Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
If you're building jigs that need smooth movement, like a sled runner...or a slippery fence to run your stock against, UHMW is your material. Besides being slicker than ice and tougher than stainless steel, it cuts like a dream on the table saw—which is great because it makes it easy to work with. Oh, and it lasts forever.
Since the late '80s, woodworkers have adopted ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene as a material that stays infinitely slippery without leaving any residue on the wood it touches.
Its biggest drawback comes from its greatest strength: nothing sticks to it—not even glue—so it won't be damaged by shop chemicals. That means you’ll have to mechanically attach it to whatever you're working with, using screws or bolts. If you do need to add screws, it holds a tapped hole surprisingly well.
While UHMW won’t crack or shatter like acrylic, it’s impact-resistant but soft, meaning it can mar or dent under pressure.
Now, let’s put it to the test. I’ve set my table saw to cut a thickness that matches my miter slot exactly.
My plywood is Baltic birch. After cutting both and inserting them into the slots, you’ll see just how easily UHMW moves compared to the birch—no paste wax, no oils, and it’ll never lose its luster.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Les N.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
If you're building jigs that need smooth movement, like a sled runner...or a slippery fence to run your stock against, UHMW is your material. Besides being slicker than ice and tougher than stainless steel, it cuts like a dream on the table saw—which is great because it makes it easy to work with. Oh, and it lasts forever.
Since the late '80s, woodworkers have adopted ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene as a material that stays infinitely slippery without leaving any residue on the wood it touches.
Its biggest drawback comes from its greatest strength: nothing sticks to it—not even glue—so it won't be damaged by shop chemicals. That means you’ll have to mechanically attach it to whatever you're working with, using screws or bolts. If you do need to add screws, it holds a tapped hole surprisingly well.
While UHMW won’t crack or shatter like acrylic, it’s impact-resistant but soft, meaning it can mar or dent under pressure.
Now, let’s put it to the test. I’ve set my table saw to cut a thickness that matches my miter slot exactly.
My plywood is Baltic birch. After cutting both and inserting them into the slots, you’ll see just how easily UHMW moves compared to the birch—no paste wax, no oils, and it’ll never lose its luster.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Les N.
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
