Subscribe to 731 Woodworks on YouTube
Ruler Stops: 10 Uses You Need to Know
Woodworking enthusiasts know the importance of having the right tools in their shop. Ruler stops are one such tool that can make a significant difference in the accuracy and precision of woodworking projects. At just seven dollars a piece, these handy tools have about a hundred uses that can help you in your woodworking projects. In this article, we will focus on the top 10 uses of ruler stops that can make your woodworking experience easier and more efficient.
From scribing lines for laying out holes to setting up bit heights for your router, ruler stops have a wide range of applications. They can be used to lay out parallel lines, consistent and accurate parallel lines on any stock, making it easy to scribe one-inch lines and then drop down to inch and a half.
They can also be used to lay out door handles and drawer knobs, ensuring that the holes are placed in the exact same spot every time. Additionally, ruler stops can be used to set up the fence distances on your router table and your table saw, making it extremely easy to check the blade front and back to ensure that it’s square to your fence.
Key Takeaways
- Ruler stops are an essential tool for woodworking projects, and they have about a hundred uses.
- They can be used to scribe lines for laying out holes, lay out parallel lines, set up bit heights for your router, lay out door handles and drawer knobs, and set up fence distances on your router table and table saw.
- Ruler stops are a cost-effective and durable tool that can make your woodworking experience easier and more efficient.
Ruler Stops: An Overview
Ruler stops are versatile woodworking tools that can be used for a variety of purposes. They are inexpensive, costing only around seven dollars each, and can be used in a number of ways to make woodworking tasks easier and more precise.
Ruler stops are an excellent value for the price and are available in both six-inch and 12-inch sizes. They are extremely accurate and durable, and the little brass knob will not damage the ruler as long as a normal amount of force is used to tighten it down. Ruler stops are a must-have tool for any woodworking shop.
Ruler Stop Fences for 1″ and 3/4″ Wide Rules
10 Uses of Ruler Stops
Scribing Lines for Hole Layout
Ruler stops can be used to scribe lines for laying out holes when attaching two pieces of wood. This ensures that the holes are uniform and not staggered, and also allows for drilling right in the center of the board underneath.
Finding the Center of Boards
Ruler stops can also be used to find the center of boards without needing to know the distance. This is useful for layout or drilling holes.
Drawing Parallel Lines
Using ruler stops, one can lay out consistent and accurate parallel lines on any stock. This is useful for laying out mortise and tenon joints or any other joinery method.
Laying Out Door Handles
Ruler stops can be used to lay out the holes for door handles to ensure they are exactly the same every time. By setting the top screw at a specific distance from the side and top, and flipping the ruler stop to set the bottom screw, one can easily mark the holes in the same location every time.
Laying Out Drawer Knobs
Similarly, ruler stops can be used to lay out drawer knobs in the same location every time. By setting the ruler stop at a specific distance from the edge of the drawer, one can easily mark the holes in the same location every time.
Setting Up Bit Heights
Ruler stops can be used to set up bit heights for routers, whether in a fixed base or in a router table. This ensures exact cuts every time.
Setting Blade Height on Table Saw
Ruler stops can also be used to set the blade height on a table saw. This makes it extremely easy and accurate to set the blade height to a specific measurement.
Setting Up Fence Distances
Ruler stops can be used to set up fence distances on a router table or table saw. This ensures accuracy and consistency in the cuts.
Marking Apron Placement on Furniture
Ruler stops can be used to mark the placement of aprons on furniture. By measuring off the bottom of the leg, one can easily transfer the measurement to all four legs and ensure the aprons are the exact same distance every time.
Using as a Depth Finder
Finally, ruler stops can be used as a depth finder. By measuring the depth and setting the bit or blade depth to that measurement, one can ensure the correct depth for grooves or dados. The brass knob on the ruler stop can be tightened to square it up to the ruler, allowing for accurate and precise measurements.
In conclusion, ruler stops are a versatile and inexpensive tool that can be used in a variety of ways in a woodworking shop. They are a great value and can be used for many different tasks, making them a valuable addition to any woodworker’s toolbox.
Want To Improve Your Woodworking?
Discover 1,000 Hours Of Step-By-Step Woodworking Videos
It’s called Woodwork101. A database of detailed videos and blueprints in crystal clear, mouth-watering HD that will take you by the hand and show you that DIY home projects done the right way are easy, fun, and always of top quality… turning dream into reality in a heart-beat. Getting you that perfect build each and every time.
Woodworking Machinist Ruler with Two Ruler Stops
Bonus Use: Using as a Square
The ruler stops are a versatile tool that can be used in many ways in a woodworking shop. One of the bonus uses of the ruler stops is using them as a square.
To use the ruler stops as a square, tighten the brass knob down, and it will automatically square up to the ruler. From there, a square line can be described all the way across. It is important to note that when using the ruler stops as a square, it is extremely accurate.
Woodworkers can also use the ruler stops to set up bit heights for their router, whether that be fixed base or in a router table. This ensures that the cuts are exact and precise. Additionally, the ruler stops can be used on the table saw to set the blade height.
The ruler stops can also be used to set up fence distances on the router table and the table saw. It is easy to check the blade front and back to make sure it is square to the fence.
Furthermore, the ruler stops can be used as a depth finder, especially when transferring a depth from the measurement to a bit. Woodworkers can lay out t-track or any other groove dado and measure the depth. From there, they can set the bit or blade depth to that depth.
In conclusion, the ruler stops are a versatile tool that can be used in many ways in a woodworking shop. Using them as a square is just one of the many bonus uses of the ruler stops. They are extremely accurate and can be used to set up bit heights, blade heights, fence distances, and as a depth finder.
[Video] 3 Most Common Mistakes
When Setting Up Shop
A woodworking friend of mine shared this video by Ralph Chapman with me that helped him set up his workshop.
The video explains the benefits of Ralph Chapman’s guide about setting up an affordable workshop and avoiding the most common mistakes offers to anyone interested in woodworking.
Comparison with Paolini Pocket Rule
In the woodworking industry, there are several tools that are used to measure and mark different materials accurately. One of these tools is the Paolini Pocket Rule, which is a slide rule that is used to measure and mark different materials. However, there is another tool that is much cheaper and more versatile than the Paolini Pocket Rule. This tool is the ruler stop, which costs only about seven dollars per piece.
The ruler stop has about a hundred uses in a woodworking shop, and it is much more versatile than the Paolini Pocket Rule. Here are ten uses of the ruler stop that make it a better value than the Paolini Pocket Rule:
- Scribing a line for laying out holes when attaching two pieces of material.
- Finding the center of a board without knowing the distance.
- Laying out parallel lines on any stock.
- Laying out holes for door handles and drawer knobs.
- Consistently marking holes for handles and knobs.
- Setting up bit heights for routers.
- Setting blade height on a table saw.
- Setting fence distances on a router table and table saw.
- Marking apron distances on furniture.
- Using it as a depth finder for transferring depth measurements to a bit or blade.
The ruler stop is much more affordable than the Paolini Pocket Rule, and it comes with two slide rules instead of one. The six-inch ruler stop is less than twenty dollars, while the 12-inch ruler stop is only about twenty-three dollars. These ruler stops are extremely accurate and durable, and they come from a family-owned business in the USA. They are an excellent value for any woodworker who wants to measure and mark materials accurately.
Cost and Value
This woodworking tool, called ruler stops, is a versatile and affordable addition to any woodworking shop. At only seven dollars per piece, it offers around a hundred uses. Here are ten examples of how to use ruler stops:
- Scribing a line for laying out holes when attaching two pieces to ensure uniformity and accuracy.
- Finding the center of boards quickly and easily.
- Laying out consistent and accurate parallel lines on any stock for joinery methods.
- Laying out holes for door handles and drawer knobs to ensure consistency.
- Setting the distance for aprons on furniture such as end tables, stools, and chairs.
- Setting up bit heights for routers, whether fixed base or in a router table.
- Setting the blade height on a table saw.
- Setting up fence distances on a router table or table saw.
- Measuring and marking the exact same distance for aprons on furniture.
- Using ruler stops as a depth finder when transferring depth measurements to bits or blades.
Compared to more expensive alternatives, such as the Paloni Pocket Roll, ruler stops offer a much better value. They come in a set of two slide rules for only seven dollars, making them a great investment for any woodworker. Additionally, Benchmark rulers are high-quality and durable, with slide rules that won’t damage or mar the ruler.
Overall, ruler stops offer an affordable and versatile solution for a variety of woodworking needs. They are a must-have for any woodworker looking to improve accuracy and consistency in their projects.
[Guide] How To Launch Your Woodworking Business For Under $1000
Click Here To View
If you’re considering turning your woodworking hobby into a part-time business check out this helpful guide on how to get started.
Durability and Quality
The ruler stops presented in the video are not only versatile, but also durable and of high quality. Made by ATE Tools, a family-owned business in the USA, these stops offer a great value for their price of around seven dollars each.
The stops are made of brass and are designed to securely hold a ruler in place, without damaging it. The brass knob provides a normal amount of force to tighten the stop down, ensuring that the ruler is not marred or damaged in any way.
In terms of durability, the stops are made to last a long time. The brass knob is designed to withstand normal use and the stops do not damage the ruler. Additionally, the stops are compatible with a variety of rulers, including the Benchmark rulers that go down to 64th and 32nd.
Overall, the ruler stops are a great addition to any woodworking shop. They offer a wide range of uses, are durable, and of high quality.
Recommended Posts:
