Terminology for folding rules?

[clovis]

Can you teach me some basic terminology about folding rules?

For instance, I have a Stanley folding rule that folds out to 12 inches, using two 6 inch pieces of wood. Is this called a "two way"?

Another rule uses 4 sticks and folds out to 24 inches. Is this a 4 way?

There seems to be two types of hinges on most folding rules? What are those two types called?

My 12 inch rule has a brass slide out caliper. Is 'caliper' the correct term?

Know any other folding rule terms that you can share with me?

Thanks in advance!!!!

[Papaw]

Two-fold and four-fold are the terms you are looking for.
I think the pull-out is called a caliper.

[ray]

I think that 2 more terms are." out-side in " and " in-side out". Referring to were the smaller numbers
are. I prefer the " in-side out " as you can lay it flat on the piece that you want to measure.

Ray

[Lewill2]

Best education you can get is to go to MJDtools.com and look at his auctions. Search for rules and read the descriptions. I have seen them described as 1ft 2fold and 2 ft 4fold before. Caliper is the correct term for the slide out section. You also have the zig-zag style rules and on and on.

[oldtools]

I thought the pull-out was a depth gage?

[mikeswrenches]

Clovis,

Here is a link that will help a little.  If you can find a copy of Alvin Sellens book on rules you will get a better education.  Unfortunately it is out of print and a little pricey if you do find it.

http://www.oldtools.co.uk/tools/Rules.html

Mike

[Branson]

I thought the pull-out was a depth gage?

Well, it can be a depth guage.  But it's really for doing inside measurements, like the width of a door frame.  Open it as wide as it will go and still fit inside the frame.  Then extend the pull out until it reaches the other side.  Add the measurement of the pull out to the measurement of the wood parts, and you have the width of the inside of the frame.

[Branson]

I think that 2 more terms are." out-side in " and " in-side out". Referring to were the smaller numbers
are. I prefer the " in-side out " as you can lay it flat on the piece that you want to measure.

Ray

I've never heard that before.  Never seen a folder that worked that way, come to think of it.  I have more than a few, and it seems to me that they are all the same, inside or outside.  Same as my Lufkin zig-zag. 

In my book, if there's only one hinge, it's just a folder.  If you can fold out the ends again, it's a bi-fold.  If the ends can be folded out yet again, it's a tr-fold, and I ain't seen no quadra-folds.

[oldtools]

Thank you Mike & Branson, very informative,
I like the link to oldtoos.co.uk, checked out the other links on that site, lots of info on all types of tools..

[clovis]

Thank you so much!!!! I appreciate your time and help!!!!

I've enjoyed this discussion, so if anyone has something to add, please post it. I like learning. 

[Bill Houghton]

I thought the pull-out was a depth gage?

But there are also folding rules with caliper heads on one leg of the rule.  The ones I've held in my hands are two-fold rules, and the other leg of the rule serves as the fixed jaw of the caliper; but there were apparently four-fold rules with calipers, too.  I own one, but won't have time to take a picture for some days.  In the meantime, here's an elaborate version from Bridge City Tools (chosen because it was the only image I could find online that's likely to stick around; the images of classic folding caliper rules were all on for-sale sites):

[clovis]

Thank you again!!!!