When it comes to the right guide you will need to keep in mind what type of material you will be using. The guides can vary tremendously from wood to glass to metal. This article will cover the best tips and tricks that you can use for many of those processes include some of the better tools for such processes. If I have not covered something, in particular, please feel free to check in with your local hardware store for any other questions you may have, or seek a skilled professional for more in-depth questions and answers.

Some common materials that require a cutting guide are wood, glass, and metal. Below I will list the more common cutting guides and the best tips for when it comes to using those guides on a regular basis.

• Level. The most common cutting guide. This can be used with a clamp to hold it in place and run the band saw blade along once set. This is great for working with a band saw.
• True Grip Guide and Clamp. Line this along the surface to be cut, make sure the blade is set in place, clamp, lock, and cut. 50 inches is the max cut length on this particular item. This is also great for use with a band saw.
• Plunge cut saw and mobile dust extractor. This slides into wood for personal plunge cuts, a pivoting blade for 45-degree angle cuts, and clamps to hold the guide in place. Typically good for use with a band saw.
• Circular Saw. these typically come with a guide for cutting straight cuts, you just have to make sure your measurements are properly placed before making the cut. The blade depth is adjustable for thicker cuts. This varies per model and brand specific.
• For metals, you can use a plasma cutter or a torch for cutting. These usually use straight guides or predetermined design through programmed CNC mills or programmed auto plasma cutters. This too depends on the type of material specifications and the thickness levels for proper settings prior to making the cut.

The glass is a whole different subject in itself and usually requires some use with kerosene for cutting and a higher level of patience than other materials as it is much more fragile to work with than wood or steel in particular.

What are cutting guides typically used for?
Cutting guides are used for making straight cuts or custom cuts depending on the cut or design you are working with. While using a cutting guide if the material does end up binding it is highly recommended to restart your cut for the right cut. Always measure twice and cut once it saves time and money when you put his into practice regularly. This is stated because once you cut something it typically cannot just be added back on to the original piece of material if you accidentally cut too much off because of your guide moving or a false measurement because you looked at the tape measure wrong that day. Life happens so just keep in mind to measure twice and cut once. Cutting guides make this process easier for any materials you may be working with.

Good reference sights for cutting guides and proper use.
Listed below are some good websites that can assist you with the proper techniques for use of cutting guides and the right one for the specific job you are doing.

• www.familyhandyman.com
• www.youtube.com
• www.google.com
• Check out our Wiki page for more info

These websites offer a good range of types of cutting guides and how to properly use them along with the right tools for the job at hand. Each saw you use will require a different guide if you are not only cutting straight lines. Band saw go great with the use of a level, clamps, and depth adjusters. Circular saws can also use levels, clamps and a straight edge guide along with adjusting the depth. Miter saws are different since you can do more than one type of cut with them and sometimes no level is required, however, you will usually be following a predetermined design for the cut to be made. YouTube is a great resource for tutorials on setting up and break down of such saws listed above along with tutorials for choosing the right guides and proper use of those guides per saw recommendations. The home depot along with lowes offer great tips on their websites and in store for someone looking to speak to an actual person. Keep in mind this is simply the best advice that can be given from the knowledge they have obtained through proper research. All of the sites above are great websites for home projects and great for tips, advice, and tutorials.

Conclusion
Be sure to do your research when looking for the right guide for your projects. Check more than one website. Ask a professional if you are completely unsure on the right tool and guide for the job. Know the material you will be working with for the project. Have a blueprint of some sort, professional or hand-drawn, this will allow for predetermined measurements and you can adjust those accordingly before making your cuts. Whether it is an at-home project or a work project be sure to always measure twice and cut once. This will save you time and money for material costs in the long run. This one little trick will end up minimizing waste of material and ensure you are doing the job right the first time so no second cut will be necessary. Once you have done your research and have your dimensions in place take your project by storm and remember to have fun with it. Try new materials to create your own unique project. Share your knowledge with others.