What's your favorite straight edge?

[Frederick Skelly]

I bought a Woodpecker precision strait edge with ruler. It was not cheap, but I love it and use it all the time. I keep it in the HD tube it arrived in.

http://www.woodpeck.com/serx36.html

Sure wish you hadnt given me that link. Now Im going to want one. Ive been trying to avoid the temptation of WP. Now, Im probably lost.
Fred

[Pat Houle]

I have this one hanging on a nail on the wall and go to it all the time. Good price, fairly light, and does a great job.

+1
I could not slip a .002 shim anywhere along its length using my milling machine's 48" table as a reference.
I also like that it will stand up by itself.

I have this one hanging on a nail on the wall and go to it all the time. Good price, fairly light, and does a great job.

I have the 50" aluminum as well...no complaints, I was able to adjust my tools to a whole new level, I got their feeler gauge set as well

[Al Launier]

A Starrett 48" steel scale. I've had this "straight edge" since 1968, 45 years!

[Art Mann]

Someone already said it but it is worth repeating. Whatever brand you choose, never use it for anything but a reference. Never let anyone else borrow it. Don't drop it or stress it in any way that would create the slightest bend. I was skeptical about aluminum, but I have taken good care of my Veritas and it is as accurate today as it was 10 years ago when I bought it.

[Phil Thien]

I use a box beam level, 6', made by Bostitch. I took feeler gauges to the store and tested a few of them (they had four in stock) and was satisfied that they were straight enough for any wood I do. I was just it last night to check work from my jointer. I only use it in the shop, never for any carpentry work.

[Jeff Duncan]

My favorite is a Starrett #380 4' straight edge. It wasn't cheap, but then again neither is the equipment I use it to set up

My most often used straight edge is a 1" x 4" x 8' aluminum rectangular tube. Significantly cheaper than the Starrett and it can withstand day to day use and abuse without worry. It's not as accurate as a precision straight edge, but it's plenty accurate for what I need it for

JeffD

[Aleks Hunter]

Eurekazone extruded tracks, hands down. Have three of them and have laid them across granite countertops and the deflection is almost nonexistent. barely a sliver of light comes through. They're straight as I need and the fact that they guide circ saw and router is nothing but a plus. If you can mark a line, you can split it with the saw.

[Jan Smith]

Reviving an old post since I am in the market for one.

Did the recommendations for the ones in the posts changed
and are there new options to consider?

Thank you.

[Randy Heinemann]

I have a 36" Woodpeckers Straight Edge/Ruler. It currently sells for $66 (or a 24" version for $50). I don't know the specs on it but as far as I can determine it is a very precise and accurate straight edge as well as a ruler. I have never had a problem with the result when I've used it as a straight edge or ruler.

[Mark Daily]

I have been using this for awhile and it works fine for tool setup, etc. I can’t verify its accuracy but tool set up results are fine for woodworking.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/50-Aluminum...8AAOSwo6lWMsGo

It is also available on Amazon at the same price.

[Jim Becker]

I have a full set of the steel rules/straight edges from Lee Valley plus a 40" one from Woodcraft that is similar. They all are dual Metric/Imperial which is important to my work since "my" work is all in metric now, but some client work isn't

[Matthew Curtis]

I just got a Lee Valley 50" straight edge. This is my first "real" straight edge. I am not sure how straight it truly is but it worked great to set my jointer.

[Jan Smith]

Thanks guys, I just wonder if a 36-40” is long enough to set up a
jointer.

[Matthew Curtis]

Thanks guys, I just wonder if a 36-40” is long enough to set up a
jointer.

That is plenty long enough

[Bob Jones 5443]

Starrett 385-24 is good enough for checking flat on my bench, and it helped me flatten my old Stanleys (5-1/2 and Bed Rock 607). I also use it to check boards after the jointer and/or the 607. I tried to pretend it was helping me adjust my jointer tables, but no amount of clever engineering seemed to be able to make that happen. I think I got close, though.

I made two support blocks to let the 385-24 stand on its bevel edge. The blocks are about 3” high, with a 3” wide face (perpendicular to the length of the straightedge) and about 1-1/2” thick. Each block has a slit part way up the middle of the face, just wide of the straightedge’s thickness. They have made using the edge hands-free.

I sat in wait for this $170 tool until I saw it pop up for $140, and I pounced.