cutting torch guide to make striaght cuts

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I am needing to make some straight cuts in 1/4 and 1/8 steel plate and was wondering if anyone knows of a easy way to do this. I have seen different types of guides but all seem over priced for what they are. Has anyone made or have seen plans for making some kind of a torch guide that will help a guy make a straight cut.
Reply:I just clamp a piece of angle or square tubing to the work and let that guide the torch.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Exactly - or an old ruler, t-aquare, etc. - wooden or metal.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I once worked with a guy who would hold a piece of box, angle or whatever with one hand and cut with the other for quick cuts. You'd be surprised how good and true his cuts were. It takes some getting used to but is possible with practice. Of course, clamping is advised to ensure accuracy.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:I have several pieces of 3" channel that I use for this. Works for me---
Reply:a piece of 1.5"x1.5" clamped down to the workpiece. then take a washer and set on the cone end of your torch. let the washer ride on the lip of the angle and cut. i use different size washers to move the torch height up and down."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:I guess I'm in the minority but I have never been able to get a good cut with a guide.  I personally do better without one.   My suggestion........... Practice, Practice, and more Practice.  Don't get dependent on the guide for a straight cut.  The more you run a torch the less you will need a guide.  Before long you'll be zipping thru plate in no time.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:How wide is your plate.  I use a hand shear for 1/8x12" and 2" for 1/4" plate.  HF sells a set of training wheel for your torch,  they're pretty cheap.I too prefer freehand cutting.  However, I don't use a torch much so setting up and moving guides takes as long as my whole cutting session.  My cutting is usually relagated to building steps.  Hence, approximately 14" is the longest cut I perform.
Reply:I grab a piece of straight channel or angle from the boneyard...
Reply:I have a piece of 1" square about 15" long with a handle on the end. I can't be bothered with wheels, by the time they are set up I could have done most cuts anyway.As someone else said practice, practice and keep on practicing.