Shopsmith Forums

when cutting 4x8 ply sheets i have used many combos over the years. Homeowner , woodworking hobby have cut a few sheets . never had much luck with the different cutting guides. 2x4, 1x4,MDF, ETC. ETC... Finally bought an EMPIRE brand cutting guide. 6ft.8inch long , comes apart in center for storage. has a nice thin edge to clamp it to the plywood. cost was less than $20.00.... used for the first time today. slick , slick, slick............ Now, most of you probably have been using something like this for awhile. Sometimes a cheap simple tool works so well but, we either dont know about it or wont spend the money........should be the first tool to buy for cutting plywood........ off the soapbox now, have more ply to cut..........

Glad you found something that works for you!:)

Are the guides perfectly straight? I read some reviews on Amazon that complained of curved guides. I would like to get one at that price, if it's straight. Thanks - Alec

I use a piece of 1" aluminium square tubing and two C clamps. It started as just using something I had handy and has become the "go to" guide, straight edge etc. Works wel,l stores easily, and was free for me but shouldn't cost much.

Paul M

Mine is a piece of "L" aluminum. Screwed the long leg to a piece of 1/2" BB ply then ran the circular saw along the guide. Left about two inches on the "other side" of the aluminum for clamping. By sawing the ply, there is no need to figure offsets for the saw shoe.

Here's mine - works good! It used to be 8' long, but now is 4'. I found a little bow at about five ft. so cut it down. The aluminum angle iron had to be trimmed to about 1/2" high after screwing it to the hard board. The trimming was necessary to allow my saw to get deep enough to cut through 1" deep. The hole in the har board is for hanging it up. (very expensive saw - bought it at a pawn shop for $25)

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