Calibrated steel ruler

[Welderpaul]

Chaps,

I need a 1m metric-only steel rule with a calibration cert for self-calibration of tape measures.

I have seen them at Cromwell before but they don't seem to do them now.

Other online places are stupid prices.

Anyone know a decent online shop?
Thanks

 

[Rocketman]

Try ringing up your local Cromwell and talk to the area sales guy. They will usually get you something in they no longer have in the catalogue or don't have in the catalogue.

 

[madkayaker]

Step dad might still have a calibration tape measure if that helps

 

[Hitch]

RS do calibrated rules, not sure about metric only though....


Its a good addition, should get rid of some of the poundland tapes people seem to use where the mm marks are different sizes, and reads 5mm different even to a class2 tape.
Although.... i suppose they should be calibrated at a set temperature, an 8m tape can vary by 3mm from cold to hot....
And has there has been no mention of calibrating any other tools at this end.... Squares, rules, protractors....

 

[Welderpaul]

Its for the ISO9001 side of things rather than CE.

I supply all the tapes to avoid cheapy rubbish ones, and to make sure they are all the same make. Plus, they are a consumable really, don't last more than 6 months until the first metre or so of numbers is worn when there's grinding, cutting oils etc around the place.

Calibrating tapes...measure first metre against rule, measure middle metre, and end metre, should be within 1mm of the calibrated scale.
Squares, one entry on the list of gear, lump them together.....method of test....scrible a line on the bench, turn it round and check.

Sounds all rather pointless and ineffectual to me. Will avoid gross error, but i was expecting something a bit more rigorous....each bit of kit ID'd, sent off for checking...

Lot of smoke and mirrors this ISO 9001 IMO. A lot of pretty paperwork and thats about it.

 

[BrokenBiker]

i honestly didn't realise the variation between tapes and that they could be calibrated

 

[ford34/2]

tell me all about it, we used to sell a cut to size service for timber, sheet materials, copper pipe,chrome wardrobe rail, even Harrison Drape, etc etc, the Local council weights and measures gave us a written caution because the tape measures we used were not stamped with the " Crown" we got one tape measure checked and a 3foot steel rule checked and stamped with the " Crown" and every body was happy. That was in the late 70s early80s. I appreciate your problem is wee bit different. The checking and stamping was carried out locally by either a government department or an approved one, any shop selling cut to size should have an approved "stamped" measure, even dress material shops, we eventually found Brass counter measures either a metre or 3 feet long ready stamped. Maybe they are still available, but if the suppliers you mention havent got them its not looking good. It may be worth a call to the local weights and measures enforcement people and ask for a supplier.
Stan

 

[Robotstar5]

When I worked at a tube manipulating company, all our tapes, rules etc. had to be checked by the Metrology dept. and they would have a unique number etched/scribed on which had to be held on a register for audit purposes (think it was TS16949)

 

[Hitch]

Its for the ISO9001 side of things rather than CE.

Is it tied in with CE though..?.. we have a 1m calibrated rule appeared in the office, and a sheet to record who has had a new tape- pretty sure it wouldn't be there if it didnt need to be.

The ISO9000, when i was at a place that had that, every personal measuring and marking tool was checked by the in house inspection dept, recorded and stickered up.

 

[Welderpaul]

Yes, i was expecting something a bit more rigorous for the checking of measuring and marking tools. All we need to do on the log is on one line, put say, 15nr engineers squares, next line say, 10nr 8m steel tapes, 6nr combination squares etc etc. Like i say, pointless.

Unless Sodders are going for the ISO9001 as well as CE, but i'm pretty sure it has no real link to CE. I'll check though.

 

[Welderpaul]

When I worked at a tube manipulating company, all our tapes, rules etc. had to be checked by the Metrology dept. and they would have a unique number etched/scribed on which had to be held on a register for audit purposes (think it was TS16949)

Where did you work Robo? There's a couple of big ones your way.

 

[hotrodder]

While it's obviously important that everybodys idea of 1mm is the same as everyone elses the thing that bugs me about calibrated rules is that appears you get exactly the same item you'd be buying if just wanted a ruler (or whatever) but have to pay several times more for the piece of paper that confirms it's as accurate as it's supposed to be? Granted it's more involved than normal production QC but still...

i honestly didn't realise the variation between tapes and that they could be calibrated

Somewhere (usually around the 4" / 100mm mark) there'll be some Roman numerals in a circle/oval which refer to the accuracy class. Class II is probably the most common but the actual precision depends on the length of the thing... if you call out precision as say 1 part in 1000 then that equates to 0.1mm over 100mm or 1mm over 1m etc. Actual numbers for real tape measures... http://www.sola.at/1430_EN-Measure_of_length-Measuring_precision.htm

 

[Robotstar5]

Where did you work Robo? There's a couple of big ones your way.

Maybe I should have said companies that did tube manipulation done as part of process, e.g. air con, power steering etc.

 

[500e]

"Lot of smoke and mirrors this ISO 9001 IMO. A lot of pretty paperwork and that,s about it."
It is only a method to show you have some system in place to follow.
We did it for a number of years because we were told by customers that we would not get business if we did not comply, it was costly for small company's, generated huge amounts of paper + the costly inspections.
The same company's that required it still bought from the cheapest.
After 5\6 years we gave up,

A friend also ISO dealt with a firm with ISO they were always sending incorrect stuff, when they managed to get an order correct he emailed to say glad that you have at last got your dispatch sorted.
He was emailed back asking for return of order as it would appear the correct dispatch would be not in line with their system & would throw up errors in ISO paper work He swears this is true

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

If you've seen the work it is trying to prevent you'll see why it's been done!! We have bought a couple at work lately. I think they were were about 18 quid in MSC. SPI make so not the best or worst

 

[graffian]

i honestly didn't realise the variation between tapes and that they could be calibrated

I once checked all my rules with a DRO, easy to do and you know any rule you pick up is going to be OK, pity about the eyes;-)

 

[brightspark]

I once checked all my rules with a DRO, easy to do and you know any rule you pick up is going to be OK, pity about the eyes;-)

thats why u can get protractor sets with built in magnifiers

 

[ford34/2]

there are others listed but they are not stamped, all on www. davronline

also,might be worth a look:
http://www.buybrandtools.com/acatalog/Laser_Engraved_Engineers_Rule_1m.html
carry individual ID and
BS 4372:1968, over £100 each.


However Stanley are cheap and government stamped, metric and imperial.

STANLEY 1321GS 1m Brass Counter Measure 1-35-440
Description

Hard Rolled Brass with deep etched black figures and graduations 19mm wide.

Countersunk holes for fixing to counter top.

Graduated mm, figured centimetres bottom edge.

Government Stamped

Length 1 metre
Width 19mm

Image
Click to view larger Image.
Order Code Description Price (Inc VAT) Quantity
STA135440 1321GS 1m Brass Counter Measure 1-35-440
Only £41.50
(£34.58 ex VAT)
http://www.davronline.co.uk/product/1321GS-1m-Brass-Counter-Measure-1-35-440

STANLEY 1322GS 1m Government Stamped Counter Measure 1-35-441
Description

Hard Rolled Brass with deep etched black figures and graduations 19mm wide.

Countersunk holes for fixing to counter top.

Graduated inches , 8ths top edge , mm figured in centimetres bottom edge.

Government Stamped

Length 1 metre 39in
Width 19mm

Image
Click to view larger Image.
Order Code Description Price (Inc VAT) Quantity
STA135441 1322GS 1m Government Stamped Counter Measure 1-35-441
Only £41.50
(£34.58 ex VAT)

http://www.davronline.co.uk/product/1322GS-1m-Government-Stamped-Counter-Measure-1-35-441

 

[Old Dog]

Not used there tapes/rules and I have no idea how much they are but I have 2 of their axes and they are top quality lovely pieces of kit, well worth the money( not expensive either ). The hatchet is 25 years old and still sharpens to a razor edge and stays sharp. Might be worth the cost of a phone call, or a e-mail
http://www.hultafors.com/products/about-our-products/experienced-folding-rules/