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Decent design, but it doesn't always clamp very straight. Decent for the price, though I'd rather pay more for the Tru-grip models. Therefore, you end up with a less that squarecut. I wouldn't use this for cutting down the length of a door if you're going for square.
I have been thinking about getting one of these for a long time. I will definitly get the 99" & 36". I finally ordered the 50" & 24" the 50" came today & it is the best guide I have ever bought.
This is great for ripping 4'x8' sheets of plywood. The saw and router guides are really cheap and you really don't need them anyway. Ignore any of the recommended accessories except for the wide jaws.
However, use of the optional tool guides presumably reduces the problem, because when using them you don't have to push against the guide.Another reviewer suggested clamping a piece of the wood to support the middle of the straight-edge. That's the tool I really need (for ripping sheets), and I wish I had bought it instead. It was substantially more rigid than this one, and it came in two 4' lengths which could be joined together. Because the clamps rely on edge-to-edge force, thin sheets have the potential to bow with this kind of clamping force applied.The All-in-One Clamp Guide seems to be best suited to 90-degree cuts, yet they do not have any means of ensuring that the cut will be square. The product is useful, and speeds up panel cuts (etc), but it is far from perfect.When cutting a sheet of 4-foot-wide 3/4" plywood, it clamps securely, but the guide can flex significantly if you push too hard in the middle, resulting in a cut that is not straight.
To me, ANY amount of flexing is a problem, because it is inevitable that I have to push the tool against the edge while cutting. A good solution, but it takes away from the instant-setup convenience this tool is said to offer.Years ago I bought an aluminum straight edge called Cutters Edge II. There is a squaring attachment (wide jaws), but measuring and/or checking with a square will still be required.I only just learned about the "Ultra" model that is 100 inches long. Being wider, it should flex less, however with its longer span, it is more subject to flexing. The less wide the wood, the less of an issue this is.I was able to push mine more than the reported 1/16" in the middle when used across a sheet of plywood (4').
I can't find it in google so I assume it is no longer available. But it's expensive, and I could easily build my own jig, albeit using clamps that are not as quick to use, but with immeasurable flexing. However, its clamping system was much less convenient than this one.I have not tried it yet, but I suspect this guide would not work well for very thin sheets, such as plywood less than 1/4".
A satisfied customer will tell a couple of people, an unsatisfied customer will tell everyone they meet. The tool looks like it might work well, I have no way of knowing. It was obvious that the tool was missing a part. On may 22nd I received a reply stating that they were short handed and they were sorry that it took so long to get back to me. I have no problem allowing for a company being "short handed". 6/22/08 Ordered this item on April 24th 2008 and it was promptly received.
Returning the item was not an option, so I looked up e emerson tool online and was happy to find a useful website with exploded views of their tools. An e-mail was sent and I waited. But, this low level of service is unusual, especially during difficult times. Most small companies I deal with try to ensure that customer service is taken care of quickly. Upon examination I noticed that it would not work. I was assured that the part was now in the mail.
And do not plan to try their other items. As of 6/22/08 no part has arrived, I have sent a couple of e-mails to emerson in the last few weeks and have received no reply.
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