Measuring and Marking Timber

Hand woodworking Hand woodworking on the end is a millimetre thick, then Checking the width using a the tabs should move by 1mm; this GemRed digital Vernier calliper is so you can measure either internal or external measurements. The offset between the movements in this tape measure should be set but if the tape is dropped or the tab is bent, then the accuracy has been lost. If we do need to measure a longer distance, we would try to hold the tape measure The Richter tape measure can to start on the 100mm mark and then also be used like a pair subtract 100mm after measuring. of compasses Whenever we are buying timber or are in our timber storeroom, we always use these tape measures. At this point strangely enough, we often talk in feet and inches. Once we take our timber into our machine shop, we naturally convert to working in millimetres and use more accurate measuring equipment! We find it easier to talk in feet and inches when buying timber and converting it, but we just find it is far more accurate to work in millimetres when reworking Above: Fat Max and Richter the timber. This is a strange anomaly of tape measures woodworking that is still present over Right: The Richter tape measure PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER SEFTON 40 years after decimalisation – we also taking an internal measurement tend to buy 8’ × 4’ 18mm thick! using the viewing window MEASURING STEEL RULES These tape measures are great, but when it comes to accurate work we and will always use a solid steel rule. If you’re going to get a stainless steel rule I suggest getting one with a satin anodised finish. The shiny stainless MARKING steel rules look great hanging in a shop but when you buy one and take it back into your workshop, three or Peter Sefton describes all the essential tools four months later you find they tend to tarnish and you just can’t read the you’ll need for marking and measuring measurements at all. A selection of satin-finish rules I find that a 150mm rule is a great bit he accurate marking and tape measure over the years. I use it it is reading to the back edge of the of kit for having in your top pocket or The 300mm rule is the most used in measuring of timber is a when rough marking out timber, but I tape measure’s body – no more for wood machining but the downside my workshop for marking out joints T critical part of our furniture never use it for accurate work because bending the tape and guessing the to these rules is they are so easy to get and general bench work. I use 600mm making; to do this well, we need tape measures with the tabs on the end measurement. This small tape measure lost in a busy workshop. or 1m rules more for setting out and quality reliable tools. In this article, just aren’t accurate enough. We try to also has an interesting asset; a flip-out My favourite rule and the one I use checking panel work. The one thing I we’ll look at some of the tools that do the final measure of our timber with tab with the centre point on it. If you most of the time is a 300mm satin would say that all these rules need to we use in our teaching workshops and either steel rules or Vernier callipers. press the centre point into your work anodised one. It has millimetres on have in common – apart from accuracy show you how to check the tools that I also have a 3m tape measure, which you can actually spin it around as a one edge and half millimetres on the – is that when you bend them and you have, to make sure they are doing has a viewing window in the top compass. There’s a hole in the main other and it also has inches on the flex them for drawing and forming what you need. meaning you can read the tape setting at 25mm in from the end, back, just in case you like to deal in freehand shapes or curves, they must measurements to the back of the tape if you place your pencil in this and old money. They can also have a stop return to straight again once finished TAPE MEASURES measure. This is a really useful feature spin it around, hey presto! You have or end hook on them, and the end with! There’s nothing worse than the We probably all have at least one tape for the measuring of internal a ready-made compass. hook can be very useful for clipping on cheaper ones that just end up bent measure within our toolkit. I have a dimensions like window frame or You may have noticed that the tab on the edge of the timber or when making and staying the shape you were trying couple including the 8m Stanley Fat alcoves. When you view the the end of your tape measure moves repetitive measurements; the use of a to draw – that’s no use to anyone in a Max and it has proved to be a great measurement through the window, – it is designed to do this. If the tab rule stop is a great help. workshop. ➤ Bending a rule and a bent rule 34 www.woodworkersinstitute.com Woodworking Crafts issue 02 35 Hand woodworking Hand woodworking I find all these rules get slightly thicker and wider as you buy bigger ones; this BEVEL BOX/INCLINOMETER can be useful for forming tolerances – gaps – around doors when fitting or The bevel box, or inclinometer as it is Right: A GemRed bevel box when cutting parallel strips of veneer often called, has found a real home in measuring a stool leg for chess boards and such like. our workshop. It is a small ‘magic’ box For real accuracy then the INCRA that can be zeroed from a bench top rules are very useful; they are very thin and then used to measure the incline Below: A GemRed bevel box and flexible, having been pierced with or angle on a saw blade, planer fence measuring a saw blade incremental holes that a 0.5mm pencil or spindle moulder block. Or it can be will mark through. This can be great A Woodpecker end used for the reverse; using the built-in when marking out dovetails, finger or stop and rule stop magnets to attach it to a bandsaw blade comb joints or other repetitive type before zeroing it and placing it on the of markings. When using a standard bed to a very accurate predetermined rule, it is very easy to have a compound position. We now use this box on error built into your markings. For what seems like a daily basis for either instance, if you mark out a set of setting a sliding bevel, or measuring dovetails with a conventional rule and the slant on a chair back or sloping move the ruler each time you mark ceiling in a room being surveyed. the next line, if you made a 0.25mm These digital readouts are now overmeasurement with each one, after standard on a lot of other measuring the first 10 markings you will have devices that can be used on thickness gained 2.5mm. These errors can build planers, spindle moulders and any up until all accuracy has been lost. other machine you may need to get The flexibility of these thin rules can precision measurements from. also be useful when measuring around Using an INCRA T-rule for progressive Using an INCRA flexible rule to measure cylinders or inside bowls, for example. markings inside a bowl OTHER MEASURING TOOLS DIGITAL CALLIPERS I have a couple of other slightly more importantly, the moisture level within unusual digital pieces of measuring the workshop and storerooms. If we One of the major changes for me equipment in my workshop but they are suffering with higher levels than in my woodworking career is the are nonetheless very important. I have desired within the workshop, we can development of digital readouts. a moisture meter; these can vary in turn on portable dehumidifiers to For me, gone are the days of slide price from around £20 up to a few bring down the level to the expected Vernier callipers or dial callipers; hundred but mine cost me about £70. norms. This is mainly used in our I have now moved over exclusively It is fairly accurate and at least gives internal timber store to dry and to digital readouts. The ease of use me a good idea of the surface moisture monitor our timber moisture levels and big digital readout have become content when I am out buying timber. down to between 9-11% moisture a nice feature as the eyes have aged! What I am also finding very useful content, which is ideal for the Most can be swapped between within our workshops are a number majority of English homes. We have a metric and imperial with the flick of of combined digital thermometers permanent dehumidifier set up in our A GemRed digital Vernier calliper A GemRed digital Vernier calliper a switch – great if you need it and with hydrometers. Using these devices timber store, which is plumbed into checking thickness checking depth briefly confusing if you don’t and in four sections of the workshop, we the waste water system to remove any inadvertently catch the button with can monitor both the heat and, more excess moisture from the timber.

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