Guide tool

A guide tool comprising:

• a guide plate having first and second opposite planar sides, first and second opposite ends, first and second opposite edges, the first of the edges extending substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the guide plate and serving as a tool guide edge, and a longitudinal slot opening through the first and second opposite planar sides having a longitudinal axis parallel with the tool guide edge and extending less than the length of the guide plate;
• laterally spaced longitudinal flanges formed integral with the first planar side of the guide plate along opposite sides of the slot in the plate defining a guide channel along the first planar side of the guide plate, the guide channel extending longer than the length of the slot and being open at opposite ends;
• at least two moveable clamps coupled with the guide plate along the guide channel and movable along the guide channel the length of the slot in the guide plate between the longitudinal flanges for releasably clamping the guide plate to a workpiece along the second planar side of the guide plate, the clamps each having handles extending between the flanges in a direction away from the first planar side of the guide plate, a first jaw of each clamp being engaged in sliding relationship with the guide plate in the guide channel and a second jaw of each clamp extending through the slot in the guide plate beyond the opposite second planar side of the guide plate;
• and
• clamping pressure plates, each plate being connected with the second jaw of each clamp and being extendable with the second jaw to a position spaced from the second opposite planer side of the guide plate to a position for insertion of a workpiece between the pressure plate and the second opposite planer side of the guide plate, the first and second jaws of each clamp being spring biased one toward the other to clamp a workpiece between the pressure plate on the second jaw of the clamp and the second opposite planer side of the guide plate for holding the guide plate on the workpiece with sufficient force to permit a tool to move along the guide edge of the guide plate to effect a desired work operation step on the workpiece.