What do people use folding rules for?

[ive]

Hi. Just wondering what folding rules are used for vs a tape measure?

 

[Farmall450]

Checking fuel tanks on old tractors that don't have gauges.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Old school.
Non-conductive.
Plus, that little metal slider rule is handy. Can be used to come up with inside measure.
And ... there are some tricks (for working out trusses?) where you configure the folder into a triangle.
I am probably missing a few.

 

[dnschmidt]

Actually, in Germany there is a great preference for folding rules over tape measures. They believe the folding rules to be more accurate.

 

[wrenchguy]

Old school. Use it about everyday, there's a special pocket in my bibs for it.

 

[astroracer]

The folding rules are used a lot by masons. They have a layout system used for spacing and setting bricks.
Mark

 

[crugg65]

One of the best tools to use for layout work! I use it for wood working,metal work, welding, setup new rows in my garden and masonry. You use it like a combination square but use your thumb to lock side of stick ruler to scribe lines on you work! I prefer it over a tape measure and more accurate. I’ve seen 90 degree hook or catch on end of tape measure have almost 3/8 of an inch deflection! Yes that does make me mad [emoji34]. I look for inside read stick rules because you can open it just a few folds or sticks and lay it upright to make it easier to see numbers to transfer lines to your work!


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[Dagny]

sheet metal and ductwork conduit black pipe refrigeration piping. Have one in my back pocket daily.

 

[thandley]

I use them to measure things on a ceiling or other area I can't easily reach.

 

[thickhead]

All my folding rulers are in 10ths because they are perfect for checking grades.

 

[quattro_sinko]

Actually, in Germany there is a great preference for folding rules over tape measures. They believe the folding rules to be more accurate.

Exactly this. As a craftsman and a finish guy, if you want to reliably measure to the 32nd (or better) a folding rule is the only way to go, unless whatever you're measuring is small enough for calipers.

That having been said, folding rules aren't my preferred go to if I'm framing.

 

[The Cobbler]

folding rules are great for layout work, measuring for kitchen cabinets, and all sorts of stuff.

 

[crasher98]

Stiff >> droopy

 

[oldwino]

All my folding rulers are in 10ths because they are perfect for checking grades.

X2
Tough to hold a tape while using a hand level

 

[jsaw]

Sometimes they are just more handy than a tape measure. Measuring the depth of a hole is one that I think of. Laying out things sometimes is easier with the folding rule.

 

[Git]

'inside' measurements. Like inside of a drawer or cabinet for example. Slide the little metal part out for an exact measurement

 

[PureLeaf]

Archaeological excavation work uses them alot. Could we use a regular tape? sure but for some reason its always been folding rules since I was trained.

 

[RTM]

Actually, in Germany there is a great preference for folding rules over tape measures. They believe the folding rules to be more accurate.

Seems most of Europe feels that way. See lots of them on truck side logos when visiting. I’ve got a few metric and plastic ones I’ve picked up over there, some 1m some 2m. The 1m fits in the leg pocket much nicer than the 2m.

I like mine with the sliding segment for interior trim work, fitting blinds, shelves, squaring cabinets. Etc

 

[mark#3]

Linemen use them all the time

 

[HenryAZ]

folding rules are great for layout work

This is its main advantage, when you need something to lay flat on your workpiece on the bench, e.g., laying out things on a stick, like cabinets, doors, entrance features, mantels, etc., and working with the project as you finish it. As others mentioned, the little slide out for taking inside measurements, but not all folders have them. I agree with the Europeans as well, they are more accurate at the 1/16" level than tapes. To me, tapes are great for rough work (carpentry) and longer distances. I used a folder (usually Lufkin) when working in a millwork shop for 25 years. All of us did. I think there may have been one tape laying around the shop somewhere for very occasional use. My work pants typically wore out the right rear pocket first, where I kept the rule.

I collect the old folders, like this Stanley:

 

[Rc_Guy]

I used mine allot for measuring when I installed fire sprinklers.

 

[lardy1]

Cabinetry and woodworking layout.

 

[59 wagon man]

bathroom layout

 

[dr_clyde]

Every pipe fitter I’ve ever worked with used a stick rule to lay out pipe offsets and such.

 

[bob15]

Reading ground heights via a transit

 

[Renegade1LI]

Every mason uses one, they have the brick spacing scale for layout. Most surveyors still use an engineer rule, it is 100ths scale on one side & fractional on the other, it's a must have for site work. I still see some tradesman using them, I have one in every box, plus if you wear carpenter jeans they fit nice in the leg ruler pocket or utility pocket as they are called now.

 

[neophyte]

There aren’t many easily portable “safe” measuring devices for electrical eork were you might run into live circuits.
Fiberglass folding rules are one of the safer options, and you can actually purchase safety certified one.
Wood also works.
(Technically there are flexible fiberglass tapes that can be used, as well as “non-conductive” tspes similar to a regular tape measure, but the latter are a weird Japanese thing)

Personal preference for folding rules are actually folding dtainless riles, with folding aluminum a close second.
The stainless rules fold up really compactly, and lay fairly flat when unfolded.
The aluminum aren’t quite as good.
They used to be more common.
I gave a BMI one from BMI in Germany( although I’m not sure if it was German made)
Otherwise, Shinwa in Japan seems to make stainless ones. I’m not sure who else other than some companies in China.
Aluminum folding rules are available from BMI in Germany, and Hultafors in Sweden.
I presume there might be other manufacturers but don’t know them off the top of my head.

For wood I usually just go with Lufkin.

 

[MFortie]

Used mine just the other day for laying out the steel for my slab. Unfolded as a “L” with enough on the lower leg to measure 18” O.C. and the vertical leg long enough so I didn’t need to bend over. Bump the bar with my foot to get it where I wanted.

 

[jeepnut24]

I use them for measuring inside diameters. The little metal slide out makes that perfect. Last use was trimming out a window and used it to get an accurate inside measurement for trim.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I always keep a free extra, just in case.

 

[sick467]

The two I have set on a shelf as wall art. They were Grandpa's...he was a carpenter. I guess I'll have to remember to get one down and try'em out the next time I am laying something out on the bench. I get frustrated with my tape measure as it wants to retract at the worst possible moment. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Aaron_W]

They are also much more useful than a tape to give scale in a photo. I build scale models so sometimes need to take a photo of a part I want to add detail to or scratch build, but won't have access to at it a later time.

A folding rule is much easier than a tape to prop up next to or actually on the item so I can reference the measurement in the photo later. It can also be folded into an L giving both a vertical and horizontal reference. It could even be folded into a triangle or square giving more points of reference although I can't recall ever doing so.

The cloth tapes used for sewing can be pretty handy at times as well. I keep all three in my camera bag, a 3 foot cloth tape, a 6 foot wood folder and a small 12 foot tape measure as well as a note book.

 

[strutaeng]

Yeah, I have a few myself as well for doing field work. I learned from an older gentleman that the finish on it makes it better to read when snapping a photo if using a camera flash. The Mylar on the tape measure tends reflect more the light of the flash.

There are mason scales, regular 1/16 fractional, and engineer scales. And some have that sliding brass depth guage that is very useful. I just use the regular fractional ones. Agreed with what everyone has mentioned. They are handy.

I think mine are all Lufkin. I had bought an older Craftsman at a yard sale one. Unfortunately, one of my little ones tried to open it like an accordion and snapped it. I was pretty upset for a few days. But you can find them regularly used for cheap.

The downsides are that a) they are only 6 ft long and b) they need cleaning/lubrication if you get mud on them.

But otherwise very useful measuring/layout tools.

 

[finn]

That’s pretty much all I saw carpenters use growing up in the late fifties and early sixties.

Tapes were commonly fifty or a hundred feet long, but a folding rule was used for layout work.

Remember, rooms in a house were typically smaller than what you find in modern construction too.

 

[decableguy2000]

Use one for framing utility poles, for measuring hardware spacing. Doesn't conduct, and get floppy.

 

[Chuck122]

Use them installing machines in factories. Very handy for laying out the machines on the floor as it lays flat. You can also use them to draw straight lines unlike a tape

 

[Dumber than lumber]

One of the few words of child-raising advice my dad gave me was in context of folding rulers. He said that when my kids broke tools like we broke his folders to not get angry like he had.