(http://jp29.org/00catx.jpg)
Rules made of boxwood were the primary measuring tools used by workers in my trade for bench work and general use prior to the 1960s - it seemed every craftsman and apprentice carried a folding boxwood rule in his apron or overall pocket. Some older craftsmen used the ivory rules that were offered by most of these makers, but their usage was not extensive due to their expense and the (maybe undeserved) perception that they shrank and splintered with use.
In general, folding boxwood rules manufactured in England read from left to right while those manufactured in the USA read from right to left. Plain rules such as bench rules, desk top rulers, pattern maker's shrinkage rules, etc. manufactured in the USA read from left to right. Stanley and Lufkin would supply their folding boxwood rules to US customers reading left to right on special order.
This is not intended to be a survey of all boxwood rules - rather the ones I depict and describe here represent those that I have owned or used during my lifetime. I mostly used boxwood rules manufactured by Rabone, Preston & Stanley during my apprenticeship in northern England.
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John Rabone & Sons - Birmingham, England
The boxwood rules produced by John Rabone & Sons (est. 1784) were renowned for their excellent design and quality of manufacture.
(http://jp29.org/00rabone10.jpg)
(http://jp29.org/00rabone11.jpg)
No. 1167 Rabone 3ft four-fold boxwood "Blindman's rule".
"Blindman's rule" was a term used to describe those with extra large and black numbers - Stanley and Lufkin actually labeled them that way in their catalogs while Chapin-Stephens marked and cataloged them as "Nearsite rules". They were particularly well liked by older workers with diminished eyesight especially in poorly lighted work areas. I liked them anyway for general use.
In 1963 John Rabone & Sons merged with James Chesterman Co. Ltd. - renowned manufacturer of high quality steel rules - to form The Rabone Chesterman Co. This company continued to manufacture measuring (and other) tools at the Chesterman Sheffield Bow Works until they were bought out by Stanley in 1984.
(http://jp29.org/00chesterman07.jpg)
(http://jp29.org/00chesterman04.jpg)
No. 1162 Rabone Chesterman 3ft four-fold compass hinge boxwood
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Edward Preston & Sons - Birmingham, England
This prestigious English firm - renowned for their wide range of high quality hand tools - manufactured fine boxwood rules from the date of their founding in 1825 until their demise in 1933. Their folding boxwood rules have always been highly regarded by woodworking craftsmen.
(http://jp29.org/00preston07.jpg)
No. 3111 Preston 2ft four-fold boxwood rule
(http://jp29.org/00preston10.jpg)
Marked:
No. 3111 ..... E. PRESTON & SONS B'HAM. ENG.
TRADEMARK (EP in cartouche) ..... WARRANd BOXWOOD
(http://jp29.org/00preston06.jpg)
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Belcher Brothers & Co. - New York City, USA
The oldest manufacturer of boxwood rules in the United States, this company was founded originally in 1821 as Thomas Belcher Co. - Belcher Brothers & Co. was in business from 1853 until 1885.
(http://jp29.org/00belcher01.jpg)
Belcher 24" plain bench rule
Plain boxwood rules - bench rules, desk top rulers, pattern maker's shrinkage rules, etc. manufactured in the USA read from left to right.
(http://jp29.org/00belcher02.jpg)
Elegant old English numbering was used on early Belcher rules
(http://jp29.org/00belcher04.jpg)
Marked: BELCHER BROs. Co. N.Y.
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H. Chapin Co. & Chapin-Stephens Co. - Pine Meadow, Conn. USA
The H. Chapin Co. (est. 1826) was a great innovator in the production of boxwood rules and several of their employees (such as Lorenzo Stephens with his son, Delos H. and Henry Seymour) went on to form their own manufacturing companies. The H. Chapin Co. subsequently merged with the D. H. Stephens Co. in 1901 to form the Chapin-Stephens Co. which produced fine quality boxwood rules (and other tools) before going out of business in 1929.
(http://jp29.org/00chapin05.jpg)
Chapin 2ft four-fold fully brass bound boxwood rule (No. 15)
(http://jp29.org/00chapin06.jpg)
Marked: NO 15 ..... H. CHAPIN ..... U.S. STANDARD
(http://jp29.org/00chapin08.)
Chapin-Stephens 2ft four-fold fully brass bound boxwood rule (No. 84)
(http://jp29.org/00chapin09.jpg)
Marked: NO. 84 ..... THE C-S CO ..... PINE MEADOW ..... CONN U.S.A.
Note: These rules were also marked: THE CHAPIN-STEPHENS CO. instead of C-S CO.
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Stanley Rule & Level Co./Stanley Tools - New Britain, Conn. USA
Stanley Rule & Level Co. (est. 1858) - subsequently Stanley Tools - maintained an excellent reputation for producing fine quality rules of all types that were universally popular with all kinds of woodworkers. Stanley bought out and absorbed numerous smaller companies especially during the early 1900s. Stanley would supply their folding boxwood rules to US customers reading left to right in the English tradition on special order.
(http://jp29.org/00astanley2.jpg)
Stanley's least expensive 2ft four-fold boxwood rule (No. 68)
popular in school woodworking shops and with Apprentices.
Marked: NO.68 ..... STANLEY .....
(http://jp29.org/00astanley4.jpg)
Stanley's very popular 2ft four-fold boxwood rule (No. 62)
fully brass bound (discontinued after WWII)
Marked: STANLEY ..... NO. 62 and on reverse side .........
(http://jp29.org/00stanley04.jpg)
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Lufkin Rule Co. - Saginaw, Mich. USA
The Lufkin Rule Co. (est. 1869) produced fine quality boxwood rules which have always been popular and highly regarded. At one time they were the largest manufacturer of rules in the United States. Lufkin would supply their folding boxwood rules to US customers reading left to right in the English tradition on special order.
Note: Lufkin entered into an agreement with John Rabone & Sons whereby the latter company would manufacture folding boxwood rules to Lufkin's specification for the British market and mark them "Lufkin Made in England". These rules read from left to right in the English tradition.
(http://jp29.org/00lufkin14.jpg)
Lufkin 2 ft four-fold boxwood rule
Marked: No. 651 ..... LUFKIN ..... MADE IN ENGLAND ..... BOXWOOD
(http://jp29.org/00lufkin12.jpg)
Lufkin 12 inch two-fold boxwood rule with caliper slide
Marked: LUFKIN ..... No. 372 (36½) ..... WARRANTED ..... BOXWOOD
(http://jp29.org/00lufkin07.jpg)
Lufkin 6 inch two-fold boxwood rule with caliper slide marked: LUFKIN
(http://jp29.org/00lufkin08.jpg)
Marked on reverse side: NO. 171 ..... MADE IN U.S.A
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Upson Nut Co. - Unionville, Conn. USA
Founded circa. 1854 in New York, this company manufactured a wide range of boxwood rules until they went out of business in 1911.
(http://jp29.org/00upson01.jpg)
Upson 2ft four-fold boxwood rule (No. 61)
(http://jp29.org/00upson02.jpg)
(http://jp29.org/00upson03.jpg)
Marked: No.61 ..... UPSON NUT CO.
Several US manufacturers adopted Stanley's numbering system for their own boxwood rules - including Upson.
James
Very nice report. I like all your articles.
4 fold rule? Is that 1 center hinge around z-axis, and 2 hinges around x-axis?
Chilly
GREAT post!!
Jim C.
Quote from: Chillylulu on July 09, 2014, 04:26:04 PM
Very nice report. I like all your articles ...........
Thank you Chilly.
Quote.......... 4 fold rule? Is that 1 center hinge around z-axis, and 2 hinges around x-axis? ..........
Here is a pic:
(http://jp29.org/00bwfr.jpg)
James
Thank you Jim C.
James
Thank you for posting, very educational & interesting... Now I got to find all my rulers...
Quote from: oldtools on July 09, 2014, 06:31:28 PM
Thank you for posting, very educational & interesting... Now I got to find all my rulers...
Thanks oldtools - please post some pics.
James
My thanks too for this post. The company dates are really appreciated (some folks write like these rules were invented by Stanley). Like Old Tools, I'm gonna have to check my own stash of folding rules. There are a couple I really like, especially for the full brass binding.
Quote from: Branson on July 10, 2014, 08:59:28 AM
My thanks too for this post. The company dates are really appreciated (some folks write like these rules were invented by Stanley). Like Old Tools, I'm gonna have to check my own stash of folding rules. There are a couple I really like, especially for the full brass binding.
Thank you Branson.
Just for general information:
The strength (and cost) of folding boxwood rules was directly related to the type of hinges (especially the main folding hinge) employed:
(http://jp29.org/00rule01.jpg)
Top to bottom:
Round hinge: weakest and least expensive
Square hinge: stronger and more expensive
Arch hinge: strongest and most expensive
The middle rule has fully brass bound edges - another feature that added to the cost of the rule.
James
Your rules look like you just walked out the hardware store with new stock.
Thanks for your efforts , very nice.
Ditto Lostmind!
My small Stanley looks like he just returned from a hard day in a dirty shop!
Quote from: DobroDan on July 20, 2014, 11:42:50 PM
Ditto Lostmind!
My small Stanley looks like he just returned from a hard day in a dirty shop!
Nice combination rule & caliper...
Oooh, somehow I missed this thread earlier. Excellent information James, thank you for posting this.
I have a 2' 4 boxwood reads left to right made in USA ("No.70E is in the 8" lines, Stanley in 9" , and also has No.7 in the 10") to read the maker and no.s right side up the 7' thru 11" is on bottom reading L to R with the brass hinge on the right end. I can't find one like it anywhere, can you give me some light on this mystery?
Quote from: jpaz on July 09, 2014, 06:50:03 PM
Quote from: oldtools on July 09, 2014, 06:31:28 PM
Thank you for posting, very educational & interesting... Now I got to find all my rulers...
Thanks oldtools - please post some pics.
James
Only found one, (the other 2 with brass borders somehow walked away?)
"Boxwood, Made in USA" can't see any other markings.. 24" read right to left both sides..
Have you seen the Rule Book by Jane & Mark Rees (UK)
see: http://www.reestools.co.uk/books.html
She had access to the last traditional rule makers working on the UK...
I have a Rabone 1167 3ft four fold with a seized hinge; the usual remedies haven't worked. Is there a technique or solution for this problem?
And another question that fits in with the one above....
My Stanley #61 has spent too much time in assorted greasy toolboxes. It's filthy and in spots hard to read.
Any tips on how to restore it without erasing the markings ??
Thanks for the write up, I enjoyed reading it. Very informative an great pics.
Here is one I sold recently. I found it in a local basement. Its a little different. I have allot more pics if anyone is interested.
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/slideruleA.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/slideruleA.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/slideruleB.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/slideruleB.jpg.html)
Very nice and unusual. What does the other side look like?
Some additional information on the Hogg slide rule.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1127953
Mike
Not a folding rule obviously but it is made of boxwood. They are somewhat rare. The amount of stamping is crazy. Interesting history shown in Mikes link.
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/sliderule.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/sliderule.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/slideruleA.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/slideruleA.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/slideruleB.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/slideruleB.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/slideruleC.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/slideruleC.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/slideruleD.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/slideruleD.jpg.html)
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa388/cozfly/slideruleE.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/cozfly/media/slideruleE.jpg.html)
This is the first I saw this article. Thanks for that, and all the added links. I don't have alot of experience with boxwood rules, but I think I'm the only person left that I know that uses a 6' folding rule. That slide rule was love at first sight
hey, 51 cub, count me in on using a 6 foot folding rule, also my old 8 foot folding rule, I use them more than
my tape measures.
don't ask me how many times I have broken one, just by leaving it open and in my back pocket and
brush by something. I think that you can see the picture.
I still have one that also slides out instead of unfolding, but only use it for inside measurements.
No, you're not alone. I have five: three wooden Red Heads (in case I break one and then another) that I use mainly for inside measurements and two metal ones (one new to me) that I find useful on occasion for stock layout.
Hi, all. I'm trying to find a rough date for this 4 fold. I was asked to clear out the shop of a friend, and this was one of the gems.
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7373/27982556526_817a4ae752.jpg)] (http://[url=https://flic.kr/p/JCHVa9)
Thanks.
Stan, A rough date is 1920-1935 as that was the sweethart era. There are 3 different sweethart marks that will get you a little closer. Unfortunately I don't have that information with me.
Mike
Cool! Google is our friend. Using your comment as a key, I found the particular logo on my rule is dated 1923-1932. Now, It seems that I should look to see if my other old Stanleys are of the Sweetheart era.
Thanks.
Glad to help. Below are all of the logos Stanley used over the years.
I printed this so I wouldn't lose it.
Don't take any of the dates as "absolutes" as they might vary by a year or two.
http://www.antique-used-tools.com/stantms.htm
Mike
Very interesting to read about american rules. A few photos of european rules.
Henri
What is the brand on that 4 fold, Nasutushenri?
Okay, clearly, I don't know all of what I have. I must have put my hands on it all sometime, but I found one I don't remember at all. It's a 6" folding square, inches on one side, metric on the other. And boxwood, I presume.
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7487/27456512703_97e2d6a1ac.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7316/27457139784_8d68a3aa80.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7118/27968252912_3f6a82a361.jpg)
I can only assume that years ago, when I last was in that drawer, I didn't think too much about the contents. It's marked "The Thornton Institute, 15 Castle St. London"
Quote from: Stan D on July 03, 2016, 03:37:42 PM
What is the brand on that 4 fold, Nasutushenri?
Stan, thanks for the interest. The brand is "Duimstokkenfabriek SCHUIL". In the Dutch language a rule is a "duimstok".
The factory make wooden rules of high quality for nearly 70 years.
Do a quick copy and paste on that brand name and you can see a Dutch language video of the rules being made.
Cool!
Quote from: Northwoods on July 04, 2016, 08:31:56 AM
Do a quick copy and paste on that brand name and you can see a Dutch language video of the rules being made.
Cool!
Just for the record, the SCHUIL video is in the Frisian language, not the Dutch language.
Recently I came across another SCHUIL rule, a shorter one.
Henri
Touché!
Wow, what detail on that Schuil.
So, I was at a steam engine show in Maryland's Eastern Shore this past weekend. There was a good sized flea market area, with lots of old tools. One guy had a few Stanley 4 folds like mine. Except not in as good of shape as mine. He wanted $45 for his best looking one. So either they're really worth that, or this guy has a pair of big brass ones to ask that much. Either way, I was impressed. I'm not interested in selling anything I've got. I'm just interested in the history of it all.
I have an interesting old Stanley ruler that belonged to my grandfather, who passed away in 1963. It's a two-foot ruler with a single hinge in the middle, and looks just like the one on this web page:
http://www.jimbodetools.com/Rare-STANLEY-No-15-Boxwood-and-Brass-Engineer-s-Rule-with-E-and-M-Scales-Marked-SPECIAL-p49034.html
My questions is - what makes it special? And how do I know if it's a no. 15? Is it really this valuable? Thanks for any information you can give me!
Rules like many other antique tools require a lot of research to determine their value. There is a lot of information out there about Stanley rules. Another thing to keep in mind is a person like Jim Bode makes his living buying and selling antique tools. Jim has a lot of inventory and has some very nice items but his prices usually reflect the upper end of the market value. Jim has been in the business for a long time. If the rule isn't marked with a number then comparing it with others found on line is a good way but you need to make sure the scales marked on your rule are the same as the ones you find online. English and Metric combination rules in my limited experience of looking at boxwood rules are harder to find.
Other guys on here have more experience an hopefully they will chime in.
One of the things I didn't mention in my first post is that this rule has no number on it. It also looks just like the no. 26 on this web page, except that where his says "No. 26" mine just says "Special."
http://collectingme.com/Measuring/Stanley_No_26_two_fold_rule.aspx
I haven't been able to find out much else about it in the couple of hours I spent online, although I did discover that the E and M scales are apparently for figuring the taper on a ship's mast, and stand for "Edge" and "Middle," for what that may be worth!
Thanks for the reply!