Patent Publication Number: US-2015068374-A1

Title: Guiding instrument for a cutting tool

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/874,412 filed Sep. 6, 2013, hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a guiding instrument for a cutting tool, more particularly, to a portable guiding instrument for a cutting tool that provides precise measurements for use in duct installation applications. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cutting tools are used to cut duct board panels to fabricate ducting systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) installations. Typically, knives and other cutting tools are used to create a cut or groove through a duct board panel. The cuts and grooves facilitate forming a section of an insulation layer for ducting systems by bending the duct board panel along the cuts and grooves. 
     In certain applications, a “V” groove is formed into the duct board panels by cutting tools. Typically, three V grooves are cut lengthwise into the duct board panel at pre-selected locations. The duct board panel is then folded about itself at the V grooves to create a substantially rectangular duct. The V grooves are formed by a knife attached to a hand held tool such as a hand held sled, for example, FASGROOV™ brand hand held sleds available from Malco Products, Inc. 
     Portable instruments used to facilitate guiding a cutting tool to form cuts or grooves in the duct board panels are known. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,297, an adjustable square is described. The adjustable square guides a panel cutter and includes an angle arm, a protractor, and channel arm. The square guides the cutting tool to cut the grooves in the panel across the length of the panel. 
     Additionally, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,902, a measuring and guiding device is described. The device has no moving parts and may be guided by a user along the length of a fiber glass duct board. The frame includes a base leg being of channel form and having measuring line markings. The base leg has a depth equal to the depth of a conventional fiber glass panel and is configured to align with a longitudinal edge of the fiber glass panel. A guide leg overlies the fiber glass panel in a perpendicular relationship to the length of the base leg. The guide leg guides a cutting tool along the edge thereof to create V grooves in the panel. A hypotenuse leg of the frame includes indicia that corresponds and aligns with the indicia of the base leg. 
     Precision in measuring and cutting the V grooves is often required for forming ducts from the duct board panels. If the measurements are not precise, the form of the duct can be skewed. The guiding instruments known in the art have base legs having a side configured to contact the edge of the duct panel. However, duct board panels are often formed with male and female ship lapped ends to facilitate fitting each section of duct to another section of duct. Measurement precision may be reduced when the base leg is in contact with a female ship lapped end because the surface of base leg is at a distance from the cutting surface of the duct panel. 
     Additionally, the portable instruments known in the art can easily bend or flex upon applying pressure to the instrument while cutting the duct panels. The bending and flexing can also contribute to inaccurate or uneven cuts. Furthermore, the instruments known in the art neither provide sturdy means for cutting angles in the duct board panels nor provide interchangeability for both left-hand cuts and right-hand cuts. Angles formed in the duct board panels facilitate increasing or decreasing the cross section of the duct or for use when forming both left-hand cuts and right-hand cuts. 
     There is a continuing need for a sturdy guiding instrument for a cutting tool that is portable, uncomplicated to use, facilitates precision and accuracy in cutting, and is easy to manufacture. Therefore, it would be advantageous if a guiding instrument for a cutting tool could be improved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance and attuned with the instant disclosure, a sturdy guiding instrument for a cutting tool that is portable, uncomplicated to use, facilitates precision and accuracy in cutting, and is easy to manufacture has surprisingly been discovered. 
     According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a guiding instrument for forming a cut in a work piece with a cutting tool is disclosed. The guiding instrument includes a base member having an aligning wall and a platform. The aligning wall is configured for alignment with an edge of the work piece. The platform extends outwardly from the aligning wall. The guiding instrument further includes a guide member pivotally coupled to the base member and an elongated linking member extending between the base member and the guide member. A first end of the elongated linking member is coupled to the base member and the second end of the elongated linking member is releasably coupled to at least one of the base member and the guide member. 
     According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a guiding instrument for forming a cut in a work piece with a cutting tool is disclosed. The guiding instrument includes a base member having an aligning wall and a platform. The aligning wall is configured for alignment with an edge of the work piece. The platform extends outwardly from the aligning wall. The guiding instrument further includes a guide member pivotally coupled to the base member and an elongated linking member extendable between the base member and the guide member. A first end of the elongated linking member is coupled to the base member and the second end of the elongated linking member is releasably coupled to at least one of the base member and the guide member. The base member, the guide member, and the elongated linking member cooperate to selectively form at least a first arrangement, a second arrangement, and a third arrangement. 
     According to a further embodiment of the disclosure, a method of forming a cut in a work piece is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a work piece having an edge formed thereon and providing a guiding instrument. The guiding instrument has a base member, guide member, and linking member. The base member has an aligning wall and a platform extending outwardly from the aligning wall. The guide member is pivotally coupled to the base member. The elongated linking member extends between the base member and the guide member. A first end of the elongated linking member is slidingly coupled to the base member and a second end of the elongated linking member is releasably coupled to at least one of the base member and the guide member. The method additionally includes the steps of positioning the guide member at an angle with respect to the base member, placing the guiding instrument on the surface of the work piece, aligning the aligning wall of the base member along the edge of the work piece, and guiding a cutting tool along a surface of the guide member to form a cut in the work piece. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS AND ADDITIONAL MATERIALS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
         FIG. 1  is a left side perspective view of the guiding apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, showing the apparatus in a first arrangement; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the guiding apparatus in a second arrangement; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the guiding apparatus in a third arrangement; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the guiding apparatus in a consolidated arrangement; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front elevational view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a guiding apparatus according to n alternate embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 5 , showing the guiding apparatus in a consolidated arrangement; 
         FIG. 6B  is a front elevational view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7  is front perspective view of the guiding apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an exemplary application according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a front plan view of a guiding apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the invention, showing the guiding apparatus in a left hand arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is illustrated a guiding instrument  10  for use in forming cuts in a work piece  12  with a cutting tool  16  according to an embodiment of the invention. The guiding instrument  10  includes an elongated base member  20 , an elongated guide member  30 , and an elongated linking member  40 . 
     The base member  20  includes a substantially planar platform  22  and a substantially planar aligning wall  24 . The aligning wall  24  extends outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the platform  22  forming an L-shaped cross-section of the base member  20 . It is understood, that the base member  20  can have any cross-sectional shape as desired to facilitate precise measurements and accurate cutting of the work piece  12 . 
     The guide member  30  has a substantially planar guide wall  32  configured to guide the cutting tool  16  along an outer surface thereof. A substantially planar platform  34  extends outwardly from and substantially perpendicularly from the guide wall  32  to form an L-shaped cross-section of the guide member  30 . It is understood that the guide member  30  can have any cross-sectional shape as desired to facilitate guiding the cutting tool  16  to cut the work piece  12 . 
     The guide member  30  is pivotally coupled to a first end  26  of the base member  20  so that the guide member  30  can be disposed at varying angular positions relative to the base member  20 . As illustrated in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4B , a first end  36  of the guide member  30  is pivotally coupled to the first end  26  of the base member  20 . However, it is understood that the guide member  30  can be pivotally coupled to the base member  20  at any distance from the first end  36  of the guide member  30  as desired. A fastener  31  can be used to couple the guide member  30  to the base member  20  such as a pivoting bolt, a hinge, a pin, an adjustment device, or any other coupling means configured to allow pivoting as desired. Additionally, epoxy can be employed to facilitate smoothly securing the fastener  31  in position for coupling. In certain embodiments, the platform  34  of the guide member  30  and the platform  22  of the base member  20  are coupled to each other so that an inner surface of the base member  20  is at least in partial contact with and supported by an inner surface of the guide member  30 . 
     The elongated linking member  40  is disposed on the guiding instrument  10  and extends between the base member  20  and the guide member  30 . The linking member  40  as shown is substantially planar and configured to facilitate angularly positioning the guide member  30  relative to the base member  20 . However, the linking member  40  can have an L-shaped cross-section, a U-shaped or channel cross section, a rectangular cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or any other cross-sectional shape to facilitate precise measurements and accurate cutting of the work piece  12 , as desired. A first end  46   a  and a second end  46   b  of the linking member  40  have arcuate edges to form an elongated oval shape of the linking member  40 . However, the linking member  40  can have any shape as desired such as substantially rectangular, for example. 
     The second end  46   b  of the linking member  40  is releasably and pivotally coupled to the guide member  30  intermediate the first end  36  of the guide member  30  and a second end  38  of the guide member  30 . The first end  46   a  of the linking member  40  is releasably and slidingly coupled to the base member  20  intermediate the first end  26  of the base member  20  and a second end  28  of the base member  20 . The linking member  40  is coupled to the guide member  30  and the base member  20  wherein a portion of the guide member  30 , a portion of the base member  20 , and the linking member  40  form a generally triangular shape. The linking member  40  is coupled to each of the base member  20  and the guide member  30  by adjustment devices  48 . The adjustment devices  48  can be an adjustable thumb knob, for example. However, any coupling means can be used as desired such as a pivoting bolt, a hinge, a pin, or any other coupling means configured to allow pivoting, for example. Additionally, epoxy can be employed to facilitate smoothly securing the fastener  31  in position for coupling. 
       FIGS. 1-2  illustrate the guide member  30  positioned at an angle θ with respect to the base member  20 . In  FIGS. 1-2 , the guiding instrument  10  is positioned in a 0 degree arrangement  100 . The 0 degree arrangement  100  of the guiding instrument  10  is configured wherein the guide member  30  is positioned substantially perpendicular to the base member  20  so that the angle θ is about 90 degrees. The 0 degree arrangement  100  facilitates guiding the cutting tool  16  to form a cut in the work piece  12  that is substantially perpendicular to an edge  54  of the work piece  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B  the guide member  30  can be positioned at other angles θ relative to the base member  20 . In a non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the guiding instrument  10  is positioned in a 15 degree arrangement  200  in which the angle θ is about 75 degrees. The 15 degree arrangement  200  is configured to facilitate guiding the cutting tool  16  to form a cut in the work piece  12  at 15 degrees from a line perpendicular to the edge  54  of the work piece  12 . In another non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the guiding instrument  10  is positioned in a 30 degree arrangement  300  in which the angle θ is about 60 degrees. The 30 degree arrangement  300  is configured to facilitate guiding the cutting tool  16  to form a cut in the work piece  12  at 30 degrees from a line perpendicular to the edge  54  of the work piece  12 . However, it is understood that the guiding instrument  10  can be positioned in any arrangement so that the guide member  30  is positioned at any angle θ with respect to the base member  20 . For example, the guiding instrument  10  can be positioned in an 11.25 degree arrangement where the angle θ is about 78.75 degree, in a 22.5 degree arrangement where the angle θ is about 67.5, a 45 degree arrangement where the angle θ is about 45 degrees, or any other arrangement where the angle θ is any angle as desired. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3B , the linking member  40  includes a slot  50  formed therein to facilitate a sliding relationship between the linking member  40  and the base member  20 . The adjustment device  48  coupling the linking member  40  to the base member  20  is received through the slot  50 . The adjustment device  48  can be loosened to selectively permit the linking member  40  to slide with respect to the base member  20  to various positions. Alternatively, the adjustment device  48  can be tightened to maintain the linking member  40  in one of the various positions. Each of the various positions of the linking member  40  corresponds to one of the angular arrangements (the 0 degree arrangement  100 , the 15 degree arrangement  200 , the 30 degree arrangement  300 ) of the guiding instrument  10 . For example in  FIG. 3A , the adjustment device  48  is received in a portion of the slot  50  to position the linking member  40  in a position corresponding to the 15 degree arrangement. In  FIG. 3B , for example, the adjustment device  48  is received in a portion of the slot  50  to position the linking member  40  in a position corresponding to the 30 degree arrangement. 
     The linking member  40  can further include an aperture  42  formed therein. The adjustment device  48  coupling the linking member  40  to the base member  20  can be received through the aperture  42  to maintain an angular arrangement. For example, the aperture  42  can be formed in the linking member  40  to correspond to the 45 degree arrangement, wherein the guide member  30  is positioned at a 45 degree with respect to the base member  20  when the adjustment device is received through the aperture  42  to couple the guide member  30  to the base member  20 . It is understood any number of slots or apertures can be used to facilitate positioning the guide member  30  at any angle with respect to the base member  20 . 
     In certain embodiments, the guiding instrument  10  includes indicia  60  disposed thereon. The outer surface of the base member  20  can include the indicia  60  disposed on the platform  22  thereof. The indicia  60  disposed on the platform  22  can correspond to a measurement system to facilitate precise measurements when moving the guiding instrument  10  along the work piece  12  to form multiple cuts. In a non-limiting example, the indicia  60  of measurement system can compensate for a width w of a portion of the cutting tool  16  from an edge to the knife thereof. The measurement system can then begin at a number corresponding to the width w of the portion of the cutting tool  16 . 
     Additionally, a surface of the linking member  40  can also include the indicia  60  disposed thereon. The indicia  60  disposed on the linking member  40  can correspond to the indicia  60  disposed on the platform  22  of the base member  20 . For example, the indicia  60  of the base member  20  can align with the indicia  60  of the linking member  40  when the guiding instrument  10  is in the 0 degree arrangement  100 . The indicia  60  disposed on the linking member  40  can also include measurements corresponding to the angular arrangements (the 0 degree arrangement  100 , the 15 degree arrangement  200 , the 30 degree arrangement  300 ) of the guiding instrument  10 . The indicia  60  corresponding to the angular measurements can be disposed on the surface of the linking member  40  adjacent portions of the slot  50  to indicate where to properly position the linking member  40  for each angular arrangement (the 0 degree arrangement  100 , the 15 degree arrangement  200 , the 30 degree arrangement  300 ). 
     An anti-slip layer (not shown) can be formed on a surface of the guide member  30 . For example, an anti-slip layer can be formed on an outer surface of the platform  34  of the guide member  30  to militate against movement of the guiding instrument  10  with respect to the work piece  12 . The anti-slip layer can be applied to or coupled to the surface of the guide member  30 . The anti-slip layer can be a non-slip paint, a non-slip tape, a non-slip coating, a surface roughening or embossment to the surface of the guide member  30  or any other anti-slip component, as desired. The anti-slip layer can also be formed on any other portion of the guiding instrument  10 , as desired, such as a surface of the base member  20  or a surface of the linking member  40 . 
     In  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the guiding instrument  10  is illustrated in a linear, consolidated arrangement  400 . In the consolidated arrangement  400 , the linking member  40  and the guide member  30  are aligned with the base member  20  along a length thereof to facilitate portability and storage. The platform  34  of the guide member  30  is disposed beneath of and supports the platform  22  of the base member  20  so that the inner surface of the guide member  30  contacts the inner surface of the base member  20 . The platform  22  of the base member  20  is disposed beneath and supports the linking member  40  so that an outer surface of the base member  20  contacts the surface of the linking member  40 . 
     To arrange the guiding instrument  10  in the consolidated arrangement  400 , the second end  46   b  of the linking member  40  can be decoupled from the guide member  30  by loosening the adjustment device  48 . The adjustment device  48  coupling the first end  46   a  of the linking member  40  to the base member  20  can be loosened to permit the linking member  40  to slide with respect to the base member  20 . The adjustment device  48  is positioned at an end of the slot  50  extending away from the first end  46   a  of the linking member  40 . The linking member  40  is permitted to pivot about the adjustment device  48 , coupling the first end  46   a  of the linking member  40  to the base member  20 . The linking member  40  pivots until substantially aligned with the length of the base member  20 . Additionally, the guide member  30  pivots about the fastener  31 , coupling the base member  20  and the guide member  30 . The guide member  30  pivots to align with the length of the base member  20 . In the consolidated arrangement, the base member  20 , the guide member  30 , and the linking member  40  are positioned parallel with respect to each other. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a guiding instrument  10 ′ according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Similar reference numerals are used to describe features substantially similar to those described in  FIGS. 1-4B , except with a prime (′) symbol placed after such reference numerals. The guiding instrument  10 ′ is substantially similar to the guiding instrument  10  described hereinabove and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4B  except that the base member  20 ′ is positioned beneath the guide member  30 ′. The platform  34 ′ of the guide member  30 ′ and the platform  22 ′ of the base member  20 ′ are coupled to each other so that an outer surface of the guide member  30 ′ is at least in partial contact with and supported by an outer surface of the base member  20 ′. This arrangement of the guiding instrument  10 ′ facilitates guiding certain tools having portions configured to extend beneath the guide member  30 ′ in application. 
     The guiding instrument  10 ′ also includes two slots  50 ′ formed adjacent the first end  46   a ′ and the second end  46   b ′ of the linking member  40 ′. The slot  50 ′ formed adjacent the first end  46   a ′ is substantially similar to the slot  50  shown and described in  FIGS. 1-4B . The slot  50 ′ formed adjacent the second end  46   b ′ facilitates a sliding relationship between the linking member  40 ′ and the guide member  30 ′. The adjustment device  48 ′ coupling the linking member  40 ′ to the guide member  30 ′ is received through the slot  50 ′ adjacent the second end  46   b ′ of the linking member  40 ′. The adjustment device  48 ′ coupling the linking member  40 ′ to the guide member  30 ′ can be loosened to selectively permit the linking member  40 ′ to slide with respect to the guide member  30 ′. 
     To arrange the guiding instrument  10 ′ in the consolidated arrangement  400 ′, the first end  46   a ′ of the linking member  40 ′ can be decoupled from the base member  20 ′ by loosening the adjustment device  48 ′. The adjustment device  48 ′ coupling the second end  46   b ′ of the linking member  40 ′ to the guide member  30 ′ can be loosened to permit the linking member  40 ′ to slide with respect to the guide member  30 ′. The adjustment device  48 ′ is positioned at an end of the slot  50 ′ adjacent the second end  46   b  of the linking member  40 ′. The linking member  40 ′ is permitted to pivot about the adjustment device  48 ′ coupling the second end  46   b ′ of the linking member  40 ′ to the guide member  30 ′. The linking member  40 ′ pivots until substantially aligned with the length of the guide member  30 ′. Additionally, the base member  20 ′ pivots about the fastener  31 ′, coupling the base member  20 ′ and the guide member  30 ′. The base member  20 ′ pivots to align with the length of the guide member  30 ′. The adjustment device  48 ′ for coupling the first end  46   a ′ of the linking member  40 ′ to the base member  20 ′ can then be used to couple the first end  46   a ′ of the linking member  40 ′ to the first end  36 ′ of the guide member  30 ′ to maintain the linking member  40 ′ in alignment with the guide member  30 ′. In the consolidated arrangement, the base member  20 ′, the guide member  30 ′, and the linking member  40 ′ are positioned parallel with respect to each other. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the guiding instrument  10  arranged in the 0 degree arrangement  100  utilized in an exemplary application according to an embodiment of the invention. The guiding instrument  10  described in  FIGS. 1-4B  is illustrated. However, the guiding instrument  10 ′ according to  FIGS. 5-6B  can be employed in a substantially similar manner and include substantially similar dimensions as described hereinafter. In the illustrated embodiment, the work piece  12  is a fiberglass duct board panel used to form ducts for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The work piece  12  is pre-formed with a female ship lap  52  at one end thereof and a male ship lap (not shown) at an opposing end thereof. The female ship lap  52  extends inwardly from the edge  54  of the work piece  12 . It is understood, the work piece  12  can be any type of panel or material, with or without ship lapped edges, used for ductwork, carpentry, or any other architecture, engineering, and construction applications, for example. The cutting tool  16  is a sled tool including a V shaped cutting knife to form V shaped grooves  56  in the work piece  12 . The V shaped grooves  56  facilitate folding the work piece  12  into a section of duct. The cutting tool  16  can be any cutting tool as desired such as a ship lap tool, duct knife, or any other type of cutting tool, for example. 
     In application, the base member  20  is aligned with an edge  54  of the female ship lap  52  so that the aligning wall  24  is in contact with the edge  54  of the female ship lap  52 . The platform  22  of the base member  20  extends over the female ship lap  52  and aligns with the surface  14  of the work piece  12 . The alignment of the platform  22  of the base member  20  with the surface  14  of the work piece  12  facilitates precise measurement and accurate cutting. The guide member  30  extends perpendicular to the edge  54  of the work piece  12 . in the embodiment illustrated, the platform  34  of guide member  30  rests on the surface  14  of the work piece  12 . However, where the guiding instrument  10 ′ of  FIGS. 5-6B  is utilized, the space can be formed between the work piece  12  and the guide member  30 ′. The anti-slip layer can militate against the guiding instrument  10  moving with respect to the work piece  12 . 
     The cutting tool  16  can then be guided along the guide wall  32  of the guide member  30  by a user. The cut begins at the edge  54  of the work piece  12 , through the female ship lap  52 , and extends towards an opposing edge of the work piece  12  to create the V shaped groove  56 . Force can be applied to the linking member  40  by a hand of the user, for example, to anchor and stabilize the guiding instrument  10  forming the cut in the work piece  12 . The linking member  40  facilitates stability of the guiding instrument  10  and militates against undesired pivoting of the guiding instrument  10  during cutting of the work piece  12 . Advantageously, the configuration of the base member  20 , the guide member  30 , and the linking member  40  permits the guiding instrument  10  to be utilized to obtain precise measurements and accurate cutting with a work piece  12  having ship lapped edges. Accuracy can be obtained by aligning indicia  60  disposed on the guiding instrument  10  with existing grooves or other marks on the work piece  12 . The indicia  60  disposed on the base member  20  can be aligned with the indicia  60  disposed on the linking member  40  to obtain accuracy and precise measurements. 
     In certain embodiments, the height of the aligning wall  24  of the base member  20  corresponds to a thickness of the work piece  12 . For example, the height of the aligning wall  24  can be 1″, 1.5″, or 2″. A width of the platform  22  of the base member  20  can be any width as desired to extend from the edge  54 , of the work piece  12  over the female ship lap  52 . In a non-limiting example, the width of the platform  22  is equal to or greater than the width of the female ship lap  52  such as 2″. The length of the guide member  30  is any length as desired to span from the edge  54  of the work piece  12  to the opposing edge of the work piece  12 . The width of the platform  34  of the guide member  30  has any width as desired to facilitate consolidating the guiding instrument  10  into a consolidated arrangement  400  and supporting the base member  20  and/or the linking member  40 . It is understood that any dimensions can be used for the base member  20 , the guide member  30 , and the linking member  40 , as desired. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a guiding instrument  10 ″ according to another embodiment of the invention. Similar reference numerals are used to describe features substantially similar to those described in  FIGS. 1-7 , except with a double prime (″) symbol placed after such reference numerals. The guiding instrument  10 ″ is substantially similar to the guiding instruments  10 ,  10 ′ described hereinabove and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7  except that the guiding instrument  10 ″ is interchangeable for both a right hand and a left hand configuration. The guiding instrument  10 ″ can be adapted from the right hand arrangement (as described hereinabove and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 ) into the left hand arrangement as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The right hand arrangement facilitates forming a cut in the work piece  12  by a right handed user and the left hand arrangement facilitates forming a cut in the work piece  12  by a left handed user. 
     In order to arrange the guiding instrument  10 ″ from the right hand arrangement to a guiding instrument  10 ″ in the left hand arrangement, the first end  36 ″ of the guide member  30 ″ can be decoupled from the first end  26 ″ of the base member  20 ″. The second end  38 ″ of the guide member  30 ″ is then pivotally and releasably coupled to the platform  22 ″ of the base member  20 ″ at a second end  28 ″ thereof. The linking member  40 ″ is pivoted about the adjustment device  48 ″ coupling the linking member  40 ″ to the base member  20 ″. The second end  46   b ″ of the linking member  40 ″ is coupled to the guide member  30 ″ by the adjustment device  48 ″ to form the left hand arrangement. 
     It is understood that the left hand arrangement can be formed by other configurations of the base member  20 ″, the guide member  30 ″, and the linking member  40 ″, as desired. For example, the platform  34 ″ of the guide member  30 ″ and the aligning wall  24 ″ of the base member  20 ″ can be coupled to each other so that the aligning wall  24 ″ extends over the ship lap  52  of the work piece  12  instead of the platform  22 ″ of the base member  20 ″. In this example, the aligning wall  24 ″ can have the indicia  60 ″ disposed thereon corresponding to the left hand arrangement and the platform  22 ″ can have the indicia  60 ′ disposed thereon corresponding to the right hand arrangement. The linking member  40 ″ can include the indicia  60 ″ corresponding to the right hand arrangement and the left hand arrangement, which can be latticed. 
     While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.