Recommendation: 36 or 48" rule?

Colleagues: been wanting/needing either a 36 or 48" rigid steel 4R rule for awhile.

Are PEC Tools rules worth the money?

Any others that I should consider?

I can say that PEC makes good tools, but I have no experience with their 36 or 48 rules.

You often see PEC blems on eBay. I've bought some and had no problems.

Mike

Your thread title is generic, but the body of your post is specific...to one manufacturer/brand. :confused:

In any case, I have a good 48" straight edge, and would not trade it for a 36" (plus a cash difference) for sure!

Get a 48". Even longer (if accurate enough) may be better in the long run. For me the 48" has worked well...

Bill

PEC, Starrett, Mitutoyo, Brown and Sharp, Chris Vesper, Matsui,

I have the steel rules from Lee Valley (both imperial and metric on them which is great since I'm lately work in metric at this point) and also picked up a 40" version from Woodcraft (their house brand) which is also marked in both systems. These rules seem to be accurate and have worked well for me. But yes, there are premium brands out there, too...

I have PEC in 6" and 12" lengths and they are good. But my go to rules are Starrett (I have from 6" all the way to 48"). I would opt for the 48" length since it will also capture the 36"+ measurement as well.

I'd buy a 48" before a 36" as long as the graduations were the same.
I have a 72" Starrett machine rule. Would not want to be without it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike Cutler

I'd buy a 48" before a 36" as long as the graduations were the same.

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+1. Lots of 4' situations that I can think of. If I were going to make the investment in a 36", then going the extra for 48" is a worthwhile upgrade in my mind.

I read in Jim Tolpins book on "Measure Twice Cut Once", how he made some shop rules. I followed his advice and made a nice 4 foot rule out of 3/4" aluminum angle iron from tractor supply. The aluminum was $6.00, and straight as an arrow.
I bought the Starrett Measure Stix with imperial numbers and 1/32" the first foot. Stuck it to one side of the angle iron, and now have a nice 4' rule that sits up so you can see it better and works well.
Total cost $13.00

I have a series of rulers hanging on the wall. I always reach for the shortest one capable of the task at hand.

Just to throw it out there, have you considered the Woodpeckers aluminum rules?

I've been searching for a ~48" rule that has 1/64 indications & is easy to read. My 12" Starrett combo square (non-chrome) rule is not easy to read, so a 48" version of that would be useless to me.

EDIT: Ha! Found one with the right search! https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/91099044

Nick Shattuck: I saw that rule yesterday evening. However, the country of origin is India and based on my and others' negative experiences with Indian tools I will continue the search.

I've had a 48" L.S. Starrett steel rule in Satin-Chrome finish for 50+ years. Couldn't be happier with it. NO: C404R. It has 1/64", 1/32", 1/16" & 1/8" graduations.

Being curious I searched the web & foundt https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-C404...y&sr=8-1-fkmr0. I had no idea they sold for $670.84, but you do get free shipping. :D

I think I'll leave this as a legacy item. ;)

have a 48" rule and use the 36" way more often,
this maybe because the 36 is a centering rule