Replies

1. 
   onder | Nov 20, 2005 10:49pm | #1

   Coastal tools sells folders via the net.

2. 
   EricPaulson | Nov 20, 2005 11:04pm | #2

   If you're talking about a Lufkin Red End Folding Extension Rule; HD sell 'em for around $13.00.

   I use 'em and keep a couple of new ones around too.

   My name is Eric and I have a ruler fetish.

   It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been

    

    

    

   [email protected]

1. 
   plumbbill | Nov 21, 2005 08:48am | #5

   Man it's hard to find anyone who still uses them anymore. I get on my jobs & ask for one & all the young pups give me the stare like I just asked them for a left handed screwdriver or somethin.

   I grew up in the trades using them always an inside read though.

   I got an out side read one I broke it out of frustration. Last year I got one that on one side was decimal feet after screwing up 3 cuts I set fire to it with my torch.

1. 
   EricPaulson | Nov 21, 2005 02:42pm | #6

   When I was a pup, boss ays you show up with three things every day or you go home.

   A ruler, a knife and at least one pencil.

   I try to instill that in the youngins I sometimes work with now. They think I am being 'hard' on them and complain to the boss.

   World's goin' to hell I tell ya......................It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been

    

    

    

   [email protected]

1. 
   dustinf | Nov 22, 2005 12:04am | #10

    and at least one pencil.

   I started out working on my Grandfathers crew, he expected the same, but he would require 2 pencils. I can still hear him, "Never know when you are going to drop one off a ladder."

   He always told me that if I ever went on a job interview with another construction company to make sure I proudly displayed my two pencils. 

   Still using my folding rule everyday, and I'm not even close to old school. 

   Stacy's mom has got it going on.

1. 
   atrident | Nov 23, 2005 12:37am | #21

   Dustinif, your grandfather was a smart man. Mine told me "learn spanish..that way they can't hide behind it. Dang ,those guys were smart even if they only finished a few years of school.

   Keith

3. 
   poorsh | Nov 21, 2005 01:46am | #3

   Lee Valley has them. They also have a sliding insert that serves a a depth gage.

   http://www.leevalley.com

   Cheers

   poorsh

1. 
   piko | Nov 21, 2005 07:07am | #4

   Thankyou all posters...I was acting for my neighbour who says Lee Valley doesn't make them any more. I took him at his word. Hence the Q. The others I'll suss out later.

   CheersAll the best...

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

1. 
   harrisdog43 | Nov 22, 2005 04:15am | #12

   Lee Valley still sells them...don't know if they make them or not. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32560&cat=1,43513

   Actually it is a Starrett and the Harville Tool link is on sale.

1. 
   AaronRosenthal | Nov 22, 2005 04:33am | #13

   I've got one - use it every day.Quality repairs for your home.

   AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada

    

1. 
   piko | Nov 22, 2005 07:39am | #14

   Thankyou one and all...The type my friend is looking for doesn't seem to be made any more. Unlike those you've mainly suggested it has 2 brass knuckles as hinges, and folds into a V before closing. I'd send a pic, but I cannot attach it.All the best...

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

2. 
   rvieceli | Nov 22, 2005 10:18am | #15

   Is this what you are looking for?

    

   http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=103-034&go=1005651

3. 
   DaveRicheson | Nov 22, 2005 03:29pm | #17

   I've got one.

4. 
   piko | Nov 22, 2005 04:40pm | #19

   Bingo - thankyou, my friend.All the best...

   To those who know - this may be obvious. To those who don't - I hope I've helped.

    

4. 
   Jer | Nov 21, 2005 02:56pm | #7

   I used a folding rule for about two years before ever buying a tape, when I was starting out.  I was doing inside trim and shopwork...small stuff.  I still carry one, but use a tape now.

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Nov 21, 2005 07:07pm | #8

   Even with a wide 1" tape, it is hard to beat a 6' folding rule for "stand out" on a windy day.

   I even have one of the old flip and fold rules. I think I saw one in the Lee valley catalog, but it was pricey.

    

   Dave

5. 
   homespice | Nov 21, 2005 08:11pm | #9

   They sell really good, heavy duty, folders here in sweden, look up "hultafors" and see if anyone sell these in the states, they are cheap but great, everyone still uses them here, and many companies are still making them, so keep up the hunt.  Or you can send me a few bucks and I can put one, or twelve!, in the mail for ya!

   yankee quailty in sweden

   Joel

1. 
   ModernHomesInc | Nov 23, 2005 02:09am | #23

   Just curious, are you Swedish or a yankee american building in Sweden? 

1. 
   homespice | Nov 24, 2005 02:03am | #26

   a MAINE YANKEE living and working in Sweden.  Ya think I could have changed climate or landscape, but damn it its just like maine, 'cept the people are thinner!

   Keep up the good work

   Joel

1. 
   ModernHomesInc | Nov 24, 2005 03:33am | #27

   Now that sounds like a challenge. I've had too much sun anyway. Do they take yankee/southern builders there?

1. 
   homespice | Nov 24, 2005 04:10am | #29

   well it has been slow going to be honest.  Also most of the work is just trim and kitchens, most everything is stuco on brick, even int.  It is also very split up with tile setters with special "wet room" certification etc.  culture marked buildings, etc.  There is a lot to figure out.  i still can´t say wrench in swedish.  When I want to buy a tool I bring a picture or draw one when they don´t understand me.  I have much more respect for the chinesse guy I worked with in boston who was in the same position that I am in now.  All you guys with out of counry crews would benefit from this experience!

   Trä är bäst - wood is best

   Joel

2. 
   nnordstrom | Nov 24, 2005 10:24am | #30

   I was over in Sweden this summer and I agree about the Hultafors- they're great, and at about 30-40 kronor (4-5 dollars) they're a great deal. Now if only someone would stock them here in the US. The Swedish rules have a huge advantage over the American ones in my opinion as they are longer and skinnier and fit right into that long and skinny pocket in your Carhartts. Now I always have one with me.

   I had a blast building an addition to my Dad's cabin in Värmland this summer. No plywood, no pressure treated, all galvanized nails and a $25 piece of junk circular saw. Learning all the technical terms in Swedish was fun. I've grown up speaking Swedish with my Dad, but I never learned the specialized vocabulary. I agree that the word "wrench" (especially if you mean an adjustable one) is difficult for non-native speakers.

3. 
   mattias | Nov 24, 2005 04:00pm | #31

   Swedish for adjustable wrench is "skiftnyckel"

6. 
   LeeLamb | Nov 22, 2005 12:27am | #11

   All of mine are Lufkin or Stanleys except for my old "inside slider", an Interlox by the Master Rule Co. in New York.  It doesn't fold but slides.  Really handy for measuring the inside of cabinets.  I keep it out of sight when others are around so some yahoo doesn't try to unfold it and causes it harm (SNAP!).  I haven't seen them in a hardware store for years.  Like my planes, it is probably worth more to a collector than a craftsman, but mine will stay with me until I hang-up my tools for good.

    

   The Hartville Hardware Store carries Starrett.  Go here:

    

   http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12018

    

   This is a huge hardware store/hardwood lumberyard near me.  Good folks to do business with and a huge inventory.  They carry EVERYTHING! And they repair most brands of power tools.

    

   Good luck.

1. 
   Hazlett | Nov 22, 2005 02:37pm | #16

    Hey Lee,

    I use that store a lot myself--- I am in Akron.---- how close are you?

   Stephen

1. 
   LeeLamb | Nov 22, 2005 03:44pm | #18

   Stephen:

   Reminderville, near Geauga Lake.  It's an hour drive, but worth it.

   Lee

    

1. 
   Hazlett | Nov 22, 2005 04:47pm | #20

    Yes---- I know Reminderville

    One of my oldest and best friends lived in Reminderville----although she has since moved---to Aurora I believe. ( she is a School Band director up there)

   Stephen

2. 
   DanH | Nov 23, 2005 01:11am | #22

   If you wanted another one you missed out:
   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6218242741&category=4123
   Winning bid $9.99.

   I found another one with Google but it was 60 bucks.
   If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people

   happy?

   Edited 11/22/2005 5:18 pm by DanH

1. 
   ModernHomesInc | Nov 23, 2005 02:14am | #24

   Here's another:

   http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-WOOD-BRASS-Folding-72-Ruler-BLUE-TIP-USA_W0QQitemZ6229355649QQcategoryZ104038QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

1. 
   onder | Nov 23, 2005 02:33am | #25

   In case it matters, Lufkin has both the 6' and 8'.

   coastal lists both, Im sure other outfits must

   as well.

7. 
   slykarma | Nov 24, 2005 03:54am | #28

   Get the one Lee Valley sells (Starrett) - the extending end is the only way to go for accurate inside measurements. Plus it's 6 ft long rather than 3 ft.

   Lignum est bonum.
8. 
   4Lorn1 | Nov 24, 2005 11:44pm | #32

   While gigging around I found these. I have used folding rules. Still occasionally do. Some of these look better than anything I have owned.

   http://www.wihatools.com/616serie.htm

   Quite a selection. That Swiss made fiberglass number and the miniature one have caught my eye.

   Actually a pretty nice site. Prices seem reasonable. Selection is wide in a lot of categories. Hmmm. I could spend some time just perusing their stock. They say they will send a catalog.