How to Make a Jointer Sled (Perfect for Boards & Tapering)

Q: What kind of router bit do I need for the dovetail tracks?

You'll need a ½-inch 14° dovetail router bit, like the one from Microjig. It’s compatible with Matchfit clamps and other similar dovetail accessories.

I built this jointer sled because I needed something reliable for prepping rough stock, trimming live edges, and cleaning up cutting boards. And as a bonus — it works great for cutting clean, repeatable tapers too.

The sled is made from 6mm plywood and 16mm MDF, glued and screwed together into a strong, flat platform. It slides along the table saw fence, not in the miter slot, which gives it much more capacity for longer and wider pieces. I also integrated the Matchfit dovetail track system so I can quickly clamp workpieces, add a fence for taper cuts, or drop in stops and hold-downs wherever I need them.

The matrix of dovetail slots (some running the full length, others stopping short of the blade path) gives you tons of flexibility while keeping the setup safe. It’s simple in design but super useful in the workshop — especially if you’re working with rough lumber or cutting boards.

If you’re into making cutting boards, this jig pairs nicely with my Best Woodworking Jigs for Cutting Boards article.

Let me show you how to build it. (Free downloadable plans coming soon — they’ll include dimensions, materials, and a step-by-step guide so you can build your own version.)

Watch the Build

Here’s the full video walkthrough of how I built the jointer sled. It shows every step from cutting the base to routing the dovetail tracks and using it for tapering cuts. If you’re building your own, I highly recommend watching it before you start.

I appreciate every YouTube subscriber. It’s free and easy to subscribe to — just Click Here To Subscribe. Thank you!

Introduction
Watch the Build
Downloadable Plans (Coming Soon)
Materials and Tools
Let’s Start Building (Step-by-Step Guide)
1. Step 1: Making the Jointer Sled Base
2. Step 2: Cutting the Dovetail Tracks
3. Step 3: Final Touches and Setup
How to Use the Jointer Sled
Wrap-Up / Final Thoughts
FAQs
Jigs I Used to Build This Project

*Safety is your responsibility. Make sure you know what you’re doing and take all necessary safety precautions while working with power tools. Safety comes first!

Downloadable Plans (Coming Soon)

Free plans will be available soon! They’ll include everything you need to build the jointer sled:

Detailed dimensions
Material list
Tool list
Optional accessories
Clean diagrams and step-by-step visual instructions

In the meantime, check out Best Woodworking Jigs for Cutting Boards for more build ideas.

Materials and Tools

Wood

6mm plywood (base layer)
16mm MDF (top layer)

Hardware

Wood glue
Screws
MicroJig Dovetail hardware (clamps, bolts, etc.)

Tools Microjig:

Matchfit Clamping System – Link
Dovetail Clamp Bit – Link
Dovetail Clamps – Link
Dovetail Hardware (Bolts) – Link

🛠 Check out all the tools I use here

(Affiliate links included — thank you for your support!)

Tools (affiliate links):

Table Saw – Link
Orbital Sander – Link
Cordless Hand Drill – Link
Table Saw Blade – Link
Trim Router – Link
Folding Shelf Brackets – Link
WolfCraft Quick Clamps – Link
Ryoba Saw – Link
Wood Glue – Link
Sanding Discs – Link
Sandpaper Sheets – Link
Drill Bit Set – Link
Dust Respirator – Link
Respirator Cartridge – Link
Eye Protection – Link

Affiliate Disclaimer:
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and materials I personally use and trust. Thank you for supporting my work!

📌 Save THIS PIN to your Board on Pinterest!

Let's Start Building!

This sled is built from two layers — a 6mm plywood base and a 16mm MDF top — glued and screwed together. It rides along the table saw fence, which makes it stable and easy to use even with larger boards.

I used a dovetail router bit to cut the tracks — it’s the same one used for the MicroJig MatchFit system. That means you can use pretty much any of their accessories with this sled. But you’re not locked into just that — other clamps and jigs will work too, as I show in the video.

The build is straightforward, but precision matters. Let me walk you through how I put it together step by step.

How to Build a Tapering Jig

Step 1: Making the Jointer Sled Base

I started by cutting both the 6mm plywood and 16mm MDF boards to size — the final sled is 92 cm long and 30 cm wide. I applied wood glue to the plywood and placed the MDF on top, clamping everything down until fully cured.

Once the glue dried, I trimmed the edges clean so everything aligned nicely. Then I flipped the sled upside down and marked lines for the screws. These screws secure both layers together — but I made sure they’re flush with the bottom and don’t intersect with the dovetail tracks I’ll cut later. That part is important — you don’t want a screw in the path of your router bit.

Step 2: Cutting the Dovetail Tracks

Once the glue-up was done and the edges cleaned, I flipped the board back up and drew layout lines for the dovetail tracks on the MDF side. There are 3 tracks that run along the full length of the sled and 7 tracks that go across — creating a nice matrix for clamps, fences, and accessories.

To cut the tracks, I used a Microjig Matchfit dovetail router bit (½” 14°) and adjusted it to the proper depth. With my router and guide fences set up, I routed all the grooves.

Important note: for the cross tracks, don’t cut all the way through — stop short on the side that’ll run closest to the table saw blade. That way, you’ll never risk the blade hitting the groove.

Step 3: Final Touches and Setup

To finish the sled, I trimmed the two corners on the side that rides closest to the blade — this helps give clearance and keeps everything smooth during the cut. After that, I grabbed my homemade sanding block and gave the top edges a light sanding, except for the edge that runs along the fence.

At this point, the sled is ready to use. You can use it as-is, but for even more precision, you can add a custom fence. I’m using one I built earlier for a different jig — it clamps right onto the sled using the dovetail tracks and Matchfit clamps. Super easy, and super solid.

Find This Blog Post Useful?

Join my newsletter to receive the latest news, tutorials, and project plans sent directly to your inbox!

How to Use the Jointer Sled

This sled is super versatile, and that’s what makes it such a great addition to the workshop. Here’s how I typically use it:

Edge Jointing Rough Stock
If you’re starting with rough, uneven, or live edge boards, this sled is a great way to get that first clean edge. Clamp the board down using the dovetail tracks and make a straight cut along the fence. Now you’ve got a flat edge ready for further milling or glue-ups.
Trimming Cutting Boards to Size
Once I’ve glued up a cutting board, I’ll use the sled to square it up and trim the edges clean. It’s especially helpful when I want both sides perfectly parallel before routing grooves or sanding.
👉 Best Jigs for Making Cutting Boards
Cutting Tapers
Attach a fence or a stop block to the sled and you’ve got a solid tapering jig. Just rotate your workpiece slightly, clamp it down, and make your cut. I’ve used this on table legs and decorative panels — works like a charm.
👉 Related: DIY Table Saw Taper Jig
Precision Work with Large Pieces
Since the sled rides against the fence (not in the miter slot), it gives you more control when cutting longer or thicker boards. The added support helps reduce wobble and improves accuracy, especially with heavy hardwoods.

Wrap-Up

This jig gets a lot of use in my workshop — mostly for prepping boards, cleaning up rough or live edges, and squaring things up before I move on to other steps. I use it a lot when making cutting boards: after flattening the surface with my Router Flattening Jig, this sled helps me trim the sides nice and clean before cutting in the juice groove.

What I really like is that it’s a multi-purpose sled. With an optional fence clamped on top, it works great as a tapering jig too — no need to build a separate one. It’s built around the Matchfit system, but you can easily use other clamps and accessories as well. You don’t need a special setup — just a table saw and a router with a dovetail bit.

Simple to build, super versatile, and fits right into a small workshop workflow.

FAQ

What is a jointer sled used for?

A jointer sled is used to straighten one edge of a board using a table saw. It helps square rough, uneven, or live-edge stock before running it through additional cuts.

Can a jointer sled be used as a tapering jig?

Yes, especially if you add a clamped-on fence. It lets you cut tapers safely and accurately without needing a dedicated taper jig.

Does the sled work without a miter slot?

Yes. This design slides against the table saw fence, not in a miter slot, which makes it easier to use with wider and longer stock.

What kind of router bit do I need for the dovetail tracks?

You’ll need a ½-inch 14° dovetail router bit, like the one from Microjig. It’s compatible with Matchfit clamps and other similar dovetail accessories.