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Mitre Bars & Slides

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Mitre Bars and Slides for Accurate Jigs, Sleds and Workshop Setups

Mitre bars and slides are useful components for building accurate table saw sleds, router table jigs, mitre gauges and other workshop fixtures that travel along a mitre slot. By providing a controlled sliding reference, they help keep a jig aligned as it moves past a saw blade or router bit. A well-fitted mitre bar should travel smoothly along the slot without excessive sideways movement, helping improve the consistency and repeatability of woodworking operations.

Mitre bars are commonly made from aluminium or low-friction engineering materials and are available in different lengths and profiles to suit various workshop machines and jig designs. Some adjustable mitre bars incorporate expansion points or adjustment screws that allow the fit to be fine-tuned to the machine's mitre track. This can help minimise unwanted play while maintaining a smooth sliding action, particularly when constructing precision crosscut sleds and other repeatable cutting jigs.

When selecting a mitre bar or slide, measure the width and depth of the machine's mitre slot rather than assuming that every table saw or router table uses the same dimensions. The bar should sit securely in the track without binding at any point along its travel. It is also worth checking whether the machine uses a plain rectangular slot or a T-shaped mitre track, as this can affect compatibility with some runners and accessories.

Accurate installation is important when incorporating mitre slides into shop-made jigs. For a table saw crosscut sled, the runner should be positioned so the sled travels parallel to the blade before the fence is calibrated square. Keeping the mitre slot clean and periodically checking the runner adjustment can maintain smooth operation over time. Used carefully, adjustable mitre bars provide a convenient foundation for custom woodworking jigs that can make repetitive cutting, routing and positioning tasks faster and more consistent.

FAQs

What is a mitre bar used for in woodworking?

A mitre bar, sometimes called a mitre runner or mitre slide, fits into the mitre slot of a table saw, router table or compatible woodworking machine. It provides a guided sliding movement and can be attached to mitre gauges, crosscut sleds, tapering jigs and other shop-made fixtures. Its purpose is to keep the attached jig travelling along a predictable path while reducing unwanted sideways movement.

How do I choose the correct mitre bar size?

Measure the width and depth of the mitre slot accurately and compare those measurements with the dimensions specified for the mitre bar. Check the slot at several positions because wear or manufacturing variations can affect its dimensions. You should also determine whether the track is a standard rectangular slot or incorporates a T-slot profile that may require a compatible runner design.

What is an adjustable mitre bar?

An adjustable mitre bar allows its effective width or fit to be fine-tuned within the mitre slot. Depending on the design, this may be achieved using expansion discs, screws or other adjustable elements along the runner. Correct adjustment helps remove excessive side-to-side play without making the bar so tight that it binds as it moves through the track.

Can mitre bars be used to make a table saw crosscut sled?

Yes. Crosscut sleds are one of the most common applications for mitre bars. One or more runners can be attached underneath the sled so it follows the table saw's mitre slots. Accurate runner alignment and a properly calibrated sled fence are essential for reliable square cuts, and the completed sled should move freely without noticeable lateral play.

Can I use two mitre bars on the same sled?

Two runners can be used when a table saw has two suitable parallel mitre slots, and this arrangement can provide additional guidance for a large sled. However, both runners need to be aligned carefully because even a small mismatch can cause the sled to bind. A well-fitted single runner may be sufficient for many jigs, so the best arrangement depends on the machine and the size and design of the fixture.

Why does my mitre bar bind in the track?

Binding can result from an over-adjusted runner, dust or resin inside the mitre slot, slight variations in the track dimensions, a damaged bar or incorrect alignment when the runner is attached to a jig. Clean and inspect the slot first, then check the runner independently along the entire track. If it is adjustable, reduce the expansion slightly and test again before making further changes.