$3 Self-Zeroing 36" Direct Reading Rip Scale

algale · Post by **algale** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:00 am

For those of you with the older 520 rails without the magnetic scales or who find using those scales too fidgity to adjust, here is my new $3, self-zeroing, 36 inch direct reading rip scale. Actually this was $2.97 at my Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware ... RuJdvKDmSo

Ok. This was kind of a tease. It is just a 36 inches long aluminum ruler by Empire that happens to be just thin enough to slip under the rip fence of a 520. It is calibrated to 1/16ths (close enough). Operation is simple. Slide under rip fence and put the zero end against the tooth of the blade and read distance under rip fence. Throw a square against the opposite side of the fence to keep the ruler at 90 degrees. Make sure you sight along the fence or directly overhead to avoid parallax errors.

Pictures follow:
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pennview · Post by **pennview** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:14 am

Very good tip, Al. Perhaps that will work with the 500 and 510 as well. Will have to give that a try.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:00 am

Thanks for the tip I have a 36 inche long aluminum ruler, I will give it a try. I get tired of reading a tape measure upside down.

algale · Post by **algale** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:20 am

They don't all fit under. I have an old C-Thru brand aluminum 36 inch that did not fit. The Empire just barely fits. In fact it did not fit with its protective plastic wrapper on!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:55 am

This one is 1)thinner 2)available at my local store(s) 3)has 'extra' length beyond '0'(if like the 6" one) - grind off? 4)shorter(18")

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&R=202035334&catEntryId=202035334#.URu1Jmfn_CB

Will likely pick one up today(the 36" one not sold @ 'my' store(s):().

$2.97????

algale · Post by **algale** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:18 am

JPG40504 wrote:This one is 1)thinner 2)available at my local store(s) 3)has 'extra' length beyond '0'(if like the 6" one) - grind off? 4)shorter(18")

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&R=202035334&catEntryId=202035334#.URu1Jmfn_CB

Will likely pick one up today(the 36" one not sold @ 'my' store(s):().

$2.97????

Yes, $2.97!!! I couldn't believe it since my store also had the 18" version and it was more expensive than the 36"!! You might check the Empirelevel.com website. This item is listed under "Products" and the subcategory "Precision Tool" and further subcategory "Straight Edges." They have a dealer locator. Maybe you can find it near by. Alternatively, Home Depot may allow you to order on line and ship it to your local store.
If you decide to go with the 18" version I would definitely carefully grind off the extra.

algale · Post by **algale** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:29 am

While on the subject of Empire products, I also have 2 of the Empire "True Blue" 48 inch aluminum levels which I got from Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware ... reId=10051.

I picked these up back when I was having alignment problems with my extension table and floating tables. I used them as test bases. Now that my alginment problems have been fixed, I still find at least one of them very useful for leveling the main table to the extension table and also for double checking that the rails of any floating or extension table are in fact properly aligned with the main table when using the connecting rods. Unfortunately, they cost a lot more that $2.97!

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:30 am

Where it the truth in advertising?

This isn't self zeroing you have to zero it every time by pushing it against the saw tooth.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:39 am

[quote="Ed in Tampa"]Where it the truth in advertising?

This isn't self zeroing you have to zero it every time by pushing it against the saw tooth. ]

Yep! When you push the end against the blade tooth, it 'self zeroes'.

algale · Post by **algale** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 12:17 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Where it the truth in advertising?
This isn't self zeroing you have to zero it every time by pushing it against the saw tooth. ]

JPG40504 wrote:Yep! When you push the end against the blade tooth, it 'self zeroes'.

If anything, I think I underadvertised this. Not only does it self-zero, it automatically self-adjusts for thin kerf blades, full kerf blades, dado blades and even quill extension!

I'm off to the patent office!

Al