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One Great Tip » My Three Favorite Measuring Tools
My Three Favorite Measuring Tools
By George Vondriska
Photos by George Vondriska
Posted: July 2, 2009
If you're going to do woodworking, you're going to have to measure stuff. Here are the three measuring tools I use the most, and why I like them.
# 1 FastCap Lefty/Righty 16' Tape Measure
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FastCap Lefty/Righty 16' Tape Measure |
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FastCap's righty/lefty tape measure includes dimensional fractions |
I've used lots of tape measures, and this is one of the best. The white disc on the face is just like a dry erase board. I can write dimensions or notes on it, and erase them later. My aging brain appreciates this. A pencil sharpener (that actually works) is built in to the body. Although I'm past the point of learning how to read fractions on a ruler, I've taught lots of kids and adults who struggle with this. FastCap tapes have the dimensional fractions actually written on the ruler, so no one is measuring 1" plus three little lines. And, the price is right at $7.95.
FastCap makes a bunch of tape measures within their ProCarpenter Tape line, but I prefer the FastCap Lefty/Righty. It's got measurements on both edges, so I can read it left to right or right to left. It's long enough to be useful but compact enough to keep in an apron pocket.
# 2 Wixey Fractional Digital Calipers
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Wixey Digital Calipers read in fractions. |
I first learned to read vernier calipers back in my machine shop days. The calipers were precise, but hard to read. The next advent of calipers was going digital, but they read in decimal inches, so I had to keep a chart handy so I could cross reference to fractions. The next step was digital calipers that read in fractions, and I LOVE them. The Wixey Digital Calipers, $39, have earned their keep in my shop over and over again. My #1 application is when I'm thicknessing material. It just doesn't get any easier than sandwiching the board between the jaws and reading the thickness. Coupled with knowing my planer and surface sander remove 1/16" per handle revolution, it's very simple for me to control my material thickness.
I also use digital calipers to set the cursor on my tablesaw fence. I position the fence, make a cut, then measure the piece with the calipers. Position the fence cursor over whatever number the calipers read. It makes precision easy.
# 3 8' Folding Rule
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While not a high tech tool, an 8-ft. folding ruler can be a handy tool in the shop. |
Alright, I hear some of you groaning. Well, as with many things in my life, there's a story. When I was in building construction I worked for an ex-military set-in-his-ways carpenter. He was an amazing craftsman with distinct ideas about how to get accurate measurements. It boiled down to tape measures for outside measurements and stick rules for inside measurements. Under threat of a size 11 boot in an uncomfortable location I learned to do things Jim's way, and found out he was right.
I always have a folding rule in the back pocket of my jeans. (OK, not when I'm out with my wife, but you know what I mean.) Like Jim said, I use the folding rule whenever I need an inside measurement. It's all I use at the table saw, router table…anyplace I'm setting a fence or stop. I like that it's rigid and, when opened, I can project the ruler out pretty far. A trick I've often used when measuring on site is opening the first section or two, then opening the rest so it's perpendicular to the first sections, like a big L. I can stand on the floor and hold the 'smart end' of the ruler up over my head to take measurements.
I buy my rulers at a home center. An 8' is under $10. I prefer the rulers that have the 1-2-3 on the inside face of the ruler, not the outside face.
How Do You Measure Up?
Those are my faves. Let us know how you measure up in your shop!
Product Information
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5 Comments
Posted July 05, 2009 // 7:16 PM I have a 12" steel rule that I use for my shop as it is very accurate and handy for most measurements. It has both metric and inches and goes down to 64ths. I haev a magnetic strip glued to the top of my Radial arm saw that keeps it handy. The one I have was made by General I also have 6' Folding rules and they are great , but my 1" wide tape is my favorite as it will extend out a long way.
Posted July 08, 2009 // 12:10 PM I have a terrible time with tape measures... i do agree with the folding rule. One other thing i do is have 2 pipes that one slides inside the other. when measuring something on the inside i just open the pipes lock them in place and then i have the right size.. take it to the board mark it off and cut. I do not understand what I do wrong with a tape measure but I almost never get perfect cuts... sounds retarted but at least i know it..
Posted July 08, 2009 // 11:53 PM I agree. I would like to use a folding rule more but I learned many years ago that ALL measuring devices MUST agree. I can't use just one for any complicated project, I need more. Guess what? Every time I compare a wooden folding rule with any of my tape measures there is a slight difference. The difference is very small around 2 inches or so, OK or for soft wood. Long lengths of maple or other HARDwoods is quite another matter. Do you know of any wooden folding rule that is "dead on" with other tape measures like the FastCap?
Posted July 09, 2009 // 9:23 AM I agree that all your measuring devices need to play nice together, and must agree. The Lufkin 6' ruler I use, Lufkin 066F, matches up with my FastCap tape. The next level of this is that not only do my measuring devices need to agree, but built in rulers, cursors, and stops must also agree. This refers to the Kreg flip stop system on my miter saw, and the built in cursor on the fence of my SawStop tablesaw. All of these items need to (and do) read the same measurement. Roll in the Wixey digital read out on my benchtop planer, and it makes taking measurements and moving from one tool to another easy and accurate.
Posted July 10, 2009 // 3:15 AM My understanding is that gov. regulations on accuracy only pertain to the first six inches when it comes to measuring devices!