Clamp Edge Guide

[Burkhardt]

Not really CNC related.

I bought two 50" aluminum edge clamps at Harborfright today. I know not the best quality reputation but these clamps have lifetime warranty without registration.

http://www.harborfreight.com/50-inch-clamp-and-cut-edge-guide-66581.html
If you click "Print this item" it will come up with a coupon code for $14.99 each which will be recognized at the store, too.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_7870.jpg

[Simops]

Yep very handy.....I've got a set of the original ones, got them about 17 years ago. Great for guiding saws and for edge gluing as well.
You can also get accessories that fit into the grooves on either side of the guide.
Don't use them as much now to cut sheet goods since I got my Festool track saw.

The ones you have a certainly cheaper than what I bought them for 17 yrs ago that's for sure!!!

Cheers

[shilala]

A whole heck of a lot cheaper than my Festool track saw, too.

[Simops]

That's true Scott but the track saw is heck of a lot simpler and more accurate to use. I just draw the cut line, stick the track up against it and cut.....very accurate and quick, rather than having to measure the base from the blade and then offset the guide.

Cheers

[markevans]

Not to be a nay sayer but I bought my first one from lowes, it is probably an order of magnitude better built than the HF but was quite disappointed in it. (Way more flex than acceptable.)

Bought several from Peachtree and am very happy with them even though they cost a lot more.

I am not knocking Harbor Freight, I buy a lot from them, just saying you have to decide how you are going to use something and from there decide whether you need bottom end, top end, or something in between.

[Burkhardt]

.....I am not knocking Harbor Freight........

Well, I am the first to knock Harborfreight for a bunch of things that are useless junk. But once a while I find something decent and I posted because at the ridiculous price of these clamps I can not even buy the aluminum profile extrusions. I did some preliminary tests and they seem to work reasonably well. The aluminum extrusions do not bend in a noticable way but I am curious if the clamping mechanism will last.

In the past I did panel cuts with a straight piece of wood clamped to the sheet. I guess that will be some progress for me. :)

[scottp55]

Be grateful G. , Still the only way I can cut full sheets at present is to set ply on floor and sit on waste and use one of the originals and my 8 1/4"Makita:) . Needless to say, my cabinet grade hardwood ply tends to sit there collecting dust until I get ON my as* :)

[shilala]

I'm with you 100%, Mark. I love that track saw.
These $15 extrusions would be nice to have around for a straight edge. If they're straight. :)

[bleeth]

I've been making my own "chip free" guides for years with a piece of 1/2" ply for the base and strip of 1/4" screwed and glued to it for the saw guide edge.

Make the 1/2" wide enough so with the full distance from the larger side of the saw to the blade, plus some extra that will get trimmed, plus a couple inches for the strip of 1/4" plus enough 1/2" on the other side of the strip so I can clamp it without the motor hitting the clamps. After assembly just run the circle saw to trim the excess and now you can put it right on yolur cutting line and clamp it.

[shilala]

I love my track saw a little less. $80 to replace the plastic sticky pieces on it.
Festool has a screw loose in their heads.

[Bob Eustace]

Being an Australian "convict" I could only afford the Sheppach look alike at under $300. Sometimes I do wish I had of got the Festool as it certainly puts out less dust. However it serves the purpose and eliminates mostly the need to plonk 8X4's on the table saw which gets harder with the passing of every year!