Ronn W Posted January 1, 2019 Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 I don't like any of the steel rules that I have seen. I do not want a conversion chart on the back - I want another useful scale. I really don't want a mix of American and metric scales. I don't use 1/64th's ( mostly because I can't see them so good anymore and I don't use 1/32's because that's just halfway between 1/16". I want a stop one one end to register the edge of a board and a square end on the other to measure from an inside surface. Here's a quick sketch of the one I wish I could find. So here is the question: Tell us the characteristics that you prefer in a pocket rule....I can't be the only one.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted January 1, 2019 Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 So i like your idea. Except I'd want it to sit flat on one side. So i had scales running both directions I'd take a book from the PEC double squares and number up from each end. It'd hook one side and sit flat the other. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewisc Posted January 1, 2019 Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 These don’t really fit in a pocket but I’ve found them simply mind blowing when it comes to marking out. My pocket rule is a Toledo metric rule. I don’t deal with imperial measurements without converting them. It’s Simple, small and has really clear markings. the incra is next level though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 1, 2019 Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 I suggest this ruler and reading glasses ! https://www.woodpeck.com/starrett-precision-rules.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 1, 2019 Report Share Posted January 1, 2019 I use my Veritas Precision Squares almost exclusively as rules: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=66573&cat=1,42936 They are small enough to easily fit inside my apron pocket and essentially have the features you're looking for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Art said: I use my Veritas Precision Squares almost exclusively as rules: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=66573&cat=1,42936 They are small enough to easily fit inside my apron pocket and essentially have the features you're looking for. I have one of those & use it all the time. Can't believe I haven't lost it yet cause it always falls out of my apron pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 Personally, I'd like to have a combo square blade with tic marks, but no unit numbers. And the tic marks don't need to be closer than 1/8" or so apart. Smaller marks can't really be graved deeply enough to see well after the steel begins to patina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Sawdust Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 2 hours ago, lewisc said: These don’t really fit in a pocket but I’ve found them simply mind blowing when it comes to marking out. My pocket rule is a Toledo metric rule. I don’t deal with imperial measurements without converting them. It’s Simple, small and has really clear markings. the incra is next level though. This. They also make a flat ruler with 1/32 increments which I use constantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted January 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 5 hours ago, Art said: I use my Veritas Precision Squares almost exclusively as rules: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=66573&cat=1,42936 They are small enough to easily fit inside my apron pocket and essentially have the features you're looking for. I like that. I see 1/16" graduations. Is the other side the same? 2 hours ago, drzaius said: Can't believe I haven't lost it yet cause it always falls out of my apron pocket. Does that mean that is now an "almost" precision square? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 11 hours ago, Ronn W said: Does that mean that is now an "almost" precision square? Because it's so small & light, the drops don't seem to have hurt it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 12 hours ago, Ronn W said: I like that. I see 1/16" graduations. Is the other side the same? It's metric on the otherside. I find this reduces it's usability a lot because it makes it difficult to work on both ends of a board. I always mark square and measure in from the same edge to reduce potential errors. I like your idea at the top better. Wonder if we could find someone to make a small batch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 I find myself locking in mini squares to the dimension I need and leaving it set for the project. I rarely carry my rule. I use it to set the squares at times then disregard the measurement going forward. Admittedly I build very little and spend most of my time repairing. For this I often am setting the square from the stock I am replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 @Ronn W the Utilitas rulers from veritas look much like what you're asking for: Lays flat, but has ears to hook on the end of the board. 1/16 th marks (and I agree with you about 1/64th). Flip side has the the numbers running the opposite direction: But to answer your question about what do I use most, absolutely it's the plastic ruler. I love the way the markings are laid out and most the time I am looking for an approximate dimension. If I am more serious about the dimension then I use the inexpensive combo square. It's always laying about, so it's more handy then the Utilitas, which I never remember to put in my pocket. For turning I often use the cheapo callipers (but never the vernier scale). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 My go to is the woodpeckers 8" stainless steel Paolini rule. I like it so much I bought a spare during the last one time tool run. I also carry a LN 6" rule and a LN 4" combo square in my apron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted January 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mark J said: the Utilitas rulers from veritas look much like what you're asking for: I saw that one after I started this post and like it except that you have to tilt it ot grab the edge of the board. That one is getting closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted January 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Chestnut said: It's metric on the otherside. I find this reduces it's usability a lot because it makes it difficult to work on both ends of a board. I always mark square and measure in from the same edge to reduce potential errors. I like your idea at the top better. Wonder if we could find someone to make a small batch? Hey, Can you double check that the back side is metric. Because they sell a separate metric version of these squares. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 24 minutes ago, Ronn W said: Hey, Can you double check that the back side is metric. Because they sell a separate metric version of these squares. Thanks. You might be right their images done't show the opposite side so not sure what is on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted January 2, 2019 Report Share Posted January 2, 2019 6 hours ago, Chestnut said: It's metric on the otherside. I find this reduces it's usability a lot because it makes it difficult to work on both ends of a board. I always mark square and measure in from the same edge to reduce potential errors. I like your idea at the top better. Wonder if we could find someone to make a small batch? That's odd. My Veritas precision squares are 16ths on the long leg and 32nds on the short leg on both sides. This goes for the large and small precision square. Google '6" hook rule' for a lot of variations. The iGaging looks a lot like what you're after; not quite, but, close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted January 3, 2019 Report Share Posted January 3, 2019 The Lee Valley 60N47.01 is my favorite rule. It does not have the hooks you are looking for, but the scales are great and very easy to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted January 3, 2019 Report Share Posted January 3, 2019 On 1/1/2019 at 7:45 PM, Ronn W said: I like that. I see 1/16" graduations. Is the other side the same? Does that mean that is now an "almost" precision square? Sorry I didn't respond earlier. They are identical on both sides. It is 1/16ths on the long sides and 1/32nds on the short sides. I have both the imperial and metric ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 3, 2019 Report Share Posted January 3, 2019 One of these can turn any (steel) rule into a hook rule.. If the end is cut square. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted January 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2019 54 minutes ago, wtnhighlander said: One of these can turn any (steel) rule into a hook rule.. If the end is cut square. It took me a minute to picture it but, yeah, I like the way you think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 3, 2019 Report Share Posted January 3, 2019 I'd like to claim the idea, but I saw that in one of the mags, years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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