straight
& true
A straight edge clamped across the
workpiece is common practice for
guiding the router, but even such
basic technology can be improved on.
by Gordon Warr
profile of the
Clamp Guide (15mm
high) minimises any risk of
obstructing the power tool
during the cutting operation.
ow many times have we all
struggled when cutting large
sheet material into smaller
pieces, a batten in one hand, two
cramps in the other and packing
pieces so that we don’t mark the
surface!
H
Of course that was the bad old days,
now we have Clamp Guides, Bench
Clamps and Pro Tracks.
All three are designed to make life a
lot easier on-site, at home or in the
workshop. Made up with an
Locking
Lever
Sliding Jaw
24
INProfile
aluminium extrusion fitted with one
sliding and one fixed jaw, they are
infinitely adjustable along their length
and lock tight with a flick of a toggle.
Once pressure is applied, the work is
held firmly, the simple cam lock
offering two clamping pressures tight and tighter.
Clamp Guides
For use as a straight edge or sash
cramp, the Clamp Guide locks onto
any square edged, parallel sided
material, to act as a router or saw
guide. Alternatively they can be used
for clamping several pieces together
for machining or to supplement other
cramps when gluing up. Available in
three sizes 610mm (24 inches),
915mm (36 inches) and 1270mm
(50 inches) between the jaws, the flat
The Clamp Guide can also be used as
a general purpose straight edge for
marking out and in particular when
scoring with a craft knife as the guide
can be clamped to the workpiece or a
cutting board beneath it, allowing
your fingers to be kept away from the
guide edge and knife blade.
In the workshop you will soon find
the Clamp Guide indispensable, as a
supplementary long fence on band
saws and saw tables, as a planing stop
on a workbench and for a wide
variety of other uses.
Using the Clamp Guide
Simply mark off the position of the
cut, allowing for the base of the
router or saw (that is the distance
from the cutter or sawblade to the
edge of the baseplate). Position the
clamp and slide the jaws against the
edges of the material. Lock the toggle
to the first p