4-fold rule questions...

[Donn]

..I have a couple of old Stanley 4-fold 2-foot boxwood rules, a #61 and a #63. They each share an affliction common to these rules, the sides that have been exposed to light, have a very darkened finish...so dark that they are becoming difficult to read. I use them quite a bit, and would like to renew the finishes, without taking the black ink out of the numerals and index lines.

Any suggestions...other than just using the inside surfaces?

[ 10-13-2003, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Donn ]

[Leon m]

Could you bleach them before you refinish?

[Bob Smalser]

Try some Formby's Refinisher and 0000 steel wool and carefully remove just the oxidized layer of varnish w/o getting the India Ink the letters were applied with.

Gunsmith's Trichlorethylene (TCE) does about the same thing as Formby's but isn't as aggressive...that may be an easier choice. Brownell's.com. Wear rubber gloves...ain't healthy.

If you take too much, a steel pen and bottle of India Ink will fix it.

Recoat with shellac or Truoil in a real light, thin coat.

PS....while I don't think Stanley used shellac on these, you might just test for it first with a dab of alcohol on a Q-Tip.

[ 10-13-2003, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[werner]

Hi ,
for darkened wood or water stains you could try oxalic acid (think thats the name in english)do not know if it will leave the black numbers. it is a white powder (cristals) and is highly toxic do not swallow (or whatever some people do with white powder).

kind regards,

Werner

[Donn]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I think both bleach and oxalic acid would remove the ink, and alcohol had little effect.

I poked around on the web, and it appears that they are still being manufactured, by a variety of folks, including Stanley, in wood, ABS, etc., and in a variety of lengths and graduations. For the life of me, I can't find them for sale in the US, and I imagine the freight from England would equal the price of the rule, £5-£10.

Anyone have a closer source?

[Donn]

OK...found a 3 footer at Garrett Wade...$17.95...seems expensive.

http://www.garrettwade.com/images//product/family/88g0302.jpg

[WFK]

Hi Donn;

I too am a fan of the folding rule, the boat builder I worked for always had his at the ready in his side pocket of his bibs,.....the difference being, his as is mine are aluminum,.... An old Lufkin #1206F, much less bulky than the wood folding rules. So if you have a tough time replacing what you have, then maybe consider going with the aluminum one,.....you can see quite a few on e-bay from time to time.

Bill

[Donn]

Thanks, Bill..I'll check ebay. Meanwhile, check out the RascalRule (http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=001987)

[Gary E]

Donn,

Nice looking rules there...

I have a very small one a Num 36, it hs a radius hook on one end and the radius of the hinge that allows you to measure a bore as small as 3 7/16 ... then that hook can be slid out to measure a 5 1/2 ID.. then unfold it and you can use it as a hook rule good for maybe 8 inches.... I never use it, just have it in the desk drawer.

I am wondering that some day you will waltz into a Antiques Road show with them and the guy will tell you there are worth a mint.. so I would keep them as is.

G

[rbgarr]

I'd be very nervous about trying to refinish one of those , but that['s just me.

I've got several four-fold rules that I bought at country auctions over the years. I love the different styles Stanley came out with. For work around epoxy, etc., I use a Scandinavian steel folder that cleans up easily. The boxwood Stanleys are brassbound and have special features that I use only in special situations. My most cherished is an brassbound ivory one that I just like to admire from time to time. It's like a piece of working scrimshaw.

[Bob Smalser]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3246012257&category=4123

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3247033008&category=4123

I don't think the six to twenty bucks these go for would get The Antiques Road Show too excited.

Heck, send them to me...I'll clean and tighten them up and send them back in less time than we are spending jabbering about it.