Does anyone use this kind of ruler for cutting?
 

I went to an put-of-the-way quilt shop yesterday yand saw the owners using this tool.
Does anyone on the board use this?
http://www.gwjcompany.com/index.php?...7cefa9f2ee100f

Interesting. I've never seen one before.

No, my preference for strip cutting subcutting squares are the TruCut rulers with their ergonomic rotary cutter.

lol, 'ovary cutter' That made me smile!

Looks like a mat or poster cutting ruler like they would use in a sign shop. I really can't see from the picure, but the edges of these type rulers are usually set up for an exacto knife rather than a rotary cutter. If they are using it in the shop it must work with the rotaries. If you miss you ruin your cutting blade.

Looks like it is best for a knife blade craft cutter or tile or such. But any ruler with a guard is better then one without it. I never cut fabric without a guard of some sort for my ruler.

Auto correct strikes again...rotary became ovary:D

They were using a rotary cutter with it. They didn't let me try it out, so I don't know how it felt, compared with plastic rulers.

I want to try it out, but I wonder if the inability to see through it will bw a problem.

I haven't seen that model, but my DH has a similar tool for dry wall that I have cleaned up and used quite successfully.

I too haven't seen this ruler however my DH has been a flooring installer for about a million years and he uses steel rulers with his olfa knives and I've "borrowed" his curvy ruler without any worries.

But, if you're cutting strips, how do you see how wide to cut them?? I guess you could use the markings on your cutting mat..... I've never see a ruler like this used for fabric...

that's what I was thinking too. Wouldn't this limit what you can cut??? Is it heavy?

It seems it would require you to use the lines on your cutting mat for measuring the cut, rather than the ruler. Maybe OK for some uses (like the long cuts in a fabric store, which are measured on the mat anyway). But I can't see it for home use - at least not for fabric. Looks perfect for cutting drywall :)

We use similar steel rulers at work with big electric cutters and cut thousands of yards of material.
peace

I tried it once and didnt like it. It's not clear and I like to see that nothing shifted.

I've got one for cutting mat board for photos. I wouldn't use it for fabric.

Not being able to see through it; having the rotary cutter blade go over metal, and the weight of the metal (no matter the length) would all be a problem for me. I can't see any advantage to it at all.

Well, looking it at the prices, it appears to be more expensive than an omnigrid ruler, without the ability to see through it and line up perpendicular lines and see the marking the whole way along the fabric, so I'm not sure what would be worth the extra price.

Its not see through. I count on mine being see through. I do like the idea of having your resting hand behind that shield.

I haven't seen these either, I as well have a dry wall ruler I use often, especially when squaring up.

Never seen one of these rulers. I like the finger guard - it looks taller than the others I've seen and would protect better I think. Not too sure about cutting along metal edges - might be easier to nick the cutter edges. I will have to watch for it in stores where someone is using it.

I use metal rulers all the time for some things so yes they are great with a rotary cutter. But you all need to look further into that website, I see where they will cut to size a see thru cutting mat that I think is great because if you have an odd sized table it would be perfect to have a mat to cover it so you could cut any where on it without having to move your mat around like I have to all the time.
With a full sized cutting surface, I can just throw it on the table and cut no matter where I'm standing. I really love that idea.

Oh my, my mind is flying with this. Wouldn't it be great to have a table for cutting with a glass insert for a light box all in one? Using their translucent cutting mat would make it possible. Boy have I got some redesigning to do!

These type of 'rulers' are actually termed Machinist's Straight Edges. They are often used in machining metal. The way you use them in quilting would be to measure in with your ruler from say the right. Place your straight edge along the left side of the clear ruler then press and cut.

The reason they are used is because of the need for extreme accuracy when working in metal. Cloth because of it's properties when woven doesn't require this type of precision so it's really unnecessary for quilting. I have some but don't use them for quilting.

I personally wouldn't use it because you can't see thru it.

This post brings to mind a recent Missouri Star ad. They have a plastic type ruler that has a 'carbine' edge that sharpens your blade as it passes by. Cool if it truly works.

Missouri Star advertised a ruler lately that has some kind of 'carbine' edge that sharpens your blade as it rolls by. Cool if it works.

Was it to square up the top or measure how long the borders should be? I have seen them use dry wall rulers at quilt in a day to do that.

Looks like it would be great for squaring up a big quilt.

Looks interesting.

It certainly would be a problem for me.

ROFLMAO!! Oh that was so good! The Carbide embedded ruler edges would work for sharpening although they won't fix nicks as good as a whetstone. Although if they ever sell a Carbine ruler maybe I could shoot my quilt if it got mouthy LOL :) I needed a good laugh thank you!

Ovary cutter? okay, now I'm thinking - who's a surgeon? roflmbo!!!

Had one similar in drafting yrs ago.
Wish i still had it, would have saved me a few quilt accidents

so glad you cleared that up - I was scared!! lol!!