Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 15, 2004 05:14pm | #1

   It is dead simple to make your own, easy to use and as accurate as any manufacturer version.

   Take a piece of 1/2" ply (or 1/4" hardboard), and cut a strip 12" long by the full length of the sheet. Take a 2 " strip of hard wood and glue/nail it to the ply, 2" from the edge (which leaves room to clamp it to your work piece and still leave clearance for the saw motor.

   Now, set your saw on this contraption, with the blade against the guide strip, and cut off the excess of the 12" ply.

   You can do this again with a 4' strip that will serve for cross cutting.

   Now, mark your cuts on the 4/8 sheet you want to break down, bring your guide to the marks, clamp it down and cut away.

   lthe limitation of this device is that you must always use a blade in your saw of the same thickness as the one you used in making the first cut.

   This is an old, tried and true means of making a guide for your circular saw.

1. 
   Dave45 | Jun 20, 2004 04:03pm | #13

   I've used this kind of saw guide for several years and can't imagine blowing a pile of money on something different.

   I'm buiding an entertainment center right now and used the guide to cut the birch ply to size.  I use an Oldham 48tpi carbide blade in my circular saw and get finish quality cuts every time.

   If you decide to go this way, make sure your circular saw sole plate is flat and square to the blade and always use that blade/saw combination with the guide.

2. 
   Routerman | Jun 15, 2004 07:40pm | #2

   Routers are lousy at riving anything; I would concentrate on that fixturing that uses the saw, panel saw etc.

   Routers

3. 
   Len | Jun 15, 2004 07:51pm | #3

   I have both the Veritas guide and the Tru grip guide. I love both.

   If I was only to get one I would get the Veritas. I haven't had any problem with joining the them together. But I also purchased the traveler and made a sled for my saw and my router. It keeps you from pushing up against the fence. As a bonus the sleds fit the Tru grip guide too.

   Enjoy,

   Len

1. 
   bszydlo | Jun 15, 2004 08:56pm | #4

   Len, thanks for the reply.  Do you feel there is a need to use a sled with the Veritas or is it ok without one?  If used without out a sled does it effect the cut quality? 

   Thanks, Bill

1. 
   Len | Jun 15, 2004 09:35pm | #5

   Bill,

   I've loaned it to several carpenter friends and no one has complained about using it without the sled. The design of the attachment is nice and once together is very ridged.

   I don't think it affects the cut.

   I like to using the sled because it makes using it effortless. I don't have to worry about pulling away from the guide. That was more of my concern than pushing the guide out of whack.

   I also made a couple of gauge blocks that I can clip on the track so setup is easy and quick.

   Len

4. 
   forestgirl | Jun 16, 2004 12:42am | #6

   The Penn State portable panel saw looks like the most promising to me.  Reasonably priced; the saw sled rides on 5 ball-bearing contact points; and the fixture can be left on the saw for other work. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

5. 
   forestgirl | Jun 16, 2004 12:43am | #7

   Ooops, sorry, forgot the link to the Penn State set-up.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

6. 
   jc21 | Jun 16, 2004 03:09pm | #8

   Don't know about the Veritas but will vouch for Tru Grip- versatile (clamp and/or guide) and well made.

7. 
   mudman | Jun 17, 2004 06:36am | #9

   I use nikkiwood's guide as well. It is perfectly accurate. There is also no confusing figuring out how far the blade is from the straightedge. If you joint the 2" fence first it will be more accurate. You can make one for the router the same way.

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/16/2004 11:38 pm ET by mike

1. 
   PaulBinCT | Jun 18, 2004 01:19am | #10

   Hi folks...

   I'm a Breaktime/Knots schizo... ;) and a friend told me about this thread.  I recently got the EZ Smart guide, and have a few others as well as a homemade guide.  The EZSmart is by farrrrrrr the best I've owned or seen demo'd bar none.  With all 100" assembled I don't think I have 1/128 run out from end to end.  It's built like a tank,  very well engineered, and versatile.  For the record, I have no connection to this firm, I'm just really impressed with the tool and I like to help out little guys that have very good ideas.  I've spoken to the owner with some questions and he's a real sweet guy.  If you call, ask for Dino and tell him Paul sent you ;)

   http://www.eurekazone.org

8. 
   SRToolguy | Jun 18, 2004 06:16am | #11

   You might take a look at Festools line of tools, guide and clamping systems. They are very nice. Its a no haggle company so no matter who the dealer is you'll pay the same price.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

1. 
   PaulBinCT | Jun 18, 2004 03:03pm | #12

   FWIW, I was very close to buying the Festoguide.  Unless my memory is wrong, their guide only works fully with their tools which although very sweet are also very pricey.  The EZ Smart is a fraction of the price, at least as well made and engineered and much more versatile...

   Paul