Searching for a good quality, metric-only, 300mm steel ruler

JasonB - no disrespect, but you obviously are not doing the same work as I am. I am working very precisely and I am working on flat surfaces including thin/flat materials. Yes, I have a tape measure however it is of no use to me for the majority of my work. In my life 1mm error is a huge error. But I don't like using 0.5mm markings simply because their lines are so long that personally I find them impossible to read off correctly. If the 0.5mm marking lines are sufficiently short, then I find them to be fine.

Jason, you said:
> You also seemed to dismiss some suggestions as the rule was not double sides,
> if you are wanting a non slip back then you can't really have both...

No, to recap, this is what I originally specified:
>>>
EITHER
- A: double-sided, with one side reading right to left and the other side reading left to right
OR
- B. the rear size should be rubberised cork
>>>

i.e. To get clear, I am fully aware that you cant have a rear surface that is non-slip AND readable. But if single-sided then at least the rear should be non-slip and if double-sided why not have a ruler that can be used to measures from both ends? Many double-sided rulers turn out to be identical on both sides, which is of course almost totally pointless.

Donald

Nope. I meant this:

i.e. On one side of the ruler, both edges read left to right, but on the other side of the ruler both edges read right to left.

Don


 

Edited By Donald MacDonald 1 on 22/03/2022 15:06:44

Edited By JasonB on 22/03/2022 16:16:39

I've never seen a steel rule for real or in a catalogue that meets Donald's specification. My feeling is what he wants is more likely to be sold in Metric only countries. In the UK the need for both Metric and Imperial Scales on the rule dominates what's available. The range of metric only rules sold in the UK is quite limited, and it's hard to fine any that don't have 0.5mm graduations.

I suggest Donald starts looking in Germany and Japan because both countries make 'quality*' steel rules with lots of metric scale choices. Unless Donald gets lucky on the forum, he'll have to do the research himself. Identifying the right rule abroad is only the first problem - also need to find a vendor who sells it to UK customers.

Is it worth the bother? None of my steel rules is perfectly scaled, which is why I own several. Between them they mostly meet the bill and I've long given up expecting one rule to do everything. I often use two rules at the same time.

Eyeballing a steel rule isn't a good way of doing precision work. I occasionally set dividers more exactly with a loupe, pin-prick the work, and then cut between the marks, which is better. Much the same technique as marking out on blued metal, with calipers and set-squares etc. Templates are another possibility.

Dave

* I hate the word 'quality' - it's meaningless! Would Donald be happy if I recommended a high-spec steel rule costing £25 plus another £50 for a calibration certificate? He did say "I am working very precisely", so obviously money isn't a problem.   Except it always is in my workshop!

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 22/03/2022 15:18:55

Axminster combination square

Steel rule with no 0.5mm graduations, but doesn't have a reversed scale.

I have a vague recollection of having used a combination set that had a rule with the readings reversed on top & bottom edges of the rule but can't recall the make at the moment.

Nigel B.

Donald/john I was just using the tape as an example another would be a scale rule, 1000s of draughtsmen have done accurate work with these for years, all with just one scale per edge and each edge different. Same with engineers who before DROs and CNC managed to mark out work to high accuracy with a rule that does not fit in with what you want. So it's going to be hard to find one that ticks all your boxes.

If you want to mark flat surfaces accurately then think about a scribing calliper that will read to 0.01mm

As has been said about other peoples threads, if you can't be constructive or helpful then don't post as it's likely to be deleted

Why does it have to be double sided metric? Metric one side imperial the other I can understand but why both sides metric, if you want it to read from right to left turn the rule through 180.000 degrees.

No it's not worth the bother. A rule like everyone else uses would be just fine. Much more precision work than 1mm is done with the commonly available ruler. 1mm is actually laughably imprecise in most engineering circles. If the OP has difficulty seeing the lines, do like many of us blind old gits do and get a set of head-mounted magnifiers.

Quality: it is meaningless in that context because it is a noun not an adjective. It does not describe tools at all unless preceded by words such as "good" or "poor". / End pedant mode /

A very good point indeed.

Or there is that interesting numerical algorithm called "subtraction"...

Does not even need the complication of subtraction or turning the rule 180deg (Numbers will be upside down if you do this which just won't do)

Say you want to measure 157mm.

From left to right. Easy enough as you put the zero on the starting point at the left and then a mark at 157mm.

Now if you want to go right to left. Just put the 157 on the starting point at the right and mark off at zero.

Rule stays the same way up, is not rotated and does not need a scale on any other edge.

You guys should have your own radio show

A perfect fusion of yes minister university challenge and monty python

Edited By Ady1 on 22/03/2022 18:14:31

**LINK**
This thread covered much ground with regard to the perfect rule, it may be worth looking at the suppliers mentioned in the thread.

Mike

Best one yet

David

Hi Donald, there's a second hand one Rabone Chesterman No. 49 which might get you started until you find your ideal one, it doesn't look too bad for a Tenner.

Regards Nick.

Is it a Rule or is it a Ruler, I have a rule, don’t tell her indoors what it cost, and the Queen is a ruler, so what is the correct name for this metric calibrated straight edge?

Have you thought of drawing one yourself and having it made?

Martin.

.

Wonkee Donkee explains it [maybe correctly, maybe not] : **LINK**

https://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/rules/what-is-a-rule

[quote] … a rule, usually, measures straight from its edge; a ruler starts its measurement a little way in from the edge. [/quote] 

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 22/03/2022 19:58:52

Search for Starrett C331, though perhaps only available easily in USA. It has 1mm graduations one edge, and short 0.5mm on the other, and is 300mm long so can readily be used reversed. Not cheap!

Edited By Macolm on 22/03/2022 21:19:44

Beaten into me at school that a ruler is wrong. Fine and dandy except the older I get the more I realise much of what I was taught at school was wonky. If enough people call them rulers, then it becomes correct.

Dave