WHAT KIND OF MEASURING TOOLS?

[zzmikeg]

Hello Leather People

I keep thinking that a 2x3" inch or 3x4"  inch (mini?) steel square would come in handy.  I know it depends on what's being measured and all that, but I mean in general.  Does anyone use one of these?

Also - Now that I'm thinking about it, can we do a sort of "impromptu" poll on what folks use to measure out their projects? I'm still a newb and trying everything to see what works, or is most practical.

So far I have a 6, 12, 18 inch ruler, combination square, square, tape measure, compass, but I keep wondering about one of those mini squares.

Thanks in advance!

[wizard of tragacanth]

For measuring, I often use a transparent orange, plastic 12" ruler, and for cutting, I use a cork-backed 12" stainless steel ruler.

I have a 48" stainless steel ruler, to cut the long straight edge that I need for a strap cutter.

I don't need a square because I don't make anything square, in leather. Maybe some day though, I will make a wallet.

nick

[Grumpymann]

I have and use 5 different kinds of transparent grid rulers all with a 0 point in center. 2 are 2 inches wide, a 24 inch and a 12 inch. 2 are 1 inch wide 12 inch and a 3 inch. And the last is 1 1/2 inch wide and 8 inches long square. Those are my main ones. About 3 to 4 dollars American. https://www.amazon.com/Westcott-12-Inch-Beveled-Transparent-B-70/dp/B001THRMGS/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt5zsBRD8ARIsAJfI4Bi1tcGsS2RD9TorVDcpMVhbjk5rrOQtFe_xR6_xi8HxnsRbAp8xewYaAvJcEALw_wcB&hvadid=174210550008&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=1024620&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=7139902621506263621&hvtargid=aud-647006051489%3Akwd-150120118857&hydadcr=24657_9648987&keywords=plastic+grid+ruler&qid=1569149221&s=gateway&sr=8-3 . I also have a cork backed steel one 12 inches, a 24 inch steel ruler and finally a 48 inch ruler for when I really want to get my measuring on.

[mike02130]

I recently bought that exact square.  I really like it for squaring up straps and handles.  

[battlemunky]

I use a Johnson square, an Olfa quilters thingy, an aluminum meter stick (for longer runs), and a steel ruler (metric and imperial units on each side). I put non-slip tape on them so they don't move, all except the Olfa thingy since it is frosted and doesn't move anyhow.

 

 

Edited September 22, 2019 by battlemunky
fixed pic upload

[battlemunky]

That quilter's square thingy was a great addition to the measuring toolbox.

[zzmikeg]

Thanks for all the great input.

[Tugadude]

Do yourself a favor and buy a clear centering ruler.  Mine also has hole spacing guides on it.

[zzmikeg]

2 hours ago, Tugadude said:

Do yourself a favor and buy a clear centering ruler.  Mine also has hole spacing guides on it.

Tugadude,

To my chagrin I've seen but have never really known, or thought about, what a centering ruler really  was until now. And holy crap, I'll be doing myself a HUGE favor by getting one.  Thanks for that.

[Tugadude]

Yes, happy to help.  They are great for centering snaps on things and pretty much any time you need to keep an even margin on both sides of a component.

[zzmikeg]

On 9/27/2019 at 5:27 AM, Tugadude said:

Yes, happy to help.  They are great for centering snaps on things and pretty much any time you need to keep an even margin on both sides of a component.

I'll never get back all the time I spent on doing what my new centering ruler effortlessly does for me, but at least now I have one.  Thanks for the great suggestion. I love this thing.  Thick, clear, one beveled edge, one metal edge.

I get so much help from this site that I try to contribute whenever I can.  Below are some pics in case someone finds them helpful. Pics often make all the difference.
(Amazon, $7)

 

[Tugadude]

Awesome, so glad it helped!

[battlemunky]

I picked up a centering ruler too, all because of this thread. I still haven't been sold on it but I haven't tried to find the center of anything yet either. It was 6 bucks at Hobby Lobby.

[toxo]

For centering those rulers look good. I just measure roughly and set my wing dividers to half that and mark from each side. Quicker to do than to write.

As wizard mentioned sometimes you need a straight line for the strap cutter. I was lucky and found a galvanised wide angle iron that does that job but before I found that I used a "ping" line. Which is just a piece of string with chalk dust on it. Just pull it taut, pull up in the middle and let go. nice straight line as long as you want it. Here's the proper tool for the job but any piece of string will do.