Customer Reviews

Tru-Grip FT2TS Pro FTR Series 2 Clamping Rip Guide w/T Slots

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A couple of these clamps can exert a lot of edge-to-edge pressure on a glued-up panel and still maintain a flat surface to help keep the panel flat. This comes in mighty handy. I use mine like this a lot. For more than 36" wide panels, you might consider three of these... or get some of the smaller Tru-Grip clamps (same manufacturer makes these, they're just not as "beefy") and use one or more of those in the middle of your panel and a couple of the big boys on the outside.

Another time these come in handy is when you're ripping or cross-cutting large sheet goods (plywood, for example). They clamp to the edges of the sheet nicely, and they're easy to align. Once clamped, they provide an excellent edge guide for your circular saw, router, etc. In this way, they can serve as a "poor man's panel saw."

Overall, these clamping guides are quality products. I've had mine for 3 years, and I've never had one break. I recommend them highly.

The tru grip pro is a lot larger then you might imagine. They are 5 1/4" wide. The thickest part, which is the center, is over 1/2". The sides taper down, in the area of the T-Slot tracks.
This 2 footer is the most frequently used. The 4' and 8 foot models, enable you to cut large sheets of plywood, dead on accurately. It actually replaces a panel saw, and is way more portable. You simply use a square when setting the guide.
The clamp is easy to work. You pinch the two wide tabs, slide it up to the edge of your work, then push the large paddle lever down, to tighten. Makes for quick set up, and setting the tension accurately.
I like having the 2 foot. You might think, why not just buy an 8 foot, or a 4 foot and use it for everything. It's impratical. The long tongue, hanging out over the work, is difficult to manage. The right size, for the right project is ideal.
In addition to the T-Tracks, and custom track guide, they also have a nice smooth edge, typical of other edge guides. So, you can use these as a simple straight edge guide, and they do that perfectly. Since they are so substantially made, they create an excellent, rigid line.
With cabinet making, having the flexibility of being able to get finish grade cuts, on larger panels, using a good quality circular saw, with a good quality finish blade, is worth the price of these alone. With the saw baseplate, it prevents you from accidentally leaving the edge of the guide, even by a 16th. Your locked in, virtually no room for error.
Carrying a 4x8 sheet of plywood down the stairs, to set it up on a table saw, with a 5 foot outfeed table, is difficult to manage. Trimming it down to size first, especially if you can get a perfect cut, using this system, makes everything a lot more manageable. Once down to size, I do the rest of my finish cutting, on the table saw.
To get the work at a true 90 degree angle, a framers, or other type of square is necessary.
These make excellent clamps for gluing up as well. Since they are flat, it makes a nice reference for truing up the boards, in addition, to being a substantially strong, adjustable tension, clamp.
This two foot, gets a lot of use. The 4 foot is great for trimming the bottoms of doors, etc. The 8 foot, although a problem to store, and infrequently used, but how else could you get an even bevel to size, on an 80" door, and do it so exactly, that all it would need, is a light surface sanding.
The other point worth mentioning, is the circular saw, and router accessory base plate, slide along the T-Track so smoothly, without any sway-slippage at all, that you are able to get precise cuts.
All in all I give it five stars, for the money it saves, and the convenience it provides. Highly recommended.

Hello,

I own the 8' and 4' guides along with the baseplates for a circular saw and router. These are GREAT products and for us weekend warriors the perfect setup for ripping/crosscutting plywood and other large pieces of wood. I found that I needed the 2' model as well.

Placed the order on 1/28/05 and saw on the page that it usually ships in 1-2 weeks. It is now 2 months later and I still have not received the item. About every week or so I get an email from amazon with an "updated" shipping date due to an undisclosed delay. Sooooo if you order this 2' guide, again based on the 8' and 4' model I'm sure it's fantastic, prepare to wait. It ain't gonna be no "usually ships in 1-2 weeks", more like usually ships in 2-3 months.....

I'll write another review when I finally receive this item, if I ever do.

i recently bought both the 2' and 4' clamp guides along with the router base and stop block. Building cabinets have never been easier. i use it for dado's, and edge work sets up in seconds is extremely accurate. Saves me time on set ups,with its ease of use. the router base installs easily,and is a joy to use.clamping action is impressive,i now use the straight edge for numerous functions in the shop.would recomend this tool to anyone who has ever had a edge slip and ruin a cut. those days are gone..

I use a small 5-1/2" saw for my panel cutting and I purchased a 4' version a few years back and found it works great for cutting strait line. I have not used it for a clamp, but when building cabinet it has come in very useful, I would suggest also getting the Attachment guide for mounting the saw on. A good craftsman could build one, but the plastic one works great and has a good snug fit.