[raventree78]

Was in the old harbor freight the other day and saw a metal 40 inch ruler. I thought "hey I need an good strong metal straight edge" so I bought it and brought it home and cut off

18 inches and then a piece to 12 inches and the remainder is about 10 inches. Now that I had them in useful sizes I need them to stay where I put them. So I rubber cemented 180 grit emery cloth to the backs of the rulers. I would have used a finer grit if it had been available but the 180 is not too aggressive really. Then I used an snap blade razor knife to trim the emery cloth back from the edge a little bit.

The result is a set of metal straight edges that are of useful size and don't skid around when you are using them. I like them for cutting things like latex band material and leather. I think the investment (like 6 or 7 dollars and an hour of your time) yields a useful and handy product

 

[Tag]

Great investment

 

[SLING-N-SHOT]

Great hack Robert, can see those being very useful


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[Ordo]

Better get a safty rule to protect your fingers.

 

[Sandstorm]

The sandpaper was good thinking. I used a bit of flex seal spray on the back of my straight edge. Worked pretty well.

 

[ZippyBands]

Raventree78,
You choice of ruler and sizes will work very well. I have been using similar rulers to cut latex. The addition of the emery cloth to the back side is a very good addition that I will have to try as well. Thanks for posting. Good ideas!

 

[ZippyBands]

The sandpaper was good thinking. I used a bit of flex seal spray on the back of my straight edge. Worked pretty well.

Sandstorm,
Your idea of a "tacky" backside on the ruler is also a good idea. I am betting that it works well!

 

[Sandstorm]

Sandstorm,
Your idea of a "tacky" backside on the ruler is also a good idea. I am betting that it works well!

Thanks @ZippyBands. If you get one of those universal taper rulers it works well for that too. Those things are pretty slidey. I’ve heard that the traditional cork backing is enough on rulers but I found it doesn’t run all the way to the edge on most.