All in One Clamp A-50 50-Inch Grip Clamp Guide w/T-track
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Our Price: $44.99 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of All in One Clamp A-50 50-Inch Grip Clamp Guide w/T-track
Customer Review: Flexing and other issues
Summary: 3 Stars
The product is useful, and speeds up panel cuts (etc), but it is far from perfect.
When cutting a sheet of 4-foot-wide 3/4" plywood, it clamps securely, but the guide can flex significantly if you push too hard in the middle, resulting in a cut that is not straight. The less wide the wood, the less of an issue this is.
I was able to push mine more than the reported 1/16" in the middle when used across a sheet of plywood (4'). To me, ANY amount of flexing is a problem, because it is inevitable that I have to push the tool against the edge while cutting. However, use of the optional tool guides presumably reduces the problem, because when using them you don't have to push against the guide.
Another reviewer suggested clamping a piece of the wood to support the middle of the straight-edge. A good solution, but it takes away from the instant-setup convenience this tool is said to offer.
Years ago I bought an aluminum straight edge called Cutters Edge II. I can't find it in google so I assume it is no longer available. It was substantially more rigid than this one, and it came in two 4' lengths which could be joined together. However, its clamping system was much less convenient than this one.
I have not tried it yet, but I suspect this guide would not work well for very thin sheets, such as plywood less than 1/4". Because the clamps rely on edge-to-edge force, thin sheets have the potential to bow with this kind of clamping force applied.
The All-in-One Clamp Guide seems to be best suited to 90-degree cuts, yet they do not have any means of ensuring that the cut will be square. There is a squaring attachment (wide jaws), but measuring and/or checking with a square will still be required.
I only just learned about the "Ultra" model that is 100 inches long. That's the tool I really need (for ripping sheets), and I wish I had bought it instead. Being wider, it should flex less, however with its longer span, it is more subject to flexing. But it's expensive, and I could easily build my own jig, albeit using clamps that are not as quick to use, but with immeasurable flexing.
Customer Review: Good but not what I expected
Summary: 3 Stars
I was expecting this product to cut accurate right angles or atleast close to it. This is no different from using straight edge with quick grips. It doesn't save you time. I purchased this and used it for an entire day then left it collecting dust. I found a better way of cutting large sheets on youtube using two pieces of MDF, one narrow and one wide (so that it's flush with the factory edge). This product is a good idea, but definitely needs more inovation.Customer Review: Good for ripping
Summary: 4 Stars
This is great for ripping 4'x8' sheets of plywood. Ignore any of the recommended accessories except for the wide jaws. The saw and router guides are really cheap and you really don't need them anyway.Customer Review: Good straight edge!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have his and the older style clamp that has the clamping lever underneath. This clamp is much easier to use. I will purchase a 24" unit in the near future.Customer Review: Good value but had higher hopes
Summary: 3 Stars
I am starting to put together a small 1-car garage shop and have been reluctant to fit a table saw into that space. For the cost, this seemed like a good way to see if I could get away without a table saw. I had high hopes of being able to make near finish cuts with this accessory when paired with decent circular saw installed with a Forrest WWII blade. The jury is still out.
As a previous reviewer had noted, this length (50") actually will flex almost 1/16 inch in the middle when just trying to keep the saw firm against the guide during a cut. A board clamped against the guide in the middle of a cut span on the opposite side of the cut solved that problem. Still, I would recommend going with the wider ultra guides at this and longer lengths.
I haven't yet figured out a system to get consistent results similar to that a locked fence on a table saw would yield. Another thing, as evenly and carefully as I tried to make cuts, I still end up with blade marks. Out of every 10 cuts, only 2 or 3 have been near perfect. The rest bothered me enough that I had to clean up with a router. I checked for blade alignment and everything seemed perfect and I measure and check each cut prior to cutting. Maybe my circular saw just isn't stout enough. I will try the saw plate to see if that helps but for now, I am spending extra time working to get one piece perfect and then using that as a template for a router with a bearing guided straight bit to clean up and make exact copies.
Overall, I do like this accessory. It does what it's advertised to do at a reasonable price. Also as a clamp for glue ups, it's very handy (I have each of the shorter lengths as well). However, I have had to lower my expectations for what I can do. I don't think it'll replace a table saw. I have looked at other options (e.g. Festool) but for their price points, I'd rather figure out how to fit a table saw into my small shop.