Help me figure out which Woodpecker rule to get

[DynaGlide]

I'll be getting the Seneca Parallel guides soon as a gift. I've seen in various posts that you can use the Woodpecker Rule Stop to get dead nuts on adjustments for the parallel guides by butting the Rule Stop up against the strip of your rail. That got me looking into the Woodpecker rules.

First. .why would I want a Hook Stop when the Rule Stop seems to do the same thing?

Second: As I'm new to all this it seems my best option is to use metric for ripping sheet goods for cabinetry focused projects. Woodpecker makes a dual Inch/Metric rule but it's 48" long. I'd love if they made it in shorter lengths. For the sole purpose of ripping sheet goods for future cabinetry focused projects, should I be looking at one of their metric rules? I don't own an LR 32 yet but see one in my future for a couple built in projects so I see the merits of having metric for layout lines and for ripping setups.

TL;DR: Which woodpecker rule is your most used?

Thanks all

 

[semenza]

    I have all four lengths in inch with the center scale on one edge. I use them all, 6" the  least.  Obviously the 4' ish will cover the range but it can be a nuisance when measuring something short. Which may not matter if your primary use is to set the guides. If you want to cover the  range with just two , then get 4' and 2'.

    The hook stop allows use of the full length to measure from the end. If the rule stop is positioned at the end you will be missing the first couple inches of measurement.  Trade off is you can set a length as opposed to measuring from the end. I have a hook stop rarely use it because it gets in the way sometimes when placing the rule flat on a piece longer than the rule. [member=4284]rmh[/member] I would use the hook stop a lot if it were quick detach.

  You will also need to decide between both edges having the same scale, one edge center scale ( I use this fairly often), and dual scale (the one your considering). You may want to think about the scale orientation related to the use fro setting the guides.

Seth

 

[cperren]

Either the hook stop OR rule stop will allow you to calibrate the INCRA rule on the Seneca Parallel guides... Afterwards you can use the sliding INCRA rule ... Although typically I just use the rule stop to set my desire measurement and not bother with the INCRA ruler...

 

[DynaGlide]

[member=1619]SRSemenza[/member] Thank you. So I'm leaning toward a 600mm and 900mm with center rule for cabinetry focused tasks. I don't foresee needing 48" but if I do I'll pick up the dual scale inch/metric.

 

[Cheese]

The first 4' rule I purchased was with a hook stop. The 2nd 4' rule I purchased was with a rule stop. Eventually I removed the hook stop because it was always in the way. I don't even know where it is any more. I use the rule stop all the time.

Be careful not to leave the ruler exposed for long periods in sunlight. The red anodizing fades to a light pink and in bright light, there's very little contrast between the faded red and the white markings, making them virtually impossible to see. That's the reason I own 2 of them. The new one for use outside while the old one can only be read in side the shop under soft illumination.

Check out the photo...some of the markings on the original rule are still difficult to read even under shop conditions.

 

[semenza]

The first 4' rule I purchased was with a hook stop. The 2nd 4' rule I purchased was with a rule stop. Eventually I removed the hook stop because it was always in the way. I don't even know where it is any more. I use the rule stop all the time.

Be careful not to leave the ruler exposed for long periods in sunlight. The red anodizing fades to a light pink and in bright light, there's very little contrast between the faded red and the white markings, making them virtually impossible to see. That's the reason I own 2 of them. The new one for use outside while the old one can only be read in side the shop under soft illumination.

Check out the photo...some of the markings on the original rule are still difficult to read even under shop conditions.

I have had the fading occur but only on some of the larger items. EX-  My 18" square has faded a lot but 26" is fine. I am hoping this is an issue that WP fixed.

Seth

 

[Cheese]

I have had the fading occur but only on some of the larger items. EX-  My 18" square has faded a lot but 26" is fine. I am hoping this is an issue that WP fixed.

I read somewhere that red is the color that they have the largest problem with. There are different red dyes that have differing amounts of colorfastness, however Woodpecker's may not even know they have a problem and thus never bothered to try a different dye manufacturer or anodizer.  [eek]
I've certainly never alerted them to the issue. Anodization is one of the only manufacturing steps they out source.

 

[McNally Family]

Would the fading issue not be part of the lifetime guarantee?  Particularly if it inhibits the ability to read the scales?

 

[Cheese]

Would the fading issue not part of the lifetime guarantee?  Particularly if it inhibits the ability to read the scales?

Great question... [doh] ...I’ll contact Woodpeckers tomorrow.  Thanks for the idea.

 

[egmiii]

Please report back. I'd be interested to hear what they have to say. There is a very low probability of my tools being exposed to the sun, but after investing thousands into their brand, I'd like to hear how this is handled.

 

[semenza]

I know, that they do know about the fading problem.

Seth

 

[Michael Kellough]

The first 4' rule I purchased was with a hook stop. The 2nd 4' rule I purchased was with a rule stop. Eventually I removed the hook stop because it was always in the way. I don't even know where it is any more. I use the rule stop all the time.

Be careful not to leave the ruler exposed for long periods in sunlight. The red anodizing fades to a light pink and in bright light, there's very little contrast between the faded red and the white markings, making them virtually impossible to see. That's the reason I own 2 of them. The new one for use outside while the old one can only be read in side the shop under soft illumination.

Check out the photo...some of the markings on the original rule are still difficult to read even under shop conditions.

I only have one WP tool (a big carpenter square form) and it arrived with a wimpy color looking more like the lower tool than the richly colored upper. May be why I haven't bought another...

 

[Cheese]

Would the fading issue not be part of the lifetime guarantee?  Particularly if it inhibits the ability to read the scales?

Please report back. I'd be interested to hear what they have to say. There is a very low probability of my tools being exposed to the sun, but after investing thousands into their brand, I'd like to hear how this is handled.

Many thanks  [not worthy] [not worthy]  to [member=60452]McNally Family[/member] for the suggestion of traveling the warranty route. Woodpeckers should be receiving the rule this Wednesday, at which time they will send me a replacement item. Hey [member=11423]egmiii[/member] , below is the email I received from Woodpeckers.

"I do apologize for the fading.  We don’t normally recommend any of the anodized tools be used outside, due to the fact the sunlight will cause fading.  If you would like to ship the rule back to us, we will gladly do an exchange for a new 1.  But in the future, please try to keep it away from direct sunlight."

 

[egmiii]

Appreciate the follow up. Hopefully I never need to go through the warranty process, but it's good to hear they did the right thing, just in case.

 

[Cheese]

I know, that they do know about the fading problem.

Seth

You're correct, yes they do...

I just received the replacement rule last Friday. I know it's a new rule and not a re-anodized rule as the one I sent them was the old 50.5" rule and the one I received is the newer 49.5" rule.

On the faded anodizing issue, I just noticed that Woodpecker's latest OTT is their venerable 1281 square being offered in a hard coat anodize that they claim, "Furthermore, the finish will not fade from prolonged exposure to sunlight like regular anodizing sometimes can."  [scratch chin]  [scratch chin]

I'm curious as to why they just don't make this a permanent product improvement, rather than rolling it in to their OTT concept?

 

[RKA]

I think they are testing the waters to see if anyone bites.  The price jumped from $110 to $150 with the only difference being the anodizing. 

WRT to the sunlight issue, was that ever broadcast in the form of a warning either on their website or in packaging inserts?  I can't recall ever seeing any suggestion to avoid sunlight.  But I'll confess that any included inserts (prop 65 warnings) are promptly discarded, so perhaps I missed it??

 

[Cheese]

WRT to the sunlight issue, was that ever broadcast in the form of a warning either on their website or in packaging inserts?  I can't recall ever seeing any suggestion to avoid sunlight.  But I'll confess that any included inserts (prop 65 warnings) are promptly discarded, so perhaps I missed it??

I don’t recall seeing anything, as a matter of fact, when I received the replacement rule it was in a vinyl pouch with nothing attached to the inside or outside. Their return email to me was the first notification I’ve ever seen.

I was also surprised with the upcharge price for the hardcoat anodize.  [eek]  I doubt they’ll have too many takers.

 

[ben_r_]

My most used is probably the 12", but I have the 12, 24 and 36 and a couple hook stops and a rule stop 2. Planning to pick up the 6" the next time I place an order anywhere that carries it. Just nice to have around and cheap.

 

[yetihunter]

I use a 36" with the rule stop, but a 24" (900mm) would likely be what I'd use
the most with the seneca guides if I had one in that length.

I'm not sure how one uses the hook stop with the guides?

I use the rule stop the same as I would a combination square to
set the guides.