Thread: Simple guide for cutting sheets

Last week I bought a red ironwood post for building a handle + D-ring for a hanging strop and a paddlestrop in the first place and secondly for some scales. I had it cut in half for transportation, both halfs measure 7.8 x 7.8 x 79.5 cm (3 1/16 x 3 1/16 x 31 5/16 inch).

I wanted to start off by making scales and for that I had to cut a sheet out of one of the big posts. I don't have a bandsaw or tablesaw so for cutting I use an ironsaw. I first cut off a block measuring 16cm (6 5/16") in length. This first cut didn't need to be perfectly straight but the sheet has to be pretty straight. My cutting skills are limited so I needed an aid.

The idea I came up with was clamping two small straight blocks of wood to the big block as a cutting guide. The cutting went really slow because the wood is really hard and the weather was hot, but the guide worked really well though. I could just cut away without having to worry about cutting straight.

The little softwood blocks received some damage so I will sand them straight again for next time or use hardwood blocks instead. The sheet I cut is about 8mm (5/16") in thickness. That way I can first cut out the shape of a scale with my scrollsaw and then cut it in half to get a pair of near identical scales.

I wet the sheet a little to show off the wood

really nice looking wood what kind of wood is that? have you thought about using two pieces of aluminum or steel as your straight edge so it doesnt get affected by the blade.

Good idea. I'm gonna have to try it.

Here the wood is called Azobé, but in English it's called red ironwood or ekki.

I don't know if you could use metal guides because you will cut in them a little which may damage the blade. They would last longer though.

Next time I will cut the sheet thicker, I wasn't able to cut two usable halfs out of a shape I cut out of the sheet.

Looks like African Padouk. Pterocarpus soyauxii

Really man, splurge on a saw. 30usd or less. After using a hacksaw I think you will be amazed.

cool idea-good luck