metric rule

[Jason Musgrave]

Long story short I need a new metric rule and I guess I'm kinda picky about this stuff. Are folks really paying $300+ for them or is there something I'm missing? I'd be totally happy with another one just like my 30+ year old unit - meter long, rigid steel (1.25" wide), metric only (both sides), etc, etc.

[Curt Goodrich]

I've got one of these-
C635-1000 1000mm Spring-Tempered Steel Rule with Millimeter Graduations, Graduations at mm and 1/2mm on Both Sides

Not inexpensive but less loot than what you were asking about.

[zetroc]

The C635-1000 can be had for under 200 on the bay - here's one for $182 with free shipping.

Starrett C635 1000 Steel Rule Spring Tempered 1000mm | eBay

[Michael Gordon]

Check out McMaster Carr ( McMaster-Carr ). They have 1 meter aluminum rules starting at about $5, and 610 mm cork backed stainless rules for about $10. These work fine for me, but hey, I'm only half way through my first frame, so take that for what it is worth. I'll say however, my front triangle came out straight as an arrow when I checked out on an alignment table at friends shop.

McMaster also has a 48" stainless backed metric/inch rule for about $40, and they have the certified precision rules for upwards of $650. Huge selection... Check it out.

My only thought is, consider how precisely you can cut a tube with a hack saw blade and file, before you decide on the precision you need form your rule.

Mike Gordon
Highland Park, IL

[Jonathan]

Wade Patton linked me to some guy named metric Mike or something on eBay who sells really nice Japanese metric rules. Higher quality stuff.

[Rosko]

General still make their stuff right here in NY: Stainless Steel Rulers, Standard, Certified, Imprinted and Custom Manufactured most are available through McMaster-Carr

[WadePatton]

Wade Patton linked me to some guy named metric Mike or something on eBay who sells really nice Japanese metric rules. Higher quality stuff.

Yeah, Love those. I have multiples--not sure if he sells "metric only" as mine have that pesky monarch-based system on the "off" side.

This guy, but he just has combos. rule from mikemetric | eBay

But i did see some other good-looking rules on the 'bay. Think Japanese yo.

[Alistair]

Long story short I need a new metric rule and I guess I'm kinda picky about this stuff. Are folks really paying $300+ for them or is there something I'm missing? I'd be totally happy with another one just like my 30+ year old unit - meter long, rigid steel (1.25" wide), metric only (both sides), etc, etc.

I bought a set of these, Stainless-Steel Cabinetmaker's Rules - Lee Valley Tools

They've served me well for the last few years. I'd buy them again.

Alistair.

[RylandWB]

I have been wondering about this for a couple weeks and I am really glad someone else asked. This is how I felt when Garro posted that file thread.

[nspace]

I bought a set of these, Stainless-Steel Cabinetmaker's Rules - Lee Valley Tools

They've served me well for the last few years. I'd buy them again.

Alistair.

Thanks for the recommendation; just picked one of these up at local Lee Valley this evening.

[EricKeller]

I hate the combined metric/inch rules. Amazon has 50 variations in mitutoyo rules alone, and I didn't see one that didn't have inches. It's annoying when the units you want are on the wrong side of the rule. I'd far rather spend twice as much and get two rules that aren't a compromise out of the box. Lots of companies are going full metric, it would be nice to have proper measuring devices.

[cicli polito]

I hate the combined metric/inch rules... I'd far rather spend twice as much and get two rules that aren't a compromise out of the box.

This is the exact reason I got the starrett 1000mm. 4 sides of goodness, I use it everyday and love it. I couldn't find a full metric mit rule from my local industrial tool supply shop, and even in their catalog the 1000mm (and i think 800mm if i recall?) all metric mits were listed as "special order." As much as I have used it over the years, I would imagine "cost per use" is in the $0.05 or less range. pretty cheap when you think about it.

[ryker]

I got the cabinetmakers rule linked above (from Lee Valley). Really love the half mm markings.

[Michael Gordon]

I like quality tools as much as the next guy, but as I see it, my rule is still only as accurate as my ability to mark a line on a tube next to the mark on rule which I am holding against the tube with my steady hand. That of course followed by my surgical hack saw blade and laser precision bastard file. I got my 610mm stainless steel cork backed rule from McMaster Carr for about $10. The markings are nice and clean as compared to some of the fat markings you might find on a cheaper rule at the local office supply store. It is by far not the most expensive rule out there, but not the cheapest either and it serves me well.

I'm not knocking anyone who spends their hard earned coin on an expensive tool. I have plenty of expensive tools that I typically justify by not having someone to do the job for me... like the $300 chain saw I bought and used one summer to cut down a handful of junk trees. To hire someone would have cost more, but now I have a chainsaw! I also could have purchased a cheaper chain saw, but following "Bob's Law" (my dad), "it might come in handy some day", I bought a really nice chain saw.

Let's face it, much (not all... ie. affordable transportation bikes) of the bicycle industry we deal with is built around want not need. If we knock desire, we knock ourselves... How many speeds do we really need?

eleven two.jpgeleven.jpg

It isn't about how many we need, it is about how many we want... and there is nothing wrong with that.

[WadePatton]

I like quality tools as much as the next guy, but as I see it, my rule is still only as accurate as my ability to mark a line on a tube next to the mark on rule which I am holding against the tube with my steady hand. That of course followed by my surgical hack saw blade and laser precision bastard file. I got my 610mm stainless steel cork backed rule from McMaster Carr for about $10.

See post #9 for bargain precision, made in Japan.

(i checked, he as a 600 and a 1000 up now, FujiCorona. I think i have 3 rules from "mikemetric" now. Good stuff)

[EricKeller]

the rules with inches on one surface and metric on the other are a big improvement over the ones with both units on the same side. Putting both units on the same side belies a lack of understanding on how rules are actually made and used, and are an abomination that belong at the recycling center. How long until this plague passes? The lee Valley rules are cheap enough that I could buy two different versions without pain, but for some reason mixed units is now the only choice

[Mike Mcdermid]

the rules with inches on one surface and metric on the other are a big improvement over the ones with both units on the same side. Putting both units on the same side belies a lack of understanding on how rules are actually made and used, and are an abomination that belong at the recycling center. How long until this plague passes? The lee Valley rules are cheap enough that I could buy two different versions without pain, but for some reason mixed units is now the only choice

rules are so yesterday...the in thing now is slip gauges