Forum topic by Brett | posted 08-17-2011 06:08 PM | 11663 views | 0 times favorited | 36 replies | ![]() |
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08-17-2011 06:08 PM |
Has anyone used a folding ruler for woodworking? There are two kinds of folding rulers that I’m familiar with: 1) and 2) My dad had a folding ruler like the one in the lower picture when I was a kid, and I thought it was fascinating, but it seems to me that a tape measure would always be more accurate than either folding ruler. Anybody have good experiences with them? -- More tools, fewer machines. |
36 replies so far
#1 posted 08-17-2011 06:12 PM |
I find folding rules like the 2nd one are good for measuring the inside of things like drawers. With a tape measure you either have the body of it getting in the way, or if you bend the tape up you have that little curve caused by the bending tape that doesn’t let you get an exact reading. I still use the tape measure if the exact number doesn’t matter and I just need a rough idea, but the folding ruler works great. -- "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein |
#2 posted 08-17-2011 06:19 PM |
I have one of each of these types of rulers that I inherited from my Dad but really prefer to use a tape measure. If I need an inside measurement, two aluminum strips with a c-clamp make a really good (and really accurate) substitute. Whit -- Even if to be nothing more than a bad example, everything serves a purpose. cippotus |
#3 posted 08-17-2011 06:23 PM |
I have a Starrett folding rule and find it very useful in many situations. All rulers have their place. |
#4 posted 08-17-2011 06:25 PM |
Good call on the 2 strips clamped together. I should add that I do not own one of these, but the one I have used belongs to my father and is not the wood type pictured. It is a very nice all metal number with embossed markings. -- "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein |
#5 posted 08-17-2011 06:47 PM |
I have a 6 and 8 foot rule (#2) that I routinely use for any measurements under 8’. I am much more comfortable with these than I am a tape largely for the same reasons that Murdock mentioned. -- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine |
#6 posted 08-17-2011 08:57 PM |
I used to think my dad was being stuborn for not using a tape instead of the folding rule (#2), but now that I advanced above all that metal working stuff I see the rule as very handy, especially for inside measurements. And besides, there is a pocket on carpenters overalls made especially for those rulers. |
#7 posted 08-17-2011 09:19 PM |
It would be interesting to compare an inside measurement of a drawer made using the #2-type ruler above with the same inside measurement made with two strips clamped together and then measured with a tape measure. The purist in me wonders about the accuracy of the #2 ruler because of its “step-like” folding mechanism. I may have to pick one up cheap somewhere and give it a try. -- More tools, fewer machines. |
#8 posted 08-17-2011 09:35 PM |
I have the four-fold model (top pic). I ordered it from Garret Wade and thought it looked like a classy tool that I’d use often. While it is a classy tool, I’ve found it doesn’t really suit me particularly well. I can’t point to any particular design flaw…...It simply didn’t grow on me. Combo squares, metal yardsticks, and tapes seem to work better for me. |
#9 posted 08-17-2011 11:30 PM |
I have used Stanley two foot boxwood folding rulers such as this No. 61 and No. 62 …....... .......... for the past 65 years—I love the large, clear numbers and graduations. James |
#10 posted 08-17-2011 11:58 PM |
#2 is considered a Carpenters rule in my circles(retired pipefitter) I used a Lufkin Red End for years and years(not the same one) reads right to left or flip it over and reads left to right. I still use one in my shop on a regular basis. -- Life is good. |
#11 posted 08-17-2011 11:58 PM |
I use the wood rule. I have two of them, but both are intentionally snapped off at just over seven inches. The two inches on the folding leg makes a nice clip for the pocket. I use it mainly for setting distance on my rip fence on the band saw. I picked up the habit, of breaking them, when I was working in the elevator trade, stacking rails in the hoist way. The two I have are remnants of my trade tools, but I haven’t done that kind of work for over twenty-five years. -- Mel, |
#12 posted 08-18-2011 02:01 AM |
I use the first kind. It is perfect for laying out dovetails without doing any math. Like this: 1) draw a line the thickness of the other board across your tail board. This guarantees a proper layout and that you will have the right amount of room at the bottom of the pins for your chisel. -- Yves |
#13 posted 08-18-2011 08:10 PM |
I have a number of 2’ folding rules and, despite trying real hard, haven’t found them to be the ‘reach for’ tool that my grandfather made them out to be. I’ve not given up, but use a 2’ less than I use a tape measure at the workbench. If you’re choosing #2, it’s important to consider that Lufkin (the kind my dad uses and thus, I do too) makes many styles. The one we prefer also happens to make the most sense, and that is one with the first inches on the inside of the rule… in other words, opposite of what you have in the OP pic above. Then it sits flat to the surface for measuring. Need to watch for them, because the other style seems much more common. The Lufkin rule is the measuring tool I reach for first. -- Don't anthropomorphize your handplanes. They hate it when you do that. -- OldTools Archive -- |
#14 posted 08-23-2011 06:14 AM |
I have some and tried them, but I haven’t ever found them to be as handy as a tape. For inside measurements, the body is 2 inches, east to add to the measurement. -- Bob in WW ~ "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence |
#15 posted 08-24-2011 05:05 PM |
I have never seen the first one in Belgium. -- Sylvain, Brussels, Belgium, Europe - The more I learn, the more there is to learn |
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