Home   About   Help   Search Add Tool Ads   Catalogue of American Patented Antique Tools    Planes   Levels    Rules    Treadles  Others Moderns

Rules Notify Me When Tools Are Added Picture Name Description Price Posted On: Circa: Chapin #61 Ivory Rule Chapin #61 Ivory Rule Not For Sale March 07, 2004 Unknown Chapin Ivory Engineer's Rule Chapin Ivory Engineer's Rule, scales. Not For Sale March 07, 2004 Unknown E. M. Chapin No 78 12" Folding Rule I believe this is an Ivory/German Silver 12" 3 fold Ruler with slide caliper marked to 48/32nds of an inch. it must have been manufactured around 1875 because the owner inscribed his name and date on the edge of the rule. Not For Sale November 27, 2005 1875 Stanley #88 Ivory Rule Stanley #88 Ivory Rule $400 March 07, 2004 Unknown 1 2     Click on a column heading to sort by that column.Displaying Page 1 of 2     Click on a picture to see a larger version of the image.

Rules are astounding in their juxtaposition of simplicity (a measuring tool) and complexity (a measuring tool utilizing exact graduations precisely spaced). Rules are used to measure an amazing array of variables, including length, width, height, volume, log yield (board feet), circumference, polygons, steam engine power, taxes, gear patterns, thread gauges, friction, and blacksmith's part shrinkage. Because of their popularity, there are several reference books published about planes. They were manufactured from mostly boxwood, a very stable and now scarce wood of fine grain so the graduations would show clearly. However, other materials such as ivory and steel were also used.