2 straight lengths of oak with a small shim glued between them. Holes drilled 1 1/2 inch on center with carriage bolts and wingnuts. A great, simple jig for laying out stairs. Design from SAIT carpenter school, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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This trick works great for laying out rafters too.
I use a similar method. Rather than making a clamping straight edge, I drill a series of holes in a framing square and screw the square to the straight edge. One advantage over a clamping system - less likely to get knocked out of adjustment; on the con side - harder to microadjust.