Woodpecker’s 96” layout tool. Well worth the money.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I have needed a long measuring tool that is rigid for checking square on doors (measuring the diagonals). I bought this a bit reluctantly because it is in three pieces and I don’t normally trust rulers that come apart. This is dead-on accurate and the joints where it comes together are precision milled and I love this tool.

https://youtu.be/CSB6o1yc7CY?si=at_zDASgroHjLXAk

[Richard Coers]

Using a tape measure has always worked for me, especially considering that costs $225

[Cliff Polubinsky]

Malcolm,

I have one as well. I use it more as a story stick than a ruler. I'm making a pair of bookcases for my son and daughter in law and I used it for the shelf spacing so they all match. Anything where I have measurements to transfer to multiple pieces it's great. It's come in handy on more projects than I can count. As you say it's definitely worth the price.

Cliff

[Michael Burnside]

Using a tape measure has always worked for me, especially considering that costs $225

It’s expensive for sure, but for layout, particularly for multiple items, and transferring measurements it excels well beyond a tape.

[Richard Coers]

It’s expensive for sure, but for layout, particularly for multiple items, and transferring measurements it excels well beyond a tape.
What does the $225 piece of aluminum provide that a straight 1x2 can not give you? Especially when you use it like a story stick like Cliff does. It's hard to beat the accuracy of a knife or sharp pencil line to layout more than one piece. You could build an entire kitchen with just the marks on a piece of wood. Who says you have to put a number on something to make it right? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TXw9y4AFHM

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I find that a hard measuring tool is much better than a flexible tape, especially when working alone and trying to measure accurately when there isn’t something to hook onto.

I find this tool better than a wood stick because it is adjustable, and has accurate measurements. When laying out rails and stiles, a tiny fraction off makes a big difference. It isn’t for everyone, but in my shop it’s used many times a day. I won’t get into an argument about how I spent money. I simply wanted to share what I feel is an excellent tool.

[Michael Burnside]

Well said Malcolm. I like that I can adjust the overall size depending on what I’m doing too. Repeated measuring is not the best way to accuracy. Setting up once and repeatedly using it is a much easier task. I wouldn’t be without mine.

[Edward Weber]

Thanks for taking the time Malcolm. I can totally see a use case for these, and if used often we'll worth the price I'm sure.

+1
While I'm always bothered by WP prices, I could certainly see where this would easily pay for itself. It all depends on the type of work you do and your method of layout/measuring.

[Lloyd McKinlay]

How about a photo instead of an 8-minute video?

For me simply opening the video provided a picture, the rest was a bonus.

[Andrew Hughes]

I don’t see myself needing anything like that. I have experience laying out large roof panels consider the precision that’s needed when your fighting accumulative error.
I do like the color or the woodpeckers stuff it’s a nice red.
Good Luck

[Patrick McCarthy]

Malcolm, I am among those who appreciate the post. I was unaware of this tool before, and now i know. Whether i will buy one is beside the point. Thnak you for your effort in posting this.

Best, Patrick

[Clifford McGuire]

Exactly. I'm always looking for ways to make sure I get repeatable cuts of the exact same length.

Thanks for posting this Malcolm.

[andy bessette]

... I'm always looking for ways to make sure I get repeatable cuts of the exact same length...

The way the pros do it is to make up a story pole, usually an offcut of plywood or solid stock that you've saved for such purposes. A couple tic marks only takes a few seconds and costs nothing. But I certainly understand the temptation of spending 100'$ on something you don't need.

[Edward Weber]

What happens more often is that some members with years of experience, point out that there is little need for one tool or gadget, another might tell you not to waste your money where a less expansive solution will perform just as well.
Many times you learn more by these methods rather than purchasing a tool that "does it for you".
You can certainly go out and buy all the gadgets and gizmos that you want to, that's entirely up to you.
For some of us, it's just folly to pursue such things. Many traditional methods are referred to as tried and true for a reason.
As far as this fancy story stick goes, it has it's place, which is IMO a very small niche and is also expensive as all WP tools are. That being said, if it helps you get your work done, go for it.
Don't worry about what others think

[Rob Sack]

Well I might disagree that "this place is mostly old men" but there are plenty of forum contributors that sure behave that way. Would a picture have sufficed instead of a video? Maybe, but nobody was forced to watch the whole thing. And it was only 8 minutes. Some of you guys are acting like it was 8 hours. And all the moaning and groaning about the price because the sticks and story poles they have been using work. The old table saw with a tilting table also worked, but I wonder how many woodworkers pissed and moaned about the cost of "that new fangled" tilting arbor saw.

Was I impressed with the 96" layout tool? Absolutely. Would I buy one? Probably not at this time, but only because most of what I do is one-off. However, if something comes up where I need repeatablity and accuracy, I wouldn't hesitate. The tool costs about $225 not $2250. Just because there are those that would rather spend two days building a jig that can be purchased for say $100 doesn't mean I would join the grumpy old woodworkers club and be critical and judgmental. I follow another forum where the curmudgeons, with their constant criticisms, chased away a frequent participant who always had something insightful to offer. Now he is gone and everything he would have had to offer is gone too.

To the OP, I say thank you. Even if I never buy one, I appreciate knowing that a tool like this exists.

[Mark Hennebury]

This is a public forum for discussion and learning. So if someone posts on here they are going to get opinions, which in my mind is good. You get to learn from a range of experience. When people post stuff that they have purchased because they like buying pretty stuff that's fine, but if they bought it for the for the precision marking out that it provides, then those of us that know how to get precision with a stick of wood are probably going to speak up. The fact is you can get precise parts with a stick, a square and a knife, in fact, a far higher level of precision. You don't need to measure anything, you transfer from the parts, you use a story stick. it is extremely simple and its been around since they built the pyramids. The reason for discussion is to let those that don't know, know that there are alternatives. You don't need to spend money, you need to understand relationship's. If you want to buy fancy expensive stuff, that's great, but it is not needed to get precision. I thought the reason we are here is to share and learn.

[Mark Hennebury]

Some Old men have a lot of knowledge to share, would you rather they not and just be agreeable to whatever is said. Not going to pass on much that way. Everything you do is great, perfect, way to go.

[Patrick Varley]

Shifting back from making value judgements based on who buys what, I have to agree that I find the item useful. I actually bought it when there was a 48" version for under $100, and I use it as a story stick quite a bit. Nice for taking measurements and transferring directly to the saw. It has definitely sped up dialing in pieces. The fact that they got rid of the shorter versions and make you go all-in on the most expensive one is unfortunate.

As a cheaper alternative, there is the Rockler Story Stick Kit. Just add your own dowel/T-track/square metal tubing. I suspect you could even add a self-adhesive tape to the square tubing to get you even closer.

https://www.rockler.com/rockler-story-stick-kit

[Charles P. Wright]

I find the WP story sticks useful. I usually use it as only a 32" story stick, but sometimes there is a need for something longer.

Having the adjustable stops makes it easy to transfer the marks from the stick to the workpiece in an easy manner. There are a variety of arms for different layout tasks; though I mostly just use the simple tabs.

I really like it for domino layout, when I'm building multiples.

For me, it's not necessary, but it does make things more pleasant and go quicker than they otherwise wood.

It was $119 in 2017, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth over 7 years.

[Rich Engelhardt]

I have needed a long measuring tool that is rigid for checking square on doors (measuring the diagonals). I bought this a bit reluctantly because it is in three pieces and I don’t normally trust rulers that come apart. This is dead-on accurate and the joints where it comes together are precision milled and I love this tool.

https://youtu.be/CSB6o1yc7CY?si=at_zDASgroHjLXAk
WP stuff rocks!

It's expensive as sin, but, just about everything out there these days costs a bunch. Even a steak at Outback is North of 30 bucks & a 22 ounce draft is $6.50

I'll have to look into this a bit more. I have a set of WP parallel guides and it looks like all I have to do is add a set of offset tabs for $25 & I can make a story stick out of it!

[Jim Becker]

If something made commercially has value to you, buy it. If it doesn’t have value to you, don’t buy it and use whatever method works well for you. These are personal choices. And I thank Malcolm for showing us this well made option and providing his comments. Personally, I would find this measuring tool attractive due to its multi project adaptability while retaining accuracy with easy setup. Yes, it’s an elevated story stick and one could make one for each project…if that’s what they prefer. But buying this does not make it wrong or worthless or stupid.

[Lee Schierer]

People lets keep the derogatory and personal comments to ourselves and just deal with woodworking

[Jim Tobias]

If something made commercially has value to you, buy it. If it doesn’t have value to you, don’t buy it and use whatever method works well for you. These are personal choices. And I thank Malcolm for showing us this well made option and providing his comments. Personally, I would find this measuring tool attractive due to its multi project adaptability while retaining accuracy with easy setup. Yes, it’s an elevated story stick and one could make one for each project…if that’s what they prefer. But buying this does not make it wrong or worthless or stupid.

AMEN!!!


Jim

[Rick Potter]

Plus 1.

Old Codger

[Andrew Hughes]

Plus 1.

Old Codger

Are you going to add it to your signature? :)

[Ron Selzer]

Are you going to add it to your signature? :)


Great idea
Ron

[Andrew Hughes]

Ha.
I just looked up codger I think I could be one someday. I’m well over a half a century old so in between a whisper snapper and a codger I am.