Guys: If you have one of the Horizontal/Vertical 4 x 6 bandsaws that cost $200, here is a tip for you.
The saws usually come with a piece of 5/8" round stock that stick out from the RH side-there is usually a cheesy, adjustable stop that slips over the rod so you can set your stock length when you cut it.
Here is a tip to make a cheap, reliable device so that you can accurately measure stock cut up to 34" long. You can make it in 10 minutes!
Get a 36" yardstick. lay it on top of the bar, butting up to the bed of the saw. Measure the distance from the blade to the start of the yardstick and cut this amount off the butt end of the yardstick, so that you'll get an accurate measurement.
Install 3 or 4 disc magnets along the underside of the yardstick-I bored holes and used superglue, so that the yardstick will "stick" to the protruding round bar. If you didn't have magnets, you could use radiator clamps.
Take a tie-wrap and lassoo the yardstick. Leave the end of the tirwrap sticking out, horizontally, so it extends backward. Pull the tie-wrap firmly enough so that it can slide along the yardstick.
To use, you just slap the yardstick down onto the bar and set your tie-wrap "stop" at the length you want to cut. Pull your stock out until the end lines up with the tie wrap, and, presto!
Sorry I couldn't post a pic-that would have explained the whole thing without all the words.
RJ Martin
The saws usually come with a piece of 5/8" round stock that stick out from the RH side-there is usually a cheesy, adjustable stop that slips over the rod so you can set your stock length when you cut it.
Here is a tip to make a cheap, reliable device so that you can accurately measure stock cut up to 34" long. You can make it in 10 minutes!
Get a 36" yardstick. lay it on top of the bar, butting up to the bed of the saw. Measure the distance from the blade to the start of the yardstick and cut this amount off the butt end of the yardstick, so that you'll get an accurate measurement.
Install 3 or 4 disc magnets along the underside of the yardstick-I bored holes and used superglue, so that the yardstick will "stick" to the protruding round bar. If you didn't have magnets, you could use radiator clamps.
Take a tie-wrap and lassoo the yardstick. Leave the end of the tirwrap sticking out, horizontally, so it extends backward. Pull the tie-wrap firmly enough so that it can slide along the yardstick.
To use, you just slap the yardstick down onto the bar and set your tie-wrap "stop" at the length you want to cut. Pull your stock out until the end lines up with the tie wrap, and, presto!
Sorry I couldn't post a pic-that would have explained the whole thing without all the words.
RJ Martin
