Steel Rules

[Matt Ellis]

I have been using a somewhat damaged 12" steel rule for measurements/setting up machines in my little garage. I believe the time has come to replace it. I'd really like a 24"-er, but the Starrett that I found on Amazon is pushing $100. Does anyone else have any suggestions for sources or other brands? For what it is worth, I don't need the metric side...just the English unit side, graduated in 1/32" and 1/64".

Thanks!

-matt

[David Keller NC]

Yep - Here's an alternate suggestion. Buy a steel (or aluminum if cost is a factor) 36" long straightedge from Lee Valley, and either a 12" or 6" Starret precision rule from Tools for Working Wood. In general, a 24" steel rule is a bit too long to be convenient and handy for working with wood, and for setting a jointer, aligning the tables on a table saw, etc..., you really want something 36" long, unless you're a model builder and have micro tools.

Lee Valley has some new "stop rules" that are essentially a graduated steel rule with a sliding stop on it. They're manufactured overseas, and are cheaper.

But I would still buy a Starret rule for your shop- you will have it for the rest of your working lifetime, and the opportunity for buying such a high precision instrument is likely fading as "cost above everything" becomes the global mantra...

[Randal Stevenson]

What brand of square do you have? I watch Ebay for the rules that go with the squares. I picked up a 24" Starret one reasonably and use it with my square and plywood in the shop. I use cheaper ones in construction, so they don't bend/ding up my good ones.

Just another option.

[Kevin Groenke]

I have a 6" and 12" Shinwa that I usually go for first. I don't use 24" much.

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/markmeasure/60n4701s1b.jpg
http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/markmeasure/60n2006s1.jpg

$9.50 and $12.95

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32567&cat=1,43513

[Dave Novak]

I have been using a somewhat damaged 12" steel rule for measurements/setting up machines in my little garage. I believe the time has come to replace it. I'd really like a 24"-er, but the Starrett that I found on Amazon is pushing $100. Does anyone else have any suggestions for sources or other brands? For what it is worth, I don't need the metric side...just the English unit side, graduated in 1/32" and 1/64".

Thanks!

-matt

I have several of the measurement and layout tools from woodpecker, and think they're all fantastic.

[Jim W. White]

I have a 24" rule I picked up from Woodcraft that ran me about $45 bucks and I am extremely happy with it. It is slotted to be capable in a square as well but I only use it for layout alone.

Jim in Idaho

[Chris Padilla]

I have a 6" and 12" Shinwa that I usually go for first. I don't use 24" much.
$9.50 and $12.95

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32567&cat=1,43513

+1 The 6" size is VERY convenient in most situations. I have one in my apron pocket and reach for it all the time.

Incra's rules are fantastic as well.

[Dewey Torres]

I know this is not for the application you discussed in your OP but this thing is dead on accurate and easy to use. Once you slide this into your apron pocket you will wonder how you ever did without it.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2091&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=PI&utm_campaign=2008

and this
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2092

[Frank Drew]

Give Bridge City Toolworks a look; their stuff is very well made, certainly accurate enough for woodworking and machine setup, and is HIGHLY resistant to rust, a very important feature in some situations.

Of course anything from Starrett should be top notch.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

IMHO, Starrett is worth the price. 24" is going to be a collector type item though, if you are buying a used one off ebay. New Starrett is pricey too. I'll second the 6" recommendation. I bought a straight edge from McMaster Carr for $35 several years back which is a decent tool.

[Bob Vallaster]

Matt,
I bought a Starrett 12" blade for a combination square from an eBay vendor named 'barryfrombarre' at reasonable price.
He frequently has new Starrett rules and blades, and there are some there now (e.g., 6" rule, satin finish, $10 shipped or 24" blade ~$45 shipped). Roughly half the $100 you were looking at.
Pay careful attention to the description of the scales. '4R' is what I use to work in fractions of an inch. If you're into hundredths of an inch or metric, then you will want some other scale.

BobV

[Mike Henderson]

I use a 6" (actually several), a 12", and a 24" from Lee Valley. Accurate and reasonably priced.

Mike

[Jim Becker]

I've been quite pleased with the rules I bought from Lee Valley. I have the combo Imperial/metric versions in four lengths. I use them for virtually any measurement that is under about 4'. (combining two if need be to do the job) High quality and very reasonable prices.

[Greg Cole]

I have a set of the Woodpeck 12 inch ones, with mechanical pencil 0.5mm lead they're great... the one that allows to mark 2 edges of board is handy dandy too.
The longer scale is a 24" Travers Tool house brand. Good enough for a machinist good enough for a ww'ers needs that a'way.

[Paul Steiner]

I was given starrett combination square at work and I am not happy with it. The problem is that it is newer model that is laser engraved. The lines on the ruler quickly faded and now I struggle to see them. I love other starrett rulers, etc. that I have. But watch out for this particular style of combination square.

[Mike Wilkins]

Try Bridge City Tool Works or the new Pinnacle brand from Woodcraft.
As for size; I find myself using a 12" most of the time; but I also have a high quality 18" straight edge that get used a lot.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

Brands like Mitutoyo are fine too

[richard poitras]

In looking at rulers (and this post) I see a lot of different kinds and makes listed, but all I have seen are very thin ones. Does anyone know where to get thicker rulers ¼’’ thick or so, say in 24’’ or 36’’ long…?
(Not trying to hijack this post but it is along the same lines????)

[Dave Novak]

In looking at rulers (and this post) I see a lot of different kinds and makes listed, but all I have seen are very thin ones. Does anyone know where to get thicker rulers ¼’’ thick or so, say in 24’’ or 36’’ long…?
(Not trying to hijack this post but it is along the same lines????)

I really like these, the 6"er lives in my apron pocket.

http://www.woodpeck.com/woodworkingrules.html

[richard poitras]

I should state why I am looking for a thicker one as well and that would be so you can use it for a cutting edge with a razor knife if working with veneers….and still be able to use the ruler scale as well…not sure if the Woodpecker Woodworking Rules would work to good for cutting, do to the beveled edge on them.

[Kevin Groenke]

You wouldn't think a thick metal ruler would be unusual, but apparently they are.


I don't use it as a ruler, but the Alumicutter works well as a cutting guide.
http://www.artsuppliesonline.com/catalog.cfm?cata_id=9399

http://cdn.dickblick.com/items/556/44/55644-2012-1-1ww-s.jpg

The thickest rulers I've seen are machinist's straight edges. Starrett's #387s are 7/32" thick - a graduated 24" is ~$200.:eek:
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/indextool.mvc?prodid=ST-STRE.XX

A more cost effective solution would be to use a combination square blade. A few examples I measured range from .080" to .095" thick.

-kg

[Matt Ellis]

I should state why I am looking for a thicker one as well and that would be so you can use it for a cutting edge with a razor knife if working with veneers….and still be able to use the ruler scale as well…not sure if the Woodpecker Woodworking Rules would work to good for cutting, do to the beveled edge on them.


i have two thoughts on this...first i would think that you wouldn't see 1/4" thick rules because the thickness will introduce some marking error, unless the graduations are placed on the 1/4" face of the rule.

second, i do not believe you should use a precision rule as a straight edge. to each their own, but the graduation marks are easily damaged when your knife is inadvertently drug across them.

thanks for all the input on this subject.

-matt

[Mike Null]

Several years ago I bought a 24" (1/16-1/32) from Woodcraft. The brand was Baklund-Heller and is US made. I find it to be very reliable.

[Kevin Groenke]

So, this thread reminded me of a discussion I saw somewhere (probably here) of making rules with laser engravers. So I did.

I started with the 1/4" acrylic. It's engraved on the bottom of the rule, so there is no parallax effect. On closer inspection it looks like I could slow down the laser a bit. The vector and raster engraving was just filled in with latex paint, the excess was wiped off wet, and the bottom sanded w/ROS - 220g. I then jointed the long edges for good measure. This should make a good cutting guide - as long as it's not dropped. To bad polycarbonate doesn't laser well.

The acrylic worked so well that I decided to try with PETG - nice. A 4x8 sheet of .030" petg is ~$30, that is A LOT of rulers. I think I just made a new revenue stream. We can etch the scales and text on an 18x32 sheet, backfill and sand the whole sheet, than go back to the laser (or shear) to cut up the sheet. I think I just got a bit less perturbed about students stealing all the rulers.:) I know our users hate all the rules we're always harping about, so it's nice to make some that they'll like.

-kg

[Eddie Darby]

I use a 6" (actually several), a 12", and a 24" from Lee Valley. Accurate and reasonably priced.

Mike

I agree!

I use several as well, placed all over the shop, so I don't have to hike from one end of the shop to the other just to get a $2.40 ruler.

As accurate as the ruler can be, it is subject to error based on the angle of your eye over it, so getting a $$$$ more expensive ruler will not increase accuracy very much. If you want to be more accurate, then I would suggest that you go to digital calipers. There are some nice units out there at very reasonable prices these days.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32568&cat=1,43513

[Jacob Reverb]

http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-C604RE-6-6-Inch-Steel-Graduations/dp/B0002FULFM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1228446467&sr=8-3

[Jacob Reverb]

As accurate as the ruler can be, it is subject to error based on the angle of your eye over it

Not if you tilt it on edge and use one of its engraved lines to index your pencil point!

[Matt Ellis]

wow, kevin! that is awesome! let me know if you make up a whole batch. i'd be interested in a few!

-matt

[Aaron Wingert]

I picked up a Pinnacle aluminum rule at Woodcraft and love the thing. It has regular measurements on one edge and a centering scale on the other. Very good quality.

[John Schreiber]

Kevin, That's a great idea which I've never seen before. Either there's some problem with it which I don't see, or perhaps it's an old idea. If I'm wrong, you should make some sort of claim for it as intellectual property before someone else steals it.

[Bob Vallaster]

Kevin,
See-thru is a big advantage. I want one.
Actually, a set of 12", 24" and 36" would fill out my request to Santa.
(Tired of having the tape roll up as I reach/hunt for the pencil.)
Please inform if you market 'em.

BobV