When you want to check the flatness of the edges and faces of your wooden boards while you squaring them , the straightedge is your appropriate woodworking tool for the job . You can find straightedges from metal and from wood and i like both of them .

Straightedges from wood are easy to repair if you drop them down .

** Below i’ll post a video of how can you make a straightedge , by your own .

Straightedges from metal can be ruined if you drop them down , but they never need readjustments as the wooden ones need , over time .

Remember : wood is alive and changes shape from weather conditions , etc .

Of course you can use a straightedge when you calibrate your power planer and jointer .

If you want to check your wooden board fo twisting themes , the winding sticks are the appropriate woodworking tool for the job .

You put these sticks at the two ends of your board , parallel to each other and you check which corners are higher than the others , caused by twisting . Mostly from the weather conditions , moisture , et.c .

Then you make corrections using your hand planes , lowering down the higher corner .

So let’s see some straightedges and winding sticks suggestions i have for you .

The POWERTEC 71227 24″ Anodized Aluminum Straight Edge .

This 24″‘ and 2″ width , Powertec thick profile straightedge is a very fine choice for you to check the flatness of your boards and power tools and you can see more on Amazon in here .

It’s a heavy – duty straightedge with precision milled edges , in order to be as parallel and accurate as possible . It isn’t heavy although and it’s very versatile .

You can check board flatness , you can set your miter saw to cut more square , do the same with your router table fence and the many more jobs .

It has a very good grip and it’s truly 24″ from one end to the other , its metrics are extreme accurate and it won’t rust till the end of time . It’s a 30$ dollar tool every woodworker should have in his “armor” .

If you want the 18″ straightedge from the same company and the same specs , but the shorter version , go to Amazon in here to check it out .

The Swanson SVE240 24-Inch Savage Straight Edge .

This No Slip Grip , amazing woodworking straightedge from Swanson is a “must” carpentry tool and it’s designed for maximum comfort and hands protection . You can check its price on Amazon in here .

It’s raised edge design will give you more hands stability while you’re working , it protects your hands and gives you more self confidence in general , which is very good .

it’s very well manufactured from aerospace anodized aluminum and it has an orange finish that gives you great metrics visibility and contrast .

Fast , easy , safe , very handy and precise measurements is the “name of the game” here and this straightedge will impress you .

** Here is a nice video of How you Can make a Wooden straightedge from crooked boards , yourself .

The Hardware Essentials Galvanized Winding Rods 18″ .

This galvanized winding sticks from the Hardware Essentials , is a very sturdy and not bending twisitng checkers and you can see the price and more on Amazon .

These two steel rods are just perfect to check if your wooden board is twisted , so you can make adjustment and corrections with your chisels .

Be sure that you’ve put them totally parallel at the two ends of your board and check if there is “space” , a gap in any of the corners . If there is gap , your board is twisted .

The circle shape of these stick is very helpful . You can roll them to find exactly the problem areas .

Use your chisel to lower , “eat” the wood of the higher corner .

Keep woodworking and enjoy the whole process .