No-metric rule

[Cliff Holmes]

Has anyone seen some steel rules that have inches on each side? I have a nice set from LV that I really like, but so many times the easiest way to measure something would be using the side with never-useful metric measurements on it.

Another plus would be no 32nd or 64th areas. I can eyeball those with no problem, but my almost-50-year-old eyes have real problems with those super-small scales.

I found some that looked good, but again the 6" (my most used) had the dreaded metric crud on it.

[Jamie Buxton]

Go to a place that sells to machinists. Enco is one. www.use-enco.com

They list 253 of various steel rules, so it is likely you'll find exactly what you want.

[Cliff Holmes]

I had already checked Enco. Unfortunately, they don't appear to have what I'm looking for, everything is graduated in 64ths or less. Although, their website *is* rather confusing and the product photos are generally really bad, so I may have missed what I'm looking for.

[Dennis McGarry]

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=319-3590&PMPXNO=19506964

Maybe?

[Cliff Holmes]

That one's graduated in 10ths and 50ths.

[Josiah Bartlett]

McMaster has some rules that have standard reading (8/16ths) on both sides with bold numbering. See catalog page 2201, item 2013A1.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#2013a1/=4y2jjp

[george wilson]

You need to get a rule graduated "4 R" this means it is graduated in 1/64",1/32.1/16,1/8,etc. The familiar fractions. MSC co. sells PEC(Products Engineering Co.) brand rules. I use them. They are satin finish stainless steel,about 1/32" thick,and I use the 1', 2' and 3' models. They have accurate,thin graduations. I think they are USA made,too. California,I think. Enco may also sell them.

Rules are not cheap,though. I wonder why they cost so much,if they are made by automated means,unlike the folding rules I made for Williamsburg.

[Dennis McGarry]

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=326-1056&PMPXNO=12387357

Steel - Rules Type: Rigid Size: 6 Width: 3/4 Graduation: 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 Style: 4R

Like that one? Dont know what I am doing but I am bored at work so figured I'd search.../

[Kent A Bathurst]

Starrett.

One example here:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/starrettprecisionrule24.aspx

[Cliff Holmes]

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INSRAR2&PMAKA=326-1056&PMPXNO=12387357

Steel - Rules Type: Rigid Size: 6 Width: 3/4 Graduation: 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 Style: 4R

Like that one? Dont know what I am doing but I am bored at work so figured I'd search.../

Well, yeah, but I was looking for one without 32nds or 64ths.

[Dennis McGarry]

Well, yeah, but I was looking for one without 32nds or 64ths.

cant help you there, seems all the ones i found have them, maybe a Shaprie... :)

What about seeing if one of the great engravers here can engrave something with a close tolorence like that and have one custom made?

[Michael Peet]

Are you looking for 8ths and 16ths on both sides? What's your ideal configuration?

Mike

[Michael Panis]

32nds and 64ths??
Is that what those are??

I was wondering why they always put a solid black band at the bottom of the rule :eek:

[harry strasil]

Mutricks, Bah Humbug
Put a piece of tape on the 32/64 or Mutrick side, it keeps it from slipping around.

[Michael Peet]

Here are the Starrett imperial options, FWIW. I don't see anything better than 4R.

http://www.starrett.com/download/301_p324_325.pdf

BTW, I agree with you; the 32nds and 64ths are basically useless to me. If I need something more precise than 16ths I'll get out the calipers.

Mike

[Jules Dominguez]

I have a "Woodsmith Fine Tools No. 121" that I bought from Woodsmith some years ago.

One side is graduated in sixteenths, top and bottom, and both top and bottom scales read from the left. This is a great convenience and this is my favorite 12" rule. Very easy to read (I'm 72).

The top scale on the second side is graduated in sixteenths with 0 at the center and reads out to 6" right and left. Convenient for finding the center of the face or edge of a board, but no big deal.

The bottom scale on the second side is graduated in thirty-seconds from left to right.

No metrics.

I don't know if Woodsmith still sells it, but if they do, and if I didn't already have one, I'd buy one. In fact, I'd buy it if it only had the one side with both top and bottom scales in sixteenths reading from the same end, and the other side was blank.

[Josiah Bartlett]

The one I linked to above has 8ths/16ths on both sides, no more, no less.

[David Cefai]

I have the opposite problem to the OP. Half of all my rulers is taken up by obsolete inches

[Cliff Holmes]

The one I linked to above has 8ths/16ths on both sides, no more, no less.

Yes, it does and I appreciate you posting the link. However, a) it's not 6" and b) doesn't look like it's very accurate. I'd like something with finely etched markings but without the mass of tiny gradations.

[Josiah Bartlett]

Yes, it does and I appreciate you posting the link. However, a) it's not 6" and b) doesn't look like it's very accurate. I'd like something with finely etched markings but without the mass of tiny gradations.

Well, they did have a 6" version too, but you might have to go antique or custom if you want high accuracy without 32nds, or just rub the markings off between the 16ths so they are harder to see.

You could alternately get some self stick measuring tape and make a nice wooden backer for it. It won't be as accurate as a guaranteed steel rule but you could check the calibration once in a while with a good steel rule. If you are only working to 16ths it should be good enough. Grizzly claims high accuracy for their G3120 tape and its marked in 16ths and available left or right reading, scales on both edges, and cheap.

[Brian Loucks]

Check out the drafting section at an office supply store. I found a couple of rulers that were very easy to read and very accurate.

[Myk Rian]

Print your own ruler. I did that, and it's accurate and cheap.
http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/paper_rulers/