INCRA T-RULE06 6-Inch Precision Marking T-Rule

Ordered the INCRA T-RULE06 6-Inch and the INCRA TINYT03 3-inch precision T-rule and am very impressed with both INCRA products. The precision and costruction are superb. My only request would be the inclusion of a rigid storage case. These are not something you just toss into your toolbox. But with proper care, they will last a long time.Most of the complaints I've read seem to center around the "tiny holes" and "flimsy" material. Both are necessary to preserve the precision of the instrument. You just can't accurately mark a 1/32nd increment using a standard #2 lead pencil thru a deep hole. Using a (required) 0.5 mm mechanical pencil, you can mark 2 lines 1/32nd apart and still see them as individual lines! This is incredibly difficult using a standard pencil no matter how "sharp" it is.Out of curiosity, I measured the thickness of the ruler at 0.010" using a Starrett micrometer. The ruler will never lie "perfectly flat" on its own, and it doesn't matter! In use, your fingers and the pencil will easily keep it "flat" against the work surface.Another common compaint seems to be the small writing on the ruler. There is a LOT of information being presented on the ruler, and it is very clearly ENGRAVED. Yes, it's small, and I must use my reading glasses to insert the pencil into the correct hole. But the text is all necessary and probably as big as it can be and still fit in the available space. I'm getting to be a bit old, so I don't blame the instrument - I blame my eyes.Being an "intermediate" level woodworker, my skills don't yet allow me to work to the level of precision possible with this instrument. With this ruler, I can now mark 2 perfectly parallel lines at a precise location. But for me, actually making an accurate cut along those lines - well, I'm still working on that!Overall, I'm quite impressed with the Incra T-rules and would definitely buy them again.

I didn't realize my measuring tape was off by and eighth of an inch until I started using this thing! I thought I just sucked at measuring and cutting holes! I can't get over how much I love this thing. I see people complaining about how thin it is, but that's part of what gives it its precision, people!!You need either a mechanical pencil or one that's really sharp. The holes are tiny, but that's a GOOD thing. You can be precise up to 1/64th of an inch with this bad boy! I love it. No more struggling with keeping my tape measure straight or making sure that it's pulled out all the way so that the rivet at the front isn't pushed in for inside measurements when measuring an outside measurement. No more of the tape measure falling over when I'm trying to use it. No more making sure I'm centered with my tape measure. No more making a mark that I HOPE is precise only to have to come right back with a speed square to make the final long mark. Game changer, I tell ya.

Keep in mind, I am not a machinist or a fine wood worker. However, I routinely need to make accurate pencil-mark measurements, and nothing in my shop was cutting it. I've just received the Incra T-Rule, and I'm already happy with the purchase. I've spot-checked the measurements with calipers, and they're very accurate. The right angle may not be perfect, but it's certainly better than any of the other four squaring devices I own. I have no question this will work well for my purposes. That being said, consumers should know, this is not the all-singing-all-dancing second coming of measuring devices. Here are some limitations worth noting:* If you are looking straight at the ruler, it is nice and rigid along the x and y axises. However, it very flexible along the z axis. This can be a benefit under the right circumstances, and won't be an issue on relatively flat boards. Still, if you require a stiff ruler throughout, shop elsewhere. Furthermore, be prepared to treat and store this device a bit delicately.* Down to 1/32" measurements should be fine, but 1/64 accuracy, although featured on the ruler, likely will not work well. At this fine a measure, a spec of dust or the pencil could throw off the measurement. If you consistently need to measure at this level of precision, you might need to spend money on some Swiss precision stuff.* Although a great right angle, Incra makes no claims as to how good a right angle it is. So, probably best not to think of this as a perfect square.* The writing is, by necessity, very small. If you need reading glasses, you'll need them now.* You can only make tick marks with a 5mm mechanical pencil. Not much of anything else will work. So, if you don't have one, get one.* This device will make better measurements - not faster ones. It's still best to move slowly and measure twice.Still, a great product. It'll do what it promises.

I've been looking for a better solution to holding a pencil against a sliding ruler to mark set up lines. This promises to be just the thing I've been looking for. I use a Pentel 5mm mechanical pencil which under my heavy hand tends break lead frequently. I've discovered if you let the jig "pull" or "push" the pencil once slotted in the right measurement hole, the lead will survive longer, and your marks will be very legible. It's also just like Incra to get you to the smallest measurement incremens as possible, so if you need to be accurate to the 32nds or 64ths, this jig is just what you need. Of course, it's also good for marking 8ths and 16ths too, but finding the right notch is a bit tricky at first (especially if your eyesight is not quite what it used to be). I've noticed a significant improvment in my ability to draw precise layout lines using the Incra Precision t-rule. I am sorry I waited until now to get one. P.S.: the 6" ruler is probably as big as I would go, since the ruler tends to wander off course the futher away from the T-Bar you are.