Guideboard lengths?

[bean438]

I am going to cut some strips for some guideboards, 5 ft long.

Just wondering what lengths you guys recommend? 5 ft is probably too long, so I am thinking3 ft minimum because the TubaHT is 36"x36" .

So would 2 boards 36" and 2 left over @ 24" be good enough? Are there future projects that need a board longer then 36"?

Thanks

[Tom O'Shea]

Yes.

You want them long enough to do what you want them too, but short enough so they don't get in the way. I'm not sure how long mine are, myself.

[bean438]

Nicely put.

I am guessing 3 ft for the larger subs, and 2 ft for smaller pieces.

Maybe even a couple of 1ft would be nice.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Nicely put.

I am guessing 3 ft for the larger subs, and 2 ft for smaller pieces.

Maybe even a couple of 1ft would be nice.

If you do much building you'll find that guideboards are like clamps, you can never own too many.

[Doug Hart]

A 4 footer is nice for crosscutting 4x8 sheets

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

A 4 footer is nice for crosscutting 4x8 sheets

Not near as nice as these:


http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=25134

[Doug Hart]

Not near as nice as these:

Very true... but cheaper

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Not near as nice as these:

Very true... but cheaper

Time is money, and those clamps save a lot of both. Not worth it for the occasional builder, but indispensable for pros. And since they work as both clamp and cutting guide they reduce shop clutter. By far they're the best for routing edge round overs at the cab front where there's nothing for a pilot bearing to follow.

[Doug Hart]

Time is money, and those clamps save a lot of both. Not worth it for the occasional builder, but indispensable for pros. And since they work as both clamp and cutting guide they reduce shop clutter. By far they're the best for routing edge round overs at the cab front where there's nothing for a pilot bearing to follow.

Can't argue with you there Bill.
I like the guideboard because you can lay it on the line and cut without factoring in the distance of the saw to the edge of the shoe.
But even at that, the guideboard takes a couple minutes to setup and clamp.

I just bid a couple of big jobs at two different churches.
Almost positive I got at least one of them.
I'm hoping after that, I can justify the cost of the Festool system.

[bean438]

By guideboards i mean the boards used to clamp things together during glueing.

If the cuts are square, and screws are used to pull things tight, do you even need the guideboards to clamp?

[LelandCrooks]

Time is money, and those clamps save a lot of both. Not worth it for the occasional builder, but indispensable for pros. And since they work as both clamp and cutting guide they reduce shop clutter. By far they're the best for routing edge round overs at the cab front where there's nothing for a pilot bearing to follow.

Man I bought some of these on a sale from Peachtree to try out, they were half price. I wish I'd bought at least twice as many. I have some that clamp back to back. You clamp one side to a workbench, the up side holds your work, about an inch and 1/2 off the table. A freaking dream for router work. I have 4 sizes from over 4ft down to 2 ft.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

By guideboards i mean the boards used to clamp things together during glueing.

If the cuts are square, and screws are used to pull things tight, do you even need the guideboards to clamp?

It's the only way to hold the parts in place while driving fasteners that also insures the joint is perfectly straight even if the panels aren't.

[BassDaddy]

A 4 footer is nice for crosscutting 4x8 sheets

Not near as nice as these:


http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=25134

FWIW, I just picked up a couple of the 50" versions of these on sale for $29.99 at my local Rockler store. They're on sale on-line, but they're $34.99.