Collective
As a relative newcomer, I notice, within the shop section of the Newsletter (fine publication) there is (or was), repeated mention of a G3 scale rule. Now, I understand that this hasn't been available for, at least 5 years.
How do we go about resurrecting this item - the one thing that a newcomer requires is a reliable measuring stick, and in G3 it would need to be a useful length, 12" is to short, it needs to be at least 18" in length.
Who produced to original artworks for the first batch, is it still available, do we reinvent the wheel..... Or do we just sit here looking at each other?
I have managed to get a 'G' scale one from CPL but at 1:22.5 it keeps coming up short - and it is bloody frustrating.
i agree baz, if the shop does not end up being laid out in the future mags, there should be at very minimum a scale rule available. if you find out who had done them previously, maybe time to get a batch done- poss j.t may know
If it can be resurrected, I for one would buy one. IanH
I have one of the original G3 rules and mine has some interesting features. :-)
Mike W had them produced by one of his trade suppliers I believe. They were made from stainless steel and are quite thin - which is generally very handy but they do need careful storage when not in use.
Regards,
IanT
Yes, I'm guilty here.
I still have the CAD files, so more could be done quite easily. They were etched in a two stage process in hard stainless steel of a thickness recommended by the etchers as what he uses for other scale rules. There are however two errors on them which would be worth correcting and would therefore involve at least a partial re-tooling cost. One error is that one of the scales increments 1,2,3,4,5,6, ... 28,29,20,21,22 ...! I forget the other error but I'm sure I could find it.
At the time some said they were too thin, others liked it. One committee member complained that a small section is in half millimetres which nobody uses - he said. Must admit much of the actual design was my own preference.
So, most of the work has been done - very happy to hand the CAD file over to whoever wants to take it on.
Regarding the Society Shop, I do hope the Society is not thinking of selling it all to one trader.
Mike
If a new scale rule is to be produced, could we have one that has a matt surface? The one that I have at present is shiny and difficult to read. I don't mind that it is thin in fact, in some ways, I quite prefer it.
Jon
Thin is good for a measuring rule - it helps avoid parallax error.
IanT
I'm looking at mine now, and no, I don't normally take it to bed for spanking duties...🥴
I can see no sign of the scale error mentioned by Mike W, so I can only assume the artwork was corrected at some point. As for length Baz, mine has a scale up to 13". As for shininess Jon, I would quite agree it should be matte.
I find it occasionally useful, but probably wouldn't buy another (even if better) one.
Tim
Id probably buy one if it was reasonably long. Would help with quick measurment checks while scratchbuilding.
What were the scale divisions of the original design?
A Metric/Imperial rule (an edge for each) on one side and 'Scale' feet (at 13.5mm/ft) on the other side (along both top & bottom edges, which is useful) - will measure up to 25 scale feet Trevor
IanT
I see it was 2009 when I drew this out and it was made by Photo Etch Consultants of Birmingham. The errors were on one side only and I corrected the artwork in 2015 but the Society decided not to proceed with another batch at that time. I can't lay my hands on the invoice at present so can't tell you what they cost us back then.
Not sure how you produce a matt finish but still show the engraved lettering clearly, but the etchers may advise.
The last Newsletter implied that something may be happening to the Shop so I guess now may not be the best time for the Society to take this on .. or maybe it is? Is there a committee member on here?
Mike
Matt or brush finish stainless is quite common. The only issue could be a supplier being able to obtain it in a small quantity at a reasonable price. As Mike says, the only way to find out is to talk to the etchers.
Andy
I have one of the original "numerically challenged" ones. I don't use it as much as I originally thought that I would. The reason is the fact that it is too long... One of about 15cm length and a mm thick would be perfect for me.
Regards
Ralph
Yes, Mike, I'm on here..... What's happening with the shop? Might be a case of 'use it or loose it' but if there's nothing to sell, who's going to buy it....? One has to stock the items that people need/want.... If you're stocking stuff that doesn't sell, why are you stocking it? Anyway, this is diverting from the main question - Measuring sticks.
I know PEC in Brum, though I've not spoke to them for a while, I have thrown money at them in the past. Will have to dig out my contacts book.
So, Ralph wants one the size of a 6" rule, (how can a12" rule be to long...?) I want one that's the length of an 18" rule.....
If you've got the artwork Mike perhaps we need to talk - it could be that I stand the cost of production & the risk of selling them on.... if the Society doesn't want to put it's hand in it's collective pocket.
i'll buy one if you get a new batch done correctly baz, as i'm sure others will. perhaps some of us could "loan" you a gift to share the cost of production and re-coup afterwards? ash
At 15cm that is a handy size for things around the 10 feet size. Since most of my models sit within a 10 feet sq envelope this makes things easier to mark and measure with.
Regards
Ralph
Hi All,
I would prefer a longer rule but would support what ever could be provided.
Tim
Regrettably, whilst this present restriction is in force, the etchers are not working, so a quote won't be available for a few months. However, I am still very happy to send the CAD file to anyone who wishes to lead the project. He can check it over and make any alterations, but if anyone else can find an etcher that's working good luck!
Mike
Would it not be worthwhile to make an 18"ish example and then chop it down for those prefering a smaller length?
Or split the etch up into shorter and longer ones and maybe sell as a set? I can see both being useful to me at least. Im sure to others as well.
As most of my stuff ranges from 11-17" an 18" rule would suit me well. But a shorter 6" is much easier to manipulate for smaller parts.
If you can find a thin 500mm rule (or longer if you wish) then reading directly off it in 'mm' and multiplying by 0.074147 (I've rounded it) will give you the full-sized scale feet. Easy to do with the Memory function on most calculators.
Why that number? - lets do it the long way - 1mm x 22.6 (full size in mm) / 25.4 (to inches) / 12 (to feet). So do this calculation, store the result and there you go. Not direct reading but pretty good for most things...
Only thing is - I can't find a 'mm' rule that starts back at 200mm when I get up to 299mm (like my G3 ones does) - and I've grown kind of accustomed to it. :-)
Regards,
IanT
Cheeky - I knew there was an error on there somewhere!
Mike
Well, I'll buy one, 12 or 18 inches, if it's thin and matte.
Jon
Is it possible for an owner of one of these elusive beasts to take a photo and post it on here, please. Cos, at the moment, I think I've got more chance of spotting Bigfoot...... ;D LOL
Couldn't find a Bigfoot - but did find this image from 2009.
I cannot remember the exact where & whys of how I have this - I think it's original artwork that was photographed (maybe by Mike). A bit blurry but it may give you some idea - otherwise I'll take a photo of mine....
Regards,
IanT
(https://i.ibb.co/nk8jj2b/Ruler.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nk8jj2b)
You can probably see from Ian's picture that the scale rule is on both edges of one side of the rule. Occasionally useful for measuring into corners where RH or LH help. The other side of the rule just has full size measurements - MM one edge and Inches the other, with the usual sections for 1/2mm, CM and on the other side some sections with 16th, 1/8th etc. the idea being that whatever you want should be on there somewhere but the whole of one side is just Gauge 3.
Mike
Thanks, Ian & Mike, now I know what's what, what...!
Mike, did you produce the original artwork or was it a commission job?
Have tried phoning Photo-Etch, no answer, no surprise, no answer machine message? So an email has been fired over, see if anybody is monitoring traffic whilst working from home - had no 'out of office' or bounce back, so I'll just bide my time.
I did the artwork Barry, on AutoCAD. Will be interesting to see what PEC say because it was done in my name, so they shouldn't tell you anything about it, but we'll see!
I ordered some etches from them on 5th Feb and they've not arrived so I am sure they have closed.
Mike
Back to this old chestnut. My 12" G3 scale rule is not only shiny but the numerals et all are NOT blacked in making it even more difficult to read.
Jon