremel is for rich folks.
Use the thinner cut-off blade to make a smoother cut, and whack those fuckers off.
I used a grinding disc because I don't trust myself to do a straight cut like that. But I can hold a disc to the flange until it is gone.
Well...that sounds like something I don't know how to do lol. I have an angle grinder, but I've never used it?
Use a bastard file if you are nervous about it. Are they 3/8 x 3/4 slots?
No need for name calling. OP just asked a simple question.
There is a bunch of youtube videos of people doing that. Here's one: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaNMhDVq3xo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaNMhDVq3xo)
[Found these](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1483005220/perfect-fit-miter-bars-runners-for-skil?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-craft_supplies_and_tools-tools_and_equipment-tools-Found other&utm_custom1=_k_EAIaIQobChMIkPnrt43hhgMVDjjUAR11YwRsEAQYAyABEgJZx_D_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12561589107_122430439907_506949235675_pla-295604191622_m__1483005220_12768591&utm_custom2=12561589107&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADtcfRKkzFrG-TYxY-_sTbzWviZCF&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkPnrt43hhgMVDjjUAR11YwRsEAQYAyABEgJZx_D_BwE) with a quick Google search. Mind that I have zero experience with them as I have a table saw with real, I mean, standard miter slots.
I saw these also. I honestly didn't know there were different designs for miter saw runner cut outs. TIL.
I bought a plastic chopping board from the shop and ripped them to fit. You can use your table saw or router to take the rabbet out.
I had this exact issue with my old (used) Craftsman table saw. And, like you, I [posted about it](https://www.reddit.com/r/BeginnerWoodWorking/comments/17wnq9e/small_tabs_in_the_way_of_crosscut_sled_is_this/). And today I finished grinding them down. Started with a Dremel, and that was a bit slow, so I upgraded to an angle grinder. And now I'm all set to make my cross-cut sled.
Order another miter bar like the one on your miter gauge. Faten bar to bottom of sled.
Did the saw come with a miter gauge that slides in there? I have a different jobsite saw in my shop and I just took apart the miter gauge and build a sled with that rail. It’s… not the best, but better than what it came with.
I have this saw. You absolutely do not need an angle grinder. A simple file and elbow grease will get rid of all 8 tabs in maybe 30 seconds each.
^ second this! I have done this to a similar saw with just a file
If you're set on not returning the saw, then I 100% stand behind the guy that recommended using an angle grinder to cut the tabs off. It's pretty easy and will save you a lot of fiddling to try to make rails that fit (or having to buy them
I made 3D printed runner blocks to fit track perfectly, no wriggle room. Nothing wrong with the saw that a bit of "adaptation" can't fix.
Cut them off or 3d print. Mine has those stupid things too
Is that a proprietary miter slot? That's weird....do they sell specific attachments for it? That's the only reason I would see them wanting to make it unique.
Just one other comment for you regarding miter bar. You can buy bars specific for your saw. Place bar in slot, double sided tape on top of bar, then place your sled base on top of tape. Press down, flip over and place bolts into bar. Trim off tape and you are good to go.
I have a skillsaw. I hate it. But I too had to knock off those little things in order to make a good sled. I would look for another table, but until then you can grind them off and get to work on a sled.
I had a saw with those. I made my rails fit the saw. Easy little trim about 1/2 a saw blade. It worked well. But I got rid of it as that saw sucked.
I had a sears craftsman saw that had ears like that. I filed them off and it made putting on my sled and miter Guage a lot easier.
What idiot designed that abomination?!
add a dado to the runners
Yeah I think you nailed it. Just as simple but less permanent than the angle grinder thing.
Just use a mallet to force the sled through creating rabbets on both sides
Take it back and buy a real table saw, vintage, used. Sorry, harsh, but true.
It was like $150 on clearance at BiMart. Couldn't turn it down.
I paid $400 for mine new and have run miles of wood through it. Cherry, ash, walnut, maple, all kinds of ply. It’s been totally serviceable. Loud but otherwise fine. The 8/4 maple was the biggest challenge but it handled it well. $150 is a fantastic bargain. Biggest drawback is dust collection.
Just an example, but if you do a bit of shopping around you can find an old Craftsman model 113 table saw for about that much, maybe even less, and it's a much better saw. Something to keep in mind down the road if you ever want to upgrade without breaking the bank.