Customer Reviews

Incra T-RULE06 6-Inch Precision Marking T-Rule

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Commonly we use a tape measure to mark our work piece before cutting. The small tab at the end of our tape measure is always loose. Some argue that it was built intentionally that way, so that when you stretch it, it slides to make up for the allowance of the thickness of the tab. When compressed, it slightly shortens the length to once again make up for the tab. That sounds good, until you actually measure something with it both ways, and come up with a 32nd of an inch or more difference. If we are rough framing that is fine. When we are doing anything that doesn't demand close tolerances, it suffices.
What is interesting, is that the smaller the cut, or the finer the project, critical tolerances become all the more important. Installing a set of kitchen cabinets, and you have to nick a 1" corner in something. That can be difficult to do perfectly. If cut wrong, it stands out like a sore thumb. What this Precision Marking Rule will do is give you perfect lines effortlessly. Less time spent, and undeniably exact markings.
Incra designed this so that each measurement, whether you are measuring to a 32nd or a 64th can be done almost without your glasses on. Each measurement is marked with a small hole next to it. In there fits the tip of a .5mm mechanical pencil, or sharpen a regular pencil to a fine tip, give it a couple of twists to center it in the hole and you are ready to go. What I did in the past was use a framing square, park my pencil on my measurement, then try to hold it still on the square, while I glided it along. It normally wouldn't hold totally true. With this rule, it prevents the pencil-marker from floating. It stays in the hole for a flawless measurement along the entire line. It is not harder, it is easier.
You can see how ultra fine this capacity is. As a matter of fact the incra system is the most exacting measuring, fencing, and marking systems available. Some things we don't need this level of accuracy. On the other hand, once you get into the "incra"mental system, their is no going back. It takes less time, for better results. I just bought the Incra TSIII-32 table saw fence system, and I am sold on the timesavings, and ease of use in doing it right, instead of getting it close.
It is nice to know that if I am dealing with tight tolerances, this is standing by to give me the flawless measuring I need. Even if I am scribing a line along a board, that I need to run through the jointer, I know it will be exact. If I had to be critical on the piece, I would say that since it is for fine measuring, the T-slot aluminum track is substantial, but the metal on the measuring face is thin enough that you wouldn't want to step on it. A thick framers square could be dropped off of a second story, but it won't give you this kind of exactness. For the money, you can't beat this rule. Highly recommended, buy it you won't be sorry.

I bought this T-Rule along with Incra's marking rule and their "bend rule." All are terrific and useful measuring devices, and I use them on practically every woodworking project I do. They are accurate down to 1/64", and there are convenient marking holes at each spot. You can use these holes to make a perfect mark at the right measurement. Of course, it's up to you to draw a perfect line across that mark and cut it on your saw, but the Incra rule helps you put down a perfect mark to work from.

In some of Incra's brochures, they show a way to use the T-rule to mark your lines. You put the pencil into one of the marking holes, and then you slide the rule along the wood's edge. As the rule slides, a perfect line is drawn. I don't do this myself, but I see that it's possible.

The T-rule is made of sturdy material, and it is dead-on accurate. The rule portion is flexible but strong. It can slide along the "T" section, depending on how you need to do your measurement. There are two adjustment knobs, which you loosen, then move the rule, and then re-tighten the knobs. When locked, the rule is held down securely and accurately. (As an aside, the "T" also has that trademark red color I associate with Incra products -- it has a soothing quality for me.)

Although the rules are made of thin metal, they are very strong. I've dropped my rules a few times, even stepped on the T-rule once, and it didn't seem bothered by it at all.

One thing to be aware of is that the measurements on this rule are in 1/32" and 1/64" increments. This means you have to convert into 1/4" or 1/8", which isn't too much of a problem, but it is something to be aware of. It's a fine trade-off for such accuracy.

Over all, this is a great product that can be used in every furniture-making project for accurate markings.

Here is my summary for this tool. "Wow". That's it.

Do you cut a tenon now and again? Buy this. Do you cut a LOT of tenons like me? You HAVE to get this T-rule. With a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil and this tool- well it takes me less than 30 seconds to lay out a tenon- and the mortises are even easier. And the marks are perfect. It took about 4 tries to get the sliding down a board while marking- but now it seems like the easiest, fast, and most natural way to mark anything. I'm not a production shop- this is my "spare" time hobby. And the amount of time saved and accuracy I've gotten from this meager investment... I would honestly say having used it now for a few months I would pay 4 times the price. Okay, that does sound corny. But I'm serious. I have the Powermatic 719A Mortiser, a cabinet saw, Forrest Woodworker II, and this T-rule... and I swear the hardest thing I do now is sanding before the finish goes on. Buy the 06. The 12 and 18 are just too big to use on most furniture parts.

If you want to experience the precision of Incra without spending big bucks for an Incra Jig, give their rulers a try. The Incra T-rule has holes at 1/64th inch intervals and slots at 1/32nd intervals suitable for a utility knife. The long bar guides the rule along the edge for perfect marking or scoring cuts. I've used this to make scoring cuts cross-grain in oak plywood before rabbeting with a router and it eliminated tearout of the veneer. You can also slide the bar to either end so it can stand vertically (the end of the rule is calibrated too). The metal is a little thin but that eliminates any inaccuracy from the angle of the pencil. You'll want to use a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil with this - a regular wood pencil has too big a point.

Made of Satin Stainless and very thin it has made marking off a standard rule a thing of the past for me. My eyesite is poor up close and this eliminates the miss-mark mistake. The end of the rule is used vertically for router bit height and as you can actually see through the blade at the pencil point opening, raise the bit until you see it through the hole.

Buy it you wont be sorry...get the 12" rule too.

This is the finest measuring/marking tool I presently own. Well worth the $17.99 price tag. I will be buying the 12" version and the Incra protractor a.s.a.p.

If you adhere to the old adage `measure twice and cut once' then this tool is going to save you a lot of time, it saves messing with a separate square and ruler, of cause you still need to careful while marking but you know the pencil isn't going to jump.

I enjoy using this square, and it usually does what I want it to. It can square up joints in 3 dimensions and can disassemble for packing up so as not to bend in transit. Stainless body is light and bendy, aluminum 'T' is appropriately sized (although has rounded profile which i wish were edged). All in all an effective, beautiful, little tool.

This is the most useful, handy measuring instrument I've ever had. I've used it for everything from measuring table saw blade height to making a long, straight, accurate line. this is a must have tool, woodworking, carpentry, crafts, etc. Can't be beat!

As long as you have a mechanical pencil and good eyesight you'll love this ruler.