RPCV_Woodworker Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Ok, so there are some pretty sexy red aluminum tools out there. Of which I own none. I feel like this is really neat tool, but can't see a triple digit price tag for something that makes perfectly coplanar lines. I mean my table saw will ignore the 1/64th" variance between my pencil lines when it rides along the fence, miter gauge, or sled, right? http://www.woodpeck.com/straddlesquare15-WG.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 A machinists square would work just as well and you would not be limited by the u shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I think that straddle square is a nice to have item but not necessary to have tool. Personally I think it's money best spent elsewhere. I own a few woodpeckers items, 1' and 3' scale/center rule straight edge, 26" framing square (pending shipment), and a carpenters square. They all serve a good purpose and are more versatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I mean my table saw will ignore the 1/64th" variance between my pencil lines when it rides along the fence, miter gauge, or sled, right? This is my gripe with marking in general. So many go through the trouble of marking and then cut on a machine. Much easier to just adjust the machine and cut away, the machine doesn't care about your pencil marks. For the most part there is very little need for all the fancy squares and gizmos in woodworking with machines. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FtrPilot Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I consider Woodpeckers to be an outstanding US company. I own a Woodpeckers router table...very happy with it. However, the Straddle Squares seem very expensive for what they do. No way I would spend $120 for line drawing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I consider Woodpeckers to be an outstanding US company. I own a Woodpeckers router table...very happy with it. However, the Straddle Squares seem very expensive for what they do. No way I would spend $120 for line drawing. Suppose I should clarify, I don't any of their tools yet. They seem to be a great supplier, and supporting domestic production is important! Still no to this square though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Yeah, I just don't see a need for it. I like using a knife to mark things, then you just put your knife in the cut on the corner and readjust your square to the next face. Definitly not worth 120 bucks to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Crawford Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I have one of these http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=44836&cat=1,42936,50298,44836 Works well and is much cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Red and Green, Green and Red.... Some things are worthwhile, most are a waste of money, they get stuck in a drawer so you can keep them safe, because they're expensive, and the next thing you know, you've forgotten all about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FtrPilot Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I have one of these http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=44836&cat=1,42936,50298,44836 Works well and is much cheaper. Thanks for the link....I have added to my buy list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Thanks for the link....I have added to my buy list. I'm thinking I should buy a strip of extruded aluminum angle and a non-ferrous metal cutting blade for my miter saw. There seems to be money to be made here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I agree with PB, this isn't really needed for power tool work at all. Even in hand tool work, it's a very specialized use case. If you want some red, pick up some of the following. the set - http://www.woodpeck.com/triangles.html#1014 the 12" - http://www.woodpeck.com/beveltriangles.html#1856 the 36" - http://www.woodpeck.com/serx36.html#1499 They have all come in very hand in my shop, and are realistically priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 The 3' Woodworking Rule is the same level of straightness as the SERX and has a center scale on 1 side and a standard imperial scale on the other side. It's also cheaper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 The 3' Woodworking Rule is the same level of straightness as the SERX and has a center scale on 1 side and a standard imperial scale on the other side. It's also cheaper. So is my $8 steel ruler and its cooler because its yellow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Stamped steel rule? For measuring flatness across a surface I wouldn't trust it to be overly accurate for straight edge work. Then again, in woodworking we tend to over complicate the process with most things we buy, and ask for things within .001" when in reality wood swells more than that the minute you cut an edge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Stamped steel rule? For measuring flatness across a surface I wouldn't trust it to be overly accurate for straight edge work. Then again, in woodworking we tend to over complicate the process with most things we buy, and ask for things within .001" when in reality wood swells more than that the minute you cut an edge. I think most would be truly surprised at how accurate a cheap ass tool can be. Any real machine shop can check these things and most wont charge you a dime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 The 3' Woodworking Rule is the same level of straightness as the SERX and has a center scale on 1 side and a standard imperial scale on the other side. It's also cheaper. can you stand it on it's side though, or do you constantly need to hold it up?Then again, in woodworking we tend to over complicate the process with most things we buy, and ask for things within .001" when in reality wood swells more than that the minute you cut an edge.It's nice to have it that accurate for machine setup and inspection though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I think most would be truly surprised at how accurate a cheap ass tool can be. Any real machine shop can check these things and most wont charge you a dime. I have a metal Empire square that is flat and straight as could be. I spent maybe 12 bucks on it. In my experience stamped steel rules has been something a bit different. Usually the indented markings for measurement create little ridges on the edge of the ruler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 can you stand it on it's side though, or do you constantly need to hold it up? You would have to hold it up. Or do what I do, put a dowel through one of the holes that goes into a scrap wood block to keep it standing. It's useful as a measuring device and to check flatness on a table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 I have a metal Empire square that is flat and straight as could be. I spent maybe 12 bucks on it. In my experience stamped steel rules has been something a bit different. Usually the indented markings for measurement create little ridges on the edge of the ruler. Thats real important when your making jet engines but a waste of time worrying about in a wood shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Thats real important when your making jet engines but a waste of time worrying about in a wood shop.depends on what you are doing, and jet engines are held to a lot tighter tolerances than 0.001" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Thats real important when your making jet engines but a waste of time worrying about in a wood shop. Unless you're checking the flatness of a waterstone. Thousandths matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Where did I leave my popcorn? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Where did I leave my popcorn? Michael Jackson took it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted April 22, 2015 Report Share Posted April 22, 2015 Michael Jackson took it... I thought he beat it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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