need tool to measure inside carcass (or other insides): woodpecker?

[Paulh Tremblay]

Is there a tool that will allow me to get the dimensions of an inside of a carcass so I can transfer these dimensions for my cut? For example, say I have made a carcass and want to fit the back exactly. I could take a long piece of wood, put one end just inside one edge, and make a pencil mark on the piece of wood where it hits the other edge. I could then transfer this to my stock and cut it accordingly.

However, a scrap piece of wood and a pencil won't give a very precise mark. I would like something that fits inside and expands out, or a stick with sliding blocks that fits exactly inside the carcass. Does Woodpecker's story stick allow this type of measurement.

(Note: I said I want to measure because I didn't now how else to describe my problem. Really, I don't want inches or millimeters, but a device to transfer the width.)

[Jim A Walters]

ezwoodshop.com makes a telescoping story stick that I think fits your description. I have one and it works pretty well.

Jim

[Jamie Buxton]

Two sticks and a spring clamp.

[paul cottingham]

Lee Valley sells a nifty rig that allows one to make bar gauges for a very reasonable price. I have several sets, and use them all the time.
or use two sticks and a spring clamp, like Jamie said.

[Ray Newman]

Here's the link to the bar gauges that Paul Cottingham referred to: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32585&cat=1,43513,43553

On a whim I bought a pair a few years ago, made up a set, found them very useful, then went back and bought another set. Handy to have a round.

[Jim Matthews]

I use flat plastic rulers with a spring clamp holding them together.

If the expanse is long enough, I'll use two clamps.
I don't trust that first measurement to "money wood",
I'll make a test piece to fit, first.

Mark Spagnuolo has a page devoted to making these,
with straight sticks and blue tape, instead of spring clamps.

http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/measuring-sticks/

Veritas makes a set of "bar gauge heads" designed to make a nicer set, using straight wood stock.
The rulers are cheap, and plenty big enough to measure most things for me.

You could easily mock up something like this with "Yard sticks" for expanses greater than 36".

http://www.veritastools.com/products/Page.aspx?p=70

[Bradley Gray]

I carry a folding rule in my back pocket in the shop.

[Charles Lent]

I use a Lufkin folding ruler. It has a 6" brass extension that works well for inside measurements. Open the ruler to the nearest fold that will fit and then extend the brass piece. The measurement is the reading on the last fold plus the measurement on the 6" brass piece. Very simple and very accurate. Folding rulers aalso let you take long measurements where you can't reach the other end. They don't collapse like steel tape measures do.

Charley

[Bill McNiel]

+1 on the Lee Valley Veritas Bar Gauge.

[David Eisenhauer]

I also typically use a Lufkin folding ruler for most of my project measuring, but do use a shop-made gizmo to check the ID of boxes when I want a story stick instead of a number off a ruler. I cut two lengths of about 1/2" x 1/2" (or so) hardwood material around 15" long each, put an "arrow" point on each end of both, then routed a long slot down the middle of one the pieces and added a screw in one end of the other. I stack one stick over the other with the screw running through one and tightened in the other. I use this as a diagonal checker across the inside of drawers to confirm they are square. I meticulously made a couple of little hollow squares (glued up some small ply pieces) that fit around the two lengths (one stacked on the other) to keep them aligned when I slid the slotted end out, but I lost one and stepped on the other. My slot and screw arrangement does not have much play in it, so it works without the squares.

[lowell holmes]

Two paint sticks from the paint store and two binder clips will make story stick to measure inside dimensions.

[Rod Sheridan]

Here's the link to the bar gauges that Paul Cottingham referred to: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32585&cat=1,43513,43553

On a whim I bought a pair a few years ago, made up a set, found them very useful, then went back and bought another set. Handy to have a round.

I also have 3 sets of the LV bar gauge sets made up.

Extremely useful, including to check drawers and cabinets for square..................Rod.

[Von Bickley]

Folding rule works for me......

[Chris Padilla]

I have the Veritas bar gauges and they work well. However, I splurged and ordered up the spendy, sweeter Woodpeckers version...they are due in October IIRC.

[johnny means]

+1 on the folding rule. It also has the added benefit of spanning distances in areas where your reach might be limited or awkward.

[Steve Baumgartner]

I have the Veritas bar gauges and they work well. However, I splurged and ordered up the spendy, sweeter Woodpeckers version...they are due in October IIRC.

I got the Woodpeckers ones some time ago. As you say, spendy, but very nicely made and easy to use. I got various kinds of tips and the trammel point attachments too.

[Chris Padilla]

Yep, Steve, I went for their "kit" version which included all the bells and whistles. I'm really looking forward to it...one of these days! :)

[dennis davidson]

Stanley tools made beautiful ones, in the past, that you can find at tools sales or antique stores. Basically two yardsticks, brass end and with a built in screw clamp. They came in several sizes 2 ft, 4 ft etc all the way up to 10 or 12 ft. Which are great for house projects. Companies are missing a bet in not duplicating these as they are easy to use and are dead accurate. I have a 1/2 doz in different sizes and use them frequently.

[Len Coleman]

Take at look at these
http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/25171

[glenn bradley]

Two sticks and a spring clamp will work now and then and I do this often enough. If you want to set things down and go back to them, the Lee Valley bar gauge heads (http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32585&cat=1,43513,43553&ap=1) work great for me. I have two sets and several sets of bars that I ripped from straight grained ash. I also find the brass pins to be handy although they used to be included. Maybe enough people don't use them so they started to sell them separate . . . I don't remember clearly. They're now about $15; I don't remember what they were back when I got them but, with free shipping (like right now), it was pretty insignificant.

[Bill Neely]

Stanley tools made beautiful ones, in the past, that you can find at tools sales or antique stores. Basically two yardsticks, brass end and with a built in screw clamp. They came in several sizes 2 ft, 4 ft etc all the way up to 10 or 12 ft. Which are great for house projects. Companies are missing a bet in not duplicating these as they are easy to use and are dead accurate. I have a 1/2 doz in different sizes and use them frequently.

I have an old Stanley 4 foot bar gauge from my grandfather and another short bar gauge I made from the Veritas kit. I like the looks of the one from ezwoodshop.com and am thinking about getting a set for longer boxes.

[Richard Wagner]

I use two metal rulers held together by a couple rare earth magnets. Which two metal rulers I use depends on the span I need to measure.

[Justin Ludwig]

Enlighten me to what I'm missing here? I use a tape measure and can get a cut to fit as tight as I want.

[Chris Padilla]

I've never been good about guessing what the tape measure is telling me when it curls up the side for an inside measurement.

[glenn bradley]

Enlighten me to what I'm missing here?

They are talking about inside measurements where the measuring tool touches opposite inside walls.

[Justin Ludwig]

I understand that, Glenn. But I rarely miss a cut using a tape measure and it's "butt" measurement. Take a Stanley tape for example: its' plus 3". In my mind, the time it takes you to "fiddle your sticks" I could already tape butt measure and make cut(s). 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another I suppose.

Chris - I'm with ya. I never bend the tape into a joint to get a measurement, too inaccurate.

[Chris Padilla]

Measuring to a number has the potential to be inaccurate so I do everything I can to avoid using numbers. Tape measures aren't the most accurate means of measuring anyway...at least mine aren't. :)

[Richard Wagner]

Measuring to a number has the potential to be inaccurate so I do everything I can to avoid using numbers. Tape measures aren't the most accurate means of measuring anyway...at least mine aren't. :)

If you are using a good tape measure then the inaccuracies can not be attributed to the tools. Hmmm, what else might there be?

Nonetheless, I'll stick with my two metal rules and rare earth magnets (with or without the numbers).

[Justin Ludwig]

If the same tape measure is used to measure the opening and the board being cut, then any inaccuracies are carried over and the cut is the same as the measure. I build cabinets to the 1/32. That all but guarantees my fit to be snug and true.

[Michael Heffernan]

Just ordered a pair of the LV bar gauge heads, along with a few other items, taking advantage of their free shipping. I guess they listened to the customer; the set now comes with the brass pins. Can't wait to put them to use.



Two sticks and a spring clamp will work now and then and I do this often enough. If you want to set things down and go back to them, the Lee Valley bar gauge heads (http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32585&cat=1,43513,43553&ap=1) work great for me. I have two sets and several sets of bars that I ripped from straight grained ash. I also find the brass pins to be handy although they used to be included. Maybe enough people don't use them so they started to sell them separate . . . I don't remember clearly. They're now about $15; I don't remember what they were back when I got them but, with free shipping (like right now), it was pretty insignificant.

[Len Coleman]

The talmeters can do an internal measurement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ovuFoiVwr0