1. The Rule.
—The foot rule is used as a unit of measurement in woodwork. The rule ordinarily used is called a two-foot rule because of its length. Such rules are hinged so as to fold once or twice and are usually made of boxwood or maple. The divisions along the outer edges, the edges opposite the center hinge, are inches, halves, fourths, eighths, and on one side sixteenths also. [Fig. 1].
Fig. 1.
The rule should not be laid flat on the surface to be measured but should be stood on edge so that the knife point can be made to touch the divisions on the rule and the wood at the same time. [Fig. 2].
Fig. 2.
Whenever there are several measurements to be made along a straight line, the rule should not be raised until all are made, for with each placing of the rule errors are likely to occur.
Fig. 3.