Kreg Setup Bars

[Rick Sherman]

I recently purchased the Kreg Setup Bars, this is a product that belongs in every shop where quality is expected. I have been using a micrometer and calipers for 40 years and check all my set ups with as much accuracy as possible. The Kreg Setup Bars are a time saving, precision tool system. I checked each one with the calipers and they were dead on perfect.

If you want perfection, I highly recommend purchasing this fair priced tool.

[Ken Darga]

Rick,

This item should be in everyone's shop---

makes for accurate and speedy set-ups.

I keep mine on the bench, in my apron, and ''at the ready'' at all times, when making set-ups.

To date, I found nothing better.

[Ken Darga]

The brass set-up bars, offered by Rockler, are also very useful---

they can be combined for additional heights---

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16399.

  Having 2 sets, makes it even more handy.

I frequently use them simultaneously---the Kreg and rockler set-up bars side-by side, for many set-ups and measurements.

  I've added, (made my own), in 1/16 and 1/32 sizes, from brass bar stock.

For smaller than 1/32'', I use automotive ''feeler gauges'' and shim stock.

  Great tools for measuring dado's, rabbits, and the like---

a. dividing  stock in half---

3/8 bar for finding the center of 3/4'' stock

b. dividing stock in 3rds---for mortise and tenon joinery---

1/4, 1/4 and 1/4 for 3/4 stock, 

the list can go on and on.

  A very handy storage box for the brass bars, is a small Plano fishing tackle transparent plastic box, with dividers---

they can be stored in the box---

kept close at hand, or carried in your shop apron, when moving from machine to machine, when making set-ups and measurements.

  Works for me.

[John Schaben]

Hi Ken - I agree that the brass setup bars are invaluable and that two sets are almost a must. I've also been looking at the Kreg set, but I cannot see the odd shape as an advantage, seems you loose the capability of stacking them unless I'm missing something here.

Ken Darga said:

The brass set-up bars, offered by Rockler, are also very useful---

they can be combined for additional heights---

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16399.

  Having 2 sets, makes it even more handy.

I frequently use them simultaneously---the Kreg and rockler set-up bars side-by side, for many set-ups and measurements.

  I've added, (made my own), in 1/16 and 1/32 sizes, from brass bar stock.

For smaller than 1/32'', I use automotive ''feeler gauges'' and shim stock.

  Great tools for measuring dado's, rabbits, and the like---

a. dividing  stock in half---

3/8 bar for finding the center of 3/4'' stock

b. dividing stock in 3rds---for mortise and tenon joinery---

1/4, 1/4 and 1/4 for 3/4 stock, 

the list can go on and on.

  A very handy storage box for the brass bars, is a small Plano fishing tackle transparent plastic box, with dividers---

they can be stored in the box---

kept close at hand, or carried in your shop apron, when moving from machine to machine, when making set-ups and measurements.

  Works for me.

[Hugh Clare]

John,

I've never considered stacking the setup bars (I would probably use gauge blocks). I have found the "odd shape" very handy for setting up the router table and the rip fence on the table saw when using a stacked dado cutter. 

John Schaben said:

Hi Ken - I agree that the brass setup bars are invaluable and that two sets are almost a must. I've also been looking at the Kreg set, but I cannot see the odd shape as an advantage, seems you loose the capability of stacking them unless I'm missing something here.

Ken Darga said:

The brass set-up bars, offered by Rockler, are also very useful---

they can be combined for additional heights---

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16399.

  Having 2 sets, makes it even more handy.

I frequently use them simultaneously---the Kreg and rockler set-up bars side-by side, for many set-ups and measurements.

  I've added, (made my own), in 1/16 and 1/32 sizes, from brass bar stock.

For smaller than 1/32'', I use automotive ''feeler gauges'' and shim stock.

  Great tools for measuring dado's, rabbits, and the like---

a. dividing  stock in half---

3/8 bar for finding the center of 3/4'' stock

b. dividing stock in 3rds---for mortise and tenon joinery---

1/4, 1/4 and 1/4 for 3/4 stock, 

the list can go on and on.

  A very handy storage box for the brass bars, is a small Plano fishing tackle transparent plastic box, with dividers---

they can be stored in the box---

kept close at hand, or carried in your shop apron, when moving from machine to machine, when making set-ups and measurements.

  Works for me.

[John Schaben]

I stack them quite a bit... set of 5 from 1/8 to 1/2" will give you up to 13/16". Set of Whiteside bars from Hartville tool is only $15 so I dunno if the Kreg bars at $40-45 is worth it to me. I got my chops busted with the multimark so I'm kinda leary.

Hugh Clare said:

John,

I've never considered stacking the setup bars (I would probably use gauge blocks). I have found the "odd shape" very handy for setting up the router table and the rip fence on the table saw when using a stacked dado cutter. 

[Ken Darga]

Kreg Set-up bars

Contains a set of 7

1/8'' (.125), 3/16'' (.188), 1/4''(.250), 5/16'' (.313), 3/8'' (.375), 7/16'' (.438), 1/2'' (.500)

 

Each 3-in-1 bars act as a step gauge, depth gauge, and fence gauge

• Fence gauge: makes positioning your fence quick and easy
• Depth gauge: straddles your reducing rings for fast and easy bit height adjustments
• Step gauge: Test the depth of your cut after each pass
• Each individual bar is made from soft aluminum designed to prevent damage to your router bit or saw blade in case they make contact during setup
• Handy and durable plastic storage case---stores each bar in its designated slot position
• Each bar is marked with the dimensional size

[Ken Darga]

Set-up bars vs gauge blocks:

  Set-up bars ---are generally made to an accuracy of 0.005”.

  Gauge blocks--- common in the metal machining industry, as ‘’precision gauge blocks’’, and made to an accuracy of 0.0002 to 0.0005’’, are much more costly,

Some sets are in the ‘’thousands of dollars’’ .

[Ken Darga]

The brass-up bars, as mentioned above, do not have any size markings, on each respective bar itself.

Each bar size can be readily identifiable, by engraving each with its applicable size.

The marking can be placed on each surface, as to make each bar size visible, no matter what face side is up.

Works for me.

[Ken Darga]

PS---

after engraving the markings, 

fill in the characters, using a ''black'' felt-tip marker, 

so as to make the markings more visible.

Works for me.

[John Schaben]

Hi Ken - The Whiteside bars I have do have the sizes stamped on them... The highlighting idea with the black felt tip is a good one.

[Ken Darga]

Having a second set of ''set-up bars", sure came in handy today, on a project.

Laying 2- 3/8'' bars, side-by-side, for a 3/4'' location/position, was a lot quicker than 

fumbling with and adjusting the scale of the combo square out to 3/4'', then rechecking the measurement.

Sure made it quick, and most important,

''accurate'' to within .005''.

  Also another handy method for accuracy---

place the bar or bars on the blade of the combo or machinist square scale---

adjust the blade so it is flush with the bar face, and lock the head of the square in place.

''If I can't make it perfect, I make it adjustable''.