microjig ZEROPLAY User manual

ZEROPLAY Miter Bar 2-Pack Project Plans

1
This table saw sled combines the ease and precision of ZEROPLAY Miter Bars with the versatil-
ity of the MATCHFIT System. Its modular design allows the user to add a variety of attach-
ments for a wide array of functions. Its defining feature is the incorporation of interchangeable
zero-clearance inserts. Each insert is dedicated to one blade, set at one angle. This ensures
tearout-free cuts, no matter the blade or angle of cut, all with just one sled.
- ZEROPLAY Miter Bars Double Pack (ZP9-B2S2)
- (2) MATCHFIT Dovetail Hardware Variety Packs
- 1/2”, 14-degree dovetail router bit
- 1/4” diameter straight or spiral router bit
- 1/2” diameter forstner bit
- 3/8” diameter forstner bit
- 1/4” diameter standard drill bit
- Flush trim router bit
- Table saw
- Router table or handheld router with edge guide
- Flat carpenters triangle
- Double-sided tape
- (1) 20” x 30“, 1/2” thick plywood (PART A)
*
void-free recommended
- (1) 1-1/2
”
thick, 2“W x 30”L hard maple (PART D)
-(2) 12-1/8 x 20-1/4, 1/2” thick plywood
(PARTS B & C)
- (1) 1-1/2
”
thick, 2“W x 6”L hard maple (PART E)
-(6) 24
“
x 6
”
, 1/2” thick plywood (PARTS Z1-Z6)
(A)
(B) (C)
(Z1)
(D)
(E)

PART A
PART B PART C
PART D
PART E
PART Z1

2
* NOTE: Cut all plywood parts from the same sheet to ensure uniform thickness.
On the table saw, cut a sheet of 1/2” thick, void-free plywood down to 20” x 30”.
This will be the base layer of the sled (PART A).
Next, cut two pieces of 1/2” thick, void-free plywood down to 12-1/8” x 20-1/4”.
These will be the left and right wings of the top layer of the sled (PARTS B & C).

Next, cut (six) 6” wide x 24“ long strips of 1/2” thick, void-free plywood. These will
be the interchangeable zero-clearance inserts (PARTS Z1-Z6).
Z1
1/8” kerf
@ 90 degrees
1/8” kerf
@ 45 degrees
thin kerf
@ 90 degrees
thin kerf
@ 45 degrees
3/8” dado
@ 90 degrees
1/4” dado
@ 90 degrees
Z2 Z3 Z4 Z5 Z6
3
CONTINUED

Prepare a solid piece of hard maple (or other dense hardwood) to finish at 1-½”
thick x 2” wide x 30” long. This will be the fixed rear fence of the sled (PART D).
Cut an additional solid piece of hard
maple to finish at 1-½” thick x 2” wide
x 6” long. This will be the center sup-
port of the fence, keeping the two
sides of the sled together after the
first cut (PART E).
4
CONTINUED

STEP 2 - CUT DOVETAIL TRACKS FOR ZERO-CLEARANCE INSERTS

7
12”
BC
Z1
12”
Thread on the screws and Dovetail Track Nuts in the Dovetail Hardware Variety Pack
to the bottom of the zero-clearance insert (PART Z1), then insert the Dovetail Track
Nuts in the dovetail tracks in the base layer of the sled (PART A)
Use a square to make sure that the
zero-clearance insert is square and
centered on the sled base with
exactly 12” on each side. Once
square and centered, tighten the
Dovetail Hardware.
Apply glue to the base layer on both
sides of the zero-clearance insert.
Place PARTS B & C on top of PART A,
flush with the edge of the zero-clear-
ance insert. Clamp down using cauls
to distribute pressure evenly.
STEP 4 - ASSEMBLE SLED PARTS

8
ZCI removed
You’ll notice that the wings are slightly oversized. Make sure that the wings
overhang the base evenly on all three exposed sides.
Once PARTS B & C are clamped in place, loosen the screws and remove the
zero-clearance insert to prevent the squeeze out from permanently gluing it in
place.
Allow enough time for the glue to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
While the glue is drying, proceed to the next step.
STEP 4 - ASSEMBLE SLED PARTS CONTINUED

9
3/4”
1
”
FRONT
TOP
Using a ¼” straight or spiral router bit, cut 11/32” deep relief grooves along two
adjacent sides of the 30” length of PART D. The grooves should be centered on
both sides.
Next, use a ½”, 14-degree dovetail router bit set to 3/8” cutting depth, and route
dovetail tracks in the same locations as the relief grooves.
STEP 5 - ROUTE DOVETAIL TRACKS IN FIXED REAR FENCE

10
8
”
4
”
After the glue has dried, use a router and flush trim bit to trim the sled top (PARTS B
& C) flush with the sled base (PART A)
*
If your router table fence capacity is less than 8”, you can use an auxiliary fence to
complete this step. Click HERE to learn how.
Remove zero-clearance insert, then
route ¼” wide, 11/32” deep relief
grooves in the sled top, 4” and 8” in
from each edge.
Switch to a 1/2” 14-degree dovetail
router bit set to 3/8” depth, and
route dovetail tracks in the same
location as the relief grooves.
STEP 6 - TRIM SLED TO FINAL DIMENSIONS
STEP 7 - ROUTE DOVETAIL TRACKS IN SLED TOP

11
Straight edge keeping fence and
sled edges flush
Clamp the joint between Part D
and PART E to keep them flush.
Apply glue to the 1-½” face of the fence (PART D) and place it on top of the sled
along its 30” side, with the dovetail tracks facing inward toward the sled and
upward.
Glue the fence center support (PART E) to the top of the fence. Allow appropriate
time for the glue to dry before removing clamps and proceeding to the next step
*
Make sure that the edge of the fence is flush with the edge of the sled, and clamp
the fence in place.
STEP 8 - ATTACH FIXED REAR FENCE

12
Center of
sled width
Blade to
inner edge
of slot
Center of
miter slot
+3/8”
5”
9”
13”
Front
edge
ZEROPLAY
Miter Bar
Mounting Holes
Mark a line down the center of the
sled’s width (15” in from each side).
Measure the distance from the saw
blade tooth to the inside edge of
both miter slots.
Transfer the measurement to the
sled, starting from the center line.
Add 3/8” to both measurements,
then mark lines parallel to the
center line on the sled.
On the miter slot center lines, mark 5”, 9”, and 13” in from the front edge of the
sled. Where the lines intersect will be the Miter Bar mounting hole locations
STEP 9 - DETERMINE MITER BAR LOCATION

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Stack the ZP Top Bar (with oblique screw slots) onto the ZP Bottom Bar (with brass
inserts), with arrows facing the same direction.
Insert the three (3) button head screws (D) through the counter-bored slots of the
ZP Top Bar using the hex key included. Make sure the two bars still slide freely.
Insert two nickels in the bottom of the miter slot, then place the ZEROPLAY Miter
Bar assembly on top of the nickels. With one finger, hold the Bottom Bar in
position. With the other finger, gently slide the Top Bar in the direction of the
arrows shown in FIGURE 17. Once the Bottom Bar contacts the left wall of the miter
slot and the Top Bar is touching the right wall of the miter slot, tighten the button
screws.
STEP 10 - ADJUST MITER BAR TO SLOT WIDTH

14
Using a ½” diameter forstner bit,
counterbore the mounting holes
¾” deep, leaving ¼” of material at
the bottom of the counterbored
holes.
Next, dri
Next, drill 1/4” diameter thru holes
in the center of each counterbored
hole.
With the button screws facing
outward, attach the Miter Bars to
the bottom of the sled with the
8-32 panhead screws. Don’t
tighten the screws all the way.
Put
Put the sled down on the table saw
top with the Miter Bars in the miter
slots.
Use a carpenters triangle to square the sled to the blade. Put one edge of the
triangle on the rear fence, and the perpendicular edge on the body of the saw
blade. Once the sled is properly aligned, tighten the 8-32 panhead screws.
STEP 11 - ATTACH ZEROPLAY MITER BARS

15
Turn on the saw with the blade
outside of the sled. Wait a few
seconds before advancing the sled
through the cut. There is more
runout when the saw blade initially
starts rotating.
After the blade has cut all the way
through the portion of the ZCI in
front of the fence, pull the sled
back toward the front of the saw
until the blade is again completely
outside of the sled before turning
off the saw.
Install a zero-clearance insert and the desired saw blade.
Make note of the blade used on the ZCI, remove, and hang to store.
Go through each ZCI and blade combination individually using the same method.
STEP 12 - DESIGNATE ZERO-CLEARANCE INSERTS