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Any measuring tools with tenths of an inch?

6K views 51 replies 29 participants last post by  HokieKen 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
As an engineer i spend my entire day in the world of thousandths of an inch. Now obviously word working isn't that exact but i prefer to work in my native units if possible. Do you guys know if any measuring tools can be bought with tenths of an inch markings like an engineer square? Google has not been my friend but i could not be using the proper terminology. Any ideas?
 
#28 ·
As said above, once you let go of measuring, and start using a marking knife and gauge, your joints will be more accurate and fit better and faster. Measuring accurately to high degrees is only needed if every part needs to be the same as in mass production. Of course, I'm thinking more hand tool work with planes and chisels, etc, and that may not appeal to you at all. I think the same thing applies in power tool work, but I'm not familiar with it.
 
#29 ·
I don't think anyone said this yet but an old-fashioned engineer's folding wooden measuring stick has inches/imperial on one side and inches divided into 1/10 on the other side. They're used in civil engineering projects all the time when working with road grades. You can find them at any HD, Lowes, Menards, etc. That being said, though, it's easier to just use metric or get comfortable with fractions. I also have a tendency to want precision but as others already said, woodworking isn't the same as machining
 
#31 ·
Let 'em use what he wants. For me realitive measurements are better, but what makes sense to him is good for him. I can't believe some of you want the correct or chastise him for using what he wants to use. Sheesh, so sad,
 
#32 ·
Ehh its fine, just like any advice, ill take it with a grain of salt. I really didnt mean for people to think i only want to use tenth of inch for every solution. It was more or less for those instances where a fraction isnt the best measurement. I really didnt mean to commit woodworking heresy.

Let em use what he wants. For me realitive measurements are better, but what makes sense to him is good for him. I can t believe some of you want the correct or chastise him for using what he wants to use. Sheesh, so sad,

- RobS888
 
#34 ·
I just stop cutting when it fits… Tongue in cheek. I have tools in "tenths" fractional, metric and what the heck just happened it's too short.
I tend to use decimal most of the time. Comes from working in metric for many years. My daughter is working fractions in school and I can't remember how to do it anymore…. working in 10's is way easier. Working in the metric world for 10 years trains the mind to visualize like we do in eighths, quarters and sixteenths…
 
#37 ·
@jimintx Yea i get it, like i said its hard coming from my background of exacting dims to less than exact. I have no problem with fractions, i understand how it can be useful, i just need a little more research into exactly how to tackle those oddball instances that seem to happen more often than not.
 
#38 ·
#39 · (Edited by Moderator)
Where I work, we dim in fractional units with 1/16" resolution. So when we design (using Solid Works) we enter the decimal equivalents to four digits (i.e. 3/16 is keyed as .1875) to keep things matched up and avoid any round off surprises.

After working with them for a while, you just memorize these.

In my own shop, I have 4R rules that go down to 1/64, but I rarely rarely go beyond 1/32" resolution. Even then, given the limitations of my >50 eyes, I usually stick to the 1/16 scale and think in terms of "fat 1/16ths" or "skinny 1/8ths" and eyeball the finer increments)
 
#40 ·
I have one thing to offer up to you for thought.

After getting parts cut perfectly square and to absolute perfect dimensions down to the tenth of an inch, they will still not fit down to the tenths of an inch if there is a delay in assembly.

Pieces I've milled to specific tolerances late in the evening were no longer the appropriate dimensions the next morning. A combination of change in temperature/humidity in my garage shop and the freshly exposed wood being more susceptible to absorption caused wood movement.

I design my items using CAD to exacting tolerances. I then use these designs as a way to calculate needed materials and devise a plan of attack for the project. All measurements/cuts are made in relative terms and on the fly to get to as close to intended as possible.
 
#43 ·
I have, sitting by my desk, a steel 12" ruler by Starrett. Marked in 10ths, 14ths, 16ths, and even 12ths. Haven't a clue as why all the different markings…....One small area is even marked as 50th of an inch. Let me know where to send it…
 
#44 ·
14ths? Can you post a picture, that sounds interesting.

I have a "shrink ruler" which are apparently common but it's a new thing to me. The internet tells me they were used for cast metal so you'd know the size after it cools and shrinks. It came in a box of random machinist tools.
 
#49 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am also an engineer, I work in aviation. You would be surprised how many aircraft parts are "match drilled" instead of drilled to precision plans so that parts actually fit together. I am talking parts that have been cut out with a very high precision machine, but like wood as aircraft stressed no two are alike when you are talking parts that support loads.

That said measurements are important because we buy things like drill bits, router bits, saw blades etc that are a certain measurement. It is a lot easier to do the math in your head when you are working with 0.05 vs 1/16

More often than not I only use plans for ideas and just start cutting wood the sizes I want to and figure out how to put it all together after I have everything cut up.
 
#50 ·
I have, sitting by my desk, a steel 12" ruler by Starrett. Marked in 10ths, 14ths, 16ths, and even 12ths. Haven t a clue as why all the different markings…....One small area is even marked as 50th of an inch. Let me know where to send it…

- bandit571
Now that is a ruler, it can do: 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6. 1/7, 1/8, 1/10
It is only missing 1/9, it needs another scale.
 
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