Woodpeckers has announced that their popular Paolini Pocket Rule will now be a permanent addition to their product catalog.
The Paolini Pocket Rule has been offered as a OneTimeTool several times now, with large gaps of time in between when you could not buy one. Now, you can buy it year-round.
Note: Woodpeckers is offering the Paolini Pocket Rule at an introductory price to mark this event.
These handy rules, with their specially designed stop, are available in 18 different configurations, ranging in price from $32.99 to $49.99 individually.
How to Use it for Horizontal Measurements
The Paolini Pocket Rule’s features are similar to other pocket rules, allowing you to make accurate repeated measurements. The Paolini was designed in conjunction with Greg Paolini, an expert furniture maker and instructor whose courses have received rave reviews among woodworkers, such as on the Festool Owner’s Group forum.
The inch model has 1/16″ and 1/32″ scales on both sides. They’re lined up so if you need the finer scale, you just flip the rule over and you’re there. The same is true for the end scale, just flip it over to switch between fine and coarse graduations.
The metric has the same rules, but with 1mm scales on both sides. There’s a combination version with both inch and metric, with 1/16″ and 1mm scales on one side, and 1/32″ and 1mm scales on the other.
How to Use it for Vertical Measurements
You can also use the Paolini Pocket Rule to make vertical measurements up to 1″, by removing the stop and placing it on the inside of the rule.
Positioned like this, the stop holds the ruler upright so that you can use it hands-free for machine set-up, such as when dialing in the height of a router bit, saw blade, or dado stack.
Paolini Pocket Rule Sizes and Styles
Woodpeckers is offering the Paolini Pocket Rule with the choice between stainless steel or aluminum rules. They will be available with inch, metric, or combination inch/metric markings.
The imperial version is available in 6″, 8″, and 12″ lengths, and metric in 150mm, 200mm, and 300mm.
The prices of each rule will increase by $2-$3 after the introductory period, which ends, 4/9/2019.
Stainless Steel Paolini Pocket Rules
- 12-inch, 300mm, combination: $49.99
- 8-inch, 200mm, combination: $44.99
- 6-inch, 150mm, combination: $39.99
The Stainless Steel ruler measures 1/16″ thick and 1″ wide.
Also shown here is the optional wall storage rack, which allows you to mount up to three Paolini Pocket Rules on the wall.
Aluminum Paolini Pocket Rules
- 12-inch, 300mm, combination: $42.99
- 8-inch, 200mm, combination: $37.99
- 6-inch, 150mm, combination: $32.99
As you’d expect from Woodpeckers, the aluminum version is anodized red, their signature color. The aluminum ruler is 1/8″ thick and 1″ wide.
You can also buy a full set of stainless steel Paolini Pocket Rules for $140, or a full set of aluminum rules for $120. The sets include a rule of each length, plus a Rack-It wall storage rack. The storage rack will also be available separately, for $10.99 ($12.99 regularly).
Buy Now (via Woodpeckers)
Shipping ETA: 5/15/19
First Impressions
I’ve wanted a Paolini Pocket Rule for a long time, and somehow I’ve always missed the window for buying it as a OneTimeTool. In a trend that I hope continues, Woodpeckers appear to be converting more and more of their tools into permanent additions to their collection.
So far this year I’ve noted the launch of their Variable Router Jig and Parallel Guide System, both of which have also been on my wanted list.
Hopefully they will use the OneTimeTool range to gauge interest, with the more popular tools being added to their permanent catalog. Companies in other industries, such as Peak Design have effectively and successfully used Kickstarter in a similar manner.
Back to the Paolini. I have Kreg’s Multi Mark ($15 via Amazon) and it’s one of my most regularly used tools. Priced at $15, it’s a bit less than half the cost of the equivalent Paolini. It’s a very useful tool but I have often found that it’s not long enough for my needs, and the plastic makes it a little bulky. Mine has taken quite a beating so it’s time for an upgrade\replacement.
Just like clamps, you can never have enough measuring tools. I think this one will be a valuable and versatile addition to my kit and will be ordering the Stainless Steel metric set while it’s on offer.
