Building modules

I have a Swanson CG100 100" cutting guide:
http://www.swansontoolco.com/product/100-cutting-guide/

Available from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Swanson-CG100-Cutting-Guide-100-Inch/dp/B000IOCHWW

It works fine. It comes in two parts, with an included joiner and wingnuts to attach the two parts together when you need the full 100".

- Jeff

 

I take a sheet of plywood and clamp it to the sheet I'm cutting as my straight edge. The factory edge works well as a saw guide. Once I have my first rip off the new piece I use that as my straight edge. It costs nothing and works great.

 

I just have Lowes/Home Depot use their saw and do the cuts for me. They say that only the first 2 cuts are free, however the last few times I've had more than 2 cuts and they didn't charge me for those.

 

The Swanson CG100 is also available from Lowe's, Wal-Mart, and Sears, although after hundreds of Amazon orders, I have yet to encounter a problem.

I can also recommend having Lowe's perform the cuts. They have always done a good job for me.

- Jeff

 

+1 for Amazon. I've been using them for years and only ever had one issue, which they corrected with a smile.

That said, I too just generally clamp one piece of wood to another and use that as the guide. If you're going to do a lot of it, investing in a narrow hollow core door from the seconds pile might be worth it for a reusable straightedge.

 

The potential issue with that one is that it uses the existing board edge as a guide. I've used the Swanson one both as a saw guide and as a knife guide for scoring sheet rock, etc. It will bow a little if you apply horizontal pressure to it so just need to be a little careful. With the Swanson guide you need a circular saw whose sole plate edge is parallel to the blade. I have a saw with a stamped steel plate and it always seems to be out of alignment, which will cause the blade to bind. But I have access to a Dewalt with an aluminum plate that works great. I've also used the Swanson with a Ryobi One+ circular saw with good results as long as I wasn't making too many cuts.

 

A woodworking friend showed me this. I glued and screwed a straight length of 1x MDF along of a piece of 1/4" masonite. When dry, cut off the rest of the masonite with your circular saw with ifit buttted up to the piece of MDF. Now you have a guide sized to your saw. Masonite & MDF is what I used, but you could do the same thing with any materials you want. Clamp the guide right along the line you want to cut and use the same saw. You don't have to offset your guide to account for the width of the base of the saw. Remember to clamp the guide to the side you want to keep, or your cut will be off by the kerf of your blade.

 

Box,

I have used all types of straight edges,, manufactured and home made. I have the Bora with an extension. That Eagle2 posted a link to. Not cheap as you have to buy two sections,, one section has the handle and stop. Then the second just attaches with machined aluminum stock that holds 2 screws on each end of the machined pieces which makes for 8 screws total. I picked mine up at Lowe's.

There are all kinds. Your mileage may vary. I have the Kreg fixture also,,, ehhh,, I could take it or leave it.. now that I have the Bora,, I would leave the Kreg on the shelf at Lowe's.

I will say,, I was born with a saw in my hands,, so I have used one ALOT!!!!! Just take your time,,and remember,,, MEASURE TWICE,,,CUT ONCE!!!

Adios, Wyatt

 

I've used the factory edge method many times. If in doubt run a string line along it, but I've never seen a curved factory edge on plywood, masonite, sheetrock ...., I pretty much just look at it and if it's not beat up I go with it. Many times the Home Depot guys will rip a sheet on their panel cutter if they're not busy. I'm rarely in Lowes.

 

OH YEAH, +1 for the saw kerf reminder!

 

I've used a drywall square since I had one lying around. I have a table saw now.