Cheap Ruler accuracy

[Videojunkie]

I found this when I was looking for an inexpensive fret ruler.

GEN2 Laser-cut Fret Scale Marking Templates - provide both Chromatic & Diatonic Styles - Pick your Scale!

I wound up using printed templates that I made in Autocad and glued with spray adhesive to the wood, but I used this laser cut template to confirm my printouts. It was as accurate as I was able to cut using a block and handsaw.

The only 2 things that actually matter when building a fretted instrument is the fretboard, and the location of the bridge.

 

[tlc1976]

Then again, if the plotter is 36" inches wide and the width scale is accurate, you wouldn't actually have a problem!

Indeed, if I was making a bass fret template, I could use that machine with the template horizontal.

 

[wiscoaster]

You guys aren't going to like my answer.....
<snip>...Accurate fret position is an important part of building a high quality bass. This is one place where you shouldn't say "it's good enough..."

I liked your answer. Thanks for the detail and the description of your methodology. Pretty awesome.

 

[rudy4444]

As another suggestion for an accurate reference rule I'd also suggest looking at the Woodpecker 24" aluminum rule. This rule would also serve well as a general purpose shop rule, which is a good thing because "(wo)man does not live by bass alone".

I have a few of their products and I'd trust the laser-etched markings to be "accurate", at least as accurate as necessary in this application. The rule is marked in 1/16" graduations, but that and general interpolation by eye will get you close enough to double-check a printed scale. Plus, the heavy aluminum is finished in a very sexy red that contributes to a professional shop vibe (and makes it easy to locate!).

This pairs well with my deep-dive suggestions in post #26 of this topic.

 

[rudy4444]

I'm curious if anyone has used the MusicNomad precision aluminum triangular multi-purpose rule / straightedge for guitar and bass use. For $35 it looks like a useful alternative to the alternatives.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

These are Machinist's Rulers, if you haven't seen them.

This is the set that I keep on my woodworking bench. I have another group over on my metalworking bench.

Two 6" rulers, a 12", an 18", a 24" and a 36". The 36" ruler is the Flexible style; the others are Rigid style.

Machinist's Rulers are available in different combinations of graduations. I like the 5R and 15R combinations best; they are decimal inches on one side and fractional inches on the other. These four are flipped on the decimal side. The 6" one is a 15R, which is graduated in 50ths on the upper edge and 100ths on the lower edge. The other three are 5R, which are 10ths and 100ths.

Here, the upper one is flipped over to the fractional side, which is 32nds and 64ths.

Of course, they also make Machinist's rulers in Metric. I have a couple of them too. And you can also get Combo rulers which are Inches on one side and Metric on the other.

These rulers aren't cheap. For example, a top grade Starrett 24" ruler is $388 new. I have two 24" Starretts that I bought used on ebay for about $40 each. A Mitutoyo 24" is about $65 new. A cheaper import 24" is $25.

This is my recommendation for hand layout of fret slot locations: a 24" Machinist's Ruler with 100ths graduations on one side. Or, if you like to work metric, a 600mm ruler.

 

[rudy4444]

Thanks, Bruce.

I do have a brand new Starrett #51484 24" Satin Chrome to 64ths that is still in its original brown sleeve with its certification sticker that I've been meaning to eBay. My father in law was a tool and gage maker and I inherited a lot of machinist goodies that I simply don't use other than verifying the accuracy of other measuring methods I use. I do use the cute lil Starrett 3" combination square, but stuff like 1-2-3 blocks and sine bars are buried in a box somewhere.
Absolutely nothing wrong with using a quality machinist's rule, of course.