setup bars

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  • poolhound
    Veteran Member
    • Mar 2006
    • 3196
    • Phoenix, AZ
    • BT3100

    #1

    setup bars

    I was considering getting a set of setup bars and wondered if other folks used them and found them worthwhile.

    Basically I am finishing up an order to Hartville and need soemthing to push me up to $99 to get the free shipping. They have the whiteside sets on sale, the 2 1/2" for $7.18 and 4" for $10.38.

    Each set includes five bars measuring 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" square.
    Jon

    Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
    ________________________________

    We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
    techzibits.com
  • cgallery
    Veteran Member
    • Sep 2004
    • 4503
    • Milwaukee, WI
    • BT3K

    #2
    I have a Rockler set. While I don't use them often, when I need them they are indispensable.

    Comment

    • JR
      The Full Monte
      • Feb 2004
      • 5636
      • Eugene, OR
      • BT3000

      #3
      I use mine a lot. A very nice addition to the arsenal.

      JR
      JR

      Comment

      • smorris
        Senior Member
        • Apr 2003
        • 695
        • Tampa, Florida, USA.

        #4
        I use mine quite a bit, they are really handy and make router setup a lot quicker.

        I got mine in a round about way. A friend likes making things from metal like we do wood and has a nice shop. I mentioned one day I was going to buy a set. He showed up a couple days later with a set he made me that go from 1/8" to 1" in 1/8" increments. I still owe him some more beers for that.
        --
        Any sufficiently advanced incompetence is indistinguishable from malice

        Comment

        • pelligrini
          Veteran Member
          • Apr 2007
          • 4217
          • Fort Worth, TX
          • Craftsman 21829

          #5
          Get the long ones. The short ones will fall into your router plate hole easily.

          They do come in very handy when I remember to use them. I also found that with regular use I'll find even more useful jobs for them.
          Erik

          Comment

          • poolhound
            Veteran Member
            • Mar 2006
            • 3196
            • Phoenix, AZ
            • BT3100

            #6
            OK seems like a slam dunk - on the order they go. got a bunch of goodies on the way


            Thanks everybody for the quick response. Isnt it amazing at how good we all are at spending other peoples money
            Jon

            Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
            ________________________________

            We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
            techzibits.com

            Comment

            • LCHIEN
              Super Moderator
              • Dec 2002
              • 21820
              • Katy, TX, USA.
              • BT3000 vintage 1999

              #7
              they're very useful for setting up
              router (height and clearance from fence)
              drill press (edge of bit from fence)
              Band saw (width of cut)
              table saw (width of cut)
              Mortiser (make chisel parallel to and set edge of chisel to fence distance)
              Anything with stop blocks can move it a precise fraction of an inch by inserting the bar between the end and the stop.

              As an alternative, you can buy square steel bars (at Lowes or HD) 12" long in 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" that are very accurate for around $1-2 apiece.
              Cut 'em down or use as is.

              They're steel, not brass, but I don't think I whack my cutting edges with the bars enough to damage them. The brass are softer and the claim is they won't damage your cutting blades and bits.
              Last edited by LCHIEN; 05-07-2009, 10:19 AM.
              Loring in Katy, TX USA
              If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
              BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

              Comment

              • Sam Conder
                Woodworker Once More
                • Dec 2002
                • 2502
                • Midway, KY
                • Delta 36-725T2

                #8
                One of the most used items in my shop. Love 'em. Ranks right up there with the Veritas Saddle Square, which sadly enough looks to be on the way out at Woodcraft (now is a good time to buy)...

                http://www.woodcraft.com/product.asp...&FamilyID=4598
                Last edited by Sam Conder; 05-07-2009, 10:27 AM.
                Sam Conder
                BT3Central's First Member

                "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas A. Edison

                Comment

                • pelligrini
                  Veteran Member
                  • Apr 2007
                  • 4217
                  • Fort Worth, TX
                  • Craftsman 21829

                  #9
                  Wow, I wonder why they're closing out the saddle square? That is one device I constantly use.
                  Erik

                  Comment

                  • sweensdv
                    Veteran Member
                    • Dec 2002
                    • 2871
                    • WI
                    • Baileigh TS-1040P-50

                    #10
                    Originally posted by pelligrini
                    Wow, I wonder why they're closing out the saddle square? That is one device I constantly use.
                    I too have one of these saddle squares and use it all the time. Maybe one reason why Woodcraft is closing them out is that Lee Valley sells them everyday for $14.50,
                    http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,42936,50298
                    _________________________
                    "Have a Great Day, unless you've made other plans"

                    Comment

                    • poolhound
                      Veteran Member
                      • Mar 2006
                      • 3196
                      • Phoenix, AZ
                      • BT3100

                      #11
                      I ordered the setup bars (4" ones) along with a bunch of other goodies. I just got another small commision and needed some casters for it so while ordering them from Hartville bumped my order to just over $99 to get the free shipping. I needed most of these things anyway so why not. I will be interested to see how the taper drill set works out as my current set of pilot/CS bits are a POS. This set was on sale for less than $10 so it probably wont be the best quality but must be better than what I have now. With the WoodNet discount and free shipping not a bad haul for $101.

                      • DRI-COTE LUBRICANT
                      • TOP-COTE
                      • PAINTER'S PYRAMID (RED/10PK)
                      • 4" X 2 1/2" ADAPTER
                      • UNIVERSAL DUST PORT
                      • 3" SWIVEL CASTER (3SC) x 4
                      • 22 PC TAPER DRILL SET
                      • FASTCAP 16' STORY POLE
                      • 1/2" x 4 FT. L-R MEASURE STIX
                      • FEMALE RATCHETING HANDLE x 2
                      • SQUARE SLOT JIG & FIX KIT x 2
                      Jon

                      Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
                      ________________________________

                      We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
                      techzibits.com

                      Comment

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