Lost!

[PAC1]

IF I give up on the old one, the current favourite to replace it, given that I regularly interchange between imperial and metric and being left handed means I can read perfectly upside down and mirror writing, is the Sealey https://www.sealey.co.uk/stainless-steel-rule-24-600mm-ak9642/
I am still hoping the one I own will turn up

 

[Dr.Al]

Does anyone know of a 300mm silver rule that has NO 0.5mm markers…..I found a black one but don’t like it.

The short answer is no, but if you get the Facom DELA.1051.300 (sold by a few different suppliers - that link is just the first one I found), then one of the sides is just millimetres:



The BMI tape measures have that layout as well (as long as you get the ones with 34 in the part number rather than 35, e.g. BM429341021):

Is it just me or do others get on with the 0.5 markers?

I use them about once every few years so mostly I prefer them not to be there as they make it harder to see the millimetre lines.

 

[RogerS]

Does anyone know of a 300mm silver rule that has NO 0.5mm markers…..I found a black one but don’t like it.

Is it just me or do others get on with the 0.5 markers?

No, it's not just you. Rulers with half mm markings on are horrible.

 

[Jonathan]

I need to try one of those BMI tapes, looked at them for years so now is the time to order one.
Got a few German timber stick rules that are ok ish.
My original 300 steel rule without the silly 0.5 marks was Rabone and Chesterman came with my city and guilds apprenticeship package, was so easy to read, should of bought a box of them!

 

[Windows]

Recent video about the BMI rule:

I almost ordered the 2m version from the tape store, but it’s not the metric-only version.

 

[Dr.Al]

Recent video about the BMI rule:

I almost ordered the 2m version from the tape store, but it’s not the metric-only version.

They've got the metric only one and the metric and imperial one, both available in either length. This is the metric-only 2 metre one. This is the metric-only 3 metre one.

When ordering, check the part number (SKU). If it's got 24 or 34 in the middle, it's metric only. If it's 25/35 then it's a mixed unit one.

The tape store are also quite good in that they have quite explicit tech info at the bottom of the page:

 

[Windows]

I like the Presch combi too (and the Workpro is good too). Are there other metric-only combis? Have to be a bit careful if you try to get a metric-only Workpro combi - the only version of it I’ve seen is the combined set of 150mm & 300mm; if you get separately, you get a metric+imperial blade. I don’t like the Bahco combi except for the price, but the imperial gets in the way and I’ve got one that’s stopped gripping the ruler.

 

[Windows]

They've got the metric only one and the metric and imperial one, both available in either length. This is the metric-only 2 metre one. This is the metric-only 3 metre one.

Thanks. Weird that I couldn’t see it before. Probably my mistake.

 

[Planeiron]

Thanks for these links. I've just ended up using rulers and tapes with metric and imperial on the same side and I'm sure it's contributed to errors in the past though its probably also made me very familiar with both systems. However, I'm going to invest in some new rulers now

 

[Planeiron]

Just on the subject of rulers, I've a 300mm, 600mm and 1000mm ruler. They don't quite read the same so placing alongside each other the 300 at the top reads 300mm slightly shorter than the same mark on the 600mm


But slightly more than the 300 mark on the 1000mm rule



I think these are all different brands bought at different stages but its a bit disappointing they don't line up. Just a bad batch? Or is this to be expected at the cheaper end of the market: probably. Is there a standard mark or guarantee for accuracy beyond whatever marketing guff they state? Something to note when buying. I have a 300mm Starrett square which I believe to be very accurate but my belief might be related to or reinforced by the huge wodge of cash I spent on it.

 

[AndyP]

Dunno the answer but your images highlight why the same ruler should be used to make all the measurements on a project.

 

[Mike G]

......Is there a standard mark or guarantee for accuracy beyond whatever marketing guff they state?....

Probably, but it's not the approach I take. For a start, I do very little measuring. Secondly, if I do measure, it's done using the same tape or rule for the entirety of the job.

 

[Woodbloke]

Probably, but it's not the approach I take. For a start, I do very little measuring. Secondly, if I do measure, it's done using the same tape or rule for the entirety of the job.

Same as Mike. At the beginning of a project, I'll use a rule (Rabone & Chesterman, or top grade Ax) but after that measurements are taken offf the job, using various devices, some purchased, others home made - Rob

 

[Planeiron]

Totally agree and my approach as well but the thread just made me wonder.

 

[RogerS]

Just on the subject of rulers, I've a 300mm, 600mm and 1000mm ruler. They don't quite read the same so placing alongside each other the 300 at the top reads 300mm slightly shorter than the same mark on the 600mm
View attachment 55055

But slightly more than the 300 mark on the 1000mm rule

View attachment 55056

I think these are all different brands bought at different stages but its a bit disappointing they don't line up. Just a bad batch? Or is this to be expected at the cheaper end of the market: probably. Is there a standard mark or guarantee for accuracy beyond whatever marketing guff they state? Something to note when buying. I have a 300mm Starrett square which I believe to be very accurate but my belief might be related to or reinforced by the huge wodge of cash I spent on it.

That would explain why Magnet kitchens cabinets are 601 mm and 602mm wide. Or worse !

 

[PAC1]

The question seems to have two parts first is there an accurate meter from which the metric system is based. The answer is yes.
The second is there a standard for the accuracy of tape measures and rules. The answer is yes both in the UK and Europe.
As folks have pointed out, it does not matter to us woodworking folks as long as we do not mix our measuring devices and measure from the project rather than in multi stages that allow error to creep in.
There is a tendency in some places to measure wood to 1/1000th of an inch a slight change in humidity will make such measurements useless.

 

[Jonathan]

I use DROs where I can, all calibrated to my Stanley Powerlock tapes which measure the same as Rabone and Chesterman rule, calipers and Leica distometer
Any other measuring device that doesn’t calibrate to these gets put in the oddments drawer…….hoping the BMI rule I ordered yesterday measures the same