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Despite the various (interesting) forks in the road on this topic, this is an excellent discussion of an important issue. I especially liked the Blondihacks video - somehow I missed that one. While I cannot say I read every word in every reply, I think it might be worthwhile to mention that...

That reference to cutting with a circular saw without a guide was just my attempt to lighten up the thread a bit. I do use various guides in practice, but the one I use most often needs replacing. I did like my old model track saw and wish I still had it. It was the only affordable solution when...

Very interesting information. Not yet having finished my second cup of coffee this morning, I wonder at your statement that "high compressibility" leads to higher stiffness. I would have thought the opposite - the less something compresses, the higher the stiffness? Maybe I will re-read your...

Really great addition to this thread. Thanks. I had a funny moment thinking more about this... Assuming some person - perhaps a little like myself, paying huge (for me, $1000 is huge!) dollars for a precision reference edge, then using that to draw a pencil line on a workpiece, then taking it...

Interesting test for sure. I believe our pieces of steel are behaving in a similar fashion - allowing for mine being only 3/4 as thick as yours. My deflection was in a horizontal direction, (the "straightedge" placed flat on a piece of 4' x 8' plywood) and not really measured - just eyeballed -...

OK - I can now see how this works. Thank you very much for the idea. Although - a nearly 10" wide solution was not quite what I was looking for, mainly because it would be difficult to use close to the edge of a piece of plywood.

I have learned a new term today - so, a good day! I will look up machinist wire. I presume it is wire with a diameter held to a precise dimension? I like your idea - especially when considering it could be used to calibrate the device described by Dabbler in his reply. Lots of great ideas...

So - weld the three different lengths together? Steel or aluminum? Would you use shims at all in calibrating the device if I were to add the 1x1/2" cold-rolled piece on the long side? As to adjusting it to a final degree of straightness - I wonder if the idea below might be a good one?

Good ideas. I actually do use a lateral support for my 9' straightedge whenever I am trying to be super accurate. Keeps the lateral force of, for example a router, from shoving it sideways. But it is an added step, so I am wondering if I am missing some obvious way of making things stronger...

I had a track saw until someone stole the saw last March. Oddly enough - left the track!? Good idea though - I will look into that. Might see what aluminum tubing is available.