Plastic straight edge?

[Michael Kellough]

Anyone know of such a thing?

The project I’m on now involves engraving text on highly polished stainless steel. I’m using a CNC machine with a spring loaded diamond stylus so in theory slight deviations in surface height don’t matter but in practice Im at the end of the spring compression and if I set zero Z in a depression it gets messy when the engraver crosses the high spots that are just a few thou higher than the low.

A nice straight plastic rule about 6” long with sharp edges would be ideal but just typing the question brings up the quickest solution, a little hardwood stick passed over a sharp hand plane.

A non-marking small straight edge, do they exist?

 

[Cheese]

I have a couple of different length Vemco’s that I like. Clear scales from an old drafting machine. Because they’re clear you can easily see where your placement is relative to what’s underneath the scale.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I have a couple of different length Vemco’s that I like. Clear scales from an old drafting machine. Because they’re clear you can easily see where your placement is relative to what’s underneath the scale.

Are they something that can be bought? Or just nice relics from days gone by (I love cad)?

 

[Cheese]

/catalog.pdf

 

[Packard]

Alvin drafting rulers were always a step above other versions.  I have not checked recently, but the low prices make me suspicious.
https://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Engineering-Drafting-Architecture-Professionals/dp/B000HESS2G

 

[FestitaMakool]

Funny.. I just noticed this this afternoon..:https://www.fine-tools.com/schneidlineal.html#ziel310397
I halted when I saw them, cause I like the see-through, and these were wide and in 300 and 500mm making them useful for any layout. Add to that a SS edge.

Shinwa is sold all over, so maybe locally?

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[guybo]

These are pretty sharp more drafting scales

 

[rvieceli]

Westcott makes a bunch of clear plastic scales that might work. They seem to be available lots of places
https://www.westcottbrand.com/products/rulers-measuring/plastic-rulers.html

IF you don't need clear and a scale, this might work for a roll your own solution. I like these a lot, always find them useful out in the shop. Basically a 1/4 inch thick piece of HDPE or UHMW with a slight texture on the surface. But a quick pass with a hand plane for straight and another angled one if you want a beveled edge. they are about 13 x9.5.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/legitim-chopping-board-white-90202268/

Ron

 

[FestitaMakool]

IF you don't need clear and a scale, this might work for a roll your own solution. I like these a lot, always find them useful out in the shop. Basically a 1/4 inch thick piece of HDPE or UHMW with a slight texture on the surface. But a quick pass with a hand plane for straight and another angled one if you want a beveled edge. they are about 13 x9.5.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/legitim-chopping-board-white-90202268/

Ron

These are very versatile.. work well as speaker spacers in a car when doing stereo upgrades. They neither rot or rust..

 

[Packard]

Why no aluminum?  All the better rules seem to be in stainless steel and aluminum. 

I got a set of Mr. Pen stainless rulers and they have been acceptable.

I just checked the 8" ruler against my calibrated vernier caliper and it is 0.004" - 0.005" over at 1", 2", 3", 4". 5" and 6".

Since the ruler starts measurement at the end of the scale, I could probably hone off 0.004" and bring them all into tighter tolerance.  The spacing of the markings seems to be very good. 

I sought out a ruler that had markings starting at the end of the scale so that I could align the ruler by feel. 

A set of 6", 8", 12" and 14" rulers cost me $8.00.  My only complaint was that the edges were too sharp. I  dressed them slightly with an Arkansas stone. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086TWLKC1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[rvieceli]

[member=74278]Packard[/member]  thanks for those. just ordered a set

Ron

 

[Packard]

Note that these Mr. Pen rulers are made from 400 series stainless steel, which means that they will stick to a magnet.  I keep the 8" stuck to my Ipad case and the magnetic latching still works. 

I used to carry the 6" in my pocket, but once I found that they will stick to the magnets, I just carry the 8" attached to my IPad.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The Shinwa would work for this purpose if it didn't have the steel insert on the broad edge. I'd like something that can stand up by itself.