Brass Set Up Bars--Rockler

[cwsmith]

Thanks for the post, I ordered a set this afternoon.

CWS

[LCHIEN]

I've not bought any of these bars before. Been kind of holding off cause I couldn't see the need for them. Without trying to be smart what's wrong with just using a ruler for measuring dado's?

Like Larry says, if you're going for standard sized rabbets and dadoes
just slap down the proper sized bar and set the height of the blade.bit to match, easier to feel a tiny difference than to check 1/64th on the scale.

Try it, you'll like it!


BTW, I have steel bars I bought at Lowes for about a buck per 12" piece, you can make several sets for less than 10 bucks. Square bars from 1/8" to 1/2".
You say, oh, but they're not brass... the "brass" thing is OK, they are soft and won't damage your blades and bits. But mild steel is still a lot softer than carbide, and I don't whack the bits with the bars- so I don't think that's a big deal.

[LarryG]

What ironhat said ... it's just a speed and convenience thing. Also, I subscribe to the school of thought that says that while one is in the shop, one should read any kind of tape or rule, or do even the very simplest of arithmetic, as infrequently as possible. The more times you read a measuring stick, the more times you add two or more numbers together, the greater your chances of making a mistake.

I find these setup bars to be most useful at the router table. Since the end of the bit is flat, it's an easy matter to grab the proper-sized bar, slap it down on the table, and adjust the lift so that the bit's end is exactly flush with the top of the bar.

[ironhat]

I've not bought any of these bars before. Been kind of holding off cause I couldn't see the need for them. Without trying to be smart what's wrong with just using a ruler for measuring dado's?

Noting wrong at all, lcm. These just make setting the depth of cut quicker and easier.

[lcm1947]

I've not bought any of these bars before. Been kind of holding off cause I couldn't see the need for them. Without trying to be smart what's wrong with just using a ruler for measuring dado's?

[Deadhead]

Thanks, Greg. It already and some other code filled in so I glossed right over it.

[Stormbringer]

I don't see where to put that code in.

It asks you if you have any coupons (the line immediately above your first name at the "Bill To:" address entry) when checking out.

Greg

[LYU370]

Sounds like I'll be stopping off to pick up a set on the way home.

Thanks.

[Luckbox]

Thanks for the info just order a set.

[LarryG]

I have two sets of Whiteside's brass setup bars; one set lives at the router table, the other near my BT. They're some of the most-used "tools" in my shop. This Rockler set includes an extra size that mine don't have, and the price is right.

Hey Stan, aren't those Sure-Foot clamps NICE? I'm not a huge fan of most Rockler stuff but those things are a home run.

[Deadhead]

Sorry Joe, I forgot to include the code for free shipping. V7736

Steve

I don't see where to put that code in.

[Howard]

Exactly! I have had mine for awhile now and they are great for setting up dado depths. I can get very close with these.

[Stormbringer]

Do those setup bars work better than drill bits? That's what I've been using. And they come in 1/64" increments. Just curious.

Don't forget about the ability to stack them to create other sizes. Can't do that easily with the bits.

Greg

[paintandbodtman]

Do those setup bars work better than drill bits? That's what I've been using. And they come in 1/64" increments. Just curious.

brass won't damage the bits or blades if you're careless when setting up with them like drill bits could.

[cgallery]

If you're ordering from Rockler, get one of these:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11307

I don't know how I ever lived without it. I can set the router bit height and distance to fence very precisely.