Almost-perfect 6" Rulers
A
ccuracy is an important skill to develop when
woodworking. A tape measure keeps track of
the big stuff and dial calipers let you check your
small-scale work. But for everything in between
you should have a proper 6" steel ruler – commonly called a “rule” in woodworking parlance. Itʼs
the right tool for checking mortise depths, tenon
widths, material thickness while planing, and itʼs
indispensible to set up routers and saws.
But finding a perfect 6" rule has proven to be
an elusive goal in our shop. We took a close look
at the 10 most common 6" rules and found that
none is perfect, but two come close.
Readability: Avoid Shiny Objects
The readability of a rule is the result of the steelʼs
finish and the engravingsʼ quality (or lack of engravings). Reject any rule that doesnʼt have a satin
finish or has the scale merely applied to the steel,
rather than engraved. All the rules in this test have
a satin finish, which reduces glare. Also, all the
rules tested have engraved markings.
Scale: When Imperialism is Good
While the metric system is important for measuring soda volume and the wrenches for your Italian
band saw, most woodworkers in the United States
have stuck with inches. A decent rule should have
separate scales for 1⁄ 64, 1⁄ 32, 1⁄ 16 and 1⁄ 8.
Also useful is a scale on the end of the rule
– usually itʼs only 1⁄ 2" long. Hold the end scale up
to a bit or blade to measure its height.
Conclusions
After comparing and using the 10 rules, only two
– Shinwa and Starrett – fulfilled our needs. Both
Good Features
The Starrett is graduated in 1⁄ 32" and 1⁄ 64" on the
front (top) and 1⁄ 16" and 1⁄ 8" on the back (bottom).
Four very usable scales are presented in a very
readable fashion. The 1⁄ 2" end-scale (graduated in
1⁄
32") on the back is an amazing help in tool set-up.
rules are thick enough to be durable and offer end
scales and proper scales that are easy to read.
The Starrett is thicker than the Shinwa (.045"
compared to .032"), and if your eyes are at the
age where small lines are getting fuzzy, the 1⁄ 64"
scale on the Starrett is easier to read. However,
the Shinwa is one-third the price of the Starrett
– a significant savings. Our choice for best rule
is a tie between the Starrett and Shinwa. Both
earn a “Recommended” rating. None earn our
“Highly Recommended” rating – the Starrett is
too expensive and the Shinwa is too thin.
We canʼt recommend any of the other rules in
our test. Theyʼve devoted space to metric scales,
the scales are too convoluted to decipher or the
scales are unusable in woodworking. Who needs
1⁄
100 of an inch? WM
Bad Features
The Rabone is graduated in 1⁄ 32" and 1⁄ 10" on the
front (top) and millimeters and half-millimeters on
the back (bottom) – only one useful scale to woodworkers, and it’s presented in a nearly unreadable
fashion. And there’s no end-scale.
Recommended
Shinwa #60N47.01
Starrett #061511
Not
Recommended
Bridge City #SR-6
General #CF616
Hartville Tool #13394
Highland #063020
Incra #39091
Lee Valley #06K20.06
Rabone #39N10.01
Woodcraft #129207
— David Thiel, senior editor
6" Steel Rulers
BRAND
Bridge City #SR-6
General #CF616
Hartville Tool #13394
Highland #063020
Incra #39091
Lee Valley #06K20.06
Rabone #39N10.01
Shinwa #60N47.01
Starrett #061511
Woodcraft #129207
PRICE
$9.95
$6.99
$9.99
$9.99
$13.99
$1.40
$8.95
$4.95
$16.99
$11.99
MATERIAL
SS
SS
STS
SS
SS
SS
SCF
SHS
STS
STS
RULE SI Z E
.042" x 3⁄ 4"
.021" x 15⁄ 32"
.042" x 3⁄ 4"
.042" x 3⁄ 4"
.010" x 15⁄ 8"
.024" x 9⁄ 16"
.018" x 3⁄ 4"
.032" x 3⁄ 4"
.045" x 3⁄ 4"
.044" x 3⁄ 4"
FRONT SCALES
1⁄
16";
1⁄
32";
1⁄
10";
1⁄
100"
1⁄
8";
1⁄
32";
1⁄
64"
1⁄
16";
1⁄
32"
1⁄
16";
E
E
All
1⁄
32";
1⁄
10"
1⁄
32";
1⁄
64"
1⁄
32";
1⁄
64"
1⁄
32";
1⁄
64";
E
BACK SCALES
C O N TA C T I N F O R M AT I O N
.5mm; 1mm
1⁄
1
32"; ⁄ 64"
1⁄
32"; 1mm
.5mm; 1mm
None
None
.5mm; 1mm
1⁄
1
8"; ⁄ 16"; E
1⁄
1
8"; ⁄ 16"; E
.5mm; 1mm
800-253-3332; bridgecitytools.com
amazon.com
800-345-2396; hartvilletool.com
800-241-6748; tools-for-woodworking.com
800-279-4441; rockler.com
800-871-8158; leevalley.com
800-221-2942; garrettwade.com
800-871-8158; leevalley.com
800-241-6748; tools-for-woodworking.com
800-225-1153; woodcraft.com
SS = stainless steel; STS = stainless tempered steel; SCF = stainless chrome face; SHS = stainless hardened steel; E = end scales
woodworking-magazine.com
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