I have always been curious… Why are folding rules predominately made 6ft? Lumber is in increments of 8ft. I own a Lufkin 8 footer, inside reading. Makes work alot easier but why a 6 footer?
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WAG here, but I don't typically use my folding rule for anything over maybe four feet.
So a six footer would be too long for me. Can't imagine what an eight footer is good for.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
doors, windows and trim...
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Reynolds, I never could see the point to useing a folding rule. I'm 40 and been doing this line of work for 24 years and I just cant see why people use them. Is it some kind of ''old school thing" or am I just a younger than you guys punk!! An older friend of mine helps me part time and he uses it. Its funny to watch him take 25 seconds to bring it in and out. I found it fun when I was a kid to play with it. Whats the advantage?
-Lou
It's flat, it's accurate and it feels good in my back pocket.[email protected]
In truth, the only time I see them as an advantage is when bending metal on a brake.
Aside from that, I can't think of the last time I used one with any regularity.
Alotta plumbers I know still use them, and I can see the benefits there as well. Again.....for short measurements.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
My guess would be that I can reach the top of a 6 foot rule to mark. then measure down to that.
it saves paint
one less black diamond to put on it.
over the course of eight million rulers that adds up to OUNCES of paint!!
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion"
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
When I first started, metal retracting tapes were not widely available. The first ones were so light weight and short, they wouldn't last a week. All the carpenters used 6' Luftkin red end rules. Talk about a pain and the need for accuracy. I used to be able to whip one open in a second. Most of our arm spans aren't eight feet. It would take a second movement to open those. Young guys have it so easy today, windows come as one unit, doors are pre-hung, there are sliding compound saws and you even have electricity on job sites. What a bunch of Sallies.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I couldn't have said it better myself.
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Hope all is going OK with the family, Piffin. I'm going through something similar. Hospice care has been a real help for us. Good to see you chime in.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Just on a side note....
When using a folding rule, how would you call out an 8'4" measurment?
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I was always told to say " .....6' -28 inches...." Never try to add the sums in your head no matter how simple. Less room for errors.
I started with a wooden 6 foot folding ruler, I kept useing one cause i worked with older carpenters, I still keep one in the truck but see nobody in Or that uses them, when i came here they laughed, Maybe they were younger and never used them or something, When i started we used 50 foot tapes for layout but they were hand rewind and even cloth not metal There is nothing better then a wood ruler with metal slide out for inside measurments.
I think wallpaper hangers still use them.
And I had to measure in my bare feet uphill both ways....
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
What? No snow? Big deal
Barry E-Remodeler
He had to make his own snow.Youngsters these days expecting snow to just fall from the sky. Harumph.;)'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
We were so poor if we wanted snow we had to shave the ice off of our bed sheets!!.
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
You had bedsheets?
We used to scrape the ice offa our upper lips.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
Maw and Paw called 'em bed sheets but we found out they was just old feed bags...and we had to scrape the ice with our lips cause we couldnt afford teethis's..and our ice froze at minus 50 degrees....
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
.
.
.
If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
My father was a plumber, I never saw him use a tape mesure, always his folding 6'.
He could whip it out and take a measurment faster than him whiping out his zippo with one hand and lighting his cig. Both always amazed me on the speed. I still have dad's 6'er for a keepsake, I tried using it, just couldn't get the hang of it!!
When you have to do anything fifty plus times a day, you get pretty good at it. Most of the plumbers I knew used white rules. Easier to see in a dark basement where they hang out. Try not to pinch your fingers while practicing.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
yeah well, i'd do it the old way too if i could buy a new house for $3000 and a new car for $200 like you old guys probably did.