You may have the best quality’s wood , the best woodworking equipment and the best possible mood to create stuff , but if you make measuring and marking mistakes , you’ll be “in trouble” eventually .
In woodworking the measuring and the marking of wood is an extraordinary important job , as you see also in HERE .
I have many rulers , folding , tape meters , metalic rulers , but i also i’ve made a research for the best ones . Here are my suggestions , to help your measuring techniques :
1) The Crescent Lufkin 5/8″ x 8′ Red End Wood Rule .
One of the best and classical measuring tools is the woodworking folding ruler. You may like vintage ones from wood or more modern material ones , but for sure you’ll need to have one .
You can measure wood with very high accuracy and with the folding – “zig – zag” folding ruler you can measure corner – angle distances and not only in straight lines . This is a big advantage .
I use and like the Crescent Lufkin 5/8″ x 8′ Red End® Wood Rule , among the many rulers i own and you can see its price on Amazon in here .
Why to choose it ?
1) It’s a very pretty wood ruler .
2) The numeral are very easy and clear to read from all .
3) It’s very accurate , concerning the measuring , not saying more accurate than i expected .
4) It has a very tight and maybe stiff opening( but it has a smooth movement ) , which is an advantage for me because it stays were you put it .
5) It’s easy to carry in your pockets .
6) It’s highly comfortable to take inside measurements .
Something to be aware for :
The brass extender slides a little more easily than expected while you measure , but if you put some drops of thick grease in the sliding path , it’ll be ok .
** If you want to see , the complete list of woodworking rulers , visit Amazon in here .
2) The MLCS 9327 Woodworking 36-Inch Flexible Curve Ruler .
This is a “must have” ruler for all the woodworkers in the world , after the classical folding ruler and you can check its price in Amazon in here .
The advantage of measure curves is an advantage that you cannot neglect , because you’ll face these challenges making your woodworking projects . But this isn’t the only advantage of this flexible ruler .
Why to choose it ?
1) You can measure curves , circles , “zig – zag” patterns , etc.
2) You can also mark wood in curve patterns using it .
3) You can cut a wooden pattern using it as a stable point , by holding it with your hand and cut with the other , not getting off the cutting track .
4) It has the appropriate weight for marking and cutting patterns .
5) The quality is very high .
6) Its price is very logical for what it offers you .
** The complete list of flexible rulers , visit Amazon in here .
3) The Stanley 33-735 Fatmax Tape Ruler .
The tape meters are measuring equipment that gives you serious flexibility combined with accuracy as a woodworker and you can see this Stanley Fatmax here in Amazon .
I don’t know any woodworker that doesn’t have in his toolbox , a folding meter , a flexible one and of course a durable tape meter .
Why to have this Stanley tape meter ?
1) It has the famous Stanley well made quality( Stanley never “betrays” you ) and its sliding mechanism fulfills the highest standarts .
2) The numerals are very clear and easy to read .
3) Its sliding movement and retraction are quite smooth , sign of its good quality’s mechanism .
4) It’s kind of heavy , which is an advantage for me and another good sign of elite material choices and well made in general .
** The complete tape meter list , visit Amazon in here .
4) The Mitutoyo 182-105, Steel Rule, 6″ X 150mm , Metal ruler .
I like very much the portability and the help you get from a light metal ruler as this Mitutoyo here and i highly reccomend you to see it here in Amazon .
The metal woodworking rulers have serious advantages for a carpenter ( and not only ) and if you have some in your toolbox , you’ll get the maximum of measuring help from them .
Why to have a Metalic Rule ?
1) It’s the lighter ruler you can carry with you to measure small lengths .
2) You can have in your pocket , with other rulers and not worry about the weight charge of your trousers , which in many cases is kind of uncomfortable .
3) I’ts the most comfort and accurate rule , you can have to measure many small lengths , fast and easy , in order to proceed to your carpenter measuring and marking fast .
4) This specific one has the “golden” balance of weight , width( it’s wide enough) and portability .
5) It measures accurate from both ends .
6) It has the appropriate thickness and doesn’t bend much . The lot of bending can cause false measuring from lack of stability above the wood surface .
7) The numerals are very easy to read and ther are highly measuring accurate .
8) No worries for rust and general damaging of this metalic ruler . It’s made from stainless steal with a nice finishing .
9) And yes , i like much the Japanese rules . There aren’t expensive and the attention to detail is very nice .
Check if you like , the complete list with metal rulers on Amazon here .
Keep woodworking and gain the most of happiness from it .