I need a very long straight edge ruler...like 20'

[Eddo Rogue]

I am building a steel fence in sections of 3 posts between 16' foot lengths. the posts stick past the top and bottom horizontal rails, so I use a long straight edge in the jig to line up all the posts. So far the only thing available is a 20' stick of 2" square steel tube 3/16" wall thickness. Not only is heavy to use, but flexes quite a bit. I have to clamp a bunch of chunks of other stuff to it to get it rigid.

My question is what would be the best/ least flexible of size/material to use a long straight edge?

I'm thinking Aluminum would be best, but not sure on size/wall thickness. Maybe 2"x4" rectangle tube 1/4" wall thickness?

I think Aluminum comes in 21' lengths, but I could cut it down a bit if that would also help rigidity.

 

[superj]

A string line pulled tight makes a great straight edge. And since they come with blue or red chalk, you pop it and it puts a line where to cut.

Thats how we lined up stuff doing construction, building supermarkets and stuff like that back when i was in construction

 

[mikkelstuff]

If it must be a straight edge, buy 1" x1" steel tubing. It comes in 20' sections. Very straight and way cheaper than aluminum.

When finished, you can cut up the steel tubing for all manner of projects.

 

[Blmpkn]

Laser level?

 

[pjtoledo]

don't like your neighbors??? use a gun sight laser.

 

[Blmpkn]

don't like your neighbors??? use a gun sight laser.

Laser sights are probably illegal in Cali lol

 

[Curious Hound]

Laser level?

It sounds like he wants something he can clamp stuff to , as part of a building jig. I’ve seen cats trying to clamp onto a laser light beam. It doesn’t look easy.

 

[Snoranger]

It sounds like he wants something he can clamp stuff to , as part of a building jig. I’ve seen cats trying to clamp onto a laser light beam. It doesn’t look easy.

My 3 idiot kittens were trying to get the little red dot all morning.

 

[RonD]

I got a DeWalt self levelling laser unit quite a few years ago and it really has come in handy for work and home use
Has 2 lines, level and plumb, and self levels, within reason, lol
It will flash off and on if not level/plumb

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I am building a steel fence in sections of 3 posts between 16' foot lengths. the posts stick past the top and bottom horizontal rails, so I use a long straight edge in the jig to line up all the posts. So far the only thing available is a 20' stick of 2" square steel tube 3/16" wall thickness. Not only is heavy to use, but flexes quite a bit. I have to clamp a bunch of chunks of other stuff to it to get it rigid.

My question is what would be the best/ least flexible of size/material to use a long straight edge?

I'm thinking Aluminum would be best, but not sure on size/wall thickness. Maybe 2"x4" rectangle tube 1/4" wall thickness?

I think Aluminum comes in 21' lengths, but I could cut it down a bit if that would also help rigidity.

I would try to build something from plywood, glued and screwed.
Or U channel in Aluminum - 2" x 4".
Maybe a small LVL beam?

 

[Eddo Rogue]

A string line pulled tight makes a great straight edge. And since they come with blue or red chalk, you pop it and it puts a line where to cut.

Thats how we lined up stuff doing construction, building supermarkets and stuff like that back when i was in construction

Yea but I'm building these layed out on a bench...gravity is 90 degrees on me

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I would try to build something from plywood, glued and screwed.
Or U channel in Aluminum - 2" x 4".
Maybe a small LVL beam?

Ugh I never had good luck with wood. Too much flex.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I got a DeWalt self levelling laser unit quite a few years ago and it really has come in handy for work and home use
Has 2 lines, level and plumb, and self levels, within reason, lol
It will flash off and on if not level/plumb

Pleasant but I need a physical contact edge situation

 

[Eddo Rogue]

It sounds like he wants something he can clamp stuff to , as part of a building jig. I’ve seen cats trying to clamp onto a laser light beam. It doesn’t look easy.

Yes thank you for getting me.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Laser sights are probably illegal in Cali lol

Lol haven't bothered to check...assuming yes...everything is illegal here. By the way if you ever want play drug smuggler bring over some real menthol cigarettes...they banned those here too.