setup bars

[poolhound]

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.

[cgallery]

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

[JR]

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

JR

[smorris]

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.

[pelligrini]

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.

[poolhound]

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

[LCHIEN]

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.

[Sam Conder]

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

[pelligrini]

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

[sweensdv]

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

[poolhound]

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