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Saturdays, in my world, translate into a day in the shop working on any
number of projects. Last Saturday was no different. I began
building a dining table on Friday, and by Saturday, I was well into the
project. The top sections were in clamps, but before being cut to size
and any inlay work commenced, the glue had to dry. The apron and legs
were already assembled.
Watching glue dry is not for anyone
geared toward production. It’s boring! Looking for the next step, I
decided to rout for the simple ebony string inlay installed in each leg
post. I have this thing about line inlay. I like to use an odd number of
pieces in the design, and for some reason, I like to keep the flanking
strips shorter than the center strip. (Is there a reason for that, George
Walker?) I also have fluted door jambs in my house with the same
design and that inlay design was used in the very first project I built
as a senior editor – remember my Arts & Crafts mirror?
With eight leg posts to lay out and rout, I was looking for a layout method that was easy to repeat. I grabbed up a Woodpecker Rule Stop – 1 and attached it to my 12″ rule. It was exactly what I was looking for.
When
attached to the rule, the RS-1 forms a tight bond that holds firm to
the rule. The stop provides a perfect shoulder to hold against the
workpiece for identical marking – the rule stays square to the top of my
leg posts. I wish I had a second RS-1 to set for the top measurement.
It would have made things that much quicker. I could have simply flipped
the rule instead of picking up a second tool.
The Rule Stop -1
(RS-1) fits most rules up to 1-1/2″ in width – the RS-1 works with my
old folding rules, too (I had some spare time in the office). Due to the
dovetailed body parts of the RS-1 – the red anodized aluminum pieces –
it clamps square to the rule every time. Some rule stops on the market
can be clamped at an angle to the rule, which is sure to affect layout.
The screw, posts and knob are stainless steel, so this small workhorse
won’t rust while sitting in your toolbox – although I doubt it will sit
idle for long. Additionally, the RS-1 is machined to be 1″ in width. I
know that’s important, but as of yet I’ve not discovered why. 
If
you’re used to working with a wider rule, fear not. Woodpeckers has a
rule stop that works with rules up to 2-1/4″ in width. It’s the Rule Stop – 2.
The RS-2 is built with aluminum and stainless, just as the RS-1. In fact,
it too is “Woodpecker red.” The RS-2 is exactly 2″ wide. If you know how
having an exact 1″-wide or 2″-wide stop is useful, or if you use your
stops another way, leave a comment to tell us why or how. And if you
don’t have a rule stop, check out the Rule Stop – 1 ($25) or the Rule
Stop – 2 ($33) and other woodworking tools at the Woodpeckers web site.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
I apologize if I offended Chris or Glen that was never my intention! I enjoy the writings of both! It’s been a long week and I guess I’m projecting my anger here instead of where it needs to go! Once again I apologize! Also I don’t make my own tack rags funnyman!!! I don’t use them!
Jamie,
Message received.
You can now return to the process of making your own tack rags.
Chris
What was I thinking let me hurry up and by one!!!! While I’m at it I’ll by that 165.00$ coping saw!!! Say, do you have any of Jack’s beans I’ll take some of those too!!! NOT!!
I’ve used the Veritas one for years and it is a "go to " item when looking for this kind of measurement ability. Plus, Chris, its not even red!
quietly woodworking,
Duncan
I second Chris Friesen’s question – I’m interested to know how is this almost twice as good (for the price) as the Veritas model? I’m thinking of purchasing one, and would like to know your thoughts.
If you clamp the rule stop in the middle of a rule, you can measure from both sides of the stop. That’s why it’s exactly 1" wide.
Holy cow Jamie, You’ve never met Glen, have you?
The guy is not a gadget freak. He eschews (as Megan would opine) gadgetry. He’s anti-gadget/gizmo/whats-it.
In fact, the fact that *Glen* endorsed this ruler stop makes me really want one.
And to directly answer your question, no. This does more than a double square. You can turn any ruler (even a yardstick) into a square. And it doesn’t have that annoying channel in the middle that your pencil falls into. I think it’s a good deal, and I don’t even like the color red.
Chris
wouldn’t a double square do everything you need?? why do you have to have ten gadgets in woodworking to do the simplest things!!! I guess you have to push new products to get a paycheck!!
If you’re working in its (somewhat more limited) size range, the Veritas Ruler stop is about ten bucks cheaper than the RS-1. I’m surprised you didn’t mention it.
In many instances, a combination square would work fine however, the rule on a combination square extends past the body of the square. The body of a rule stop sits on either side of the rule.
There are times when there isn’t enough surface area to rest the body of a square fully on the workpiece, such as when you’re marking close to the edge and you cannot flip the rule.
And how difficult is it to put the rule back into a combination square body if you pull it out for other uses? I’ll stick with a rule and rule stop. For me that setup provides more options.
It seems for most of the ‘useful’ range of this gadget, one could simply reach for their combination square.
Glen,
If you like that, you might want to also try the one from Czeck Edge. It’s slightly different and might do more for you.