OA Torch Cutting Guide Preferences

[whateg01]

I just finished making a cutting guide for my OA torch. It is very simple but it does have an adjustment for cutting height. I made it out of a muffler clamp cut in half and a small piece of 3/8 plate. I do not have much in the way of machine equipment, so I used a drill press to drill all of the holes and then welded nuts in place to avoid having to borrow a tap. The cutting was all done with a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. (One end was torch cut previously, so it looks a little rougher, but it is hard to tell in the photos.) I made it narrow, which submits it to more heat, but for some of the narrow cuts I need it for, it works well. I have only used it a couple of times so far; as I mentioned I just finished it. For straight cuts, I can just run it along a straight-edge. For other cuts, it glides (sorta) so it works for keeping my torch height constant.

I have attached a few of the photos below.

My question is, I have seen quite a few different designs available. I will probably make another one with a wider stance to give it better stability as well as reduce the amount of heat that the "shoes" have to endure. They seem to range in price from a little to a lot. What experiences has anybody had with different designs? What works well? What doesn't?

Here are the photos:
http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/data/3822/DSCN3108b.jpg
http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/data/3822/DSCN3109b.jpg
http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/data/3822/DSCN3110b.jpg
http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/data/3822/DSCN3111b.jpg


Enjoy.

Dave