Do you just want to know what is the best circular saw guide rail you can buy right now? This is why a saw guide is so crucial, especially for those who have limited experience or are just starting out in woodworking. You might be surprised how important this can be. Multiple lengths can be attached quickly so that you can create a guide of the exact size that you need for your job. saw circular wood tools woodworking cut power cutting guide blades projects electric blade diy use using secrets man furniture tips When you clamp it, you will have a solid guide that holds tightly. Saws on Skates is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Most straight-edge clamps feature rubber feet for gripping the material. This typically means we need to use the saw freehand. One thing to keep in mind with the overall length will be where you use the guide. The DCT Aluminum Pro comes with a scale that features both English and Metric measurements. The tools were sent in exchange for my honest review. It features an aluminum body. You only need to position the fixed end on the board. These materials are lightweight, making this straight edge easy to carry around and use without strain throughout the day. Run the saw along the scrap piece of wood and the cut should be straight. Straight edge clamps are usually of aluminum. This second entry from Kreg represents a more traditional track guide. Weve all tried to make a straight cut with our circular saw. This allows the guard to press on the line in front of, at, and behind the blade as you cut; This circular saw guide rail uses a special material for holding it on the workpiece. System integration: A fully integrated system, use your Festool routers or jigsaw with the guide rail for expanded capability. He told me there are blades specifically made for cutting two sided melamine. It doesnt need any clamping because of its anti-slip feature. Another factor you must consider is the length of the straight edge guide. Thanks so much. Run the circular saw alongside the scrap piece on both sides. Work with material up to 4 feet and get the cuts you need whether you're using a circular saw, jigsaw, or trim router. Making a DIY cutting guide or buying a store-bought fence will help our circular saw make laser-accurate straight cuts every time. Simply align the splinter guard with your mark line to get saw guide into position for the cut; This system employs a splinter guard made from rubber. Last Updated on March 4, 2022 by Jason K. Long. Despite our best efforts, the blade always wanders away from our pencil line. It is designed to provide rip cuts up to 24-inches in width, allowing you to work on panels and wider boards without issue. saw circular plywood guide cutting blade wood cuts clearance zero power saw circular use cuts straight cut plywood guide table skill ripping saws rip straightedge boards clamp step wood diy woodworking The strip itself is designed to be an anti-chip guide. This allows us to make long, straight, accurate cuts. Its clamp also comes with a large handle that allows for easy attachment to the wood piece. and DIY tips with you. You can use a mounting plate to fit almost any circular saw to it and the components are designed to handle professional workloads without fatigue to overall strength. I really appreciate it! He said the blades can get pricey but the quality makes it worth it if youre working with it often. Mike suggested looking for a blade (like this one) labeled specifically for melamine and you should be happy with the results. Lightweight guides are often made from materials that can wear out or become damaged easily. All Rights Reserved. That may cause some flexing on surfaces that are not supported properly as you cut; A straight edge design will not hold the saw as you cut. Conversely, if you have a limited space you will be working in, it will be necessary to scale down to a size that you can comfortably use in your work area without compromising safety. Our circular saw cant make those straight cuts by itself. The Accu-Cut attaches to a circular saw in a similar way as the Rip-Cut. A wider track will offer you more stability as you cut. It also comes with a saw plate and non-chip strips (2 rolls). Nevertheless, it will also help if you are familiar with the following frequently asked questions about straight edge clamps for these may also be the questions you have in your mind: The straight edge clamp functions with the circular saw, allowing the user to create precise cuts. The levers do not sit in the way of your saw as you cut either, and the low profile of the entire guide will allow circular saws to move over it as you cut. That being said, it is thicker and has been designed to provide decent rigidity for an aluminum product; Bora has designed this cut guide to work with a WTX saw plate. Kreg Straight Edge Guide: How to Use and Review, Kreg Crosscut Station: How to Use and Review. rip circular saw guide advertisement homemade Is it portable, would you recommend it, and whats the make a model? The Kreg Rip-Cut is an easy way for us to cut straight lines with our circular saw. If you have ever made a long rip cut with your circular saw, you are probably aware of how easy it can be to drift off of the marked cut line. This material will help to keep the guide in place and eliminates the need for clamps or levers to be used for holding the guide on your projects surface; This strip can be used with left or right-handed saw designs. So, when selecting a straight edge guide, go for something that could help you cut wide boards. The range of length of most edge clamps is from 36 inches to 50 inches. It uses dovetail connectors between each piece. Required fields are marked *. The locking handle grabs surfaces for a secure edge that won't budge, Break down panels and plywood easily and quickly with cutting capacity up to 100", Splinter-free cuts with tear-out protection from anti-chip guide strips, Make the cuts you need anywhere by taking your saw to the workpiece instead of bringing the workpiece to a fixed saw location, Standard kit includes everything needed to mount virtually any circular saw 6.25" - 8.25" (Specialty plate for 10"+), Universal Adapter Plate is machined to precisely fit the double-bevel design of the track, Anti-Chip Strips prevent tear-out on the top surface of your cut, provide line-of-cut indication, and anti-slip capability. The Accu-Cut can accommodate another 50-inch expansion guide to allow it to cut a maximum of 100-inch length. Then the blade binds up when we try to get the saw back on track. The narrow piece of plywood is glued to the larger piece. Its long 100 inch length allows you to saw with precision and skill, CONTRACTORS COMPANION - This tool is made for use with the Bora WTX Saw Plate (sold separately), and can be conveniently paired with your own circular saws, routers, jig saws, and other power tools, LOCKED IN - The adjustable clamp end slides up and down the saw guide to fit any material being cut, especially sheets of plywood. Copyright var d = new Date(); var y = d.getFullYear(); document.write(y);. This straight edge guide is 50 inches long, allowing you to cut longer boards. We can set the fence once and then make repetitive rip cuts for our DIY projects. One necessary skill you need to develop when using a circular saw is the ability to make straight cuts on long sheets of wood and board. With this guide, you can start perfectly, allowing you to set up your cut even before your blade hits the material. Guided cutting takes out all the guesswork, so you can start every project off right. Making a straight cut with a circular saw is not as easy as it may appear. saw circular jig straight cuts jigs woodworking making cutting edge cut diy homemade tips table straightedge plywood fence crosscut plans Hence, it is better to use a straight edge guide to keep your cut straight. If youre searching for an affordable straight edge guide, you can check out the DCT Aluminum. The face of the clamping material should contain a rubberized cover for additional grip without causing indentations to the material you are cutting. This means the Accu-Cut doesnt need to be clamped in position. In this way, you will not waste time and material when cutting long sheets or boards. Finally, look for a circular saw guide that is easy to set up, allowing you to see marks easily for quick alignment. The saw glides along the rack to make accurate straight cuts. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. plywood woodworking cutting ripping tricks chipping jigs fita transversalmente ferramentas serra You may have trouble using them if you do not have Festool saws or routers, however; The manufacturer connection points leave a bit to be desired. It acts as a fence or cutting guide for our circular saw. Ill put that one on my Christmas List! The saw rides on a guide rail or track as it cuts. The four ways are with a speed square, DIY circular saw cutting guide, Kreg Rip-Cut or Kreg Accu-Cut. The width of this aluminum is up to three inches to resist bowing. These rubber feet help prevent damages to the material. One can cut up to 50-inches long, and the other can cut a maximum length of 100 inches. Thanks! However, the clamping material is mostly of rugged plastic or metal to hold the workpiece firmly in place. Those of you planning on using the guide often or on a job site might consider going with something a bit heavier. Your email address will not be published. This product from Kreg is designed to make repeatable rip cuts quickly and efficiently. It prevents binding for low-torqued circular saws. A fence or cutting guide helps the saw make straight, accurate cuts. Purchases made using these links help support the Saws on Skates website and allow me to share more DIY projects. This will allow you to determine the blade path while still seeing the surface below this clear part. saw circular rip cut guide diy kreg edge straight tool cutting precision tools cuts dzine woodworking guided turns into plywood There is no cost to you for using these links. The base plate of the saw rides against the fence of the jig. It also features rubberized ends for a firm grip while preventing damage to the workpiece. How to Use a Straight Edge Clamp with the Circular Saw Correctly? It is an alternative option for those without a track saw. Mark whatever is being cut at the desired length, plus the offset. This product from True Trac comes at a very high price point, but its metal design is meant to stand up to heavy use in a busy workshop or out in the field. wtx gabarit clamp wtx sawhorse The most obvious feature at first glance is the length of the guide itself. One way to combat both is to make a DIY guide that not only directs the saw path but provides zero clearance that will help prevent the wood from splintering as the blade cuts up through the surface. Moreover, it is easy to use with a circular table saw and other saws. The clamping mechanism keeps the clamp on the material to make sure that you can cut accurately using the circular saw. When it comes to choosing a straight edge guide, you should also go for something easy to set up and use. While you might need to use extra caution when starting your cut using a straight edge design, you will be able to use this guide on other tools such as your router. saw guide circular edge clamp bora straight router piece jig depot expanded open clamps The manufacturer calls for users to drill mounting holes into their circular saw base plate, something that many casual woodworkers will not be interested in doing; It has a price tag that puts it out of reach for most casual hobbyists, especially considering that it is designed for a workload that they will probably not experience in their woodshop. Then, you should press the fence of the saw against the clamps straight edge while you cut. With the DCT Aluminum Pro, you will have enough flexibility when using specialty fixtures. Curious about the workbench you have in the 2nd 2 pictures (speed square & cutting guide). The Accu-Cut makes cuts up to 50 long. The edge of the jig is placed exactly where we want to make our cut. It essentially turns our circular saw into a track saw. You will find most straight edge guides with a swivel head. It is portable and I would recommend it. Then, you can begin cutting. The KMA3700 can also help you make angle cuts. This product does not require separate C-clamps in order to be fastened to your project. The straight edge clamp is also referred to as contractor clamp or clamp edge. Hi Bill Youre right and thank you for the reminder. plate saw bora cheapest upgrade tip track circular lumberjocks straight This material is non-slip in nature and should not damage or mark the wood surface that it rests on while you cut. Despite our best efforts, the blade always wanders away from our pencil line. Its saw plate readily fits into the T-channels, and you can attach it to the circular saw. I made my cutting guide about 12 long. saw circular plywood cutting guide scie circulaire create guides projects edge plate base cut woodworking tools travail bois du familyhandyman You will indeed raise your level of wood cutting a notch higher if you master the use of the straight edge guide. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. that will make connecting sections easy to do, and it should provide for a more secure purchase than that found on other sectional tracks; An adaptor plate is used that you will mount your saw onto. Of course, the table saw is perfect for cutting sheet goods. I made my cutting guide in about ten minutes with just two scrap pieces of 1/4 plywood. The saw simply follows the track which allows it to make straight, accurate cuts every time. This straight edge guide is low profile. Related: How to Change a Blade on a Circular Saw. jigs However, clamps with extensions necessitate a broader frame of three inches. Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker and carpenter who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. That adds a lot of versatility to this product; The contact points that help to keep the guide system secure on your project are made with a softer material that will not damage it. This will create an accurate guide accommodating the required offset for each side of the saw. Of course, achieving perfectly straight cuts for narrow materials is easy. It would prove ideal for shops making multiple builds of the same item or out in the field where similar cuts are needed throughout the day. Moreover, as a cutting guide, the straight edge guide allows you to rip and crosscut quickly and straightly. A simple feature that provides support no matter what side of the saw your electric motor sits and which side you are working from. Think of a track saw like a train track for our circular saw. This narrow piece acts as a fence for the base plate of the saw. This guide also comes with metric and standard markings for easy measurement. This product comes at a higher price point that may put it out of reach for new woodworkers or those on a tight budget. A crosscut is made across the grain of the wood or across the width of the board. Most manufacturers design their products so that you can add additional components if necessary. Besides, it helps guide the router or circular saw to get a straight cut. The Kreg Straight Edge Guide offers an intuitive and approachable way to break down sheet goods. These plates attach the saw to the fence using the T-slot of the clamp. It can also deal with narrower boards and make crosscuts on plywood sheets. Yet, unless you are a very talented woodworker whose hands do not wobble and whose spatial gaze at the cut line is perfect, you will indeed find making straight cut on long boards a significant challenge. Moreover, the clamping mechanism works well in resisting the pressure that the straight edge receives from the saw. Its aluminum construction also makes it lightweight, a feature that will also allow you to handle it with little effort compared to heavy-duty designs. Guide your circular saw, jigsaw, or router along a perfectly straight rail, Align your cuts precisely with the cutline indicator arm, Get the cuts you need quickly and efficiently with easy setup. It makes use of a non-moving end that presses on the side of the material. You can attach the Accu-Cut to your circular saw in the same way that you would attach the Rip-Cut. edge straight curved saw use ripping cutting edges rip cut carrier track woodworkersjournal woodworking The Accu-Cut attaches most popular circular saws. If you want precise cuts when using your circular saw, you will need a Circular Saw Track. You can also use MDF instead of plywood. The clamping mechanism should work well; otherwise, the clamp will shift position, making it difficult to cut straight. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects. Moreover, the straight edge clamp can double as a clamp and a straight edge. The fence forces the saw to make cuts exactly where we want them. The Kreg KMA3700 ACCU-Cut differs from the Rip-Cut because it cuts wide boards of any width. They usually come in the 6.5-inch blade size, which cannot cut as deeply as a standard 7.5-inch circular saw blade. The anti-slip pads need constant cleaning to make them effective. It features a two-piece construction that allows you to use it for shorter cuts. I have the solution. Simply purchasing the best circular saw track system can save you money and allow you to take full advantage of the features that your circular saw offers you. edge clamping emerson Id really appreciate it! The use of the straight edge is quite easy. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Yet, you can also do excellent cuts using the circular saw with Pro-Grip Clamps. This is due to the three-piece design that will require assembly before it is used each time and it may require some getting used to. It also has a moving end that smoothly slides on the opposite end. This particular contractor-grade cutting guide provides 100-inches of straight cutting. While a track saw will provide you with the benefit of a straight cut, as well as easier plunge-cutting capabilities, there are limitations to think about. It is able to guide a circular saw for up to 100-inches, making it a great choice for woodworkers who work with large panel materials on a regular basis. A rip cut is made with the grain of the wood or along the length of the board. Being mindful of the most recommended straight edge clamps and the factors to consider when buying leads you closer to finding the ideal straight edge clamp for your cutting needs. By submitting your email, you agree to our. This comes at a reasonable price point. Track saws will also struggle when working on surfaces that are rough or offer a bowed profile. Its T-track also allows for standard accessories. Some may also feel that you will be paying for a name brand and not a design; This circular saw guide rail comes in pieces that you can connect together. Copyright 2022 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Non-skid, self-clamping strips: Dual clamping strips on the bottom prevent movement during the cutting operation, less setup time and better results. It offers a sturdy and well-made clamp set. Should make a minimal first cut to remove the materials factory edge necessary yea or nea? (Works with most brands.). Those who use circular saws with any regularity know that drifting cuts and frayed edges can become frustrating. straight clamp bora circular edge saw wtx edges cuts makes guide power tool Cut sheet goods down to size with precision and ease by using the Kreg Straight Edge Guide. The metal used for this circular saw guide rail will withstand the workload a woodworker would place upon it. And now you're ready to make a cut! I normally place the speed square on the same side where I start the cut so that its being pressed into the workpiece. The longer its length, however, the more difficult it is to clamp to smaller lumber pieces. tool guide straight edge emerson router Home Circular Saws Best Circular Saw Guides. It seems the way shown the square would tend to move away from the board, if it were against the back edge it would be pressed into the work. But weve all tried to eyeball a straight cut with a circular saw and it never goes well. You will want to make sure that your saw will sit properly on the guide or make sure you have Festool products to take advantage of this system. Some guides can be used on a variety of saws, while other products are intended for specific brands.