Woodpecker rulers - do you recommend them?

[Frederick Skelly]

I'm looking to upgrade from my existing thin steel rules to something a bit more substantial. I don't need anything as perfect as Starrett. I'm thinking maybe a 6" and a 12" from Woodpeckers.

If you have them, or have tried them out at a show, how do you like them? For example, are they easy to position and don't slide all over? Do you find them too wide or too unwieldy? Sorry if this seems picky but I'd like to get something I'll appreciate using.

Thanks,
Fred

[Terry Beadle]

Just my tight wad ways but I think Woodpecker's rulers are too expensive...period. Their 24 inch straight edge rule is $45.
I got a 24 in rule/level from Harbor Freight for less than a 1/3rd of that price. It's dead accurate.

If you are a metric head, Tools from japan has good stainless steel thin rules priced really good.

I have a Veritas hook rule in 12 in length that is also quite good and I've used it for over a decade with no loss or determinable wear. Recommended.

[glenn bradley]

I have the 24" centering rule (http://www.woodpeck.com/woodworkingrules.html). It is great when I want to lay the rule on the material but, to me it is too thick and awkward for general measuring tasks. I have all 5 of these (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32568&cat=1,43513,43519). Pros: Metric and imperial, they are dead-on, handy hanging hole, they all match each other and all match everything else I measure with. Cons: They are flush from one end only (but, have the handy hanging hole as a trade-off). I also have these (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32566&cat=1,43513)here and there around the shop.

[Michael Moscicki]

I have the Woodpeckers SERX Straight Edge Rule 36". Granted I brought it to check the flatness of machinery, but their regular rulers should be just as good.

Carbide Processors has a great price on the Woodpeckers SERX Straight Edge Rule 36" and other Woodpeckers products.
http://www.carbideprocessors.com/woodpeckers-serxl-36-straight-edge-rule-aluminum-36/

I would not think twice about buying any Woodpeckers products. I am not affiliated with Woodpeckers in anyway. I am just a happy customer of their 1281 square, mini square, saw gauge, and 36" SERX rule.

[Frederick Skelly]

Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate both it and the links you posted. Now comes the hard part - gotta make up my mind!

Have a good week!
Fred

[Paul Wunder]

I have one of their red rulers. It is well made but I would never buy any of their products that have measurement markings on them again.

I found that the red color and the markings are very difficult to read in my shop's light and therefore the red Woodpecker ruler sits in a drawer. At least it was only $35. I have no trouble reading satin finish rulers with quality markings

Any others with a similar experience?

[Allan Speers]

Different experience from Paul. I have a pair of Woodpeckers T-squares, and I LOVE the white-on-red.

I don't think I'd spend that kind of money on just a regular woodpeckers ruler, but the T-squares are great. Being able to register against the end of the stock is definitely the way to go (The Incra T-Rules do this a swell) and these also make excellent squares, for "flat" applications.

I have the 24" & the 12", and both are dead-nuts accurate 90 degrees.

I'd prefer to have 24" and 8", but Woodpeckers in their infinite wisdom only offers them shorter than 12" in the occasional "one time" sales. (Why are they called "one time," when the same item often comes around over & over?) The 24" is definitely too heavy & cumbersome to use routinely for small measurements, but the 12" works well for "most" tasks.

[Keith Hankins]

No product they make is a dud I've bought so far. Router lift is going on 11+ years and perfect. The rulers are top notch and easy to read (important for me). I have a few of the one time tools.

Once you get one of their quality pieces you'll understand. Ain't cheap, but good tools rarely are.

[ian maybury]

Not sure who does them in the US, but Shinwa from Japan do a very good quality line of all sorts of certified accurate rules at very reasonable money...

[Larry Copas]

The 12" sold by Lee Valley is a Shinwa. Something like $13. The satin finish is easier to read than my satin Starretts. Both brands are hardened steel, which is a big advantage over aluminum...but only if you use them.

[George Bokros]

I have the 12", 24", 36" and 50". Love them all.

[Mike Henderson]

I use the ones from Lee Valley. I can't imagine what you could do to a ruler to make it worth what Woodpeckers charges.

Mike

[Keith Outten]

I had one of the Woodpeckers 6" scales and gave it away here in a FreeStuff drawing. I prefer the satin steel scales with black graduations because the contrast makes them easier to read and they are more durable.

FWIW the technical term is a scale or a rule, a ruler is a monarch :)
.

[ian maybury]

Forgot to mention it above, but steel is a big deal if you use a rule as a gutting guide. I should have said too that i've never seen anything as clear and easy to read as the Shinwa. The other bi plus is that they do a nice line in simple little rule stops that work well too.

THis links the factory catalogue: http://www.shinwasokutei.co.jp/english/page/products/products.html

For me they really do manage to hit top quality and reasonable price all at once...

[Jim Matthews]

I use large wooden rules that were given out as advertising, years ago.

They don't have the fine graduations that the WP or LV versions sport,
which works out better for me - I can't make out anything less than a 1/16th without a magnifying glass.

The wooden rules marked in 1/8" increments are my favorite.

You can mark them in pencil for accurate transfer of dimensions,
and those marks are easily erased.

I like them around 36" long.

[Mike Wilkins]

If you are referring to the aluminum rulers that Woodpeckers makes, I have the Woodcraft versions of the same. I have the 6", 12", 24" and 36", and use them all the time. The centering rule has come in handy many times. For woodworking purposes they will serve you well. I also have several metal rules in various lengths that get used a lot. Call me a tool junkie, I don't mind.

[Greg Hines, MD]

I don't have any of their rulers, but have numerous of their squares, both a carpenters square as well as their 6" square. They are dead accurate, and being milled from a single billet of aluminum, cannot go out of square. I love them.

Hines

[Steve Baumgartner]

Just an opinion, but unless there is no good-quality alternative, I find all of Woodpeckers products to be too expensive. They are high-quality, but produced in ways and scales that lead to high prices.

I have a couple of Woodpeckers rules, and frankly I prefer others with the traditional Starrett 4R ruling (separate scales for 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64). I find that my old eyes have trouble picking out a line when it is tightly packed between other ones, but no issue if they are spaced farther even if the rulings are thin.

[Tom Walz]

Dear Mr. skelly,

I sell Woodpeckers. We do offer an extra 10% discount for Creekers. We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We will give you a full refund, including shipping, at any time and for any reason.

As far as quality, Woodpeckers' rulers test out as straighter than many "straight edges."

As to whether it is worth it, I don't know. I live pretty cheap all year; old clothes, old car, old house.

On the other hand. This Feebi, my current dog. I got her alt September because she was old (13), very sick and no one wanted her.

That is not the most practical way to get a dog but sometimes I get to do what I want just because I want to.

Now her health is much better, she is not in pain, she has a forever home and I have a pretty good, old dog.

313790

[Tom Walz]

Dear Michael Moscicki,

Thank you for the kind words.

Tom

[Paul McGaha]

Dear Mr. skelly,

I sell Woodpeckers. We do offer an extra 10% discount for Creekers. We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We will give you a full refund, including shipping, at any time and for any reason.

As far as quality, Woodpeckers' rulers test out as straighter than many "straight edges."

As to whether it is worth it, I don't know. I live pretty cheap all year; old clothes, old car, old house.

On the other hand. This Feebi, my current dog. I got her alt September because she was old (13), very sick and no one wanted her.

That is not the most practical way to get a dog but sometimes I get to do what I want just because I want to.

Now her health is much better, she is not in pain, she has a forever home and I have a pretty good, old dog.

313790

Tom - Good job of looking out for Feebi. I'm sure you guys are close friends. From the picture she looks to have decided to take a brief paws (hahaha).

I like Woodpecker tools a lot. I have a few of them, I probably use the squares the most, they are really nice. I have the 12" and 26" that are shaped like an L and a 24" T square. My smaller squares are the guaranteed squares from Incra.

Fred - I think the rules from Woodpecker would be a great choice.

Edit - But the Veritas rules that Glenn provided the link to look good also, and might be easier to read.

PHM

[Jack Lemley]

Plus 1 what George said. I use all of them. Many other Woodpecker products in my shop as well.

Jack

[Rick Moyer]

FWIW the technical term is a scale or a rule, a ruler is a monarch :)
.
And a monarch is a butterfly. "A flute with no holes is not a flute, and a doughnut with no hole is a Danish":D.

As far as Woodpecker' stuff, I have a few items and I think they're very well made, albeit rather expensive. There are a lot more I'd probably have if they were cheaper.

[Mike Cozad]

Probably going to be the oddest reply to the thread, but, I like to buy Woodpeckers tools because I have a son that is a machinist and I like to support all those in the trade in the USA. 2nd, its nearly a local business for me here in OH and I like to support local folks/businesses. On top of those I really like the red and white stuff. It's just like my golf clubs. Pings don't really make me a better golfer, but I like the stuff so I keep buying, lol. I've snapped up a bunch of used one time tools right here on the Creek as well. I continue to buy as my wallet allows. One day soon I am going to head over and see if'n I can't get a plant tour.

[Frederick Skelly]

Once again, thanks to all of you who took a moment to reply. I appreciate your help!
Fred

[Andy Booth]

I am a great fan of the Starrett scales. Expensive but I still have the ones I purchased 30 years ago.

However I am sure everyone is making the markings on all scales smaller every year...

[Don Emmerling]

Forgot to mention it above, but steel is a big deal if you use a rule as a gutting guide. I should have said too that i've never seen anything as clear and easy to read as the Shinwa. The other bi plus is that they do a nice line in simple little rule stops that work well too.

THis links the factory catalogue: http://www.shinwasokutei.co.jp/english/page/products/products.html

For me they really do manage to hit top quality and reasonable price all at once...

Hi Ian,
I followed the link you provided to Shinwa's catalog. Due to the product layout design on their pages I could not see clearly enough detail to appreciate which ruler I wanted. Also, they only show price codes, as they do not sell direct to individuals. I take from your post and satisfaction that you have been able to purchase some of their rulers. I would be interested in knowing where you were able to see them and purchase. I am 70 and the contrast on some rulers here (Lee Valley) makes it difficult to see markings accurately, takes some real time to stare at a measurement and make my mark. The Shinwa rulers seem ideal for me in larger markings and better contrast. Any help you could provide to steering me toward a purchase would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Don

[roger wiegand]

FWIW the technical term is a scale or a rule, a ruler is a monarch :)
.

The Oxford English Dictionary says "Ruler: A straight strip or cylinder (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/cylinder#cylinder__4) of plastic (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/plastic#plastic__4), wood, metal, or other rigid (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/rigid#rigid__4) material, typically marked at regular intervals (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/interval#interval__4), to draw straight lines or measure (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/measure#measure__4) distances (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/distance#distance__4).", and for Rule: "A strip of wood or other rigid (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/rigid#rigid__4) material used for measuring (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/measure#measure__4) length or marking straight lines; a ruler (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/ruler#ruler__8)."

So there may be some draftsman's jargon in which there is a difference, but in common English they mean the same thing.

They were stupid expensive, but the Bridge City "straightedge measuring devices" I acquired many years ago are still a delight to hold and use.

[Cary Falk]

I hate woodpecker stuff. I used to blame my out of square projects on my cheap BORG square. I can't do that anymore. I have several rulers and squares that I use because I like torturing myself.

[Keith Outten]

In the common language the term ruler is often used. The technical term scale, as in 6" scale, is always correct. I spent most of my working life as an Inspector and acquired many years in drafting classes from junior high school to college so I tend to prefer the technical definition. I don't think I have ever heard a machinist use the word ruler to describe a scale. Both the American Society of Non-Destructive Testing and the American Welding Society use the term scale rather than ruler.

I own two satin type 6" scales that I carried daily for decades, both were calibrated in a calibration lab which was required in the business I used to work. I wonder if a red scale with white marks made from aluminum is capable of being a certified M&TE.
.

[ian maybury]

Funny how these things vary. The word 'rule' gets used in professional circles here and in the UK Keith, with heavy emphasis that it's not a 'ruler' laid on those so foolish as to use that word. ( :) 'rulers' are what school kids use to draw lines)

[Alan Lightstone]

...(snip)...the American Society of Non-Destructive Testing ?????

Is there an American Society of Destructive Testing? If so, how can I apply for a job?

[Charles Taylor]

Is there an American Society of Destructive Testing? If so, how can I apply for a job?

www.goarmy.com

[ian maybury]

Hi Don. Pardon the delay, i missed your question about Shinwa rules. i've pm'ed this to you too.

I linked the catalogue as i bought from a supplier Germany and didn't know what the US supply arrangements were.

A Google just now brought up Shinwa USA, they seem to operate a web shop you can buy directly from. They might be able to suggest a local supplier if needed too.

I find their stuff really clear and readable.

Here's links to Shinwa USA, and then to my German source Dieter Schmid Tools English language site. The latter may be of use in that it's a nice clear layout, has close up photos and describes some of the products:

http://www.shinwarules.com (http://www.shinwarules.com/)

https://www.fine-tools.com/shinwa-ruler.html