While you can easily mill small wood pieces or boards with your planer, a planer can’t handle large surfaces. You can’t use a planer or drum sander for bigger wood pieces or end-grain cutting boards. Larger wood surfaces won’t even fit into them.
The best way of smoothing out such uneven large wood pieces is using a wood router. However, using a wood router requires a great router sled for effective performance.
Looking for the best router sled? Here is a list of top-rated router sleds picked based on expert reviews.
Top 5 Router Sleds Comparison Table
Image | Product Name | Material | Item Weight | Price |
  | Stone Coat Slab Flattening Sled | Extruded Aluminum | 22 Pounds | |
  | Woodhaven Aluminum Router Planing Sled | Aluminum | 25 Pounds | |
  | Fulton Rail Guide Coping Sled | MDF | 3.67 Pounds | |
  | Woodpeckers Router Table Coping Sled | Aluminum | 7.7 Pounds | |
  | Rockler Router Fluting Jig | MDF, aluminum and phenolic | 4.16 Pounds |
Best Router Sled Reviews
1. Stone Coat Slab Flattening Sled
This router sled makes the first place on our list because of its amazing compatibility with almost all fixed-based routers out there.
Aside from its amazing compatibility, Stone coat flattening sled is also fully adjustable. That means it can be easily adjusted to fit different table sizes and to smoothen out large wood surfaces – up to 64in. wide.
Stone Coat sled is very easy to assemble. Even a beginner would set it up within minutes without much ado. Also, Slab flattening Jig’s rails are built with the best quality machined aluminum. So, expect a product that is long-lasting and won’t break, warp, or bend even after several heavy uses.
Although Stone Coat router flattening sled comes with a heavy price tag, you’ll enjoy the best value for your money. If you’re in need of the router sled for your large woodworking project, Stone Coat Router Sled is your best choice.
Benefits:
- It is fully adjustable up to 64in. wide
- It is highly compatible with fixed-based routers.
- The parallel side rails are built with the best quality machined aluminum
- It can be easily assembled
- It is durable
Drawbacks:
- It is relatively expensive
- Its plate may be too small for some router models
- Debris/dust from routers may clog the running wheels
2. Woodhaven Aluminum Router Planing Sled
The next router sled on our list is the Woodhaven 3002 39in. Planing Sled. This 39in. wide sled saves you more money and time. It is more affordable and enables you to plane longer wood surfaces over 48in.
This sled also features 48in. Ultra-Track rails and 24in. Double Track rails. The 3in. high Ultra Track rails are made of high-quality aluminum and are strong enough to handle the to-and-fro movement of the router without deflecting.
Note that to use this router sled, you would need two 12in. to 16in. wood rails. These wood rails give support to the Double Track rails, which in turn give support to the Ultra Track rails and router.
The Woodhaven 3002 also features a NoDrill Plate to quickly attach or remove the router. This plate is compatible with any router bit with a min. length of 2½in. and max. width of 2½in. With a lifetime guarantee, be rest assured that this router sled would serve you for a long time.
Benefits:
- It is relatively cheaper
- It’s a great option for those looking for a durable router sled
- It is made from high-quality aluminum
- It has no limit to the length of the woodwork it can handle
Drawbacks:
- It requires two 12in. to 16in. wood rails
- The fasteners can sometimes come undone making the connection wobble.
3. Fulton Rail Guide Coping Sled
This is a coping sled specially designed for making smooth, clean, wonderful-looking, and precise end grain cuts. You can use it to make drawer fronts, style doors, cabinet doors, rail cuts, and so on.
With the Fulton Rail Guide Coping Sled PRO, you need not fear losing control or dipping too far into the router’s bit. This coping sled features a single sacrificial block, which prevents end-grain blowouts at the back of the cuts.
It features a laminated ½in. thick Medium Density Fiberboard base that slides smoothly on the router table. Also, the coping sled is guided around the cutter by two big and strong handles.
To prevent your work from sliding or wobbling during the coping process, there is an abrasive strip and a heavy-duty 15/8in. clamp that holds your work tightly in place.
Fulton tracks along its clear acrylic fence, unlike other router sleds that use a miter slot for reference. To enable you to use the tool effectively, an instructional guide comes with the pack.
Benefits:
- It comes with its own board
- It will hold your work firmly in place
- It comes with an instructional guide
- It comes with fences installed
- It is very easy to assemble
- It is relatively affordable.
Drawbacks:
- Poor pictures and explanations in the instructional guide
4. Woodpeckers Router Table Coping Sled
This is another coping sled from Woodpeckers. It is very similar in operation to the Fulton Rail Guide Coping Sled PRO but a bit pricier. This sled is very useful for making lap joints, tenons, style doors, rail doors, and other precise end grain cuts.
Unlike the Fulton Rail Guide Coping Sled PRO, this coping sled is built with high-quality aluminum. To prevent the board from wobbling or shaking, there is a slotted top plate that holds down the board firmly between the fence and an adjustable top plate.
This coping sled can be adjusted to handle woodworks of about 5½in. thick. To prevent your workpiece from sliding or lifting during the coping process, there are two clamps that move to the center of your workpiece.
Like the Fulton, this tool relies on its fence for reference and not on the miter slot. This tool also comes with a clear, well-illustrated instruction manual.
Benefits:
- It is made of high-quality aluminum
- It will hold your work firmly in place
- It comes with a well-illustrated instructional guide
- It comes with fences installed
- It is very easy to assemble
- It is relatively affordable.
Drawbacks:
- The primary hold-down knob may come loose frequently during use
5. Rockler Router Fluting Jig
This is another great router table accessory. If you want to rout perfect flutes on your woodwork, then this item is a must-have. It will enable you to build clean, precise, and wonderful-looking drawer fronts, cope-and-stick doors, and so on.
To ensure long-lasting durability, this router fluting jig is built with top-quality Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), phenolic, and aluminum. Also, it can fit almost any kind of router out there.
There are two low-friction router sled rails underneath this tool that enables it to glide effortlessly and handle any woodwork up to 9½in. wide. The rails also enable this jig to cut evenly-spaced flutes over 8in. wide. One amazing thing about this fluting jig is that it is easy to install.
Benefits:
- It is easy to install
- It is built with materials that ensure long-lasting durability
- It has an acrylic base
- It can cut flutes over a wide area
- It is very easy to set up
Drawbacks:
- The three mounting holes may not fit your router type. So, you would have to drill your holes as applicable
6. Woodhaven 526 Coping Sled for Shaper & Router
This is a specially made coping sled from Woodhaven. It can work either on a shaper or router. It has a phenolic base, which is strong enough to withstand repetitive work.
The Woodhaven 526 Medium offers a safe and precise way of making copings and other cross-cuts on either a shaper or router. This coping sled also relies on both its fence and the miter slot for reference.
To hold your workpiece, about 6in. wide, firmly and prevent it from sliding or lifting during the coping process, there are two adjustable clamps to hold it. To achieve the best placement, this coping sled features an 11¾in. adjustable miter bar that can mount in six different positions.
To prove the long-lasting durability of this coping sled, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Benefits:
- It will hold your work firmly in place
- It comes with a well-illustrated instructional guide
- It comes with fences installed
- It is very easy to assemble
- It is relatively affordable
- Quick and easy to set up
- It comes with a lifetime guarantee
Drawbacks:
- Explanations in the instructional guide are not comprehensive enough
7. Rockler Router Coping Sled
This is another coping sled designed specifically for making smooth, clean, wonderful-looking, and precise end grain cuts. You can use it to make drawer fronts, style doors, cabinet doors, rail cuts, cope-and-stick doors, and so on.
With the Rockler 921727 Rail Coping Sled, you need not fear losing control – thanks to the round, tall handles that provide a comfortable and firm grip. This coping sled features a single sacrificial MDF block, which prevents end-grain blowouts at the back of the cuts.
It features a phenolic base that slides smoothly on the router table. Also, the coping sled is guided around the cutter by two big and strong handles. To prevent your work from sliding or wobbling during the coping process, there is a strong toggle clamp that holds your work tightly in place.
This coping sled can be adjusted to handle woodworks of about 5½in. wide and 1¼in. thick. To prevent If you’re a professional woodworker, this is a must-have coping sled among your router accessories.
Benefits:
- It comes with its board
- It will hold your work firmly in place
- It comes with an instructional guide
- It comes with fences installed
- It is very easy to assemble
- It is relatively affordable.
Drawbacks:
- Explanations in the instructional guide are not comprehensive enough
How to Choose the Best Router Sled
With numerous router sleds on the market, it may be a bit challenging to choose the best router sled, especially if you’re a beginner. However, considering the following factors will guide you into choosing the best sled on any marketplace.
Consider the Quality of the Router Sled
This is the first and most important factor when choosing the router sled. Consider the quality of the material the router sled is made of. Although most router sleds are made of aluminum, you need to check if it’s extruded aluminum or cast aluminum. The former is much stronger and smoother than the latter.
That means a router sled built with extruded aluminum is much more durable and offers better performance than a router sled built with cast aluminum. Even with extruded aluminum, you need to ensure that the aluminum, as well as any other materials, is of the highest quality.
Be careful to choose a router sled made of high-grade materials. A router sled built with high-quality materials is not only sturdy and durable but also offers outstanding resistance against corrosion.
Consider the Functionality and Capacity of the Router Sled
The next important factor to consider is the functionality and capacity of the router sled. Different router sleds have different functionalities and capacities. While some router sleds can handle woodworks up to 27in. width, some can handle woodworks of over 60in. width.
Some router sleds feature a rail extender to further increase their holding capacity. Remember, a router sled is the best for you only if its functionality and capacity fit your requirements.
So, before purchasing a router sled, ensure that it’s capable of handling the size of the woodwork you’ll be working on and that you’re fully comfortable with its functionality.
Consider the Router Plate
The next thing to consider is whether the router sled has a router plate or not. The plate is attached to the router to make routing very easy. While some sleds have a router plate, some do not and you would have to buy the plate separately.
Choose a router sled with a router plate, this will save costs, and make sure to find out if the router plate is either universal or compatible with your router’s base. Some router plates may not be compatible – the hole on the plate may not accommodate the router’s base.
Opt-in for a router sled with a universal router plate. You wouldn’t have anything to worry about if you purchase a new router later on.
Consider the Clamps
Clamps are very important. They hold the router sled securely to the work table for perfect and precise routing. The clamps prevent the router sled from sliding or wobbling during routing.
Good quality clamps give a stronger hold, which helps to achieve better precision during routing. So, when choosing a router sled, carefully consider the quality of the sled’s clamps
Consider Customers’ Reviews
Customers’ review is the feedback of customers as regards their experience with a product. Reading customers’ reviews about a router sled will help you to understand how the router sled would perform if you purchase it.
This will also help you to determine whether such a router sled would be the best for you or not. Mind you, there are fake and paid reviews but honest reviews will guide you in making the right choice.
Final Verdict
A router sled is an important router accessory for every woodworker. However, choosing the right router sled for your router can really be difficult. As a result, we have reviewed the seven best and most affordable routers sleds in the post for you to choose from.
We also highlighted some factors that are important to choose the best router sled. You only need to know these factors to get your router sled. Now you can go ahead with purchasing your new router sled.