"George" wrote in message

I used my old "sacrificial" board on my rip fence to make the new one, is
that the same thing?

And many have never used a panel cutter in their lives, yet most manage to
make straight square cuts. Who said that a panel cutter was an absolute
necessity? It's just a convenience. It they were a necessity, every saw
manufacturer would be selling them with their saws at an increased price.