Wanted Steel straight edge

[Wilson joinery]

Hi

Has anyone got a steel straight edge they no longer use and would like to sell to me? I’ve looked at the veritas ones but the 36” is close to £100!

Cheers
Pete

 

[Spectric]

Have you looked at Benchdogs

https://benchdogs.co.uk/products/th...tzKl_UP8Y1zJtzP-MnGa_YGzSFMD4L2MRP-Uxq-gsHIQl

 

[Sideways]

I can't help but how about looking at other brands ?
Maun industries. £67 inc VAT new for a 1m straightedge ground to 0.1mm per metre.

If you need engineering precision, DIN874/2 workshop grade +/- 16.5 microns over 1m.
A Kinex will cost you £99 new.

I asume steel is a must, after all, a few swipes of a knife blade down an aluminium straightedge and you've potentially ruined it's precision. And if you are going to mark with a 0.5mm pencil, you may as well buy the 0.1mm / metre Maun.

 

[niall Y]

You could always use a length of ground, flat stock if a scale isn't important.

 

[Wilson joinery]

Have you looked at Benchdogs

https://benchdogs.co.uk/products/th...tzKl_UP8Y1zJtzP-MnGa_YGzSFMD4L2MRP-Uxq-gsHIQl

Thanks spectric, they look good and I’ve got other benchdogs stuff that I’m impressed with. They look like they are aluminium though so was looking for something with a bit more heft.

 

[Wilson joinery]

I can't help but how about looking at other brands ?
Maun industries. £67 inc VAT new for a 1m straightedge ground to 0.1mm per metre.

If you need engineering precision, DIN874/2 workshop grade +/- 16.5 microns over 1m.
A Kinex will cost you £99 new.

I asume steel is a must, after all, a few swipes of a knife blade down an aluminium straightedge and you've potentially ruined it's precision. And if you are going to mark with a 0.5mm pencil, you may as well buy the 0.1mm / metre Maun.

Hi sideways yes I’m after steel rather than ali. I’ve just looked at Maun and they also look good. When you compare the thickness of the edge compared to veritas, the veritas ones actually don’t look bad value for money (Maun are 3mm ish and Veritas one is 10mm). Maybe I shouldn’t have been complaining about the price of the Veritas ones after all!

 

[Wilson joinery]

You could always use a length of ground, flat stock if a scale isn't important.

Thanks Niall

That sounds like the kind of thing I’m after but where would I get something like that from?

My main use for it will be to use it on the back of my 1.4m track when ripping full length sheet goods then slide the track along the edge of the straight edge to complete the remainder of the cut. I’ve used 2x1.5m tracks joined in the past and the results weren’t as good as I’d hoped so I was going to try this method instead.

Cheers
Pete

 

[Spectric]

I brought the Veritas 50 inch version back in 2022 because of that wide edge which meant for setting the P/T tables it stood up but again aluminium which is not a bad thing for something over 1200mm long.

 

[Spectric]

My main use for it will be to use it on the back of my 1.4m track when ripping full length sheet goods then slide the track along the edge of the straight edge to complete the remainder of the cut.

Maybe it would just be as easy to buy a 3 metre Makita track if you are using Makita / Festool saw

https://tools4trade.co.uk/products/...RRVTyjE8kisHG2CbaLUOjs-Dv1bn54cfU8K98ohqs2RA9

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Thanks Niall

That sounds like the kind of thing I’m after but where would I get something like that from?

My main use for it will be to use it on the back of my 1.4m track when ripping full length sheet goods then slide the track along the edge of the straight edge to complete the remainder of the cut. I’ve used 2x1.5m tracks joined in the past and the results weren’t as good as I’d hoped so I was going to try this method instead.

Cheers
Pete

I use my 83s metre spirit level to ensure the two tracks line up - just leave a very small gap to allow for adjustment before tightening up the joining strips. I've never had any problem with this.

 

[Sideways]

Thanks Niall

That sounds like the kind of thing I’m after but where would I get something like that from?

My main use for it will be to use it on the back of my 1.4m track when ripping full length sheet goods then slide the track along the edge of the straight edge to complete the remainder of the cut. I’ve used 2x1.5m tracks joined in the past and the results weren’t as good as I’d hoped so I was going to try this method instead.

Cheers
Pete

For that use, if you use a steel straightedge, it will have the potential to scrape the aluminium track.
I wonder if a second length of any saw track wouldn't be easiest and most durable - just to use it's back edge as you describe, not to joint the tracks. Saw tracks are wide and will not bend in the direction that matters to you.
Could you make do with an 800mm edge ? Then you could get your own brand of track and have a short one that's also useful for cross narrower material ?

 

[MintSauce]

Hi sideways yes I’m after steel rather than ali. I’ve just looked at Maun and they also look good. When you compare the thickness of the edge compared to veritas, the veritas ones actually don’t look bad value for money (Maun are 3mm ish and Veritas one is 10mm). Maybe I shouldn’t have been complaining about the price of the Veritas ones after all!

Not steel but I use an aluminium extrusion from Ooznest (https://ooznest.co.uk/product-category/extrusion-mechanics/aluminium-extrusion/)

As my guide rails are aluminium I prefer to have a similar material as a straight edge so not to damage/wear it.

 

[Dr Al]

Someone on the MIG welding forum is selling several at the moment. I'm not sure how many he has left (I bought a 1 metre steel Maun straight edge off him for £35). Links here (you may need to register with the MIG-welding forum to see them).

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/maun-straight-edge-part-1.140651/

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/maun-straight-edge-part-2.140652/

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/maun-straight-edge-part-3.140654/

 

[HOJ]

This is a bit chicken and egg, but when I need to cut long lengths, not sheet's though as I have a 3m rail, I just use an offcut piece of 150 * 18mm ply to slide my rail along for the next stage - sort of cost £0.00:



That is a 3m rail I'm using

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

I had to make a cutter and needed a straight edge
I went to my local workshop they cut me a 4ft by 3 inch by 4mm strip cost me 20gbp
Could be worth a look

 

[cowtown_eric]

I used to purchase 12' aluminum extrusions from scrap metal dealers for 10$ each. they were NEW and unused.

Alas those days are over, they won't even let you look (at least here in Calgary) Maybe other areas still allow it.

So what to do?

Check flooring tool suppliers. they also have straight-edges

Purchase any straight edge, first order of business is to make a case to protect it from accidental damage.