Rulers - my pet peeve

Edited By John Stevenson on 08/01/2011 20:46:14

I found these rules in my Axminster tool store **LINK** both sides have a millimetre and half millimetre scales but one side has the millimetres at the top and the other at the bottom, for metric work they are ideal to my mind. I have no connection to Axminster but I think these rules are nicely made and useful.

Mike

Edited By Mike Poole on 01/04/2019 18:52:30

I would like a hook ruler but prices are extortionate, easy enough to alter a normal rule I think

Mick 🇬🇧

It's not only rules whose graduations shrink with age. Try reading one of the original Myford die-cast dials in anything but perfect lighting!

Really, the answer is good light and magnifying-glass.

Not long ago, in Aldis or Lidls, I picked up a neat illuminated lens, about 100mm dia., on an adjustable stand combined with a soldering-iron rest. The engineering is rough-and-ready but optically it is of fair standard for the price, and lit by a self-contained l.e.d. unit with AA or AAA cells. I forget what I paid, but I'm fairly sure it was well <£30.

The magnifier can be removed from the stand and replaced without harm to either, so could readily be fitted to a magnetic dial-indicator stand or other appropriate column for machine-tool or marking-out viewing.

.

One of my most useful rules is part of a delightfully antique-looking combination-square, and only 4" long by about 1/2" wide; with the 90/45º square sized pro-rata! I do not know its provenance, or if it ever had a protractor. It is very compact for measuring on the lathe or mill, but for easier reading, if the work-piece geometry allows, I sometimes use it on its square as a depth-rule.

Why do most rules measure from the left ? Often you need to measure from the right, and just have to work upside down. Personaly, I use a cheapo aluminium rule marked off in 1/8"s (I think they were originally called "blind man's rules" however the painted etchings are now getting a bit worn off. I ought to treat myself to a new one next time in the UK.

I like the scale on the rule in Spurrys post , I've seen them but didn't appreciate why the tapered graduations were there.

I have some rules with slot graduations on the short end, as discussed before, ideal for some jobs.

I also have some rules with the numbers engraved so that it can be read when vertical without having to crank your neck round like an owl. Fabulous for setting surface gauges etc.

I bought a 100mm rule, clearly marked, handy for working around a machine but only graduated on one face! Instead of the reverse being used for imperial, right-left measurement, putting 1/2mm on the opposite side of the rule or even a set of handy conversion tables, it just says "Axminster".

WHY?

Brian

Why? Why cheapness of manufacture of course. Half the cost. Same price. Bingo.

.

That's the side that faces the carpet

MichaelG.

I have one but it's marked in picas and points one side and millimeters the other.

And its called a printer's gauge, so neither a rule nor ruler. Go figure.

To add to the confusion, Australian printers call a pica an "emm", but a true "emm" space is a different dimension to a pica, based on the width of a letter M.

If it was plain on the back I would agree, but as both sides are marked there isn't a cost saving. I'm reluctant to cut down a 64R but it is starting to appeal.

Brian