[Odal3]

I have recently been doing some woodworking (audio related stuff for now) and it's kind of fun. I have to admit it is a little bit overwhelming figuring out which tools I need and for what since I'm more or less starting out from scratch - not to mention which products are good and which ones to avoid.

Next up is to get some better measurement rules, squares and layout tools for more accurate and repeatable work.
I have done some Internet searching and found recommendations for everything from incra rules, woodpecker  squares, rule stops, combination squares, etc. Some of them are rather expensive. I got really good advice when I asked about routers and bits in a different thread here (which even convinced me to pick up a track saw) so I'm hoping for a little bit of help with this too.

So I'm curious to hear what your favorites are and what type of measurements/layout/tool set up you use them for.

[TomS]

You'll get dozens of answers, none of them wrong 

My first really nice measurement acquisition was a Woodpecker's 1281. I use it for squaring the Festool MFT, among many other things. I then added an Incra Pro-T Measuring Rule for marking and layout. I use both a lot, and add the Woodpeckers tools as need arises and budget permits, such as their woodworking rules. At these prices, they are definitely legacy purchases, and you don't want to fall for too many of their "one time tool" offers or you'll run out of money in a hurry.

http://www.woodpeck.com/1281.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/incraprot.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/woodworkingrules.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/rulestop2.html

A good quality 12" triangle goes a long way. This is a nice everyday one for only $25 plus shipping. I keep one by the MFT and use it when I don't want to get the 1281 out.
http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

I always have to remind myself that woodworking isn't like metal machining, so doesn't require the same precision, at least for small scale projects. The best furniture builders I've observed, use very simple, mostly hand tools (planes), purpose built wood jigs, and a couple references for square and angle/bevel gauging. It's so much more about technique, time, and patience.

[Folsom]

You want to buy TWO of these Incra Gauges. You'll use them over measuring rules 99% of the time. They only go down to 1/32 in locked positions so there's no 64/128th... big deal. You can mark ten times as fast with it, too. Sometimes you have to set it to compensate a little for the pencil if it's not sharp at all.

[Wayner]

To go along with the tools, you might be interested in a CAD system (computer aided drafting), so you can do some designing. There are some free CADs, but they are really not that good. Deltacad has a nice 2D package for about $40. You can draw just about anything you want (to scale), print out the drawings, or make .dxf files of the drawings you have made for others to import and perhaps make.

Just an idea.....

'ner

[jtwrace]

For CAD I recommend using OnShape. Free and crazy easy and usable with any device.

[WGH]

One of my favorite and most used tools is the Starret 13A Double Square. I like it because it is small with a 4" blade, easy to use with one hand and extremely accurate.




My other favorite tools are no longer made:

Rabone Chesterman 12" ruler, stainless steel and made in England, this ruler is used and abused daily for 20 years and still looks brand new. The Starrett 12" ruler looks like the same quality.



Bridge City has a new line of tools you should check out. They make excellent tools.
http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/

I have 8 of their original layout tools similar in style to the try square below.

[Odal3]

Thank you all for the inputs!

WGH - 20 years! Impressive

Folsom - can you share some more detail of how you use 2. How is the plastic holding up?

[Odal3]

Here's a quick update. I purchased the incra gauge a few weeks ago and I really like it. Folsom - thanks for the recommendation! As you said, it makes it very fast to mark things out - including the middle.

Just wish they have one with a metric scale as well

 http://www.incra.com/measuring_marking-incra_gauge.html

[Peter J]

You'll get dozens of answers, none of them wrong 

My first really nice measurement acquisition was a Woodpecker's 1281. I use it for squaring the Festool MFT, among many other things. I then added an Incra Pro-T Measuring Rule for marking and layout. I use both a lot, and add the Woodpeckers tools as need arises and budget permits, such as their woodworking rules. At these prices, they are definitely legacy purchases, and you don't want to fall for too many of their "one time tool" offers or you'll run out of money in a hurry.

http://www.woodpeck.com/1281.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/incraprot.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/woodworkingrules.html
http://www.woodpeck.com/rulestop2.html

A good quality 12" triangle goes a long way. This is a nice everyday one for only $25 plus shipping. I keep one by the MFT and use it when I don't want to get the 1281 out.
http://www.andersonplywood.com/square-for-festool-mft-square/

I always have to remind myself that woodworking isn't like metal machining, so doesn't require the same precision, at least for small scale projects. The best furniture builders I've observed, use very simple, mostly hand tools (planes), purpose built wood jigs, and a couple references for square and angle/bevel gauging. It's so much more about technique, time, and patience.

I couldn't agree more with all the above, including some decent tools to get started. I've noticed that sometimes the tools themselves are the object of adoration by casual woodworkers but rarely pros. Don't get me wrong, I'm not slamming anyone, but one doesn't need an expensive arsenal to get started and you may find your needs are actually served by fairly pedestrian equipment. This coming from an admitted tool junkie.

Accuracy is important but  philosophically I think one needs to honestly assess what he or she is likely to use right now and make those purchases. If your love of the craft grows, so can your tool arsenal.

I've seen many a hobby shop put together with killer equipment, just to sit and collect dust while other hobbies take precedence. To each his own, I suppose, but that seems ineffective at best. But that's me.

I'd also second the suggestion for some sort of drawing program. 3D modeling (Sketchup) changed my way of doing things more than any one  tool.

[Peter J]

For CAD I recommend using OnShape. Free and crazy easy and usable with any device.

This program was unfamiliar to me. My only experience is with SketchUp. Any chance you have experience with both so you could compare the two?