Square instead of tape measure - Advice needed

[Art Mann]

Here is me & my shop. Plus you can see some of Woodpeckers Tools behind me.

Attachment 339949 Attachment 339950

I don't know about the Woodpecker tools but those suspenders in the first picture are really something special.

[mreza Salav]

For marking I often use one of these (very handy):
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/pag...=1,43513,58883

I also have 6", 12", 24", 48" rules that I use for marking/measuring up to these sizes. Tape measure is used for things beyond 4'.

[Stew Hagerty]

Speaking of Lee Valley... I have 3 of their Precision Pocket Squares, including one that is always in my apron pocket. They have all of the advantages of a 6" rule,along with those of a hook rule, not to mention a square.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/pag...73&cat=1,42936

[lowell holmes]

For longer distances, a drywall square works, for the work bench a combination square works for me.

[Greg Hines, MD]

I would come to the defense of Woodpeckers. I have several of their one-time tools, as well as numerous other examples of their layout tools. They are excellently made, and I think worth the extra cost. They also have some very clever tools that nobody else have made.

Doc.

[Chris Parks]

I've had the 6" for years and it can be a bit fussy. For it's intended use as a marking and layout tool it is exceptional. As a general measuring device a simple pocket rule is quicker an easier.

That is exactly my experience also. I would recommend one of these to anyone as it gives exactly repeatable precision in use. I have one of Incra's flexible rules and never use it except to set dividers because as a visual measuring rule it does not work for me.

[Stew Hagerty]

I would come to the defense of Woodpeckers. I have several of their one-time tools, as well as numerous other examples of their layout tools. They are excellently made, and I think worth the extra cost. They also have some very clever tools that nobody else have made.

Doc.

I couldn't agree more Greg.

[Tom Hammond]

http://www.lufkintool.com/rules/fold...-red-endr.html

I've used these for 50 years. First time people see them, they say "What the...?... is that?" in a derogatory way. But, they are dead on and easy to use. Once you get in the habit of using them, you'll only use a tape for long lengths.

[Nick Nelson]

What tape measure are you using?

[Robby Tacheny]

I was using an older Stanley tape metal body tape measure. It actually recently broke. After getting a new one I realize the hook on the end of the tape may have had the slots open up over time. The new one has less play, so that could have been a small part of my issue.

Ultimately I am sure it was just as much me as the tape, but I did make less errors when using combination square.

Robby

[Ed Aumiller]

Agree with Tom Hammond

[Ben Rivel]

I use the Woodpeckers T square in a 24" size mentioned earlier along with the Woodpeckers 1" rule stop on my Starrett ruler blades which I have up to 24". Both work great and both will last multiple lifetimes with how well I take care of my tools!

[Allan Speers]

I have one of these and love it! I use it all the time. They also have 12" and 32" sizes available.

http://www.woodpeck.com/tsquare24.html

I have 2 of these, 12" and 24", and love them. If I was buying again, I'd get 12" and 32". I sometimes wish the "T" part was a little wider (more like a square) but that's being really picky. Also note: I find it easier to use a sharpened pencil rather than their mechanical pencil, as the latter (even at 9mm) tends to break when used in those little holes. A regular pencil is more robust.

I wanted to have a 6" as well, for carrying around, so I got their 6"saddle square, which serves both functions really well:
http://www.woodpeck.com/sdltsqr.html#3127

You could also get one of these, with a ruler attached:
http://www.woodpeck.com/hookstop.html

---------------

The problem with most Woodpeckers stuff is, you can't just order them. You have to wait (sometimes years) for the next run, which is simply absurd. Alternately, you can sometimes find them on Ebay.

[Allan Speers]

[QUOTE=John Lankers;2579385]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned the Incra t-rule. Which is available in 6, 12, and 18 inch lengths. Very easy to be accurate

X2

I hate those things ! I had two of them, and promptly sold them off. (replaced with Woodpeckers).

The problem is it's very hard to read them or find your mark quickly. It's a dull, dark color withou much contrast, and waaaay too many little holes. I can't imagine ever needing to measure to 1/32", let alone 1/64".

Also, they are extremely flexible. Maybe that's an advantage for some odd situation, but not in my shop.

[Stew Hagerty]

I have 2 of these, 12" and 24", and love them. If I was buying again, I'd get 12" and 32". I sometimes wish the "T" part was a little wider (more like a square) but that's being really picky. Also note: I find it easier to use a sharpened pencil rather than their mechanical pencil, as the latter (even at 9mm) tends to break when used in those little holes. A regular pencil is more robust.

I wanted to have a 6" as well, for carrying around, so I got their 6"saddle square, which serves both functions really well:
http://www.woodpeck.com/sdltsqr.html#3127

You could also get one of these, with a ruler attached:
http://www.woodpeck.com/hookstop.html

---------------

The problem with most Woodpeckers stuff is, you can't just order them. You have to wait (sometimes years) for the next run, which is simply absurd. Alternately, you can sometimes find them on Ebay.

I often use a sharp pencil as well. I have the saddle square in the 12" size, and this in the 6" size: http://www.woodpeck.com/ott1pctsqare.html

My 50" Rule came with a Rulestop installed: http://www.woodpeck.com/rule50.html

But then I also have one of these that I can use with any of my 3 Rules (6", 12", 24"): http://www.woodpeck.com/rule50.html

My favorite Rules though are the Paolini Rules. I have the 6" & 18" Pocket Rules and a 24" Bench Rule: http://www.woodpeck.com/ottpaolini2013.html & http://www.woodpeck.com/ottbenchrule2013.html