[99rjlehn]

In the Summer 2006 issue of wood carving Illustrated, author Lora Irish was using a metal ruler. It looks like it would be helpful in laying out grid lines for chip carving. I was wondering where I could purchase one
thanks

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Not sure what ruler you are talking about, but I would go to woodcraft first when looking for something like that...

[mdallensr]

Denni Moor, of Chipping Away, sells an aluminum device made to lay-out chip carving grids. He demonstrated it at his chip carving session at the WCI Open House in Sept. Mike www.chippingaway.com

[mdallensr]

Try Chipping Away at chippingaway dot com. Mike

[heineda]

99rjlehn,

I think what you are looking for is the incra precision ruler or the precision t-square. I use the t-square, and I put the tip of the pencil in the hole, and drag the t-rule down the board. Woodcraft sells it:
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=443

For more information about the Incra tools:
http://www.incra.biz/Products/RulesTRules.html
and
http://www.incra.biz/Products/RulesSpecialty.html

I find the Incra rules to be invaluable for laying out chip carving patterns. I have and use the t-square, center-finding ruler and protractor.

Chipping,
Dan Heine

[BobD]

Actually, I think Lora was just using an ordinary flexible metal ruler, and they are available at most office supply stores (I got mine at Staples). They are inexpensive and very durable; I use mine for it's intended purpose (measuring) but we've got another here in the office that we use solely for as a straight edge for cutting with a hobby knife.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

those incra tools look like they would be very useful! I personally use a transparent 6 inch ruler, lets me see underneath....hummm incra....my kids have been asking my wife what I want!!

[99rjlehn]

Thanks, The incra tools sold at woodcraft.com, are what I'm looking for thanks for the help

[Irish]

Hi 99,

It's Susan to my firends here on the message board. Lora is the offical ... sign your name on the dotted line handle.

I have c-thrus, incas and inexpensive rulers that you can pick up at Staples, Office Supply or just about any hardware store. My inca set is a t-square, which I love except that I can never find the mechanical pencil that goes with it

My ruler has a little added feature. I also purchased 1/16" cork board when I got my rulers. I cut a strip about 1/8" narrower than the ruler's width and super glued that to the center back of the ruler. For me that is the centimeter side as I use the English inches for my measurements.

That cork board does two wonderful things. First it grips what ever I am working on - basswood, birch plywood, paper. It never slides out on me!

Second it raises the ruler slightly above the surface so I can see under that thin lip of the ruler. I get perfect pencil placement that way.

Susan

[Irish]

Hi 99,

I use Incas, C-Thrus and the cheapies that you can get at Staples. I love my Inca as it is a T-Square but I am always miss placing the mechanical ruler that goes with it. C-thrus are great because they are transparent so you get accurate placement.

On my metal rulers I adapt them just a touch. I buy a sheet of 1/16" or 1/8" cork board. It comes in small rolls and you can get it at both hardware stores and office supply stores. Cut a strip of cork 1/4" narrower then the width of your metal ruler. Super glue that to the back side of your ruler, for me this is the metric side.

That cork will keep the ruller from slipping, it graps whatever surface you use the ruler on. And it raises the ruler off the surface so you can see under the ruler's edge for accurate placement.

I do use C-thru rulers for pattern placement but never during the carving stage. I sliced off the outer edge of one once when I was pulling a straight line with my bench knife ... Dumb Susan!

Susan