Author Topic: Woodpecker's HEXSCALE RULES (Read 3978 times)

Mike Goetzke · « **on:** December 27, 2022, 03:09 PM »

These look interesting to me. Maybe because I worked in the drafting department for two summers right out of high school. Anyone else see them?

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2022, 03:27 PM »

Lee Valley has had something similar for a few months. Veritas Edge Rules. These also function as small saddle squares.

ChuckS · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2022, 03:51 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 27, 2022, 03:27 PM

Lee Valley has had something similar for a few months. Veritas Edge Rules. These also function as small saddle squares.

WP has its own edge rules: https://shopwoodpeckers.ca/products/woodworkersedgerules

ChuckS · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2022, 04:01 PM »

Woodcraft has something similar: https://www.woodcraft.com/products/triangle-ruler-woodriver

I have a Woodriver triangle ruler in chrome (cruder & cheaper) from Woodcraft, that has found little to almost no use in my shop all these years.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2022, 04:52 PM »

I've sworn off buying the latest/greatest whatever on general principal, however these look useful enough I may break my vow.

I've got both the WP flat 2" and the edge rules in metric, both have shortcomings. With the flat rule the issue is the stop gauge thing doesn't extend fully under the rule and it's a pita sometime to get it to register properly. The edge rules, I just never reach for them.

I like how these stops fully wrap the rule. Also, being both metric/imperial, they are basically a simple conversion calculator for a guy who can't do the math on his fingers...

Very tempted.

RMW

festal · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2022, 05:03 PM »

I ordered. I actually find them useful after watching the video and price is not too bad
Metric/Imperial - check
Left to right, right to left and center scale - check
stop - check
Shows April 2023 ship date but usually they ship earlier

jeffinsgf · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2022, 07:47 AM »

Quote from: Richard/RMW on December 27, 2022, 04:52 PM

Also, being both metric/imperial, they are basically a simple conversion calculator for a guy who can't do the math on his fingers...

Very tempted.

RMW

One of my favorite features while I was writing the copy and doing the video. On the left to right scale, if you're reading inches you just roll it forward one time and you're looking at mms. On the right to left scale you roll it backwards one time. On the center scale you have to helicopter it, but that's the only switch that isn't nearly instant.

neilc · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2022, 11:53 AM »

I ordered the 6" and 12" versions. Looks like a useful tool given the easy conversions and centering feature.

SRSemenza · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2022, 05:16 PM »

I could see these replacing several separate measuring tools. I will probably get a set.

Seth

Peter Halle · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2022, 06:20 PM »

Even I bought two (not two sets)- although one is for my brother who has taken up woodworking at a later age.

Peter

Jim Metzger · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2023, 10:54 PM »

As an Architect for 40 +years who still draws by hand, I rarely use a triangular scale even though that is what I used in school. I use flat scales. The amount of time rotating until you get to the right face just became too onerous.

My most used scale in the shop is a Bridge City 6" with left to right on one side and right to left on the other with 16th's and 32nd's indicated. It also has 32nd's engraved vertically on the end for height measurements. Otherwise one of 5 tape measures including a metric/imperial one works just fine.

WillAdams · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2023, 09:57 AM »

Same.

I use a BR-6, esp. the nifty centering function for pretty much anything which it will reach for that doesn't merit getting out a set of calipers.

The saddle rules are neat though, and I'll probably add them to my next Lee Valley order.

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2023, 10:33 AM »

I’d be a lot more interested if the scale was graduated in 1/32”. I like the sliding stop but I want something finer than mm’s.

Packard · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2023, 11:02 AM »

If I were looking for this type of ruler, I would probably opt for something in stainless steel like this Incra version.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/marking-and-measuring/rules/58876-incra-rigid-bend-rules?item=27N1002&utm_source=free_google_shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_rXzuaaz_AIVl7fICh1oTgC7EAkYBSABEgI_BPD_BwE

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #14 on:** April 07, 2023, 04:38 PM »

Hey - got my rules today but disappointed to find the ends of the rules are not red anodized like the ones you see in the videos on on their web site. Have to shoot them an e-mail.

(also, some of the edges are VERY sharp and may need some filing.)

4nthony · « **Reply #15 on:** April 07, 2023, 04:59 PM »

Quote from: Mike Goetzke on April 07, 2023, 04:38 PM

Hey - got my rules today but disappointed to find the ends of the rules are not red anodized like the ones you see in the videos on on their web site. Have to shoot them an e-mail.

(also, some of the edges are VERY sharp and may need some filing.)

In the production update video, they show them with both anodized and ~~raw~~ polished aluminum ends. Towards the end when they say, "they're ready to head out the door" they all have ~~raw~~ polished ends. When they show the 12' extrusions the rules are cut from, they're anodized on the ends. I'm guessing they don't bother to alter the cut ends since the extrusions already come anodized.

I have a couple edge rules and I noticed they are also ~~raw~~ polished.

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #16 on:** April 07, 2023, 05:16 PM »

Quote from: 4nthony on April 07, 2023, 04:59 PM

Quote from: Mike Goetzke on April 07, 2023, 04:38 PM
Hey - got my rules today but disappointed to find the ends of the rules are not red anodized like the ones you see in the videos on on their web site. Have to shoot them an e-mail.

(also, some of the edges are VERY sharp and may need some filing.)

In the production update video, they show them with both anodized and ~~raw~~ polished aluminum ends. Towards the end when they say, "they're ready to head out the door" they all have ~~raw~~ polished ends. When they show the 12' extrusions the rules are cut from, they're anodized on the ends. I'm guessing they don't bother to alter the cut ends since the extrusions already come anodized.

I have a couple edge rules and I noticed they are also ~~raw~~ polished.

Just saw the video. Guess it was a cheaper rout to make long sticks, anodize them, and cut to length. I now notice the edges are very sharp and will probably need filing. I have other (many other) WP tools that were anodized all over - even the ends.

I will let them know for sure but they are beautiful rules and will probably get over the issue as I use them.

Cheese · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2023, 12:13 AM »

I just received mine yesterday, startled with the overall size as I've used the traditional triangular draftsman scale for the last 50+ years. This thing is larger than I expected. But...I think it's good...I'm ok with the size.

As far as the naked ends go, I also think that's fine. Once you start to introduce a chamfer on anything, you start to disturb the measuring process. If you examine draftsman scales closely, the first measuring mark is offset from the end of the scale. In other words, you will not be able to butt the rule against a surface and measure because there is an offset.

The Woodpeckers rule works well because you can butt it up against an edge and not have to factor in the offset. Besides, if Woodpeckers anodized every naked area of this rule...the price would have to be marked up accordingly. I think they've done an admiral job of arriving at a solution that works for 90% of the people.

I'm happy with mine...and will probably order the 24" version at some time.

squall_line · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2023, 12:26 AM »

Mine are still on backorder, but I didn't order until almost the deadline, so that might have something to do with it. Glad to hear they're starting to go out, though!

Mike Goetzke · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2023, 10:18 AM »

Quote from: Cheese on April 08, 2023, 12:13 AM

I just received mine yesterday, startled with the overall size as I've used the traditional triangular draftsman scale for the last 50+ years. This thing is larger than I expected. But...I think it's good...I'm ok with the size.

As far as the naked ends go, I also think that's fine. Once you start to introduce a chamfer on anything, you start to disturb the measuring process. If you examine draftsman scales closely, the first measuring mark is offset from the end of the scale. In other words, you will not be able to butt the rule against a surface and measure because there is an offset.

The Woodpeckers rule works well because you can butt it up against an edge and not have to factor in the offset. Besides, if Woodpeckers anodized every naked area of this rule...the price would have to be marked up accordingly. I think they've done an admiral job of arriving at a solution that works for 90% of the people.

I'm happy with mine...and will probably order the 24" version at some time.

I bought the set because I thought I'd gift my son with one or two of them but after seeing them that will be hard to do now.

alltracman78 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 11, 2023, 10:39 PM »

I got the set. I like the flexibility of the different lengths. Long if I need it, short to fit in smaller spaces.
So far I love them. I don't have dexterity issues at all, but it's much more comfortable to pick these up vs flat rulers.
And as others have mentioned the wrap around stop is great (and easy to use) and having a comparative scale in one spot is convenient.

Quote from: Michael Kellough on December 27, 2022, 03:27 PM

Lee Valley has had something similar for a few months. Veritas Edge Rules. These also function as small saddle squares.

Quote from: Packard on January 06, 2023, 11:02 AM

If I were looking for this type of ruler, I would probably opt for something in stainless steel like this Incra version.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/marking-and-measuring/rules/58876-incra-rigid-bend-rules?item=27N1002&utm_source=free_google_shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_rXzuaaz_AIVl7fICh1oTgC7EAkYBSABEgI_BPD_BwE

Apples to oranges. Or apples to pears anyways.
The Woodpeckers rules are a different design for a different purpose.
Those two are for measuring across right angles.
These are for flat surfaces.

4nthony · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2023, 04:55 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on April 08, 2023, 12:13 AM

I just received mine yesterday, startled with the overall size as I've used the traditional triangular draftsman scale for the last 50+ years. This thing is larger than I expected. But...I think it's good...I'm ok with the size.

I got my set today. As you mentioned, I'm also surprised by the sheer heft of them. I still have an old West German made Stewart 520-S scale from high school and it feels like a toy compared to the WP product. My ends are crisp but not sharp.

Two thumbs up

box185 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2023, 04:41 PM »

I received my HexScale rules a week ago and started looking at them more closely this past week. I have a 12” and 24” rule and used them against each other out of curiosity. The only problem I noticed was that one end of the 12” rule was not square. In my case, that left the scales on one apex of the triangle off by almost 1/32”. The other ends seemed to be much better.

I contacted Woodpeckers and received an order notice within hours that a replacement was being sent out. Great service!