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Wedgie Sled

R

Robert Drisaldi

PRO Member
I want to preface this post with assurance that this is not intended to doubt the effectiveness of the wedgie sled / wedgies. However, I would like to know what the benefits are compared to what I use.
I have an Incra miter gauge with the sled. I have to calibrate my degree setting with a digital protractor before I start cutting, but it does the job.
Would someone please explain the benefits I am potentially missing out on using this method instead of the wedgie sled?
Thanks
 
Thought 1:
I made my wedgie sled from scrap material and make 12-segment pieces. I set my free sled with my old (think 1963) drafting triangle. Therefore I have zero dollars invested. I don't know how much an Incra miter gage and digital protractor cost but I'm betting it's more than I spent.

Thought 2:
A digital protractor doesn't really have all that much resolution or accuracy below a tenth of a degree and that matters for larger segment count.

Thought 3:
None of that matters though because the entire purpose of this hobby is to do something enjoyable. If what you're doing is working for you, it's fulfilling its job and that's enough. If your process is different from how others do it, it just doesn't matter.

On the other hand, if your process is not working to YOUR satisfaction, trying something else might prove worthwhile.
 
When I first started making segment bowls I bought an Incra Miter Express. It is a great sled. I also purchased a V120 miter gauge.
Used it for years. Still use it today. I found with the T tracks I can set up a two fence system on the Incra. I also built a wedgie sled and use it most of the time. Our club has a CNC machine I used to make my wedges.

The basic segeasy video explains the benefits of of wedgie system.

1. Depending on brand a digital protractor can have an accuracy of .1 to .3 degrees.

2. The segeasy method corrects the possible error if the blade is not 100% at 90 degrees.
3. As long as the two fences are accurate, your stock is milled correctly, and the wedge used is accurate, the segment cut should be more accurate than the ones cut on an incra sled.

My experience is the wedgie sled does a better job when the segment count goes up (36 or greater).
 
The internet is full of great ideas, very simple to make your own wedgie sled, I got the idea and ran with it using T-Track on both ends of the two boards with slots to have an unlimited number of angles available. I also bought the plastic pre cut wedges made for the angles I need to make any number of wedges per layer on the bowl.
 
mfisher said:
When I first started making segment bowls I bought an Incra Miter Express. It is a great sled. I also purchased a V120 miter gauge.
Used it for years. Still use it today. I found with the T tracks I can set up a two fence system on the Incra. I also built a wedgie sled and use it most of the time. Our club has a CNC machine I used to make my wedges.

The basic segeasy video explains the benefits of of wedgie system.

1. Depending on brand a digital protractor can have an accuracy of .1 to .3 degrees.

2. The segeasy method corrects the possible error if the blade is not 100% at 90 degrees.
3. As long as the two fences are accurate, your stock is milled correctly, and the wedge used is accurate, the segment cut should be more accurate than the ones cut on an incra sled.

My experience is the wedgie sled does a better job when the segment count goes up (36 or greater).
Click to expand...
Thank you!!
 
Circling back to my original post in this thread regarding the usefulness of a wedgie sled and wedgies, compared to a miter sled. Decided to build one and purchase Jerry's wedgies. I am now a BIG BELIEVER! PERFECT RINGS. EVERY TIME.
 
One additional advantage to the wedgie sled - the wedges ensure that the included angle on each segment is correct, but the angles on the two edges do not need to be the same. For example, if you have a 12-segment ring, the included angle for is segment is 30 degrees. You could cut each edge at 15 degrees - the miter gauge more or less forces you to do this. Or, you could cut one edge at, say, -15 degrees and the other at 45 degrees, which the wedgie sled will allow. These asymmetries open up new decorative possibilities, as in the attached photo. All of the segments there are symmetric, but the holly segments were cut at one setting and the walnut segments at another - you get the idea.
20231223_142412.jpg
 
I really like Kevin Sherwin's answer, especially his thought #3. I have cut segments many ways, with sleds, miter gauges, on the table saw, band saw, and chop saw, and have to say it is all about what you enjoy.

Thought 3:
None of that matters though because the entire purpose of this hobby is to do something enjoyable. If what you're doing is working for you, it's fulfilling its job and that's enough. If your process is different from how others do it, it just doesn't matter.
 
Jim Morgan said:
One additional advantage to the wedgie sled - the wedges ensure that the included angle on each segment is correct, but the angles on the two edges do not need to be the same.
Click to expand...
Oh, you terrible person! Thanks for reminding me of this capability. Now I have to do this in my next piece!

(I'm kidding about terrible, of course but not about having to try it.)
 
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This sled has very limited capabilities. To have the same functionality of a simple home made wedgie seled you would need to punch a thousand holes. The simple wedgie sled can do unimaginable things you have not seen yet.
 
According to your website the “hybrid” sled is designed for wedgies, and pins, not the “wedgieless” sled. if the functionality is the same, why The hybrid? You are confusing people. Nailing the fences to one spot is limiting. With the setup you show in this picture, how do you tilt the blade?
All sleds with 2 fences are wedgie sleds based in geometry dating back at least 13 centuries. You can glue, screw, nail, bolt or pin the fences, they are all wedgie sleds. When I threw this tarball at everyone, I expected makers to take the concept, see the possibilities for unlimited segmenting and come up with sleds of the future. Some jumped on it right away. The new sleds that use tracks that allow the fences to be placed anywhere is certainly in the right direction. The Wedgie sled has complete control over all of the individual angles and lengths in a triangle or trapezoid. Think about it.
 
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