Reversed Engineers Scale?

[muddbutter]

Hey everyone,

 

I wasn't sure where to post this so if we need to move it that's cool.

 

I use an engineers scale a lot at work...I have grown to hate scales. Why do they make them so the numbers are upside down on the bottom that is facing you?? Maybe because I'm left handed this bothers me so much...who knows?

 

Do they make scales that read in reverse? When I am looking at the scale in front of me, I want the edge that is touching the paper to read from right to left. Does this make sense to you?

 

Kinda confusing to explain.

 

Thanks!

[Car5858]

Try using the scale under the measurement you are plotting. This way you are looking over the top edge of the scale, the numbers will read normally.

[eldon]

You can get lefthanded scale rules, but I think you are using the scale rule in a different way to a lot of people.

 

I was taught to use the scale rule with the scale on the upper edge on the drawing. Then you could counter parallax by eyeing along the lines of the scale ruler to measure the length. If you have the ruler on the far side, there is nothing to help you against parallax.

[muddbutter]

It seems that my post is misunderstood to many you, judging from some smart aleck comments.

 

Car5858 you are correct. I do think the proper way to use the scale would be to look over the top.

 

The problem that I am facing is-my line of work is land surveying and mapping. I am scaling large tracts of land on tobin maps. Some of these maps are huge...like several times the size of my drafting table. A lot of times I find it easier to use the back side of the scale rather than look over the top.

 

I mean, ...it would be different if I was scaling from standard ANSI sheet sizes.

 

Eldon, you make a great point about the parallax issue. This is somehting that I need to be more careful with.

 

Thanks for everyone's input...

[Cad64]

Thread cleaned up and "smart aleck" comments removed. :wink:

[Car5858]

Have you thought about making your own scale? Draw the scale with Acad and plot on transparent sheet. This way you can determine the direction of the text.

 

PS. Thanks for the clean up Cad 64

[ReMark]

The scales are made that way because most people measure left to right.

 

Maybe you are scale challenged. I've never had any problem reading either an engineer's scale or an architect's scale even in the "reverse" position. Do it enough and over time it just becomes second nature.

 

Example: Being able to read blueprints that are "facing" another person. Second nature now. I can even hand print lettering up-side-down and backwards. That's how I can help my wife with the daily crossword puzzle while she's the one the page faces.

[muddbutter]

The scales are made that way because most people measure left to right.

 

Maybe you are scale challenged. I've never had any problem reading either an engineer's scale or an architect's scale even in the "reverse" position. Do it enough and over time it just becomes second nature.

 

Example: Being able to read blueprints that are "facing" another person. Second nature now. I can even hand print lettering up-side-down and backwards. That's how I can help my wife with the daily crossword puzzle while she's the one the page faces.

 

 

lol "scale challenged". It's not a matter of me not being able to do it...I do it all day long, everyday. It's a matter of preference...a matter of something that bugs me. That's all. I was just wondering if they made scales that are printed from the other direction. No biggie.

[ReMark]

Perhaps there is some specialty shop somewhere in the world that does make them but expect to pay a heck of a lot more for one. If there isn't just think of all the "reversed" engineering scales you'll be able to sell after you have started your own company. Now all we need is a name for your new company.

 

It bugged me once too but after I got used to it, it didn't matter much to me anymore.

[skipsophrenic]

Being left handed myself I can understand your . . . annoyance at this,

 

The way around it i suggest, is get a few pieces of steel the same size as a 12" ruler, and then get them engraved the way you need them.

 

(if you do start selling any let me know!!!!!)

 

[ReMark]

Empire Level makes a hook ruler that reads right to left.