July 9, 201411 yr At the Flea Market this morning I also found this two awesome Stanley Boxwood Folding Rulers. Stanley made several type of Boxwood Rulers, imagine that, much like the planes they made. They made them with several different features so like everything you have to look at all of it. Both of these are Square Joint Rulers. Here is a listing of just some of the Stanley Boxwood Rulers. So I was able to find two, one is a Stanley No. 61 and the other is a Stanley No. 62. The first one is a No. 61 that is a Square Joint with 8th and 16th graduations. This ruler is from between 1907 and 1909. The second is a No. 62 this is also a Square Joint but with 8ths, 10ths, 12ths and 16ths. It is a Sweet Hart Logo. The thing about the SW logo is it went through several modifications. The one on this ruler is from 1922 to 1935. Notice the difference in the top of the heart. In the later version it stopped at the edge of the box around Stanley. In the earlier version the top of the heart went into the box. This is the latest of the SW logos. This has a little wider heart also. And this was the earliest of the SW logos. The heart is narrow and goes will into the box with the Stanley more rounded around the heart. These rulers fold open at the hinge. Then they open at the joint to make a 24" ruler. The older one has a joint that is out of line, but it appears to be solid. The newer ruler is nice and straight and in good condition. I think Lew was right, I am going to need a bigger display case. Happy Patriot Picking.
July 9, 201411 yr You know those box rulers are timeless, I love them. I have always meant to pick one up for my shop and start using one, they seem so easy to use, in the pocket, and no recoiling tape. The box ruler is still the preferred the measuring device for our grade checkers on the grading jobs we survey. We set the hubs with elevations telling the equipment where to push the dirt, and the grade checkers come by with their folding rulers and measure up from our hubs to the actual grade of the project area. And they set a feather with their peep sight using that folding ruler. Still in use today not only in woodworking but other trades as well. Great write up John,
July 9, 201411 yr If you asked me a year ago, before I started into woodworking, if I had any interest in wooden rulers, I'd have said no. Now I see how useful they can be. Great find.
July 9, 201411 yr Very good find! I know my Dad had several that he used and I played with when I was young. As the saying goes, I wish I knew then what I know now and we wouldn't have given some of his old tools away!
July 10, 201411 yr I remember my dad too Harry, in his lil shop he had a Stanley Combo Fold up Ruler, it could do everything, dang near did calculus as well on it!
September 9, 201411 yr Author Harry I broke several of my dad's zig zag rulers using them as swords. I wish I had been more careful with them then and I might have them now. Very good find! I know my Dad had several that he used and I played with when I was young. As the saying goes, I wish I knew then what I know now and we wouldn't have given some of his old tools away! Harry Brink Bulldog Woodworking Montana
June 19, 20241 yr I have inherited a very old but in MINT condition Stanley No 68 Wooden Ruler there is only the round hinge at the top - no additional brackets to hold the hinge - the writing is STANLEY with no circle around it and no heart. Any assistance with age? The STANLEY logo is exactly as the logo in 1907-1909.
January 23, 20251 yr Popular Post I just found this little gem when I was helping demo an old building. It was located in a wall and it is in remarkable shape. Other than dust on it, this is what it looks like after wiping it down. Edited January 23, 20251 yr by cdnvet
January 23, 20251 yr Popular Post I am wondering how long it has been sitting in that wall and when it.was made. So many questions.
January 24, 20251 yr First, welcome to The Patriot Woodworker @cdnvet. Glad you found us and great this thread brought you here. What an awesome find. What stories that ruler holds. Thanks for sharing with us. Hope to see and read more about your projects, what you're doing and especially any woodology finds. Great to have you on board.
April 18, 2025Apr 18 Popular Post Well..for $18 + tax...a No. 68 has arrived in the Dungeon Woodshop... Just has "STANLEY" and a No. 68 stamped on the outside, and.. And all this stamped on the inside... Would like to know what to use, to clean off the grime with....without removing any markings...Hinges do need a spot of oil, though..
April 18, 2025Apr 18 3 hours ago, steven newman said: Would like to know what to use, to clean off the grime with....without removing any markings.. Try hydrogen peroxide on the unmarked side first. It should be OK. I've used it with good success. Nice score BTW. Those are very rare in the wild around here.
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