which ruler for vehicles?

[Brad Mulock]

Hello James,

I have stuck plenty of vans and other vehicles. I use various methods of marking out the setup lines.

I have experienced the same problem with the steel tape measure so now if doing a vehicle i use my miss’s sewing tape measure. You know the type. Normally found in the bottom of a sewing basket rolled up in a small circle.

I have found these also benefit me but allowing me to measure around trimmings etc.

Hope this helps.

Brad

[Martin Pearson]

James, I have a small (3 mtr) tape measure that lives in my fitting box and is only used for vehicle graphics.
Same as my squeegee for floodcoating I have double sided taped a bit of velvet to it.

I just cut a small peice of velvet and double sided taped it over the hook, that way I can still use the hook but don’t have to worry about it marking anything.
Sewing tapes still have metal ends that may scratch and they do stretch so I wouldn’t use one myself but obviously Brad seems to manage OK with it.

[Steve Underhill]

put some hot melt glue on the end in a very thin layer it will dry as hard as plastic and wont then mark the paint

[Graeme Harrold]

Ive applied heat shrink to the end 10cm of mine…….

[Ian Bingham]

quick tip
someone at roland gave us, make and use you own magnetic tape from off cuts of magnetic sheet we use for signs, about an inch wide and 6 ft long, make a few so they can be used for aligning and measuring
no marks, one man use, great for lining up
Ian

[James Martin]

That’s a nice wee handful of ideas there lads.

I can see myself trying each of them at some stage.

cheers! 😀

[Lorraine Clinch]

As Ian said, off-cut of magnetic, about 2 inches wide, with measurements stuck on to one edge. I used the end of an adhesive bench measure (bought from Jag, I think) which was surplus.

[James Martin]

Tks Lorraine,

I was in visiting a friend of mine this morning and hes given me some felt that has a peel away adhesive side, said he got it in John lewis’s in glasgow.
Just stuck a bit on the end of my tape and its looking good.

Next time I cut some magnetics I’ll be building a couple of rulers with it mind you: I find I measure things far to many times, especially on vehicles.
Any complimentary devices to get things running smoothly has got to be a good thing.

[Derek Heron]

the felt you mention is also great for the back edge of scissors for when your cutting graphics when taped onto van sides etc ,so it doesnt scratch
i also use helix l16 shatterproof rulers clear blue and flexible for measuring on vehicles
derek

[Dave Bruce]

I use a Fisco Big T tape which has a rubber end and comes on its own clip so you don’t keep ruining your trouser pocket clipping it on and off. You can buy them from Jag supplies or good hardware stores.

Cheers

Dave

[Matt Hards]

I have a plastic white 1 metre ruler that i use most of the time. nice and flexible, no marks.