Source for a metric bench rule?

[fritter63]

OK, I screwed up and didn't get the recent 300 mm bench rule that woodpeckers was making in a limited run. I thought there were others available, but I guess not.

So, does anyone have a good source for a good quality metric ruler at 300 mm? Must be AINA!

Thanks.

 

[PaulMarcel]

PM Ken Nagrod.  He's working the Festool booth at The Woodworking Show, where Woodpecker's is also presenting.  They may have that Metric rule available at the show.  When I was at WIA'11, Woodpeckers was there with several one-time tools that were sold out.

 

[rmwarren]

Try McMaster Carr:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#metric-rules/=ge5049

RMW

 

[woodguy7]

Incra do metric rules, I was looking at them a minute ago.

http://www.incra.com/product_markingrules.htm

 

[mouppe]

Incra do metric rules, I was looking at them a minute ago.

http://www.incra.com/product_markingrules.htm

Word of warning about the longer Incra rulers- I have the 18" and I never use it. It refuses to stay flat, and is just too flimsy to be useful. I also have the 6", the 150mm and the edge ruler- these are fine. But not the 18". I should sell it to be honest.

 

[woodguy7]

Richard, what about the 300mm ?  That is one of the ones I was looking at.

 

[tiralie]

I agree with Richard. I really don't like the incra rules I have tried, but it is personal preference.
I like the ones at lee valley cabinet makers rule
If you have an art/craft store near you the Staedtler ruler with inch/metric marks with and without cork backing are also good.
Tim

 

[mouppe]

Richard, what about the 300mm ?  That is one of the ones I was looking at.

I'd find something else a little more robust.

 

[VictorL]

Why 300 mm? It's a little bit too short. Woodpeckers do have 600 mm T-Square (see under metric section)  and 1200mm rule (one time tool) they will accept orders until Monday only.

http://www.woodpeck.com/rule50.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/tsquare600mm.html

 

[fritter63]

Why 300 mm? It's a little bit too short. Woodpeckers do have 600 mm T-Square (see under metric section)  and 1200mm rule (one time tool) they will accept orders until Monday only.

http://www.woodpeck.com/rule50.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/tsquare600mm.html

Really just want it to calibrate.
Like the parallel guides. 150 is too short

 

[andvari]

Starrett C636-300

Not cheap, but likely to be good.

 

[VictorL]

Why 300 mm? It's a little bit too short. Woodpeckers do have 600 mm T-Square (see under metric section)  and 1200mm rule (one time tool) they will accept orders until Monday only.

http://www.woodpeck.com/rule50.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/tsquare600mm.html

Really just want it to calibrate.
Like the parallel guides. 150 is too short

Ruler is not very convenient tool for parallel guide calibration. You can try to use plywood block. For precise measure plywood block you can use dual mode caliper, or just longer ruler.
Try to use metric for all projects, you will love it. It works MUCH better with MFS, metric bushings and metric router bits.

 

[billg71]

Amazon:Starrett 300mm ruler

My fave metric rule is the Starrett 600mm rulefor their combo squares. Yeah, they're pricey but when an inch has to be an inch (or a cm a cm) they're where you go.

IMHO, when it comes to shop standards Starrett, Mitsutoyo and Brown and Sharpe are the only way to go. There are international industry standards for measuring and these companies clearly state their compliance. If there are ASTM standards references on Woodpeckers' or Incra's tools I've never seen them and I've looked. I've also had my share of their measuring tools that failed to own up to their advertised specs and ended up in the trash can.

How close is close enough in woodworking? That's something only you can say for yourself. But you gotta start somewhere and if your ruler or square is off a few thou' in 12", where do you start? You have no absolute reference you can go to to determine if you're "close enough". Like I said, you gotta start somewhere.

Just my $.02 worth,
Bill

 

[jacko9]

Fritter,

Actually you didn't screw up since you have until Monday to order See Below;

ONE-TIME TOOL: 50-1/2" WOODWORKING RULER

PLYWOOD IS 4 FEET WIDE. HOW LONG IS YOUR RULER?

Want a ruler that's actually designed for woodworking? Something more accurate than a tape measure or yardstick? Well, you've found it!

One of our retired One-Time Tools from 2011 was a 50-1/2" long, precision-machined ruler that's designed to make accurate measuring and layout quicker than ever. If you're interested we have a very limited supply that were saved for warranty and setup purposes that is now being sold off.

From the 30 degree easy-to-read beveled edges, laser-engraved scale markings and the stability of a recessed bottom, it won't take long before you wonder how you got along without it.

At over 50" long, this measuring and layout tool can easily span the width of most sheet goods and with the addition of the optional Hook-Stop, positively reference the starting point while you're four feet away to make your mark. No stretching, no overreaching.

Only the inch scale version is available with a 0-50-1/2" scale along one edge and a 0-25-0 centering scale on the other. Treat yourself to the best. Made in the USA in our own shop just outside Cleveland, Ohio.

This tool was part of Woodpeckers One-Time Tool program and was retired in June of 2011. We'll be running another batch for delivery in April. Order deadline for this run is Monday February 27th.

ITEM #


SALE PRICE

50-1/2 INCH WOODWORKING RULE


$49.99

1200 MM WOODWORKING RULE


$49.99

COMBINATION INCH/METRIC RULE


$49.99

Hook Stop for 12, 24, 36 and 50-1/2" Woodworking Rules


$17.99

http://www.woodpeck.com/rule50.html

Join us this weekend at the Woodworking Show in Columbus, OH . Don't forget your coupon!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for doing business with us. Your order will be filled as fast as possible. Please check Order Status for detailed ship date information. If all items on your order can't be shipped at the same time, our standard practice is to hold the order until all items are ready. If you'd prefer to receive what is a partial shipment, please indicate as such during check out. (This may result in increased shipping charges.)

Trouble viewing these products? http://www.woodpeck.com/eclubspecials.html

http://www.woodpeck.com

Richard Hummel, President
Woodpeckers Inc.

 

[fritter63]

Fritter,

Actually you didn't screw up since you have until Monday to order See Below;

ONE-TIME TOOL: 50-1/2" WOODWORKING RULER

Yeah, well, was trying to avoid a 4 foot long ruler for an ~11 inch long setup. I have a True32 tape on the way for longer stuff, I just never feel good trusting a tape measure for that kind of accuracy.

However, the 50+ one is tempting with a hook rule option. But will it fit in a systainer?  [big grin]

On the other hand, maybe I should buy the 50 and then cut the ends off for a 300 and 600 mm ruler...  [eek] [big grin]

 

[fritter63]

Ruler is not very convenient tool for parallel guide calibration. You can try to use plywood block. For precise measure plywood block you can use dual mode caliper, or just longer ruler.
Try to use metric for all projects, you will love it. It works MUCH better with MFS, metric bushings and metric router bits.

But how do you measure and mark the plywood block?  [big grin]

 

[VictorL]

Ruler is not very convenient tool for parallel guide calibration. You can try to use plywood block. For precise measure plywood block you can use dual mode caliper, or just longer ruler.
Try to use metric for all projects, you will love it. It works MUCH better with MFS, metric bushings and metric router bits.

But how do you measure and mark the plywood block?  [big grin]

with 600mm or 1200 mm ruler

 

[fritter63]

Just a follow up.

I ended up getting the Woodpeckers 50" rule in metric, with the hook stop option. I still think it may be a bit unwieldy, but it is good for sheet goods.

I also found a starrett 300 mm metric rule that fits into my current imperial combo square so I went and got that too. That should serve the purpose of setting up the p. guides.

Was just hoping get one that was nice red aluminum so I wouldn't have to worry about rusting.

 

[PaulMarcel]

A friend of mine likes the Starrett combo-square heads, but doesn't like their blades at all.  He replaces the blades with Bridge City replacement blades.  They have a couple different blades available; the replacement page has little about them, but the original CS-12v2 page describes them in more detail.  I haven't used a Starrett blade so can't say anything about those; the BCTW blades are really nice to read with no glare.  I'll see if I can pull him away from his bandsaw long enough to comment...

 

[fritter63]

Well, I got it in the mail and the one thing I noticed is that the finish on it is shiny. The imperial blade is flat matte, and the new one was difficult to read, at least with my contacts in. Didn't try it with just reading glasses yet.