Rulers

A ruler is basically any straight strip of wood, steel, metal, glass, or plastic that you can use for length measurement. And when it is used with a scale for measuring miniature representation of larger things, it becomes scale rulers.

All rulers are measuring instruments. The ones that people use in offices or schools need not be that accurate. However, precision measurement cannot compromise on accuracy and therefore requires the certification of the standards and measurements authority in the country. So, if you want to get your job done easily and efficiently, you need the right product at the right time. But before you start shopping for rulers, read this article to know more about different types of them. This will help you make the right choices.

Types of scale rulers

Not all products are the same. Depending on the area you want to use, the style and type of product you need will also vary. In order to select the right one for the right situation, you need to know about the different types of rulers out there and what they are capable of doing. Two major categories within these precision instruments are general-purpose rulers and precision ones. While the difference between both is based on the materials, the precision measurement is a bit more technical. Let’s first check out the types here.

Desk scale rulers

Traditionally, desk rulers have been made from wood. Most of them have that typical yellow colour that is common for desk types. Thirty centimetres or twelve inches, depending on whether you follow the metric system or the imperial system, is the standard length for a desk ruler. Because of its length and the fact that you cannot fold it, it won’t fit inside an average bag. You can use them for all kinds of general-purpose tasks. They are good for geometry and math as well as for drawing. As the name says it, a desk instrument is more suited if you are working at a desk.

Steel scale ruler

A steel ruler is basically a straight narrow piece of stainless steel. The markings on the steel strip are usually engraved on the material. The benefit of this is that their markings will stay there for a really long time. And depending on the type and thickness of the steel, it can be either flexible or rigid. One advantage that steel rulers have over desk types is that you can measure more accurately with a steel one. This is because the markings on a steel instrument lie closer to the surface that you are measuring. Steel types are popular for outdoor use because of their durability.

Folding scale rulers

Folding rulers look like multiple desk rulers connected at the ends. These are also called carpenter’s rulers. This is not surprising as carpenters usually need long measuring instruments but also need them to be ultra-portable. A folding one checks these two boxes. Regardless of how long the product is when you unfold it completely, it fits comfortably inside a handbag. Furthermore, they are extremely useful if you want to measure length across a corner or an edge. Generally, a folding scale is more accurate than a tape measure.

Architect scale

An architect scale is typically a 30 cm ruler. However, it has three sides you can measure with. In total, it will have six different scales. As you can imagine, it looks somewhat like a Mitsubishi logo if you look at it from one end. All these factors make it ideal for engineers and architects to use for drafting blueprints and to make measurements. They can measure using multiple sets of graduations on all three sides. Unlike a regular ruler that either features meters, centimetres, or inches, on an architect’s one, you can see markings for one-fourth of an inch, half an inch and so forth.