Mad Hungarian Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Just heard about these things from the latest Highland Woodworking newsletter (i've really got to stop reading those things...). On rare occasions i've ordered one of the OneTime tools, and i'm slightly tempted again by this one. But like all their OneTime tools, they're not cheap. http://www.woodpeck.com/ottsetup2014.html What do you guys think about these setup blocks? Useful? Or just one more item to keep track of and clutter the shop? Some of the functions i can do with my adjustable square. Others maybe not as easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 I know lots of people like them but, for me, they're a waste of money. Where in WA are you? I live just North of Bellingham.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 I think they're products are probably very good but, extremely overpriced they make the same thing from other sources that do the same thing for hundreds less. http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/v400-2020/router_access_-_router_height_adjustment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Hungarian Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 I know lots of people like them but, for me, they're a waste of money. Where in WA are you? I live just North of Bellingham.. Bothell. Lucky you, you're close to Grizzly Tools. Or maybe that wouldn't be considered lucky... But i usually make a run up I-5 to them in Bellingham once a year or so, when i get a good coupon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDi Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have the set that higtron linked to and find them very helpful with set ups. They are a pain to keep track of sometimes. Couldn't imagine paying the woodpeckers price. Just got the november Rockler flyer and they have something called "FastCap Mag Shims" I'm looking at for $25 that look like they would be useful for doing the same thing and can be stacked in 1/8" increments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Spending enough time in the machine shop here at work I can see the use, but you can get more accurate guage block sets for much less Try something like this http://www.amazon.com/Shars-Piece-Precision-Traceable-Certificate/dp/B00HG0CSJS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1415877972&sr=8-2&keywords=guage+blocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim L. Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have the brass set from Rockler and use them all the time- usually for setting the plunge depth on my router. The price of the Woodpeckers one-time set is crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Whoa. At those prices you can put me in the gonna pass camp. I'll keep using my 4" combo square, thank you very much. Besides, 99% of the time, you're either taking measurements directly off your work, or hitting the exact measurement doesn't matter much anyway. And even with those stop blocks, you should still be doing test cuts, which kind of negates the need for them. I really don't see the appeal. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 I have thought of getting these. http://www.amazon.com/Kreg-PRS3400-Precision-Router-Table/dp/B002YIG58W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1415887428&sr=8-5&keywords=kreg+block Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Bothell. Lucky you, you're close to Grizzly Tools. Or maybe that wouldn't be considered lucky... But i usually make a run up I-5 to them in Bellingham once a year or so, when i get a good coupon. Give me a shout next time you head North and I'll meet you at Grizzly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Yeah these one-time tools keep getting more expensive. What I don't understand is if they're that great, why not add them to their product line? I'm sure it's their marketing strategy to add more value and extra-premium price by making them "one-time". I do have the Kreg setup bars and like them. Sure the brass bars I had were probably good enough, but I needed to put something on my birthday list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firehawk Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Even cheaper, try these http://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-Router-Bits-9810-Gauges/dp/B0012JGAC0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416261331&sr=8-1&keywords=woodworking+gauge+blocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/fasteners/hard-to-find/specialty/c-9545.htm?criteria1_facet=Machine+Key 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Garrett Posted November 17, 2014 Report Share Posted November 17, 2014 Here is a good set: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43513,51657&p=45089 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 You can go to any steel supply yard and find cutoffs of the most common sizes of cold rolled steel or aluminium. They are probably as accurate and a lot less expensive. You could even paint them red if that makes you feel any better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefmagnus@grics.net Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 You can go to any steel supply yard and find cutoffs of the most common sizes of cold rolled steel or aluminium. They are probably as accurate and a lot less expensive. You could even paint them red if that makes you feel any better. I will test this out when I go to the Steel Barn the next time. They have cutoffs by the pound policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 You can go to any steel supply yard and find cutoffs of the most common sizes of cold rolled steel or aluminium. They are probably as accurate and a lot less expensive. You could even paint them red if that makes you feel any better. Can be an issue, some materials like tool steel is generally sold oversized, and even with out that it is a question of how tight the tolerances are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Drop a few $$ on a decent pair of digital calipers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcarswell Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 And here I thought I was nuts paying for the kreg setup bars (which might I say appear more versatile) the kreg units can measure three convenient ways. I love them something about woodpeckers tools if I wasn't married with a great son I'd be dead broke and indentured to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/fasteners/hard-to-find/specialty/c-9545.htm?criteria1_facet=Machine+Key ^^^ Right here... for a few bucks you can get everything you need. I grabbed a handful of assorted sizes, marked them with a sharpie and never looked back. They aren't pretty, but then again I think I don't fit the demographic of someone who would consider buying setup blocks that range from $120 to $420. In my opinion, just plain kooky for a rough setup tool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponderingturtle Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 ^^^ Right here... for a few bucks you can get everything you need. I grabbed a handful of assorted sizes, marked them with a sharpie and never looked back. IMG_3289.jpg They aren't pretty, but then again I think I don't fit the demographic of someone who would consider buying setup blocks that range from $120 to $420. In my opinion, just plain kooky for a rough setup tool... It isn't for rough set up, it is for precision set up. Of course if the rest of your work isn't done to precise measurements you lose a good portion of the value of a precision set up tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gary Posted December 1, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 It isn't for rough set up, it is for precision set up. Of course if the rest of your work isn't done to precise measurements you lose a good portion of the value of a precision set up tool. The very nature of a setup block makes it a rough setup tool... You are comparing the setup block to a blade or bit by eyesight/touch to set it. It will be close, but in reality it probably won't be exact.... Nor does it necessarily have to be... I can't ever remember using a setup block and then just leaving it alone, I always have to tweak things as I test fit the parts. It's a good starting point for me, but numerical values and measurements mean nothing, only the physical (relative) dimension that is left is what I care about. This works just as well with a 60 cent bar as it does a $6 bar. Just my opinion and the way that I use these tools. Your mileage may vary. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted December 1, 2014 Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 The very nature of a setup block makes it a rough setup tool... You are comparing the setup block to a blade or bit by eyesight/touch to set it. It will be close, but in reality it probably won't be exact.... Nor does it necessarily have to be... I can't ever remember using a setup block and then just leaving it alone, I always have to tweak things as I test fit the parts. It's a good starting point for me, but numerical values and measurements mean nothing, only the physical (relative) dimension that is left is what I care about. This works just as well with a 60 cent bar as it does a $6 bar. Just my opinion and the way that I use these tools. Your mileage may vary. Exactly. And that's why I find a little double square perfectly sufficient and set-up blocks a waste of money. I'm not sure I'd use them if someone gave them to me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dwacker Posted December 1, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted December 1, 2014 I think if I cared that much I'd be a machinist. Gauge blocks are close enough for woodworking, if not your not using them right. Woodworkers spend way to much money on gizmos and gadgets that are not needed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 I was given a set of Starrett setup (gauge) blocks, by a dear friend who got to the point that he couldn't work anymore, along with all sorts of other high end machinist stuff. some good number of years back. I've never used them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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