If you’ve ever used a crosscut sled or miter gauge on your table saw, then you know how crucial the runners are. These simple-looking bars — sometimes wood, sometimes metal, sometimes slick plastic — are what keep your jig square, smooth, and safe. Wobbly or tight runners will wreck your cut. The best table saw runners let your sled glide like it’s on rails and stop exactly where you want it to.
Choosing the right table saw runner isn’t just about size — it’s about fit, material, and how you plan to use it. Whether you’re building a custom sled or upgrading a store-bought jig, we’ve rounded up the top runners for precision work.
What Makes a Great Table Saw Runner?
- Perfect Fit: Runners must fit your table’s miter slot tightly — without slop or binding
- Durable Material: Aluminum, steel, UHMW, or hardwood — each has pros and cons
- Stability: No flexing or warping, especially on long sleds
- Adjustability: Some runners come with micro-adjust or expansion mechanisms
Top Table Saw Runners Worth Using
1. Incra Miter Slider SE
Incra’s Miter Slider is the gold standard for aluminum runners. It features expansion disks to eliminate any side-to-side play and fits standard 3/4″ x 3/8″ miter slots perfectly. Ideal for high-precision jigs and sleds.
- Built-in expansion discs for zero-play fit
- Includes T-slots for attachments
- Pre-drilled holes for easy mounting
Price: ~$45–$60 each
2. Rockler Universal T-Track Sliders (UHMW)
For those who prefer ultra-low friction and lightweight setups, these UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight) plastic runners are great. They’re especially nice for smaller sleds or shop-made jigs.
- Won’t warp or swell like wood
- Glides effortlessly without lubrication
- Easy to cut, drill, and mount
Price: ~$15–$20 per pair
3. Kreg Precision Miter Bar
Kreg’s aluminum miter bar is strong, flat, and designed to mount easily to custom jigs or sleds. It fits 3/4″ x 3/8″ slots and comes with mounting holes and a lock-in screw to hold its place.
- Compatible with most full-size table saws
- Won’t flex or bind
- Great for heavier sleds
Price: ~$40
4. Peachtree Woodworking Steel Miter Bars
For maximum strength and stability, go with steel. These runners are simple, no-frills bars you can drill and tap as needed. They’ll never bend or wear down unevenly.
- Ideal for large, heavy jigs
- Consistent glide with a touch of paste wax
- Can be trimmed to length with cutoff wheels
Price: ~$35 each
5. DIY Hardwood Runners (Oak, Maple, Ash)
Still a favorite for many woodworkers. Hardwood runners are easy to make, easy to tweak, and dirt cheap. The trick is picking dry, straight-grained stock and sealing it to prevent swelling or shrinking.
- Zero cost if you have scrap
- Custom fit to your slot with a few plane strokes
- Need occasional tuning as seasons change
Cost: Practically free
High-End Runners or Full System Kits (Over $2,000)
If you’re building a professional crosscut sled station or integrating into a larger table saw workstation, you might invest in a precision sliding table attachment or digital positioning system:
- SawStop Sliding Crosscut Table — Adds European-style sliding to any SawStop PCS or ICS saw (~$2,000+)
- Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Station — Ultra-flat rails and aluminum table sled integration
These setups go far beyond runners — they transform your table saw into a high-end panel saw for production work.
Tips for Installing and Using Runners
- Test fit before mounting — runners should glide without rocking or binding
- Use a dial caliper to check width tolerance to 0.001″
- Add a dab of wax to metal or plastic runners to keep them smooth
- Secure firmly — even slight play can ruin precision cuts
Final Word
Table saw runners are one of those behind-the-scenes tools that make or break your cuts. Whether you’re building your first sled or fine-tuning your shop setup, getting the right runners — and installing them well — is a small investment that pays back every time your cut lands square.
Pick the runner material that fits your project and budget. For pro-grade precision, Incra and Kreg lead the pack. If you’re after maximum value, Rockler’s UHMW and hardwood strips are still trusted by woodworkers everywhere.