comp56 Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 it's called the "Lestool" 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poisonfangs85 Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 I have a straight edge similar to that. Just clamp and go. And a fraction of a track saw in price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kato Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 For sheet work I just clamp my 6' level to the wood. I know the distance from the side of the saw plate to the blade so when I measure I just compensate, clamp the level down, then run the saw along the side of the level. I want to get the Kreg Rip-Cut but haven't bothered to buy it yet. The level works great and that means I couldn't justify the purchase to myself. Sooner or later I'm sure I'll get it, but for now the level works fine. The cheapest alternative is to use angle iron or flat bar stock. Before buying the 6' level I used to use the angle steel from a bed frame. Anything straight that's at arms reach is always good enough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted March 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 you are correct anything with some strength that won't flex will work, oh and by the way save your money on that kreg rip cut jig or at least try it somewhere, I bought it fastened my circular saw and took a cut.......removed my saw and sold it......didn't care for it at all doesn't do anything more than your 6' level is doing now and it felt real cheap.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrmccabe Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 I started with something similar before buying the Festool many years ago. I ended up buying some phenolic plate and made a guide for router and skilsaw and attached them to base of each tool. Worked great. I tried 1/2" thick UHMW but found for the router it would not work because even 1/2 thick pulls. Was fine for the saw. I need to get busy as I have plans to build a track for my Fein metal cutting saw. Thanks for reminder ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 Clamping tool guides are nice but I've never bought into them because more often than not I'm not making square cuts in sheet goods, with angles too extreme for a clamping guide. Instead I think I'm going to invest into a set of Swanson Savage straight edges with the nonslip friction base. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083SGQW2/?tag=toolguyd-20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted March 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 I would never pay full retail for these guides either, I got 3 different sizes (24" 36" 50") from my good friend regopit a couple years back for a song....well pretty much shipping cost.....I don't think I have used all 3 sizes yet.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kato Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 The only thing with the Kreg is whether or not I'd actually like it over buying something like a set of Emerson clamp guides. A lot of people say that the Kreg doesn't work well with their saws, or they just plain don't like it. I just watched a vid earlier about the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh clamp guide, for their price it'd be an easy thing to buy and try. I am a man of lazy means, if I can get away with something simple and cheap I do it...usually because cheap and simple always works best for me. Might convince the wife to take a trp with me to Harbor Freight and see what they have. I'm perfectly fine with using my level, but any chance I can swindle the wife into buying me tools I go for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas2000 Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 Never used one, so my question is: can you make angle cuts with it? Looks like it only works for straight across (If clamped down anyway) cuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kato Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 I can make angled cuts with the level clamped to the wood, accuracy is probably not too perfect. The very few times I needed an angled cut from sheet goods though it worked out well enough to not notice any tiny miscue in degrees. I was checking out the Harbor Freight clamp, says it can do up to 22.5°. I'd imagine if you were crafty enough to make a couple of correctly-angled blocks to use with the clamp you could clamp at any angle. That would probably require more math than any of us want to do though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrmccabe Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 Two C clamps and it cuts any angle and is as accurate as the two marks you put on the wood Same method as even the most expensive tracksaw. Even my Festool works with way. The only advantage to the Festool is you have extrusion slots under the track to us with proper clamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted March 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 plus the festool is zero clearance cutting as well right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrmccabe Posted March 12, 2017 Report Share Posted March 12, 2017 Yes, I guess when I said the only advantage, I was talking about how it clamps for angle cuts. Most track saws require you to manually set your angle. The Festool cuts right up to a rubber strip under the track even if you are cutting at an angle so there is no tear-out on the top towards the saw and minimal on the outside if I am running the outer splinter guard. Of course its also locked to the track so you cant mess up and drift away from the track. I am sure what you have will work great. You can always build a sled for your saw and have zero clearance with the base of the actual sled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted March 13, 2017 Report Share Posted March 13, 2017 I got a clampable expandable straight edge from empire that works pretty good, just square it up clamp it down and cut her downSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted March 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2017 10 hours ago, JimboS1ice said: just square it up clamp it down and cut her down Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I guess that clamp don't last long........ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 12 hours ago, comp56 said: I guess that clamp don't last long........ ahhaha nice one, yeah Jimbo, gotta watch your sentence structure there LOL I have the cheap man's dust extractor, it's an old Dirt Devil free from a customer, that's i've been too reluctant to part with since i got it free and now i feel like i'm stuck with it haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted March 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 4 minutes ago, comp56 said: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 Wait what happened to "grammar Nazi"? Wasn't politically correct huh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jronman Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 I think we can all agree @JimboS1ice is kitten. @comp56 I used one of those clamps for router dados awhile back but never for a circ saw. Ima just wait for a flexvolt track saw to come out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SetBuilder Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 The more I use a Festool Track saw, I have to say there is no way a straight edge guide and circular saw will give you the same accuracy of cut. No I'm not just saying that because I bought one. I only bought a clamp on guide and own 4 circular saws. The Festool is a shop supplied saw, but every time I use it, I say I have to buy one these. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 5 hours ago, SetBuilder said: The more I use a Festool Track saw, I have to say there is no way a straight edge guide and circular saw will give you the same accuracy of cut. No I'm not just saying that because I bought one. I only bought a clamp on guide and own 4 circular saws. The Festool is a shop supplied saw, but every time I use it, I say I have to buy one these. I spent most of Saturday using mine. Cutting underfloor sheets and plywood. Love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 On 3/13/2017 at 10:32 PM, comp56 said: On 3/13/2017 at 10:37 PM, JimboS1ice said: Cat puns?!?!?!?!?! Cat puns?!?!?!?!?! What the heck happened to this place?!?!?!?!? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrmccabe Posted March 15, 2017 Report Share Posted March 15, 2017 5 hours ago, SetBuilder said: The Festool is a shop supplied saw, but every time I use it, I say I have to buy one these. Without a doubt the best tool I have ever bought. Never missed a beat and it gets used a lot. I love all Festool products but this really is their crown jewel of tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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