I’m looking for a 36″ long ruler with a hook. I can find plenty that are 24″, but none any longer. I would also settle for just purchasing the hook alone. I’m almost to the point of purchasing a 6″ ruler and cannibalizing the end. Any suggestions? <!—-><!—-> <!—->
Frank
Oh, is there a difference between a ruler and a rule?
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Replies
Buy a measuring tape and cut off what you need, I use one in my shop, very handy, works better than a conventional hooked ruler.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine
I'm sure I have an extra tape around the garage. Do you know why they stop the rules at 24"?
Thanks,
Frank
I could kick myself now for not picking up a Brown & Sharpe yard stick(no hook) I saw at an antique store. So they are available.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
I can relate. Need to know when to keep your money in your pocket and when not too...
Did you check the Sterret catolog? they might have one.
Good luck
Troy
What would be wrong with using a tape measure and not cutting it off? Then you could use it for a wide variety of things and not just 36".
It would also take up less storage space and you could carry it in your shop apron so it would be with you all the time.
Hal
http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com
Hal,<!----><!----><!---->
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I was using a tape that did match up with my rules and now it doesn't. Too bad I discovered that only after making a few important cuts. Any suggestions on how to stretch maple? :o) <!----><!---->
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Frank<!----><!---->
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P.S. I checked out your website. Wow<!----><!---->
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I especially love the cherry bathroom vanity. That is nothing short of artwork...
Magic is something that appears to be something it isn't. So you can magically make the maple longer if you simply cut the other parts smaller to match.
It is odd that your tape measure got shorter. It could be a result of cold temperatures verses warmer temperatures when they matched earlier.
I think this is also the reason that solid rules are no longer than a foot or two. As temperatures change, the measurements change because the steel rule gets longer and shorter. And the longer the rule is, the more the error.
It's a common problem with saw fences too, like Biesemeyer (spelling?) or others that have indexed measurements attached or etched on them.
Hal
http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com
Hal, it's very simple. One has one's top quality non reflective stainless rule (of any length up to 12 feet) and one only measures when the ambient temperature is exactly 20 degrees Centigrade: if you look at a decent steel rule such as Rabone Chesterman you will read "Standard at 20 degrees C". And Shinwa also say that.Makes no difference if the rule is Imperial , as it happens.Philip Marcou
Philip,
I see it in my shop regularly, so I make accommodations for it.
Measurements are all relative to themselves though. Just a reference really for transferring information. A stick with a mark on it will do the same. Of course I know that you know this too.
Keep in mind when reading this though that I use tape measures, Mitutoyo machinist rules, dial calipers, etc, or sometimes just compare parts to each other. I would have a hard time working and ignoring 64ths or 32nds though, as one person said that he does. When I was building houses I even measured to the 32nd plus a hair or minus a hair.
Sorry for not using the metric system for you. (Which I also use on occasion.) You will have to interpret for yourself!
Hal
Be careful of hairs-the colour and origin can have a direct bearing on the measurement .Philip Marcou
I tried maintaining the ambient temp in my shop (I even leave the lights on 24/7 for consistancy) but after cutting my parts to the tightest of tolerances I found that 3 days later their deminsions had changed by as much as a 32nd! I had to redo everything with new stock.... and guess what ....... Yes, the parts once again changed by unacceptable amounts. I am using Starret rules, should I try Brown and Sharp? Or would metric work better?
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
This sounds like a material stabilization issue rather than a measurement issue.
Or maybe you are being too hard on yourself in trying to get what you perceive as perfection, when after all, you are building things out of giant plants.
Hal
Are you sure that a more expensive ruler wont help????
Seriously though, I hope you know that I was being facetious. That is my whole point. Why would a wood worker need a $200 36" ruler? I can mark pretty close to a 32nd with my tape measure (the 32nd mark is that empty space between the 16th marks). The material is going to move and even the best machines can keep those tolerances (mostly due to operator inconsistancies).
But on second thought switching to metric might solve my problem....................Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Interesting...<!----><!----><!---->
I had never heard of Rabone Chesterman before--I had to look it up. All my good rulers are Mitutoyo, but I short of wish I had gone with Starrett because they are easier to find. Do they actually have to match? Of course not, but in my shop things usually do...
I happen to have a high end ruler: a Mitutoyo 24”. I compared it to my less expensive aluminum rules and a tape measure. One aluminum rule was right on the money. That is for the first 10 inches. After that, it starts to drift about 1/32 every inch. The other aluminum ruler wasn’t on even in the first 10 inches. The tape was off by a 1/16 of an inch, but at least it was consistent through out the range. I suspect a lot of wood workers aren’t affected by this issue because they use their tapes for everything. So long you use the same tape for everything in your shop; you would never know the difference.
Festool, actually I was joking about the 20 degree thing, but you are right enough when you say "as long as you use the same tape for everything".Philip Marcou
Hal,
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<!---->I was just teasing about the maple; I cut off an extra inch and glued back the difference using biscuits. I love those biscuits--they are great for lining up your work. <!---->
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Presently, I’m stuck in <!----><!----><!---->Phoenix<!----> <!---->Arizona<!----><!----> so I don’t think it was a temperature related issue. I suspect the blade on the tape just got sloppy and moved a little. I’m usually very careful with them, but clearly it is off now.
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I have an inexpensive 36” rule and I’m going to apply bullet proof lip on it—I will let you know how it works out.
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Have a good week,
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Frank
LOL
Thats what I was thinking. I need the accuracy and percesion of my Starret try-square for laying out joinery and setting up machines, but any thing over two feet is not worth trying to measure to the 32nd or 64th. If you have the ruler a fraction of a degree off from parallel to the measured axis your measure will be off by more than a 32nd.
Having said all that, I would love to have a 36" starret hook rule, I am just not going to buy one.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
I'm using a Festool saw, so if I can get a good measurement the first time, I only have to cut once and not take it to the tablesaw...
http://catalog.starrett.com/catalog/catalog/groups.asp?GroupID=210
There is the Starrett page with the precision rules. Drop down box has all the different ones they make, including hook rules to 144". Poke around and I'm sure you will find the one that makes you happy. Well at least until you have to pay for it.
Perfect, that was exactly what I was looking for. Yes, I suspect the price is going to be pretty scary. Perhaps Santa will get me one...
Epoxy a ledge (wood or metal) onto a steel ruler of your choice.
No big deal.
That is a good idea. That way, I can lay the ruler flat on the surface instead of holding it on its edge. I will try it with an inexpensive ruler first to see how well it works. Thanks for the advice.
Frank
you might try Forestry Suppliers- What you want (I think) is almost like a scale stick
Not exactly what I'm looking for, but it is a very cool website--added to my favorites...
Thanks,
Frank
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