Replies

1. 
   rslatm | Sep 16, 2003 06:39pm | #1

   Have a Starrett 4' and 6'  straight    edge but I was working on jointers and such professionally. A local sharpening shop converts old paper knives into straight edges for pretty cheap...like $75 for 6'.  Not the same steel quality but compares to my Starrett in accuracy and can be touched up for cheap. 

   http://subtool.com/stcat/frame_subtool.html

   Subtool is cheaper than Starrett

   Square edge tool steel is the most you need. Beveled edge and stainless are unnecessary expenses.

   .  I don't find levels, aluminum straight edges, shear cut offs to be accurate enough but those seem to work for many folks so you might start out simply.  It becomes more an issue when one gets paid to set jointers up in a reasonable amount of time, not to mention when the beds are 6' to 10' long.

   
   

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   Edited 9/16/2003 2:13:17 PM ET by Rick at Arch. Timber and Millwork

2. 
   Crunk | Sep 16, 2003 09:04pm | #2

   Anything long enough and accurate enough will cost you almost as much as you probably paid for the machine itself.

   Starrett makes what you need.

1. 
   DavidO | Sep 17, 2003 05:34pm | #5

   Yes, indeed...how true, how true :-(

3. 
   JohnWW | Sep 16, 2003 11:20pm | #3

   David,

   Issue #142 of Fine Woodworking has an article on tuning up a jointer that you should read.  It includes a method for making a test bar to check the flatness of a jointer's tables and how to correct for misaligned tables. 

   The test bar is made from MDF with three drywall screws in one edge. Using a variation on a machinist's technique, the article shows you how to adjust the heads of the three screws to be perfectly in line.  

   John W.

1. 
   DavidO | Sep 17, 2003 05:32pm | #4

   Thanx John, I'll have to dig out that issue and review.  I've been checking what few prices I could find on straight edges and the prices are exorbitant to say the least...

4. 
   robkelly1 | Sep 19, 2003 03:59am | #6

   I got my 72" Starret for a couple of dollars at an auction of an out of business tool and die shop. It was so cheap because it had been painted (probably by mistake) on about 1/2 of it with some space age goop and was in the misc. junk at the end of the auction. No solvent would touch it so I scraped it clean. I'm in L.A., so we have lots of auctions like that.

1. 
   PlaneWood | Sep 19, 2003 08:14pm | #7

   Two 24" carpenters squares work pretty well.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood