We consider the architect scale ruler to be a modern tool for engineers and planners. But since the Egyptians were so far advanced, why not assume that they used this modern tool, also?
The biggest problem, is many people don’t know how handy they are. Even though they could learn how to use them, many people just don’t know how easy they are to use. An architect scale ruler is a short 6″ or 12″ ruler that is used to read a blueprint or a layout of a new kitchen remodeling plan.
How do you use one?
Look at the bottom of the drawing. If it says 1″ = 4 feet”, then use the scale that is marked “1/4″. If the drawing says 1″ = 8 feet”, then use the 1/8 scale.
When you want to see how many feet wide a hallway is, your architect scale ruler will read 4, if the width is 4 feet.
So that’s it in 2 easy steps. Now you can use a tool that was designed for architects!
scales, but you will only need to use one of them for a particular drawing. Let’s make one example. Take a look at the w906a Architects Scale Lufkin Tape. It has 2 scales. One is 1/8 and the other is 1/4. Let’s say that the drawing in front of you is drawn to the 1/4 scale. It says this in the information box at the bottom. The 1/4 means that 1/4 inch on the drawing represents 1 foot in real life. In this case we will ignore the 1/8 scale and use only the 1/4 scale. Set your zero mark at the corner of some part of the drawing. The other corner is even with the 9 mark. That means it is 9 feet long. It’s really that simple.
Suppose you own a business. Suppose your customers are architects, designers, contractors, builders, engineers, or real estate developers. Suppose you want to advertise your company to them, in a way that your name and phone number are visible to them every hour of the day. An architect scale ruler would be a very effective advertising tool for you! But which one?
Architect 6″ long with four bevel scales
Engineer 12″ long with four bevel scales
Architect 6″ long pocket scale
Hollow triangular architect 12″ scale
These scales are all good choices. Of course the 6″ one are very portable. They are for inspectors and estimators that are on the go. The 12″ ones would usually stay at the work station. Architects and engineers would need different scales, so that is something for you to consider. Ask a couple of your customers which ruler they would prefer. That would take the pressure off of you to make a difficult decision.
An architect scale ruler is used by architects, designers, planners, and draftsmen. If you are going to order some with your company logo, which ruler should you choose?
6 inches long, or 12 inches long? Will the person using it, be carrying it in their shirt pocket, or in their brief case, or on their desk?
Scales. A good architect scale ruler has at least 8 scales. Examples are (1/8, ¼), (½, 1), (3/8, 3/4), (3, 1½). These are listed in pairs, because they share the same edge, but are marked in opposite directions.
Color. It is good to choose a color that goes with your corporate colors.
Imprint color. The logo imprint color is usually the same color as the markings. So, you should choose a markings color that has a high contrast from the color of the ruler.
A good ruler is imprinted using a photo anodized method. This assures smooth edges, so you can use a pen or pencil to draw tick-free lines.
Aluminum is the best material, since it doesn’t warp.
If your architect ruler has all these characteristics, you have a good one.
Most people probably don’t need one, but for those dedicated architects out there, you should probably have an extra one on-hand just in case the situation calls for it!
The average person doesn’t typically use an architect scale ruler– we tend to stick to just a regular ol’ ruler or tape measure. To be honest with you, I hadn’t even heard of these unique rulers until just a few years ago!
What do you think their best features are?
Ability to quickly translate the measurements on a blueprint
They are small and portable (ie: pocket-friendly!)
They come in both rigid and flexible styles
Bonusfeature #4: They can be imprinted with your company’s logo!
The holiday season is officially upon us, and people are eagerly putting together their holiday gift lists. It’s best to plan ahead and take care of the employees and customers on your list who need an architect scale ruler. These are the best ones to spoil them with:
As our minds drift back to elementary American history lessons tomorrow, one can only think, “Did Christopher Columbus have access to an architect scale ruler in his day?”
Okay, sure, that’s probably not the first question that pops to mind when you think about Columbus Day. But surely, Columbus must have possessed a ruler of sorts to help measure his ships, even if it wasn’t an architect scale ruler.
The burning questions is “Why does it matter”. If you ask an architect, he or she will tell you that an architect scale ruler is vital to their daily business. They would not be able to function without these rulers.
What is an architect scale ruler? It is a special ruler that is marked in special scales that correspond to the scale of the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1″ = 1 foot, then each inch on the correct scale will represent one foot in the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1/4″ = 1 foot, then each quarter inch on the 1/4 scale corresponds to 1 foot in the drawing. On this particular scale, each 1/4 inch is marked 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc. So that the “4 marking number” is one inch from the zero mark. Simple, so far. But each of these rulers has several scales, so you don’t have to have multiple rulers in your pocket. Other scales can be 1/8, 1/16, 1/3, 3/16 and so forth. The trick of this business is to be able to choose the correct scale for each drawing you are working on. If you are reading a highway map which is drawn to 1/4″ = 1 mile, you would use the 1/4 scale. If you are with me up to this point, you could become an architect!