What is this ruler designed for

[MeNeedGarage]

This is my Grandfathers ruler. He was an electrician in a lumber mill. Any idea if this was designed for something special. Notice that the high numbers are on the left. The other side is the same way?



http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=482543&stc=1&d=1443640079

http://garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=482544&stc=1&d=1443640079

 

[nickleone]

To measure.
The fact that it folds to about 6in and easily fits in a pocket of your overalls.
Plus the pull out is great for round or square stock measurements.
I have one or or two of those.


Nick

 

[jkwilson]

I thinks it's just a standard pocket ruler. I'm sure they were very handy. Stanley made a bunch of them.

 

[404]

That is really cool. Never seen one with a hook like that.
No clue what it is for, but if you find out let us know.
Is the company still around?

 

[neophyte]

That appears to be a traditional boxwood four fold rule with a built in slide caliper.

That type of rule was traditionally used by cabinetmakers, many if not most of whom probably had one. Other craftsman and trades would have also carried and used them similar to the way tape measures are common nowadays.

It's still possible to purchase newly made plastic versions.

 

[logical]

I have (or had, haven't seen it in a while) one like that. I think the sliding part is used like a caliper and the rest is just an ordinary ruler.

 

[PBCampbell]

I think it's been missed that it's divided by 12ths and 16ths. I have no idea on 12ths of an inch as that doesn't ring any bells for me, but must have been trade specific at some time. Very nice example none the less.

I don't think it's intended as a caliper substitute as it doesn't have a second jaw to register against. There were wood bodied calipers though.

Dutchgray makes an interesting post below as to the usefulness of a scale divided in 12ths. I just can't recall ever seeing one.

An architect's or planners scale did use 12ths, but little need for the hook or folding feature for drafting. Indeed that would seem to be a hindrance.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Like neo said, it is a boxwood with a caliper. Should be a stanley from the looks of it. I have one like that and a few smaller ones, a 12" that folds in half with no caliper and a 6" folding one with a caliper.

 

[dutchgray]

12ths are useful as it gives you 3rds and 6ths as well, which you cant easily do otherwise.

 

[logical]

I think it's been missed that it's divided by 12ths and 16ths. I have no idea on 12ths of an inch as that doesn't ring any bells for me, but must have been trade specific at some time. Very nice example none the less.

I don't think it's intended as a caliper substitute as it doesn't have a second jaw to register against. There were wood bodied calipers though.

Dutchgray makes an interesting post below as to the usefulness of a scale divided in 12ths. I just can't recall ever seeing one.

My guess would be for scaling building (or maybe furniture) plans done in 1 inch = 1 foot (1/12) scale?

 

[LumpyMusic]

My guess would be for scaling building (or maybe furniture) plans done in 1 inch = 1 foot (1/12) scale?

That's what I'd think. 1/12 is the Ken/Barbie/GI Joe scale.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[nickleone]

PBCampbell,
When the ruler is folded up the ruler becomes the second jaw.

Nick

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

When I was a kid, I ruined a couple of these by pulling them apart like an accordion.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I get the 1:12 scaling of an architect's ruler.. using those marks to show 1" on a drawing equal to 12" on the real building.. I don't believe that is what this particular ruler (object of this thread) is for.

I do recall something in the calculation of board feet that may relate to or have used 12ths of an inch.. I've checked the web and cannot find anything on it easily though. I'll have to dig out some old college notes (if I still have them) and see if I can recall. Seeing that he worked at a saw mill, this sort of makes sense that 1/12" may have to do with FBM (foot, board measure) in that product arena..

 

[guy48065]

In a lumber mill boards are priced by the board-foot (1"x12"x12" = 1BF). The hook measured the thickness referenced to the shoulder of the wood body. the ruler measured the width.

I'm guessing at the reason for the 1/12 divisions but since an inch = 1/12 foot, the 1/12 inch divisions made the mental calculations easier.

 

[morgaj1]

As said previously, the 1/12th increments are for calculating boardfeet.

 

[Steinmetz]

See USP No. 1432834 to Buck, and assigned to the Lufkin Rule Co.

 

[2oolhound]

I believe that's a log scaler's "scaling stick". When I worked in the bush the government scaler would fly out to our claim and he always packed one of those. He could measure the **** end of a log and determine how many boards could be sawn out of the log with it. We all used to kinda envy him because he was well paid and worked with his head instead of his body.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

See USP No. 1432834 to Buck, and assigned to the Lufkin Rule Co.

It looks like that covers the end extension or "caliper" although I didn't see any practical description of application.. Very interesting...

 

[ttpete]

It looks like that covers the end extension or "caliper" although I didn't see any practical description of application.. Very interesting...

I have a Lufkin version that's a zig zag rule 4 feet long. It calculates the board feet of lumber in a given log. You measure the **** end of the log, and there are scales for 10-12-14-16 and 18 foot long logs that read directly in board feet.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I have a Lufkin version that's a zig zag rule 4 feet long. It calculates the board feet of lumber in a given log. You measure the **** end of the log, and there are scales for 10-12-14-16 and 18 foot long logs that read directly in board feet.

picture? Sounds very cool....

 

[ttpete]

picture? Sounds very cool....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021GPTBQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021GPTBQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Nice.. That little lip is very cleaver..