Thread: Straight

There are various "squares" specially made for the purpose, of which I have a few, and I also use a length of steel plate to connect marks on material.

soth

I have one of the aluminium extrusion type. I use it to check if boards and work surfaces are flat. Because it does not flex I can feel it rock, and so tell where the high point is, or I can measure a depression with feeler gauges. If I want to route the edge of a panel dead straight I clamp it to the panel and use it to guide the router.

I am using the Veritas steel straight edge.

I Use a 1m Steel Rule.
It's about 5mm thick and has no flex or bend at all.
If I have a longer job, I go to Bunnings and buy a Melamine Shelf.

Aluminium extrusion for me. Light but stiff so it does not flex under its own weight. Makes it very handy when hanging pictures because its much quicker than string. Probably more accurate too. Also used to check that the bench is still flat after big changes in the weather.

It is box section about 50mm x 75mm x ~2m.

Like Javali I have a Veritas straight edge, but I only use it for machine setting if I need a edge I make one on the jointer.

Like Robo I use aluminium bar - have 1 about a metre long and another about 600mm. I have put masking tape on one side to stop slipping on smooth surfaces.

I use a piece of aluminium, it's about 1800 long and an "L" profile about 80mm x 15mm. It's just something I had lying around. I use it to check the edge of boards for gluing panels, and as a guide for the router and circular saw.

Thank you for the replies. Gives me something to think about in terms of what and how offen I will use a straight edge.

Christos,
Some years ago I was doing business with a sheet metal shop and got them to guillotine a strip of 1.6mm thick stainless steel about 1500 x 150. I use it all the time for layout lines and as a knife edge. I wish I had one about 2400 long. To the guys in the sheet shop it was just scrap!
For machine alignment I use the same piece clamped to wooden blocks to hold it on edge. I am looking longingly at one of the staright edges supplied by Academy Saws in Qld, rather than Veritas, only because I want to support the Aussie.
Alan

1m steel rule or a builders square for shorter bits. Longer things and as a guide for sheet cutting is an 8'' edge from a sheet of ply. Real long things then I stretch a bit of string and mark off along it.
Regards
John

I've always used aliminium box section for onsite and workshop use.A 6.6m length at the start of this year cost me around $120 at capral for a 80x30x3mm section, you can then cut it to whatever size you need.

Originally Posted by Chesand

Like Robo I use aluminium bar - have 1 about a metre long and another about 600mm. I have put masking tape on one side to stop slipping on smooth surfaces.

Exactly what i do. The tape bit is an extra addition which helps.

Aluminium box section not sure of the measurement as it is up in the shed and I'm in the house but approx 2.4m x 100mm x 25mm x 4mm. I also have various lengths of angle and box section for smaller bits as required.